Dispersed camping options near Kearsarge, New Hampshire provide rustic accommodations within the White Mountain National Forest. The area sits at elevations ranging from 800 to 2,900 feet with temperature fluctuations of 30-40°F between day and night during summer months. Fall camping season typically ends by mid-October when seasonal roads close due to weather conditions.
What to do
Hiking to panoramic views: The Cherry Mountain trail offers access to a fire tower with expansive mountain views. From Cherry Mountain Road Dispersed sites, the trailhead is easily accessible. "We stayed one night in campsite 9. This site is about 90 yards from the fire tower trailhead," notes Kevin C.
Water activities in nearby rivers: Many campsites provide access to fishing and swimming opportunities. The Tripoli Road area offers riverside sites. "Great hiking trails directly off Tripoli. Hiking the loop trail is amazing," shares Joseph A. "Great spot to start getting into camping with less amenities and more outdoors."
Stargazing opportunities: Clear night skies away from light pollution make for excellent stargazing. "We enjoyed a spectacular view of the Blood Super Moon from the campsite. Overall the site was open to the sky near the road yet protected from the wind," reports a camper at Cherry Mountain Road.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the separation between camping spots. At White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road, "It's easy to forget there are other people camping on other sites because they're so far apart. It's wonderfully relaxing and quiet," according to Amanda B.
Water features: Access to streams and rivers ranks highly among camper preferences. "There's a nice stream but if you are camping at any of the other sites, you don't have water flowing by," notes Rhonda H. about Little Larry Road sites. "The sites are a great size and are surrounded by trees."
Flat camping areas: Finding level spots for tents can be challenging in mountainous terrain. At Elbow Pond Road Dispersed Site, "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," explains Dom L.
What you should know
Road conditions vary: Many access roads require vehicles with higher clearance. "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," notes Bob G. at Town Hall Road Dispersed.
Bear safety measures required: Wildlife encounters are common in this region. "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," warns Jean C. about Tripoli Road camping.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly by location. "Even had a cell signal that gave data with a weboost," reports Robert B. about Little Larry Road. Another camper notes, "Just enough t-mobile/starlink signal to watch streaming and message, but wouldn't be enough for remote work."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with natural features: Kids often enjoy exploring water features near campsites. "We found our spot which had some river access and it was gorgeous. It had an above and below spot which hosted our two tents," shares Alex S. about Town Hall Road.
Consider campsite privacy: Sites with more separation from neighbors help contain noise. At Haystack Road, "There are 11 options, each completely separated from the others," according to Drew, making it suitable for families needing space.
Pack essential supplies: No amenities means bringing everything you need. "The only thing I regret not bringing with me is a table to put my camp stove on," mentions Amanda B. about primitive camping in the area.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations for vehicles: Most primitive camping areas accommodate smaller RVs only. "There is a good mix of tent and small/medium camper sites. Many of the sites are right on the side of the road," explains Bob G. about Town Hall Road dispersed camping.
Solar power considerations: For those requiring power, solar access varies by site. "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) and stayed all week," advises Rebecca B.
Site selection for leveling: Finding level parking for RVs requires scouting. "We passed up a couple on the left as you first drive in as they were too steep," notes Alex S., highlighting the importance of selecting appropriate sites for vehicle camping near Kearsarge.
