Best Dispersed Camping near West Bethel, ME

Dispersed camping opportunities near West Bethel, Maine include several primitive sites within the White Mountain National Forest. Town Hall Road Dispersed offers free camping with established fire rings and river access. White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road provides secluded sites on a dead-end dirt road with approximately 8 designated spots. Hogan Road Pulloff near Appalachian Trail features more remote options with lake views. According to campers, "The sites are spread out so you are not on top of each other," making these locations ideal for those seeking privacy.

Most sites have basic fire rings but no other amenities. No drinking water, toilets, or trash service is available at these locations; campers must pack in all water and pack out all waste. Cell service is extremely limited, with several reviewers noting "zero cell service in this whole area." Roads to these sites are typically unpaved but passable for most vehicles. The Little Larry Road sites feature an uphill dirt road that accommodates medium-sized vehicles but may not be suitable for large RVs or fifth wheels.

Wildlife encounters are common in this region. Bears and moose frequent these areas, particularly at night. Proper food storage in bear-resistant containers is essential. As one experienced camper warns, "Wildlife like bear and moose will visit you at night. It's almost a certainty." These sites are typically open seasonally, closing during winter months and reopening in late spring after roads dry out. The White Mountain National Forest Facebook page provides current information on road closures and conditions. Most sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations accepted, and many fill quickly on summer weekends.

Best Dispersed Sites Near West Bethel, Maine (15)

    1. White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road

    6 Reviews
    Gilead, ME
    7 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."

    2. Town Hall Road Dispersed

    19 Reviews
    Chatham, NH
    20 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. "

    3. Hogan Road Pulloff near Appalachian Trail

    2 Reviews
    Gorham, NH
    13 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."

    4. Cherry Mountain Road Dispersed

    4 Reviews
    Bretton Woods, NH
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 466-2713

    "This site is about 90 yards from the fire tower trailhead.

    Site #9 goes back about 70 to 80 feet back off the road."

    "We stayed on site #5 because it was flat, sunny, grassy and had a little brook. Had some passing by traffic but each site is far apart from each other."

    5. Guyot Shelter - Dispersed Camping

    9 Reviews
    Deerfield, NH
    37 miles
    Website

    $15 / night

    "Sufficient amount of platform, water source, bear proof Joe box, pivy and springs all at one spot"

    "Despite being so remote, one of the busiest back country camps in the Whites.

    Has a nice shelter, spring, privy, platforms, some sites have somewhat of a view of far away mountain tops."

    6. Haystack Road

    5 Reviews
    Twin Mountain, NH
    37 miles

    "They have a fire pit, plenty of woods around, and are free."

    "It is next to the Highway on a paved fire road. So you can hear traffic. And it is paved (which is good if it’s wet and muddy elsewhere). The other spots looked amazing."

    7. Tripoli Road

    11 Reviews
    North Woodstock, NH
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 528-8721

    $20 - $30 / night

    "Easy access to trailhead for Tecumseh Mountain. Rustic sites with no water or electric."

    "No electricity, no showers. Portta potties every so often. Always close enough to walk to. Love the sites on the water. Have been going here for over 10 years. My kids now love it too"

    8. Scott C. Devlin Memorial

    1 Review
    Guildhall, VT
    36 miles
    Website

    "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."

    9. Haystack Road

    2 Reviews
    Deerfield, NH
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 528-8721

    "Right near a great swimming hole and the twin mountains. It is quiet, the sites are far apart."

    10. Maine Railroad Trestle

    1 Review
    Groveton, VT
    37 miles
    Website

    "While reservations are not required, there is a registration page on the CT River Paddler's Trail Website that they ask folx to complete just so spots don't get overcrowded. "

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near West Bethel, ME

59 Reviews of 15 West Bethel Campgrounds


  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2019

    Tripoli Road

    Dispersed camping, be bear aware!

    Tripoli Road is a seasonal road, opening in late May most years and closing in autumn. Check the White Mountain National Forest Facebook page for up to date road closures/status. The section before Russell Pond often opens before the rest of it, which is graded, not paved. The road runs between the Waterville Valley area and I-93 exit 31. This is roadside camping, no frills, first come, first served. You must stay at a site with a fire ring, but sites are not numbered. Road signs demarcate no camping zones; some areas look like they could be campsites, but will also be marked with no camping signs. 

    You must register at the ranger station on the western end of the road, shortly past the entrance to the Russell Pond campground. Rates are a flat rate set per car and per weekends or weekday period. In other words, you pay one rate for 1-5 weekdays ($20 in 2019) and another fee for a weekend($25-30 - holidays). It’s self service most of the time, with the ranger available Friday and Saturday evenings. 

    The sites vary from sites near and level with the road to ones set above or well below the road. Some are near a river, most are wooded. Some are isolated, others are close together. There are no reservations, so you'll be choosing your own when you arrive. Downhill sites closest to the Russell Pond area seem to be most popular. Most of these were occupied on a late June weekend, while those farther down the road remained empty.

    There are port-a-potties near the western entrance, but otherwise you’re on your own with cat holes or portable toilet solutions. Nearest showers are at Russell Pond. Please keep it clean and protect the area. I’ve passed through several times while hiking My Osceola and have observed that these sites are often filled with groups or families with multiple tents. On a late June weekend there are numerous empty sites, so they seem to be more available than the dispersed sites along Gale River Rd and Haystack Rd (farther north in Twin Mountain). Excessive drinking and noise can be an issue. 

    You need to be aware that bears are in the area. Following the July 4, 2019 holiday, the camping area was closed after bears visited campsites and got into food that was left in the open and not secured in vehicles or bear canisters. The camping area re-opened July 19, but check the White Mountain National Forest FB page before heading up there. If the issue recurs, I wouldn't be surprised if they close it again.

    Hiking in the region include the Osceolas (moderate hike with beautiful views, exceedingly popular and crowded on autumn weekends - get there early!), Tripyramid, and Tecumseh. Shorter treks include Welch-Dickey (great open ledges) and Snow's Mountain (along a river with falls). Nearby Russell Pond offers ranger programs, fishing, and you can put a kayak or canoe in. The Pemigewassett offers tubing and kayaking put ins. Outfitters one exit south can provide you with transportation and rentals. Exit 32 for Lincoln, Woodstock, and the Kanc is less than 5 miles north.

    Cell service is decent at nearby Russell Pond (Verizon seemed to offer better service than AT&T).

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2024

    Cherry Mountain Road Dispersed

    Super quiet and lots of privacy

    Came into the area after 7 PM on a Tuesday and found several open sites. We stayed one night in campsite 9. This site is about 90 yards from the fire tower trailhead.

    Site #9 goes back about 70 to 80 feet back off the road. There appears to have been a longer site, but the Forest Service placed boulders blacking vehicles from going further. Just past the boulders is a large fire circle with room for 6 to 8 campers to sit around the fire.

    We were able to collect sunlight onto our solar panel from the site.

    The camp site are all disbursed enough that we did not hear any other camping sounds at all. It was so quiet I could hear the sound of crow wings flapping as they flew by.

    We enjoyed a spectacular view of the Blood Super Moon from the campsite. Overall the site was open to the sky nea3 the road yet protected from the wind.

    The only downside was the lack of any other amenities. As far as disbursed camping in the national forest, this place is not a decent unpaved road and our campsite was only about 3 miles from the highway.

  • G
    Apr. 14, 2020

    Haystack Road

    Secluded, yet centrally located.

    These are my go to sites when I am in the Franconia Notch area. They have a fire pit, plenty of woods around, and are free. The North Twin Trailhead is at the end of Haystack Rd., these trails connect to the Twin Mountain peaks and the Pemigewasset Wilderness area. Its is a great staging ground for weeks worth of adventures, and you're allowed to stay for two weeks. They do get crowded during the season, so you'll have better luck showing up mid-week. Leave your tent set up, or your site could be taken when you get back. There is cell reception at most of the sites. Do not rely on cell phone trail maps, there is little to no reception trail on the trails. Use a downloadable GPS map like a Gaia GPS, or a Garmin type device. Also, wildlife like bear and moose will visit you at night. it's almost a certainty, keep your food locked in a bear tight container. *** The first few sites on the left have a small stream behind them, it'll make your stay a little easier. Bathing, dishes, etc.***

  • Raj T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 28, 2021

    Guyot Shelter - Dispersed Camping

    Gayut Tentsite

    Sufficient amount of platform, water source, bear proof Joe box, pivy and springs all at one spot

  • 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.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 11, 2019

    Haystack Road

    Dispersed roadside camping near Twin Mountain Trailhead & Franconia Notch

    If you can't snag a site along Gale River Rd or you are looking to hike the Twin Mountains, then continue a little farther north on US 3 near Twin Mountain (a little north of the Beaver Brook Picnic Area) and try your luck on Haystack Rd. This road is closed in winter and will open in late spring after the road has dried out and any repairs have been made. In 2019, it opened in mid-June. Check the the White Mountain National Forest FB page or website (FB is usually more up-to-date) for road status, including closures in the autumn.

    When open, you can drive in to one of 11 numbered, wooded sites and camp up to 14 nights for free. You may have up to 3 vehicles and 15 people on a site. The only amenity is a fire pit, but the road ends at the Little River, offering fishing and swimming options. The parking lot at the end of Haystack Rd serves as the Twin Mountain trail head. You may see moose or bears in the area.

    Franconia Notch State Park is just south of here, with its hikes, recreation trail, echo lake, and the Flume. Head east on 302 and you'll find yourself in Crawford Notch State Park with waterfalls and hikes.

    Forgot something? Fosters Corners just a few miles north has an eclectic selection of essentials as well as gas. Or take I-93 north to Littleton to a wider variety of shops.

  • Justin P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 16, 2021

    Cherry Mountain Road Dispersed

    Smaller car and tent sites

    Stopped by on the Cohos Trail. Great location with access to the Cherry Mountain trail, and back down to Ammonoosuc Falls back down near Rt. 302.

    There are a string of tent sites on either side of the road with some right up to the intersection with Cherry Mountain trail.

    A few were small and could just fit a tent and a car, where some offered more space. Some offered a bit of privacy into the woods while most were right along the road.

    There are no facilities here, and most sites showed some significant signs of use. 

    There were plenty of sites available on the weekend in October.

  • 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).

  • Beau B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 14, 2018

    Tripoli Road

    Tripoli Camp Grounds

    Easy access to trailhead for Tecumseh Mountain. Rustic sites with no water or electric. We found there to be a couple of large group camping areas but they were spread out enough not to bother each other. Port-a-Johns right as you get in but not much more after that. Several areas on the road are labeled as “no parking” just watch the signs. All in all a great get away!


Guide to West Bethel

Dispersed camping near West Bethel, Maine offers primitive experiences within the White Mountain National Forest at elevations ranging from 600 to 1,500 feet. The region receives approximately 45-55 inches of annual precipitation, creating lush forest conditions. Seasonal road closures typically occur from November through May, with most dispersed sites becoming accessible by late May after spring thaw.

What to do

Hiking nearby trails: Access the North Twin Trailhead at the end of Haystack Road for connections to Twin Mountain peaks and Pemigewasset Wilderness. "The Twin Mountain trail head" is located at "the parking lot at the end of Haystack Road" according to visitors at Haystack Road.

Swimming in natural areas: Several sites provide water access for cooling off during summer months. At Town Hall Road Dispersed, campers report "there was plenty of open space" near the river where "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!"

Stargazing opportunities: The minimal light pollution creates excellent night sky viewing. One camper at White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road noted they enjoyed "great stars" while another mentioned the "heavily wooded Evans Notch section" provides isolation perfect for evening astronomy.

What campers like

Spacious, separated sites: Many dispersed areas feature significant distance between camping spots. At White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road, campers praise the "8 huge, beautiful campsites" where "it's easy to forget there are other people camping on other sites because they're so far apart."

Riverside locations: Several primitive camping options provide direct water access. One visitor at Town Hall Road Dispersed described their experience: "We stayed two nights and at two different sites; enjoyed both. Would love to return here in the future."

Natural features: The surrounding forest offers peaceful immersion in nature. At Cherry Mountain Road Dispersed, campers enjoy exceptional quiet, reporting "It was so quiet I could hear the sound of crow wings flapping as they flew by."

What you should know

Seasonal access limitations: Roads to dispersed camping areas typically close during winter months. For Haystack Road, "This road is closed in winter and will open in late spring after the road has dried out and any repairs have been made."

Limited services: Most primitive sites have no amenities beyond fire rings. At Tripoli Road, campers find "no frills, first come, first served" conditions where "you must stay at a site with a fire ring, but sites are not numbered."

Variable road conditions: Access roads range from paved to rough dirt tracks. For Town Hall Road, visitors advise "GPS initially took me on the wrong road - make sure you stay on Town Hall Rd no matter what the GPS says."

Wildlife considerations: The region supports active wildlife populations. According to Haystack Road campers, "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 for camping with families

Accessible riverside sites: Look for locations with gentle water access for children. At Hogan Road Pulloff near Appalachian Trail, campers find sites "right next to a serene view of the lake" with "very mild highway traffic sounds in the distance."

Weekend planning: Popular sites fill quickly during summer weekends. Tripoli Road campers advise, "be sure to get up early on Friday for a weekend campout" since most spots operate on a first-come basis.

Overnight security: Keep valuable gear secured when away from your site. Some visitors report concerns about unattended equipment: "I left out gear to claim a spot while out hiking and came back to people having stolen some of it."

Weather preparedness: The area experiences variable conditions even in summer months. One Town Hall Road visitor noted, "It was a great place for Rainy Camping. We went during a pouring rain storm and our site remained relatively dry."

Tips from RVers

Site selection for vehicle size: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller RVs only. At Guyot Shelter - Dispersed Camping, "No space for non-free standing tents" and access can be challenging with "Quite a hike dropping down from the main trail to the campsite, 15-20 min straight up to hike out in the morning."

Road access limitations: Many forest roads restrict larger RVs. Campers at Town Hall Road note "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."

Power considerations: Without hookups, alternative power sources are necessary. One camper at White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road mentioned "Even had a cell signal that gave data with a weboost" which can help with power conservation.

Water access points: Without onsite water, planning for supply runs is essential. At Cherry Mountain Road, campers note that "site #5 was good because it was flat, sunny, grassy and had a little brook" - providing natural water that can be filtered for use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find dispersed camping in West Bethel, Maine?

West Bethel offers excellent access to dispersed camping opportunities in the White Mountain National Forest. White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road provides spacious, secluded sites in the Evans Notch section of the forest. These sites are well-spaced, offering privacy even during busy periods. Most sites have natural fire rings, and the heavily wooded setting creates a peaceful atmosphere. For additional options, explore the network of forest service roads in the area, particularly those extending into the Maine portion of White Mountain National Forest. Always check with the local ranger district for current regulations and seasonal road closures before your trip.

Is there free camping available in West Bethel, Maine?

Yes, free camping is available in the West Bethel area within White Mountain National Forest. Haystack Road offers free dispersed sites with fire pits, making it an excellent option for budget-conscious campers. These sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations. Another option is Cherry Mountain Road Dispersed, which provides several free sites of varying sizes along a forest service road. These free camping areas typically have basic fire rings but no amenities like water or bathrooms, so come prepared for self-sufficient camping. Most sites are accessible from late spring through fall, depending on road conditions and seasonal closures.

What are the regulations for boondocking in West Bethel, Maine?

When boondocking near West Bethel, adhere to White Mountain National Forest regulations: camp at designated dispersed sites (marked by fire rings), stay at least 200 feet from water sources, trails, and roads, and follow Leave No Trace principles. At Town Hall Road Dispersed, camping is permitted in designated areas only, with stays limited to 14 consecutive days in a 30-day period. No permits are required, but campfires are only allowed in established fire rings. Pack out all trash and use proper human waste disposal methods. Most forest roads close seasonally, typically from late fall to late spring depending on conditions. Check with the Androscoggin Ranger District for current regulations before your trip.