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Best Dispersed Camping near Hill, NH

23 Reviews

Dispersed camping near Hill, New Hampshire centers primarily around White Mountain National Forest lands, with Tripoli Road and Elbow Pond Road offering established dispersed camping areas. Tripoli Road runs seasonally between Waterville Valley and I-93 exit 31, featuring numerous primitive roadside sites along a 3-mile stretch. Campers must register at the ranger station near Russell Pond campground and stay at designated sites with fire rings. Elbow Pond Road provides several free dispersed sites with varying levels of privacy, some adjacent to a fishing pond with mountain views.

Road conditions require careful navigation, particularly at Elbow Pond where high-clearance vehicles are recommended. Several reviews note the road is "pretty rough and is not recommended for sedans or lower riding cars." Tripoli Road opens in late May and closes in autumn, with conditions varying from graded to unpaved sections. Both areas have minimal amenities—Tripoli Road provides portable toilets near the entrance while Elbow Pond has no facilities whatsoever. Fees apply at Tripoli Road ($20-30 depending on weekday/weekend stays in 2019), while Elbow Pond sites remain free. "It's first come first serve, so be sure to get up early on Friday for a weekend campout," notes one Tripoli Road visitor.

These primitive camping areas attract visitors seeking seclusion despite their relative accessibility. "Fantastic secluded options" are available at Tripoli Road, particularly along the riverside. A camper described it as "a great spot for the weekdays, hardly anyone around and got a great site right by the river." The area supports wildlife including bears, which have occasionally caused temporary closures. Nearby hiking opportunities include the Osceolas, Tripyramid, Tecumseh, and the Welch-Dickey loop with "great open ledges." For backpackers seeking more remote options, Guyot Shelter provides dispersed camping platforms deep in the White Mountains, accessible only by strenuous hiking trails, with amenities including a shelter, water source, and composting outhouse.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Hill, New Hampshire (3)

    1. Tripoli Road

    11 Reviews
    North Woodstock, NH
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 528-8721

    $20 - $30 / night

    "Easy access to trailhead for Tecumseh Mountain. Rustic sites with no water or electric."

    "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"

    2. Elbow Pond Road Dispersed Site

    3 Reviews
    North Woodstock, NH
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 536-6100

    "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."

    3. Guyot Shelter - Dispersed Camping

    9 Reviews
    Deerfield, NH
    45 miles
    Website

    $15 / night

    "Sufficient amount of platform, water source, bear proof Joe box, pivy and springs all at one spot"

    "Step walk in and out though most of the tent plat forms have amazing views. I have stayed here twice and had great experiences."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Hill, NH

19 Photos of 3 Hill Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Hill, NH

23 Reviews of 3 Hill Campgrounds

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2019

    Tripoli Road

    Dispersed camping, be bear aware!

    Tripoli Road is a seasonal road, opening in late May most years and closing in autumn. Check the White Mountain National Forest Facebook page for up to date road closures/status. The section before Russell Pond often opens before the rest of it, which is graded, not paved. The road runs between the Waterville Valley area and I-93 exit 31. This is roadside camping, no frills, first come, first served. You must stay at a site with a fire ring, but sites are not numbered. Road signs demarcate no camping zones; some areas look like they could be campsites, but will also be marked with no camping signs. 

    You must register at the ranger station on the western end of the road, shortly past the entrance to the Russell Pond campground. Rates are a flat rate set per car and per weekends or weekday period. In other words, you pay one rate for 1-5 weekdays ($20 in 2019) and another fee for a weekend($25-30 - holidays). It’s self service most of the time, with the ranger available Friday and Saturday evenings. 

    The sites vary from sites near and level with the road to ones set above or well below the road. Some are near a river, most are wooded. Some are isolated, others are close together. There are no reservations, so you'll be choosing your own when you arrive. Downhill sites closest to the Russell Pond area seem to be most popular. Most of these were occupied on a late June weekend, while those farther down the road remained empty.

    There are port-a-potties near the western entrance, but otherwise you’re on your own with cat holes or portable toilet solutions. Nearest showers are at Russell Pond. Please keep it clean and protect the area. I’ve passed through several times while hiking My Osceola and have observed that these sites are often filled with groups or families with multiple tents. On a late June weekend there are numerous empty sites, so they seem to be more available than the dispersed sites along Gale River Rd and Haystack Rd (farther north in Twin Mountain). Excessive drinking and noise can be an issue. 

    You need to be aware that bears are in the area. Following the July 4, 2019 holiday, the camping area was closed after bears visited campsites and got into food that was left in the open and not secured in vehicles or bear canisters. The camping area re-opened July 19, but check the White Mountain National Forest FB page before heading up there. If the issue recurs, I wouldn't be surprised if they close it again.

    Hiking in the region include the Osceolas (moderate hike with beautiful views, exceedingly popular and crowded on autumn weekends - get there early!), Tripyramid, and Tecumseh. Shorter treks include Welch-Dickey (great open ledges) and Snow's Mountain (along a river with falls). Nearby Russell Pond offers ranger programs, fishing, and you can put a kayak or canoe in. The Pemigewassett offers tubing and kayaking put ins. Outfitters one exit south can provide you with transportation and rentals. Exit 32 for Lincoln, Woodstock, and the Kanc is less than 5 miles north.

    Cell service is decent at nearby Russell Pond (Verizon seemed to offer better service than AT&T).

  • Raj T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 28, 2021

    Guyot Shelter - Dispersed Camping

    Gayut Tentsite

    Sufficient amount of platform, water source, bear proof Joe box, pivy and springs all at one spot

  • Beau B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 14, 2018

    Tripoli Road

    Tripoli Camp Grounds

    Easy access to trailhead for Tecumseh Mountain. Rustic sites with no water or electric. We found there to be a couple of large group camping areas but they were spread out enough not to bother each other. Port-a-Johns right as you get in but not much more after that. Several areas on the road are labeled as “no parking” just watch the signs. All in all a great get away!

  • L
    May. 30, 2019

    Guyot Shelter - Dispersed Camping

    Amazing Views

    Step walk in and out though most of the tent plat forms have amazing views. I have stayed here twice and had great experiences. A outhouse is located at this tent site as well as pump-able water, bear boxes and a shelter. Great place to stay on the Pemi Loop. It is a carry in carry out campsite.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    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

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    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

  • Lisa The Dyrt PRO User
    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

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • J
    Apr. 13, 2021

    Tripoli Road

    Awesome

    This is a great spot to start getting into camping with less amenities and more outdoors. I have been going there for 20 years and I still recommend it. Drive up the dirt road and find a nice riverside camp site. 3 miles of seclusion if you want. Great hiking trails directly off Tripoli . Hiking the loop trail is amazing.

Guide to Hill

Rustic camping near Hill, New Hampshire primarily centers around the White Mountain National Forest area. The region sits at the southern edge of the White Mountains, with elevations ranging from approximately 500 to 4,000 feet. Weather patterns can shift rapidly throughout the year, with seasonal forest road closures typically occurring from late autumn through late May depending on conditions.

What to do

Hiking nearby peaks: Multiple trail networks connect to camping areas in the region. "Amazing views from some of the platforms, easy access to water, friendly park managers. Used this as our midway point for a 2-day pemi loop before our friends wedding," writes one visitor to Guyot Shelter.

Fishing opportunities: Several dispersed camping locations provide access to fishing. At Elbow Pond, campers report "a nice pond with great views and good fishing." The pond sits at a higher elevation and contains native trout species.

River activities: Waterways in the region offer cooling relief during summer months. At Tripoli Road, one camper "hiked down a trail and found the most relaxing spot right by the river!" Water levels fluctuate seasonally, with spring typically offering higher flows.

What campers like

Secluded atmosphere: Primitive sites allow for disconnection from developed areas. One Tripoli Road camper notes it provides a "great spot for the weekdays, hardly anyone around and got a great site right by the river (mid-sept.)." Weekday visits generally offer greater solitude.

Platform camping: Some backcountry sites provide raised wooden platforms. A Guyot Shelter visitor explains, "We actually stayed on one of the wood platforms since the hut was already full. It is a great site and worth staying at to see all the peaks in the area."

Multiple site options: Camping areas typically offer varied site configurations. "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," notes a camper at Elbow Pond Road Dispersed Site.

What you should know

Road conditions: Access roads to dispersed sites vary significantly in quality. For Elbow Pond, a camper warns "the road in is pretty rough and is not recommended for sedans or lower riding cars." High-clearance vehicles are often necessary, especially after rain events.

Bear safety protocols: Wildlife encounters require proper food storage. At Tripoli Road, "Definitely watch out for bears though, didn't see any but saw plenty of evidence," reports one camper. Bear activity has caused temporary closures in previous years.

Limited facilities: Most dispersed sites provide minimal amenities. Tripoli Road has "port-a-potties near the western entrance, but otherwise you're on your own with cat holes or portable toilet solutions." Campers must pack out all waste and trash.

Tips for camping with families

Group site availability: Several areas accommodate larger family groups. Tripoli Road has "a couple of large group camping areas but they were spread out enough not to bother each other," according to one visitor.

Morning activities: Early risers can take advantage of special experiences. "I highly suggest a sunrise peak if you have the energy to get up early!" recommends a visitor to Guyot Shelter.

Water access considerations: Sites near streams provide natural water sources but require treatment. One camper at Tripoli Road describes it as "a great spot to start getting into camping with less amenities and more outdoors."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Hill, NH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Hill, NH is Tripoli Road with a 4.3-star rating from 11 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 3 dispersed camping locations near Hill, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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