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Best Dispersed Camping near Byron, ME

34 Reviews

Dispersed camping opportunities near Byron, Maine include several primitive sites with varying levels of accessibility and amenities. Smudge Cove offers tent camping with boat-in or hike-in access, featuring picnic tables, fire rings, and basic toilet facilities. Eagle Cove and Raven provide more rustic experiences along Cupsuptic Lake, though campers report Eagle Cove has "very little clear flat area for an established campsite" and can be challenging during rainy conditions. Rangeley-Stratton Road Camp provides drive-in access but offers minimal amenities.

Most sites in this region require visitors to be fully self-sufficient. No drinking water is available at these locations, and cell service ranges from limited to nonexistent. According to reviews, access roads to many sites are rough and not suitable for standard passenger vehicles. Several campsites, particularly those at Trout Brook Campground, have limited privacy. As one camper noted, "There are 4 sites, 3 have no separation between them, 1 is at the entrance, all are on the access road with 0 privacy."

Fire regulations vary by location. Smudge Cove and Raven permit campfires in established rings, while Eagle Cove prohibits fires entirely. Visitors should pack out all trash and come prepared with necessary supplies. The Forest Legacy Trail sites, including Smudge Cove, are jointly managed by Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust (trails) and Cupsuptic Campground (campsites). Weather conditions can significantly impact site quality, with some locations becoming muddy during rain. Bear activity has been reported at certain sites, particularly in the White Mountains area, requiring proper food storage.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Byron, Maine (12)

    1. Smudge Cove

    1 Review
    Oquossoc, ME
    21 miles
    Website

    $28 / night

    "This campsite is along the Forest Legacy Trail and while the trail is managed by one entity, the remote campsites are managed by another."

    2. Eagle Cove

    1 Review
    Oquossoc, ME
    19 miles
    Website

    3. Rangeley - Stratton Road Camp

    1 Review
    Rangeley, ME
    20 miles

    4. Raven

    1 Review
    Oquossoc, ME
    21 miles
    Website

    $28 / night

    5. White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road

    6 Reviews
    Gilead, ME
    31 miles

    "We pulled in around 7:30 pm on a Sunday night and there were plenty of open spots. We took a huge one. Found a fairly flat area and stayed for the night."

    "8 huge, beautiful campsites in the heavily wooded Evans Notch section of The White Mountains National Forest."

    6. Town Hall Road Dispersed

    18 Reviews
    Chatham, NH
    45 miles

    "My first ever dispersed camping experience. So freaking amazing and unbelievable. It was pouring rain when we came to NH so we tried to wait out the rain, but it was getting dark."

    "Awesome boondocking in New Hampshire, what a treat in the east coast! Just beautiful scenery, with trees, rivers, creeks, hiking trails with a pond- we absolutely loved our time here. "

    7. Hogan Road Pulloff near Appalachian Trail

    2 Reviews
    Gorham, NH
    33 miles

    "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. there was another spot at the posted coordinates"

    "Would be really quiet if not for the road across the lake. I saw one truck in the evening and one in the morning."

    8. Trout Brook Campground

    3 Reviews
    Stratton, ME
    33 miles

    "Posted up to 14 days max. Even an out-house."

    9. Dead River Access on Long Falls Dam Road

    1 Review
    Caratunk, ME
    41 miles

    "The main camping area has about 10 long narrow sites that have large rocks bordering each site. Each site is bordered by the road. There is a single vaulted toilet."

    10. Philbrick Landing

    1 Review
    Caratunk, ME
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 496-2285

    "This is a small impacted spot along the Dead River along the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT)."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Byron, ME

39 Photos of 12 Byron Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Byron, ME

34 Reviews of 12 Byron Campgrounds

  • Miccal M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 8, 2024

    Trout Brook Campground

    Primitive Camping at it's most Public

    This location is Beautiful, but it comes at the cost of privacy.  When I first discovered this spot, it wasn't an official campsite, people just came here to swim and there was a fire ring. That was over 20yrs ago.

    There are 4 sites, 3 have no separation between them, 1 is at the entrance, all are on the access road with 0 privacy.  This area is overused, and it shows, sites are warn in and if there was room relocating fire pits and allowing some nature to come back would be nice.  I managed to tuck myself into a private alcove of trees on the #1 site, but still was in full view of headlights and people driving in to see if there was space.  The site I had was big enough that I shared it with a couple that had a small child, and they had their own section. 

    There are no service, no water, no electricity, no to little cell coverage.  There is one pit toilet.  

    The access road in is rough, not for normal street cars.

    Did I mention lack of privacy?

    See pics.

  • Atlas W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 30, 2023

    Town Hall Road Dispersed

    SO AMAZING!!

    My first ever dispersed camping experience. So freaking amazing and unbelievable. It was pouring rain when we came to NH so we tried to wait out the rain, but it was getting dark. We followed the directions given by previous reviews. Turn onto town hall rd. and keep going past the residential area until you get to gravel road. keep going straight until you see the national forest sign. about a mile later us when campsites started popping up. the first few were full since it was 7pm but we came across one right around where the pin is dropped for this location. the cliff wasn’t too steep here (i passed up a campsite before this one bc it seemed too steep for my liking) and pretty large. beautiful view of the water and even a path down to swim. 10/10 experience and i cant wait to go back.

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 12, 2022

    Philbrick Landing

    Secluded spot along the NFCT

    This is a small impacted spot along the Dead River along the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT). The site is not easily visible from the river and there is a steep bank you have to navigate to unload and pull your canoe or kayak up for the evening. That being said, it is a nice spot to spend an evening.

    When we were there, there was a small bench and a few stumps that were nice for seating. The campsite is at the end of an old logging road that you can walk down quite a ways. In the summer months, you will find an abundance of blueberries! 

    This is a primitive backcountry site so pack it in, pack it out. And maybe take a few extra pieces of trash with you! There is a large fire ring and a little gravel area we used to cook. There's plenty of flat space for a couple of 2-3 person tents. The stars are beautiful to boot! Definitely bring everything you need with you because there's nothing anywhere around.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 28, 2023

    Town Hall Road Dispersed

    Awesome Boondocking

    Awesome boondocking in New Hampshire, what a treat in the east coast! Just beautiful scenery, with trees, rivers, creeks, hiking trails with a pond- we absolutely loved our time here. 

    Town Hall Rd is a long road with many designated dispersed sites, all far apart from each other and all varying in levelness and size. We got lucky and snagged a perfect spot 2 miles in from the entrance sign- completely level (didn’t even need our leveling blocks) and big enough for our 26ft class c. Each site is different, but there were plenty that could fit a medium sized RV like ours. I wouldn’t recommend a giant 5th wheel or class A to come here looking for a spot. The road is dirt, but it’s hard packed and smooth, with a few dips and holes here and there. A little narrow but it’s manageable. The downside of a great road is the speeding cars and trucks- very annoying but thankfully there wasn’t much traffic in early October. I’d say more than half the sites were open when we stayed there mid-week. 

     No amenities here, just a rock fire pit to designate that it’s a spot. Please pack out your trash. Zero cell service in this whole area, but some messages popped through while we were hiking. weBoost did not help. Heavily wooded area, so it’s not so great for solar panels and probably not starlink either (we don’t have starlink so I can’t report on that).

  • Josie W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 8, 2024

    Town Hall Road Dispersed

    Great location!

    We loved this spot. There were plenty of sites to choose from and most (not all) had access to the river as well as a fire ring. Sites were on a dirt road, but it was quiet for the most part. Sites were also a good distance from each other so it felt pretty private. We stayed two nights and at two different sites; enjoyed both. Would love to return here in the future.

  • Chris T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 5, 2023

    Trout Brook Campground

    Dispersed site with lake access

    Very wooded. Road is passable for most any vehicle. Not larger RV friendly but was comfortable enough to get the 27' foot trailer in. Some fire rings and tables available. Cannot be beat for zero dollars. Posted up to 14 days max. Even an out-house.

  • candice J.
    Aug. 11, 2021

    Town Hall Road Dispersed

    Perfect spot!

    Town Hall Rd off 302 just keep going past houses until you see the National forest sign. 6-8 spots some big enough for med. camper.

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2023

    Raven

    Super Impacted

    This site, while in a beautiful spot perched above Cupsuptic Lake, it is so impacted that in the rain it was a literal mud pit. While there was a picnic table to get up off the ground, finding a spot to pitch a tent where water wouldn't puddle would be impossible. We hiked in, but you can paddle into the site just know that the exit/entry to the water is a bit tricky and not as easy as some of the other sites available along the way. 

    There is a large fire pit, also a mess in the down pours. The picnic table is in far better shape here than the one in Eagle Cove (rotting) and Cedar Bay (non-existent). The site is quite small and wouldn't be able to accommodate more than two small tents. I wouldn't make a special trip to stay here.

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2023

    Scott C. Devlin Memorial

    Secluded and Quiet

    This is another beautiful site along the CT River Paddler's Trail. It is well maintained and tucked on a knoll in a pine forest. There is a picnic table, fire ring and composting toilet box seat. The takeout is easy to miss if you aren't looking as it sits right in the bend of the river. There is a set of wooden steps that go down into the water at a relatively steep angle. Be sure you tie your boat up while unloading as there is a fair amount of current sweeping around the bend. Use caution moving up and down the steps.

    There is a flat area at the top of the steps where you can tie up your boat for the evening. Follow the path along an electric fence (be careful if you have dogs with you) up into the campsite. There you will find a nice shady spot with plenty of flat space for tents. Beware the ticks! They weren't the worse I've seen, but they are definitely around.

    Aside from the tricky loading and unloading on the water, this site is pretty dang perfect!

Guide to Byron

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Byron, Maine, where nature lovers can find serene spots to unwind and connect with the great outdoors. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, you'll find the perfect place to set up camp.

Top Activities While Free Camping Near Byron

Dispersed Campers Should Check Out Raven

  • The Raven site is known for its stunning views of Cupsuptic Lake, but be prepared for muddy conditions during rainy weather, as the area can become quite impacted.
  • This location allows for both boat-in and hike-in access, making it a great choice for those looking to combine water activities with camping.
  • While there are no amenities like drinking water or electric hookups, the site does allow fires, making it perfect for a cozy evening under the stars.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Byron, Maine

  • When visiting Eagle Cove, be mindful of the limited flat areas for pitching tents, especially during wet weather, as it can become challenging to find a dry spot.
  • Always pack out what you pack in, especially at sites like Philbrick Landing, which is a primitive backcountry spot along the Northern Forest Canoe Trail.
  • If you're looking for a more private experience, consider the Trout Brook Campground, but be aware that it can get crowded, so arriving early is advisable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find dispersed camping in Byron?

Dispersed camping options in the Byron area include Town Hall Road Dispersed and White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road. Town Hall Road features 6-8 dispersed sites, many with river access and fire rings. The road is accessible by turning onto Town Hall Road and continuing past residential areas until you reach National Forest land. White Mountains camping on Little Larry Road offers 8 spacious sites on a dead-end dirt road in the Evans Notch section of White Mountain National Forest, providing privacy and seclusion for campers.

Are there any facilities or amenities at Byron dispersed camping areas?

Facilities at Byron area dispersed camping sites are minimal by design. Philbrick Landing offers basic accommodations along the Dead River with access to the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. At Raven, you'll find a picnic table but limited other amenities. Most dispersed sites in the region include established fire rings, and some may have primitive picnic tables. A few locations like Trout Brook have basic outhouses, but most dispersed sites have no toilet facilities, potable water, or trash service. Campers should be prepared to be fully self-sufficient, bringing their own water, portable toilet solutions, and packing out all waste.

What are the rules and regulations for dispersed camping in Byron?

Dispersed camping in the Byron area typically follows National Forest regulations. At Trout Brook Campground, camping is limited to a maximum 14-day stay. Most dispersed sites in the region are designated with fire rings to minimize environmental impact. Campers should practice Leave No Trace principles, use existing fire rings, pack out all trash, and respect quiet hours. Many sites are first-come, first-served with no reservation system. Some areas may have seasonal closures or restrictions during high fire danger periods. Always check with the local ranger district for current regulations before your trip.

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