Dispersed camping options near Glen, New Hampshire range from free riverside sites to developed campgrounds with full amenities. Town Hall Road Dispersed camping area offers primitive sites without facilities along the river at elevations between 600-800 feet. The White Mountain National Forest surrounds Glen with numerous camping locations that typically experience temperature drops of 10-15°F at night, even during summer months.
What to do
River activities: At Jellystone Park™ Glen Ellis, campers enjoy direct access to both the Ellis and Saco Rivers. "Between two rivers. Pool, baseball diamond, arcade, kids movies, playground. Plenty of shopping and restaurants in Conway. Storyland and Mt Washington super close!" notes Jimmy M. The campground offers tubing opportunities with convenient put-in and take-out locations.
Hiking trails: The Covered Bridge Campground connects directly to hiking paths including Boulder Loop Trail. "There's a formal trail to the river from the back of the loop, near 16B (lean-to)," explains one visitor. Another camper adds, "Hiked the Arethusa Falls and Frankenstein Cliff Trail right from the campground!" showing how trails connect directly to camping areas.
Seasonal attractions: Fall foliage viewing becomes a primary activity from mid-September through October. "We had beautiful gal foliage and was close to some great hikes. Our spot near the river was also very cool," notes Ilana F. about her autumn stay. Many campgrounds remain open through mid-October specifically to accommodate leaf-peepers.
What campers like
Riverside sites: Town Hall Road Dispersed camping offers free waterfront 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," reports Josie W. Sites along this road are situated at various distances from the water, with some directly adjacent to the river.
Privacy levels: Dry River Campground receives praise for site spacing. "Sites are spacious, level, and wooded, though some have no real demarcation between them," notes Jean C. A different camper confirms: "Very private sites, close to hiking and peaceful. Only campers almost every spring."
Clean facilities: Bathhouses rank high on camper priority lists. "The bathroom facilities are so clean! There are great hiking trails right on the campsite. Chipmunks surround you at all times, which was pretty epic and magical!" reports Michelle K. Several campgrounds offer coin-operated showers, with rates typically $0.25 per minute.
What you should know
Weather preparedness: The White Mountain region experiences rapid weather changes. "We went during a pouring rain storm and our site remained relatively dry. We even enjoyed a small fire the next day," explains Rowan E. Temperature drops of 20°F between day and night occur regularly, even in summer.
Bear safety: Multiple campgrounds report active bear populations. "There were 2 active bears while we were there. They circled our camper at night. It was incredible to watch. Of course we never left any food out!" writes Liz S. Most campgrounds require food storage in vehicles or bear-proof containers.
Cell coverage limitations: Service is extremely limited throughout the region. One camper at Crawford Notch Campground notes: "Cell service is poor to absent throughout Crawford Notch. If you need to connect, drive south toward Bartlett or North to Bretton Woods." Some dispersed camping areas have no service whatsoever.
Tips for camping with families
Theme park proximity: Green Meadow Camping Area sits adjacent to Story Land. "We picked Green Meadow due to its proximity to Story Land. Didn't realize it's literally right next door... We could have walked if we weren't lazy," shares Michael. The location allows families to easily return to camp for meals or rest periods.
Kid-friendly amenities: Playgrounds, pools and organized activities keep children entertained. "There were TONS of kids which was great for us, but may not be everyone's cup of tea. The band on Saturday night was so fun and the kids loved it," reports Kate S. Evening hayrides appear at multiple campgrounds during peak season.
Water play options: Rivers provide natural swimming areas for children. "The beach is sandy and lots of room to spread out," notes Katelyn D. Depth varies significantly by location and season, with late summer typically having lower, slower water levels more suitable for younger children.
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: Large RVs face challenges at some campgrounds. "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," explains Bob G. about Town Hall Road. Entry road conditions vary significantly between campgrounds.
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections are limited. Some campers note, "If you need solar or starlink, there's only 1 or 2 viable spots." Most developed campgrounds offer some hookup sites, but they fill quickly during peak season from June through August.
Generator restrictions: Noise regulations limit generator use at most locations. "This P.O.S went as far as to posture towards us in a threatening manner," reports one frustrated camper about a disagreement over campground policies. Check specific rules before arrival, as they vary between public and private campgrounds.
