Best Dispersed Camping near Chatham, NH

Searching for a dispersed camping spot near Chatham? Dispersed camping is an excellent way to get away from it all and to disconnect. Find the perfect dispersed campsite for your next adventure.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Chatham, NH (12)

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Showing results 1-10 of 12 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews in Chatham

56 Reviews of 12 Chatham Campgrounds


  • Kt The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Town Hall Road Dispersed
    Oct. 28, 2024

    Town Hall Road Dispersed

    Great spot. Watch put for officer rowe!!!

    Great spot w an exception of local officer Rowe. Comes to site unannounced or invited then fabricates the visit.

    Other than that it's wonderful. Some really amazing river sites. Moose pond at top left fork has reception as well as lower gate.

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cherry Mountain Road Dispersed
    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.

  • 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.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Town Hall Road Dispersed
    Aug. 16, 2024

    Town Hall Road Dispersed

    Good dispersed camping

    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. There is a good mix of tent and small/medium camper sites. Many of the sites are right on the side of the road. 

    We went to the end of Town Hall Road and camped at the last site before you leave the WMNF. It was a very spacious site, set back from the road, a little bumpy getting into it.

  • Josie W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Town Hall Road Dispersed
    Jul. 8, 2024

    Town Hall Road Dispersed

    Great location!

    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. Sites were on a dirt road, but it was quiet for the most part. Sites were also a good distance from each other so it felt pretty private. We stayed two nights and at two different sites; enjoyed both. Would love to return here in the future.

  • 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

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Guyot Shelter - Dispersed Camping
    May. 7, 2024

    Guyot Shelter - Dispersed Camping

    Has all you need, but busy

    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.

    No space for non-free standing tents. Quite a hike dropping down from the main trail to the campsite, 15-20 min straight up to hike out in the morning

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Town Hall Road Dispersed
    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).

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Haystack Road
    Oct. 28, 2023

    Haystack Road

    Quiet, small, flat spots

    There are 11 options, each completely separated from the others. We were in spot #1 which is nothing at all like the others. 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.

  • Justin L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Town Hall Road Dispersed
    Sep. 30, 2023

    Town Hall Road Dispersed

    Great camping

    We found a really great spot in this area. With a nice fire ring next to the river. Reasonably level spot for our van. Also there is a fun hiking trail just up the road. Camp sites are well spread out. Parking spots are small from what I saw. I don't think anything bigger than a van would be able to fit.

  • 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

  • A M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Town Hall Road Dispersed
    Sep. 18, 2023

    Town Hall Road Dispersed

    Best Dispersment Sites I've experienced!!

    Great way they set up the sites! Wish more parks set up their dispersement sites like this!! Great privacy, lots of room, river for the dogs, gorgeous area!!

  • Leslie R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Town Hall Road Dispersed
    Sep. 17, 2023

    Town Hall Road Dispersed

    Basic sites in a beautiful setting

    Depending on when you arrive, you may have to drive up the road a ways to find a spot, but it is well worth it. It is quiet, peaceful, and free.

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Scott C. Devlin Memorial
    Sep. 6, 2023

    Scott C. Devlin Memorial

    Secluded and Quiet

    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. The takeout is easy to miss if you aren't looking as it sits right in the bend of the river. There is a set of wooden steps that go down into the water at a relatively steep angle. Be sure you tie your boat up while unloading as there is a fair amount of current sweeping around the bend. Use caution moving up and down the steps.

    There is a flat area at the top of the steps where you can tie up your boat for the evening. Follow the path along an electric fence (be careful if you have dogs with you) up into the campsite. There you will find a nice shady spot with plenty of flat space for tents. Beware the ticks! They weren't the worse I've seen, but they are definitely around.

    Aside from the tricky loading and unloading on the water, this site is pretty dang perfect!

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Maine Railroad Trestle
    Sep. 6, 2023

    Maine Railroad Trestle

    Nice site along the CT River Paddlers Trail

    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. 

    There are several sites available here and a really nice rocky beach with easy access fo loading and unloading. It's also a nice spot to fish from. There is a site perched high on the hill where there is a picnic table and fire ring. There is also a spot lower down that is nice and flat and probably better spots for tents. We did have an ATV almost run over us at 1:00 a.m. that scared the dickens out of us. They were clearly unaware and intoxicated, it was a scary moment. But aside from that, it's a wonderful site. If you walk through the campsite, there is a massive cornfield, just beware that the ticks in the field are insane! They weren't bad in the campsite but in the grass, they were epic. There's nice shade available as well.

  • Alex S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Town Hall Road Dispersed
    Aug. 14, 2023

    Town Hall Road Dispersed

    Absolutely perfect!

    We followed directions exactly as listed below. It does take about 10 minutes to reach the campsites but it’s so worth it. We passed up a couple on the left as you first drive in as they were too steep. 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. I absolutely would stay here again.

  • Atlas W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Town Hall Road Dispersed
    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.

  • Sierra R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Town Hall Road Dispersed
    Jul. 30, 2023

    Town Hall Road Dispersed

    Beautiful

    Some of the camping spots were really tiny but if you get there on a good day u can find a good sized spot. There is a beautiful river right below the camping spots. If you go deep enough down the road you might be lucky enough to see a moose. While I was visiting we were driving down the road and we saw a big moose. The only problem I had was that there is no service at the camp spots. All around the campsite there were so many different kinds of mushrooms. The river also has a bunch of rocks and me and my boyfriend make rock towers.

  • Daniel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Town Hall Road Dispersed
    May. 30, 2023

    Town Hall Road Dispersed

    Town Hall Rd

    The GPS will take you to Dundee Rd. These sites are actually off end of Town Hall Rd. It was very busy and most sites were taken over Memorial Day weekend.

  • 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



Guide to Chatham

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Chatham, New Hampshire, where nature enthusiasts can find serene spots to unwind and connect with the outdoors. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, campers can enjoy the tranquility of the wilderness.

Dispersed campers should check out Town Hall Road Dispersed

  • This area features stunning river sites, making it a perfect choice for those who enjoy water views while camping. Check it out at Town Hall Road Dispersed.
  • It's a first-come, first-served location, so arriving early can help secure a prime spot, especially during busy seasons.
  • Campers can enjoy the freedom of having fires and bringing pets, enhancing the overall experience in this beautiful setting.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Chatham, New Hampshire

  • Always be prepared for a lack of amenities; for instance, White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road offers a rustic experience with no drinking water or toilets available.
  • Keep an eye out for wildlife, as some areas, like Little Larry Road, are known for bear activity, especially near certain campsites.
  • Make sure to pack out what you pack in, as many dispersed sites, including Cherry Mountain Road Dispersed, do not have trash disposal facilities.

Enjoy hiking and nature while free camping near Chatham

  • The Hogan Road Pulloff near Appalachian Trail provides easy access to hiking trails, making it a great base for outdoor adventures.
  • Campers can find secluded spots surrounded by trees, perfect for hanging hammocks and enjoying the peaceful sounds of nature.
  • With no fires allowed at some sites, like Hogan Road, it's essential to plan meals accordingly and bring portable cooking options.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Chatham, NH is Town Hall Road Dispersed with a 4.5-star rating from 19 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Chatham, NH?

    TheDyrt.com has all 12 dispersed camping locations near Chatham, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.