Town Hall Road Dispersed camping is situated in the White Mountain National Forest, offering primitive sites along dirt Forest Service Road 38 off Route 302. The area attracts campers seeking seclusion with limited amenities and no facilities. Sites can accommodate tent campers and smaller vehicles, with several locations providing river access. Many campers report cell service is unreliable, though AT&T and Verizon signals can sometimes be found at the last site before the turnaround.
What to do
Explore water features: The Ellis River provides cooling relief during summer months with access points from several camping areas. At Glen Ellis Family Campground, campers appreciate the dual water options. One camper notes, "Crystal clear, ice cold and refreshing. Tube, swim or dip your feet it is a great way to spend the afternoon."
Hiking Mirror Lake trail: This trail can be accessed directly from the end of Town Hall Road, offering an excellent day hike option. As one camper at Dry River Campground mentions, "There are hiking trails in the campground as well, which is nice to have!"
Fall foliage viewing: The White Mountain region provides spectacular autumn color displays, especially from late September through mid-October. A visitor describes, "Very family friendly spot. Had beautiful fall foliage and was close to some great hikes. Our spot near the river was also very cool."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many dispersed areas offer good separation between camping spots. At Moose Brook State Park, one camper stated, "Our site was very private and secluded, but close to bathrooms and showers."
Access to Presidential Range: The proximity to White Mountain hiking trails and scenic drives makes this area popular for outdoor enthusiasts. A camper at Dolly Copp Campground shared, "This is a prime location for adventure in the mountains, with multiple routes up Mt Washington (trail, auto road, or cog railway)."
Natural swimming holes: Many campsites feature access to rivers perfect for summer swimming. At Crawford Notch Campground, a visitor enjoyed their "tent site that was right next to the perfect view of the river with a beach area and fire ring."
What you should know
Bear activity: Black bears are common in the region, requiring proper food storage. At Basin Campground, campers should follow guidelines for storing food and scented items. One visitor cautioned, "Upon entering campground we saw many 'beware of bear signs'. The campground ranger station confirmed that black bear are prominent."
Site availability: During peak season and weekends, dispersed camping fills quickly, particularly at free sites. A camper notes, "Great sites. Some right on water. First come first serve, can get busy."
Weather preparedness: The White Mountains experience rapidly changing conditions. A visitor advises, "Bring a tarp for your tent, rains can be torrential."
Limited solar options: For those needing power, one camper mentioned, "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)."
Tips for camping with families
Dog friendly campgrounds near Chatham: For those traveling with pets, several family-friendly options exist. At Papoose Pond Family Campground, a visitor shared, "We had an amazing first camping experience for our 2 year old here! The campsite was large and private with good distance between the next sites."
Entertainment options: When rain appears, having alternatives helps with younger campers. One camper mentioned, "It was a great place for Rainy Camping. We went during a pouring rain storm and our site remained relatively dry."
Clear river swimming: Shallow water access points are ideal for families with children. A visitor shared, "The beach is sandy and lots of room to spread out. We visited Story Land and Mt. Washington during our stay."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for trailers: Smaller RVs and pop-ups work best at most dispersed sites in the region. A camper with a travel trailer reported, "Site 6 is a great site for a pop-up or small trailer, relatively private with small wooded areas separating you from the other sites."
Limited hookup options: Many campgrounds offer partial hookups. An RV camper noted, "There are no hookups. Sites are back-in. A few of the drive-to sites include small lean-tos."
Access road challenges: Forest service roads can be rough for larger vehicles. One RVer shared, "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."
