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The White Mountains region around Gilead, Maine provides camping options across public lands, established campgrounds, and dispersed locations. Campers can find accommodations at Hastings Campground, a U.S. Forest Service facility in the Evans Notch area, or explore dispersed camping at White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road. The area supports tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin rentals at facilities like Timberland Campground in nearby Shelburne, New Hampshire. Most developed campgrounds operate seasonally from May through mid-October when weather conditions permit overnight stays.
Seasonal considerations affect campground availability throughout the region, with most established sites closing by late October or early November. Dispersed camping areas require no reservations but offer minimal amenities, while developed campgrounds like Hastings provide fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets. Many campgrounds feature water pumps or spigots for drinking water, though some primitive sites require visitors to filter water from nearby streams. Cell service varies significantly across the area, with some locations offering limited connectivity. A camper who visited White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road noted, "Even had a cell signal that gave data with a weboost."
Campers frequently mention the peaceful nature of sites in this region, particularly those located on forest service roads. The primitive sites along Little Larry Road receive consistently high ratings for privacy and natural setting. One visitor described it as "8 huge, beautiful campsites in the heavily wooded Evans Notch section of The White Mountain National Forest. It's easy to forget there are other people camping on other sites because they're so far apart." Some developed campgrounds like Timberland have specific considerations, as a reviewer cautioned about the proximity to train tracks: "There are active tracks literally on the other side of the line of sites and there are freight trains that come through regularly including all hours of the nights." Most campgrounds in the area provide access to hiking trails, scenic views, and water features such as streams or rivers.
"This campground is just north bordering the White Mountain NF. Close to northern trailheads. NH take care in keeping their parks orderly. Nice site."
"In addition to our designated spot, we had access to a large open space behind that many people utilized to play games or expand their camping area."
from $35 - $45 / night
Check Availability"This is a perfectly situated campground. Just off the main road connection Gorham and North Conway (Route 16), this campground is just minutes from town but has a wonderful wilderness feel."
"My family of 4 tent camped for 1 night as we were making our way from Maine back to Indiana as part of our summer ‘24 New England camping adventure road trip."
from $30 - $44 / night
Check Availability"Close to the main road but not too noisy. There are train tracks on the property but no trains went thru this weekend. Beautiful walking path right by the river!"
"There is also a great playground and a beautiful nature trail along the Androscoggin River. The campground tends to have a mix of tents and RV folks."
from $30 - $67 / night
Check Availability"These campsites are located on a dead end dirt road. The campsites are spread out so you are not on top of each other (I think there are only 8 sites on the road.) "
"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."
"It was unfortunate that my site was close to the main road, but that was my fault and it didn't really change how my weekend was. They have remote sites for camping, see video. "
"While the campground looks to be primarily RV camping from the road, there are many tent sites tucked away in the trees and even two sites that are walk-in only and are situated right on the Androscoggin"
from $22 - $79 / night
Check Availability"Into the Whites from West Bethel, Crocker Pond is an off the beaten path car camping destination. Beautiful place to set up camp for a night to 14 days."
"With no one else around we thought, “welcome to the perfect campsite.” Each site offers a picnic table, fire ring, and access to the pond."
from $18 / night
Check Availability"This campground is privately owned and is situated in an amazing spot in the mountains of Western Maine."
"This small, private campground just outside Grafton Notch State Park offers clean, level, quiet sites with hot showers. If you don’t need wi-fi and hook-ups, this is the place for you!"
from $28 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Couldn’t ask for better sites, both sites 9 & 12 were very private and only a short walk through the woods to setup camp along the river."
"It’s located in Evan’s Notch, so close to many wonderful hiking trails and next to lovely Basin Pond. So quiet!"
"This campground has a day use area with a boat launch and picnic area on the right as you drive in. Non-motorized boats are allowed on the water and it’s a great swim spot in the summer."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"Situated just off the Wild River and off of major roads, Hastings was incredibly peaceful while we were there."
"A small campground located at the northern end of Evan’s Notch, close to some great hiking trails. Pit toilets. Very quiet."
from $24 / night
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ScoutGenuinely one of the most fun weekends I had, staff was amazing and cordial and the other people were friendly; the only thing that I wasn’t a huge fan of was the proximity to other campers. While it’s far enough away for some privacy, at night you can hear people snoring rather loudly.
GuideLovely campground near the lake. Many of the beaches were resident only so I highly recommend buying the $10 beach pass to access their private beach (There’s only two passes available so get there early) The lake was incredibly beautiful and so relaxing!
I will say site #23 is a bit of a tight squeeze, we had a travel trailer (About 21 ft) and a GMC Sierra and we had to pull the truck up tightly against the trailer so we weren’t sticking out. Wanna shout out Rick because he was so kind and very helpful!
TravelerWish there was closer bathrooms.
TravelerAmazing spot, great area! Plentyyy of room. Between sites 10 & 11 is the longest distance out the bunch and enjoyed that because it was easy to run a generator at any hour of the day with no one able to be disturbed by it. Loved Haystack Road overall. Had strong AT&T reception even with 1 - 2 bars.
ScoutAll sites are at the top of the hill. Very walkable. Lots of seasonal campers with RVs and ATVs. Owners are very accommodating. Water is available though you have to fill up your own tanks via a community tank and ATV. Quiet and people are nice and helpful.
TravelerEnjoyed staying here. Very quiet. But lot more expensive than it says.
ScoutKids and dog loved the campground and floating on the river. Lots to do nearby with little kids too, story land only about 20min drive away
RangerOur site was nice, wooded, dark at night, and pretty private. The bathrooms were clean, no hand soap due to bears, and we did not use the showers but they are there.
The pond offers a great time for kids, super shallow beach allows kids to wade out a good way, there is an awesome rock you can jump into about 30’ of clear water, and a hiking path around the lake.
Loon mountain resort is nearby, but the free hiking around camp is best (avoid the massive charges for the summer gondola ride!).
TravelerSecluded walk behind camp to river or across to 2 brooks. Safe usually great camp neighbors plenty of room for small trailers or vans.
Campgrounds near Gilead, Maine feature dense woodlands at elevations ranging from 700 to 1,200 feet along the Androscoggin River valley. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during the day, dropping to 50-60°F at night. Many campsites in this region of western Maine provide access to the Evans Notch section of White Mountain National Forest, where camping is available from mid-May through mid-October.
Hiking on scenic trails: Basin Campground serves as an excellent base for exploring Evans Notch hiking options. One visitor noted, "Just a few miles north of Pinkham Notch visitor center, where trailhead for Mt Washington is and where you can grab a shower downstairs." Trails range from casual walks to challenging summit climbs.
Water activities on ponds and rivers: Crocker Pond offers swimming and fishing opportunities within walking distance of all campsites. "Beautiful views and access to pond. We got there at noon on Saturday and there were two sites left, we got one on the water, but it filled up right away," explained one camper who appreciated the water access.
Wildlife observation opportunities: The White Mountains region hosts diverse wildlife including moose and black bears. A visitor to Dolly Copp Campground reported, "There are signs to watch for moose throughout the forest as they are definitely around." Morning and evening hours offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
Mountain biking on forest trails: Several campgrounds connect to mountain biking networks. A visitor to Moose Brook State Park mentioned, "There are also many hiking trails in the park and a ton of great mountain biking terrain in the park and accessible from the park. The local Coos Cycling Club maintains the trails and is constantly improving and creating more terrain."
Privacy between campsites: White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road receives praise for its secluded sites. A camper observed, "8 huge, beautiful campsites in the heavily wooded Evans Notch section of The White Mountains National Forest. It's easy to forget there are other people camping on other sites because they're so far apart."
Clean facilities at established campgrounds: Visitors frequently comment on well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities. A guest at Grafton Notch Campground stated, "The showers were hot and spacious. We were in Site 3 and it was perfectly distanced between the store and bathrooms."
Natural water features: Campsites with water access rank highly among visitors. At Town Hall Road Dispersed camping area, one reviewer 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."
Well-designed fire rings and cooking areas: Many established campgrounds provide fire pits with cooking grates. A camper at Basin Campground noted, "The fireplaces have a cool double decker grill for cooking. It was very quiet as most people are there to hike and fish."
Weather considerations: The White Mountains experience rapid weather changes. A camper at Timberland Campground noted, "Not allowed to bring your own wood for fire, they have enough onsite and it's priced fairly." Being prepared for temperature fluctuations is essential.
Wildlife safety protocols: Bear activity requires proper food storage. At Dolly Copp Campground, a ranger "confirmed that black bear are prominent and will venture across picnic tables and sites, so be certain to store food & toiletries safely per rules!"
Water availability varies by location: Some sites require water filtering from natural sources. A visitor to Little Larry Road mentioned, "Creek runs through road near sites good for getting water to filter or washing."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies throughout the region. At White Birches Camping Park, a reviewer explained, "They require a $10 CASH deposit for access to the gate key which we weren't aware of when we got here and I couldn't find any mention of it on their website."
Look for campgrounds with activities: White Birches Camping Park offers family-friendly amenities. A visitor noted, "Quite a few activities for kids- bounce house, play ground and heated swimming pool. On Saturday nights around 7pm they blow up a projector for movie night which was a pleasant surprise."
Choose locations with swimming options: Many families appreciate water features for recreation. At Moose Brook State Park, a camper reported, "Perfect for family camping! Fishing, swimming, river walks, biking and movie nights!"
Consider proximity to attractions: Some campgrounds offer easy access to family destinations. A reviewer explained, "Less than 40 minutes in either direction are Story Land and Santa's Village, NH family destinations for generations."
Select sites with adequate shade: Wooded sites provide protection from summer sun. A visitor to White Birches Camping Park observed, "Tent sites are well spaced and almost all of them are in the shade which is a huge bonus!"
Check campground road access: Some forest roads have limitations. At Town Hall Road Dispersed, a camper shared, "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."
Be aware of electrical limitations: Power capacity varies between campgrounds. At Hastings Campground, a visitor noted, "The camp sites were all large, wide and flat. The grounds were pristine and well maintained."
Consider site privacy: Some campgrounds offer better spacing between RV sites. A reviewer at Grafton Notch Campground reported, "Sites are gravel, level, and have enough trees to afford privacy between sites."
Know your hookup requirements: Campgrounds offer varying levels of service. At Dolly Copp Campground, a visitor mentioned, "Tucked away in a beautiful area of the Whites this site is for all hikers. With trails leading to the Wild River Wilderness right from your campsite plus lots of other gems along the road."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the camping options at Gilead?
The Gilead area offers diverse camping experiences for all preferences. Crocker Pond provides secluded car camping with seven sites (five directly on the water) and allows stays up to 14 days. For RV travelers, Bethel Outdoor Adventure and Campground offers full hook-up pull-through sites for large rigs, while also providing grassy shaded sites for tent campers. Additional options include riverfront camping, private wooded sites, and state park campgrounds throughout the broader Western Maine and White Mountains region.
What amenities are available at Camp Gilead?
Campgrounds in the Gilead region offer varied amenities to enhance your outdoor experience. Grafton Notch Campground features 15 well-wooded sites with access to hiking trails and natural sightseeing spots. Timberland Campground provides beautiful walking paths along the river. Many area campgrounds offer water access, with options like Crawford Notch Campground featuring riverside sites and 60 acres of hiking trails. Facilities typically include restrooms, picnic tables, and fire rings, with some locations offering wood sales, boat rentals, and shower facilities.
When is the best time to visit Gilead for camping?
The prime camping season in Gilead and the surrounding region runs from late spring through early fall. Mollidgewock State Park Campground shines in late spring with beautiful wildflowers dotting grassy campsites. Most private campgrounds like Lakeside Pines Campground operate from May through October. Many campgrounds in the area, including Grafton Notch Campground, specifically operate from mid-May through Columbus Day weekend. Summer offers warm days perfect for water activities, while September brings spectacular fall foliage with fewer crowds. Be prepared for ticks in spring and early summer.
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