Dispersed camping near Greenwood, Maine offers multiple backcountry options within the White Mountain National Forest at elevations between 800-1,500 feet. Winter camping requires additional preparation as temperatures can drop below 0°F from December through February. Forest roads leading to primitive sites typically close after significant snowfall and reopen in late spring once conditions dry.
What to do
Hiking nearby trails: The White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road area connects to several hiking options. "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 Jason R.
Water recreation: At Smudge Cove along the Forest Legacy Trail, campers can enjoy shoreline camping with water access. "The site is just off the water and there is a nice long dock that makes it super easy to boat into and unload... There is also relatively easy access to the water by way of the rocks, beside the dock," shares Sarah C.
Stargazing opportunities: The minimal light pollution provides excellent night sky viewing conditions. At Cherry Mountain Road Dispersed, one camper described "a spectacular view of the Blood Super Moon from the campsite. Overall the site was open to the sky near the road yet protected from the wind."
What campers like
Privacy and seclusion: The Town Hall Road Dispersed sites offer considerable distance between camping areas. "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," reports Alex S.
Natural water sources: Many sites feature streams or small rivers. At the Hogan Road Pulloff near Appalachian Trail, one camper noted "a serene view of the lake. Very mild highway traffic sounds in the distance."
Flat camping areas: Dispersed sites often feature level spots ideal for tents. "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," Kevin H. shares about Little Larry Road.
What you should know
Cell phone considerations: Signal strength varies dramatically between sites. "If you need solar or starlink, there's only 1 or 2 viable spots. We were lucky to snag one on a Monday afternoon (last site before turnaround on FR38) and stayed all week," warns Rebecca B. about Town Hall Road.
Fire restrictions: Fire regulations change seasonally. "Camp site 9 goes back about 70 to 80 feet back off the road. Just past the boulders is a large fire circle with room for 6 to 8 campers to sit around the fire," explains Kevin C. at Cherry Mountain Road Dispersed.
Security concerns: Leaving equipment unattended can be risky. At Haystack Road, Sean L. cautions, "Quiet area not far from the main road and a bunch of trailheads, but beware of people stealing camping gear. I left out gear to claim a spot while out hiking and came back to people having stolen some of it."
Tips for camping with families
River access sites: Several dispersed areas feature kid-friendly water access. "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," Josie W. recommends at Town Hall Road.
Road conditions: Check road status before bringing children to remote sites. "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," Bob G. notes about Town Hall Road.
Wildlife awareness: Many sites have active wildlife. At Haystack Road, Greg L. advises, "wildlife like bear and moose will visit you at night. It's almost a certainty, keep your food locked in a bear tight container."
Tips from RVers
Small trailer accessibility: Some dispersed sites accommodate modest trailers. At Maine Railroad Trestle, "There are several sites available here and a really nice rocky beach with easy access fo loading and unloading. There is a site perched high on the hill where there is a picnic table and fire ring."
Space limitations: Most dispersed camping near Greenwood limits RV size. At Cherry Mountain Road, "Smaller car and tent sites" predominate, with Justin P. noting, "A few were small and could just fit a tent and a car, where some offered more space."
Road surface conditions: Unpaved access roads can challenge RVs. "The first few sites on the left have a small stream behind them, it'll make your stay a little easier. Bathing, dishes, etc.," shares Greg L. about Haystack Road, which can be important for RV campers without hookups.