Dispersed camping options near Gorham, New Hampshire extend beyond the immediate town area into the broader White Mountain National Forest region. Sites along Little Larry Road offer secluded camping experiences with unique terrain features at 1,300-1,800 feet elevation. The camping season typically runs from late May through October, with weather conditions determining exact opening and closing dates for many forest roads.
What to do
Hiking to mountain lakes: At Hogan Road Pulloff near Appalachian Trail, campers can access multiple trail connections. One camper noted, "Amazing lil spot, a pull off the wild rocky road. very private. right next to a serene view of the lake."
Fishing in streams: The mountain waterways offer fishing opportunities. At White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road, one visitor mentioned, "Highwater trail with bridge close by. Great stars. Creek runs through road near sites good for getting water to filter or washing. Trailhead at end of road."
Stargazing: Several dispersed sites offer excellent night sky views due to minimal light pollution. As noted by a camper at Little Larry Road, "Great stars. Creek runs through road near sites good for getting water to filter or washing."
What campers like
Campsite privacy: Town Hall Road Dispersed receives high marks for separation between sites. As one camper described, "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."
Wilderness solitude: Campers value the quiet atmosphere at many dispersed sites. According to a review of Guyot Shelter - Dispersed Camping, "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."
Water access: Stream and river proximity rates highly among campers. One Town Hall Road visitor shared, "About the fifth one or so, you pull in and the fire pit is right there. Then walk down a bit and there's a large group site with another pit. Down toward the river there was plenty of open space so we pitched there and built a fire pit."
What you should know
Safety considerations: Bear activity requires proper food storage. At Haystack Road, a camper advised, "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."
Variable road conditions: Access to many sites requires navigating unpaved roads. A White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road visitor noted, "8 huge, beautiful campsites in the heavily wooded Evans Notch section of The White Mountains National Forest. It's easy to forget there are other people camping on other sites because they're so far apart."
Cellular connectivity: Service varies greatly by location. One camper at Little Larry Road reported, "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. Just enough t-mobile / starlink signal to watch streaming and message, but wouldn't be enough for remote work."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection priorities: Choose locations with natural features that entertain children. At Cherry Mountain Road Dispersed, a camper shared, "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."
Water source planning: Many free camping sites near Gorham, New Hampshire require water filtration. At Haystack Road, one visitor advised, "The first few sites on the left have a small stream behind them, it'll make your stay a little easier. Bathing, dishes, etc."
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather changes rapidly, especially at higher elevations. A Town Hall Road camper noted, "It was a great place for Rainy Camping. We went during a pouring rain storm and our site remained relatively dry. We even enjoyed a small fire the next day."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller RVs only. At Town Hall Road, a camper advised, "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."
Leveling considerations: Some sites require significant leveling. A Town Hall Road reviewer mentioned, "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."
Limited service availability: No-cost camping areas lack hookups entirely. As one RVer at Town Hall Road noted, "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."
