Dispersed camping near Gray, Maine allows backcountry enthusiasts to experience the rugged terrain of the White Mountains region with minimal infrastructure. The area's terrain features dense northern hardwood forests at elevations ranging between 700-1,200 feet, creating cool microclimates even during summer months. Most rustic sites in this region require campers to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste, with no formal facilities available.
What to do
Hiking from camp: Several sites on Town Hall Road provide direct access to trail systems. "There's a hiking trail up the road if you go to the very top (I think for Mirror Lake?) otherwise you won't have anything else to see that far up," notes Mark M. about Town Hall Road Dispersed.
Water activities: Riverside camping options allow for fishing and wading. "There are trout in the river and if you cross and go through the woods to the right there's some great spots to explore further," explains one Town Hall Road visitor. The nearby Cold River provides additional water access points.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear mountain nights offer excellent night sky viewing. A camper at Little Larry Road reports "Great stars" and mentions the nearby creek that "runs through road near sites good for getting water to filter or washing."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: The spacing between campsites ranks highly with visitors. "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," shares Amanda B. about Little Larry Road, who describes "8 huge, beautiful campsites in the heavily wooded Evans Notch section."
Variable site options: The diversity of sites accommodates different camping setups. "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," explains Laura M., who noted they "snagged a perfect spot 2 miles in from the entrance sign - completely level."
River proximity: Many sites feature water access. "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," shares Alex S. about their Town Hall Road experience, adding it was "clean, quiet and other campers were friendly as well."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads require careful driving but are generally manageable. "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," reports Bob G. about Town Hall Road.
Navigation challenges: GPS systems may not provide accurate directions. "GPS initially took me on the wrong road - make sure you stay on Town Hall Rd no matter what the GPS says," warns one camper. For Little Larry Road, approach via Route 113 through Evans Notch.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies significantly by location and carrier. "Just enough t-mobile / starlink signal to watch streaming and message, but wouldn't be enough for remote work," reports Kevin H. about Little Larry Road, who found better signal "at the White Mountain National Forest Picnic area off the main road about 5 minutes away."
Tips for camping with families
Weather considerations: Be prepared for rapid weather changes. "It was a great place for Rainy Camping. We went during a pouring rain storm and our site remained relatively dry," shares Rowan E. about Town Hall Road, noting they "even enjoyed a small fire the next day."
Site selection: Look for sites with natural features for children to explore. "Down toward the river there was plenty of open space so we pitched there and built a fire pit," writes Erin H., who called it "one of our favorite camp spots yet."
Camp furniture needs: Consider bringing portable tables since most sites lack built-in amenities. One Little Larry Road camper mentions: "The only thing I regret not bringing with me is a table to put my camp stove on."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Small to medium RVs can access certain sites, but larger rigs should avoid these areas. "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," advises a Town Hall Road visitor.
Power considerations: Solar setups may be limited due to heavy tree cover. "Heavily wooded area, so it's not so great for solar panels and probably not starlink either," notes one RVer about the rustic camping near Gray, Maine.
Levelness varies: Scout for suitable parking spots before committing. "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," shares one RVer about their experience at Town Hall Road.
