Best Dispersed Camping near Boscawen, NH

If you're looking for a place to dispersed camp near Boscawen, look no further. Find the best information on dispersed campgrounds near Boscawen, including photos, reviews, and tips. Search dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots and read camper reviews.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Boscawen, NH (2)


Recent Dispersed Reviews in Boscawen

14 Reviews of 2 Boscawen Campgrounds


  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Elbow Pond Road Dispersed Site
    Sep. 12, 2024

    Elbow Pond Road Dispersed Site

    Small campsites/No amenities

    Drove in on a Wednesday afternoon and drove past 4 or 5 sites, which were all occupied.

    Then saw a car ahead that was backing up. Long story short, they were afraid to drive across a dry wash in their new Jeep. No place to get by. Had to back my trailer about a quarter mile, so they could get out.

    Camped in a very small spot, just barely enough room for our SUV and small teardrop to get off the road.

    There was only a 20 foot by 12 foot space to camp jn with no water, no dumpster, no toilet, no view of anything and lots of other campers that appear to be long term residents.

    OK for an overnight stay but not a desirable camping location overall.

  • Lisa The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Tripoli Road
    Jul. 8, 2024

    Tripoli Road

    Love Tripoli

    Love everything about Tripoli. 1st come 1st serve. We have out favorite sites but have had to venture out and take other sites often times. 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

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Elbow Pond Road Dispersed Site
    Sep. 29, 2023

    Elbow Pond Road Dispersed Site

    Car camping at elbow pond

    This is an awesome spot for camping. They have a couple different spots where you can park and walk up to your site or they have sites you can pull right up next to them. Some of the camping spots have fire pits but not all. Theres a nice pond with great views and good fishing. Some of the sites are close together but there are some that are a good distance apart. The road in is pretty rough and is not recommended for sedans or lower riding cars. Overall this is a great place to camp if you’re looking for free camping spots. Also it is first come first serve

  • N
    Camper-submitted photo from Elbow Pond Road Dispersed Site
    Oct. 23, 2022

    Elbow Pond Road Dispersed Site

    Really nice quiet spot

    Really nice spot, I wouldn’t recommend trying to take a normal sedan or something down there and the sites are a little less spread out than I wanted

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Tripoli Road
    Apr. 13, 2021

    Tripoli Road

    Awesome

    This is a great spot to start getting into camping with less amenities and more outdoors. I have been going there for 20 years and I still recommend it. Drive up the dirt road and find a nice riverside camp site. 3 miles of seclusion if you want. Great hiking trails directly off Tripoli . Hiking the loop trail is amazing.

  • Ali B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Tripoli Road
    Sep. 28, 2020

    Tripoli Road

    Primitive Car camping

    Great spot for the weekdays, hardly anyone around and got a great site right by the river (mid-sept.). We left on a Friday morning and a lot more people were coming in so I imagine it could get really loud during busy summer weekends/holidays. A lot of sites were right next to each other so if it's crowded, you might not get a lot of privacy. However, there are little camp spots all over this road, too many to count so it's a good bet of getting one, especially on the weekdays. Definitely watch out for bears though, didn't see any but saw plenty of evidence.

  • Kat B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Tripoli Road
    Sep. 26, 2020

    Tripoli Road

    My always camp spot

    Fantastic secluded options, highly recommend getting a good spot by the river. Park staff are great and spots are well maintained. Downsides are there are few bathrooms (and they are Portojohns), and the road can be irritating/cars kick up dust as they drive by. It's also first come first serve, so be sure to get up early on Friday for a weekend campout. But this is by far one of my favorite spots!

  • Kris Z.
    Camper-submitted photo from Tripoli Road
    Sep. 8, 2020

    Tripoli Road

    Came through in the 24th hr...

    Awesome adult spot, pretty much free reign, no quiet time, and, watch out for bears... #kudos

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Tripoli Road
    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).

  • Ryan M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Tripoli Road
    Jul. 2, 2019

    Tripoli Road

    Road side camping has never felt so off the grid

    Can be pretty remote. Choose your own site. Some are better than others, some have streams going thru them. Lots of local hiking

  • Beau B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Tripoli Road
    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!

  • Laura
    Camper-submitted photo from Tripoli Road
    Jun. 12, 2018

    Tripoli Road

    great hidden spot

    Would call this a solid car camp spot. Went on a Saturday afternoon after a long hike and there were plenty of spots open. You can pick any spot, each one has a different variety wIth size and how deep into the woods you want to walk. No showers or bathrooms, a porter potty at the entrance but that’s about it. Only complaint I had were a couple cars kept flying back and forth down the road at night. Camp a little further in and you’d be fine

  • Mike M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Tripoli Road
    Jun. 2, 2018

    Tripoli Road

    Primitive

    True primitive sites. First come first serve. Awesome feel. Cool road. Great access to tripyramid hikes. Somewhat isolated.



Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Boscawen, NH?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Boscawen, NH is Tripoli Road with a 4.3-star rating from 11 reviews.