Dispersed camping near Buckfield, Maine provides access to the western Maine mountains and forests without the constraints of developed campgrounds. The surrounding area features elevations ranging from 400-2,000 feet with mixed hardwood-conifer forests. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-80°F, while spring and fall camping requires preparation for overnight temperatures that can drop below freezing.
What to do
Hiking from camp: Several White Mountain National Forest trailheads are accessible from dispersed camping areas. "Highwater trail with bridge close by. Great stars. Creek runs through road near sites good for getting water to filter or washing. Trailhead at end of road," notes one White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road user.
Stargazing opportunities: Limited light pollution creates excellent night sky viewing. One camper at Hogan Road Pulloff near Appalachian Trail reported "amazing lil spot, a pull off the wild rocky road. very private. right next to a serene view of the lake. very mild highway traffic sounds in the distance."
Riverside recreation: Many dispersed sites offer water access for fishing, wading, or relaxation. "We drove down the road a bit, past a few tent sites just off the road. About the fifth one or so, you pull in and the fire pit is right there. Then walk down a bit and there's a large group site with another pit. Down toward the river there was plenty of open space so we pitched there and built a fire pit," shares a camper at Town Hall Road Dispersed.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: The spacing between dispersed camping spots creates a secluded experience. "It's easy to forget there are other people camping on other sites because they're so far apart. It's wonderfully relaxing and quiet," writes a visitor to White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road.
Riverside relaxation: Water access ranks high among camper priorities. One Town Hall Road visitor shared, "We found our spot which had some river access and it was gorgeous. It had an above and below spot which hosted our two tents. It was clean, quiet and other campers were friendly as well."
Accessible solitude: Despite relatively easy access, sites maintain a remote feel. A camper at Hogan Road Pulloff noted, "Plenty of trees to hang your hammock. Enough space to put up to 3-5 tents. No fire allowed. Would be really quiet if not for the road across the lake. I saw one truck in the evening and one in the morning."
What you should know
Road conditions vary: Access roads can present challenges depending on your vehicle. "The road was not as bad as I anticipated. There was room for my Jeep Grand Cherokee towing a squaredrop camper to pass the very few oncoming vehicles we encountered. There is a good mix of tent and small/medium camper sites," reports a Town Hall Road Dispersed visitor.
Navigation challenges: GPS directions may be unreliable. "GPS initially took me on the wrong road - make sure you stay on Town Hall Rd no matter what the GPS says," warns a camper.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly by site and carrier. A Little Larry Road camper found that "Site 4 and 5 get some cell service," while others remain disconnected.
Tips for camping with families
Weather preparedness: Pack for rapidly changing conditions. "It was a great place for Rainy Camping. We went during a pouring rain storm and our site remained relatively dry. We even enjoyed a small fire the next day," shared a Town Hall Road visitor.
Select sites strategically: Some sites offer more amenities than others. At White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road, "The sites are a great size and are surrounded by trees. The road is uphill. It is very quiet except for the occasional loud motorcycle that you might hear down on the main road."
Wildlife awareness: Bear activity has been reported at certain locations. "Upper two top sites beware of bears especially the right side site. Game trail heaven," cautions a Little Larry Road camper.
Tips from RVers
Campsite selection for solar users: Forested sites limit solar options. "If all we needed was a campsite with no solar or starlink, this would be 5 star review. Lots of options, great hiking in the area. But if you need solar or starlink, there's only 1 or 2 viable spots," notes a Town Hall Road visitor.
Size restrictions: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller rigs only. "There is a good mix of tent and small/medium camper sites. Many of the sites are right on the side of the road," explains a Town Hall Road camper.
No hookups or services: Bring all supplies, including water. "The only thing I regret not bringing with me is a table to put my camp stove on," mentioned a White Mountains Camping visitor.
