The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Dispersed Camping near Farmington, ME

15 Reviews

Dispersed camping sites surround the rural area around Farmington, Maine, primarily on public lands with drive-in access. White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road offers several free primitive sites in a forested setting approximately 30 miles west of Farmington. Additional dispersed camping locations include Rangeley-Stratton Road Camp near the Dead River, Trout Brook Campground, and Dead River Access on Long Falls Dam Road. Most sites permit camping for up to 14 days and provide basic fire rings but few other amenities.

Access roads to most dispersed sites require careful navigation, particularly after rain. White Mountains camping on Little Larry Road features eight large, well-spaced sites on a dirt road with some steep sections. Trout Brook Campground's access road is described as rough and not suitable for standard passenger cars. Most sites lack drinking water, toilets, and trash service, though Dead River Access does provide basic vault toilets. Fire permits may be required at certain locations like Rangeley-Stratton Road Camp, while regulations vary across other sites. Visitors should always practice Leave No Trace principles.

These primitive camping areas offer varying levels of privacy and natural settings. White Mountains camping on Little Larry Road provides the most secluded experience with sites spaced far enough apart that "it's easy to forget there are other people camping." Trout Brook Campground, while located on a scenic lake, offers less privacy with sites described as "worn in" and "in full view of headlights." Some locations like Smudge Cove and Philbrick Landing are primarily accessible by boat, offering waterfront camping with minimal facilities. A visitor noted that at White Mountains camping, "sites are huge" and some areas have "a nice stream but if you are camping at any of the other sites, you don't have water flowing by."

Map showing campgrounds near Farmington, MaineExplore the Map

Best Dispersed Sites Near Farmington, Maine (8)

Show More
Showing results 1-8 of 8 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Farmington Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Farmington, ME

25 Photos of 8 Farmington Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Farmington, ME

15 Reviews of 8 Farmington Campgrounds

  • Miccal M.
    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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2024

    Dead River Access on Long Falls Dam Road

    Beautiful location on the river

    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.

    The paved area of the road ends just past the campground. Lots of people drive just past the pavement and then they turn around.

    Across the road from the campground is a beautiful river. The sound of the river put us to sleep and greeted us the next morning.

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

    Eagle Cove

    Not good in the rain

    We stayed here during a torrential downpour and it was tough to find a spot to pitch the tent that wasn't going to put us in a puddle. The site has very little clear flat area for an established campsite and it took a little bit of strategy to find a spot where we could actually sleep and stay relatively dry given the circumstances.

    This is a waterfront site but there isn't super easy access to the lake, but the view is pretty amazing! There is a rough fire pit that had a stack of wood next to it that was clearly part of an old picnic table. The picnic table that was in the site was, well...let's call it a "living picnic table." It was not in great shape and was actively rotting. We made it work because we had already traveled through the other available sites and they were in worse shape than this one. It did the trick for an evening but I certainly wouldn't go out of my way to stay here.

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

    Smudge Cove

    A Favorite Spot

    This campsite is along the Forest Legacy Trail and while the trail is managed by one entity, the remote campsites are managed by another. The Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust maintains the trails in and out while Cupsuptic Campground manages the campsites.

    There is a tent platform at Smudge Cove but it is in desperate need of repair and it sounds like that's in the plans for next summer. There is a nice picnic table available as well as an established fire ring. The site is just off the water and there is a nice long dock that makes it super easy to boat into and unload. You can also backpack in and enjoy some pretty cool Maine forests along the way. There is also relatively easy access to the water by way of the rocks, beside the dock.

    These sites are secluded and offer a lovely amount of privacy and rest assured, the only sounds you will hear at night are the loons!

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2021

    Bull Brook Road: Dispersed Campsite

    White Mountain Dispersed

    We arrived pretty late on June 22 and got one of the last available spots for the night. There were a number of decently spaced out sites. We drive an e150 and had no trouble getting to the site, and we saw some other vans, along with RVs and tents. Be careful of ticks! We woke up to one in our bed and had to shake everything out. It wasnt an issue in the end but you do need to be aware of them. It was a quiet and peaceful night there otherwise, even with all the other sites full.

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2023

    Rangeley - Stratton Road Camp

    GPS coordinates: 45.004911,-70.578276

    There are three free campsites off Route 16 between Rangeley and Stratton, ME, located on the Dead River. Head northeast out of Rangeley toward Stratton. They are located just after you cross the bridge over the Dead River on the left side of the road. You only need a permit if you plan to have a fire.

Guide to Farmington

Dispersed camping options around Farmington, Maine range from inland forest sites to waterfront locations on the area's numerous lakes and rivers. The region is characterized by dense coniferous forests, mountainous terrain with elevations from 400-3,000 feet, and numerous bodies of water including Flagstaff Lake and the Dead River. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing with significant snowfall, while summer days typically reach 70-80°F with cool nights.

What to do

Hiking nearby trails: Dead River Access offers convenient base camp access to forest trails. "I have been here numerous time with my GF and my friends alike and just about every time we have spotted moose and had a great time in the backroads of maine," notes Ethan S., mentioning the wildlife viewing opportunities in the area.

Fishing opportunities: Smudge Cove provides excellent fishing access from its waterfront location. According to Sarah C., "You can also backpack in and enjoy some pretty cool Maine forests along the way. There is also relatively easy access to the water by way of the rocks, beside the dock."

Stargazing sessions: Little Larry Road sites offer exceptional night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. Amanda B. describes the experience as "wonderfully relaxing and quiet," while Kevin H. notes "we pulled in around 7:30 pm on a Sunday night and there were plenty of open spots."

What campers like

Spacious sites: White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road features notably large camping areas. Rhonda H. confirms "The sites are a great size and are surrounded by trees," adding that "the site at the very top of the road is huge."

Water access: Dead River Access on Long Falls Dam Road offers direct river access. Kevin C. describes "a beautiful river. The sound of the river put us to sleep and greeted us the next morning."

Privacy between sites: Several campgrounds provide well-separated sites. Jason R. notes that Little Larry Road has a "Creek runs through road near sites good for getting water to filter or washing," while Kevin H. describes "adorable private spots" where they "took a huge one."

What you should know

Varied road conditions: Most dispersed sites require traveling on unpaved roads of varying quality. According to Chris T. at Trout Brook Campground, "Road is passable for most any vehicle. Not larger RV friendly but was comfortable enough to get the 27' foot trailer in."

Limited facilities: Most sites have minimal or no facilities. Miccal M. reports that at Trout Brook "There are no service, no water, no electricity, no to little cell coverage. There is one pit toilet."

Site availability varies: Campgrounds fill differently depending on day and season. Robert B. found that Little Larry Road sites offered "Private, nice sites" and "Even had a cell signal that gave data with a weboost."

Tips for camping with families

Choose boat-accessible sites: Philbrick Landing offers a unique family adventure with boat-in access. Sarah C. notes "This is a small impacted spot along the Dead River along the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT)," adding that "In the summer months, you will find an abundance of blueberries!"

Look for established amenities: Some sites offer more conveniences than others. At Dead River Access, Kevin C. observed "The main camping area has about 10 long narrow sites that have large rocks bordering each site," with "a single vaulted toilet" available.

Consider privacy needs: Site selection impacts the family experience. A camper at Trout Brook reports "Went there looking for privacy with our dogs to camp overnight. There are about 4 total spots, but only 1 of the four is truly enjoyable/private."

Tips from RVers

Length restrictions: Rangeley - Stratton Road Camp and similar areas have limited space for larger vehicles. According to GoWhereYouAreDraw N., "There are three free campsites off Route 16 between Rangeley and Stratton, ME, located on the Dead River."

Campsite access challenges: Many free camping areas near Farmington have difficult access roads. Miccal M. warns about Trout Brook: "The access road in is rough, not for normal street cars."

Bring leveling equipment: Sites at Raven and other locations are not typically graded for RVs. Sarah C. notes the challenges: "finding a spot to pitch a tent where water wouldn't puddle would be impossible," suggesting the terrain is uneven and potentially problematic for larger vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at dispersed camping sites near Farmington?

Dispersed camping near Farmington offers minimal amenities. Smudge Cove along the Forest Legacy Trail provides a tent platform, while Eagle Cove has limited flat areas for tents. Some sites like Raven feature picnic tables, but these aren't guaranteed at all locations. Basic fire rings are common at most sites. A few dispersed areas have vault toilets, though most don't offer any bathroom facilities. No potable water, electricity, or trash services are available—bring what you need and pack everything out. Water sources like streams and lakes are available for filtering at some locations. Cell service is spotty throughout the region, with T-Mobile/Starlink offering limited connectivity at certain sites. Plan to be self-sufficient with all necessary supplies and equipment.

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

Dispersed camping near Farmington typically has a 14-day maximum stay limit, as enforced at sites like Philbrick Landing. This small site along the Dead River is part of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. At Dead River Access on Long Falls Dam Road, camping is confined to designated areas with rock borders. Most dispersed sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations accepted. Pack-in, pack-out principles apply to all trash. Campfires are generally permitted only in established fire rings. Vehicle access varies by location, with some sites requiring high-clearance vehicles. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, especially during dry summer months. Some areas may have seasonal closures due to road conditions or wildlife management.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Farmington?

Several free dispersed camping options exist near Farmington. Trout Brook Campground offers completely free camping with a 14-day maximum stay limit. The wooded setting provides privacy though some sites are close together. Another excellent option is White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road, featuring 8 spacious campsites in the Evans Notch section of White Mountains National Forest. These sites are well-spaced for privacy and located on a dead-end dirt road. For water enthusiasts, dispersed sites along the Dead River provide access to paddling routes. Most dispersed sites in the region are first-come, first-served, so arriving early or on weekdays is recommended, especially during peak summer months.

Keep Exploring