Best Tent Camping near Gorham, NH
Tent camping near Gorham, New Hampshire provides access to numerous backcountry sites within the White Mountain National Forest. The area features several tent-only options including the Hogan Road Pulloff near the Appalachian Trail, a dispersed camping area with walk-in tent sites, and the highly-rated Imp Shelter on the AT, which requires a hike-in approach. The Wild River Wilderness Area offers primitive tent camping with established sites that were formerly shelter locations. Valley Way Tentsite and Blue Brook Tent Site provide established backcountry camping experiences with tent platforms in forested settings. These locations serve as gateways to the Presidential Range and surrounding wilderness areas.
Most tent campsites near Gorham require proper preparation as amenities vary significantly. Dispersed sites like Hogan Road Pulloff have no drinking water, toilets, or trash facilities, requiring campers to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. Established backcountry sites such as Imp Shelter and Valley Way Tentsite offer basic amenities including composting toilets and some water sources that require treatment. Bear boxes or hanging systems are available at many sites, as this is active bear country. Fire regulations vary by location, with some sites permitting fires in established rings while others prohibit them entirely. The camping season generally runs from late May through October, with weather conditions at higher elevations changing rapidly.
The backcountry tent camping experience near Gorham offers exceptional access to mountain terrain and solitude. According to reviews, Imp Shelter features "five tent platforms, nicely spaced through the woods" with a water source described as "a freely flowing little flume just down a little path from the shelter." One visitor to Valley Way Tentsite noted the challenging access, stating "you'll gain 2800 feet in elevation over the 3+ miles to the camping area." Wild River Wilderness provides what one camper called "dispersed camping with tent cribbing" in a "pristine" setting. Campers should be prepared for variable weather conditions, potential wildlife encounters, and the need to properly store food away from sleeping areas.