Town Hall Road is part of several primitive camping options near Madison, New Hampshire within White Mountain National Forest. The area sits between 800-1,200 feet elevation in a region characterized by dense northern hardwood forest and small mountain streams. Most dispersed sites near Madison lack facilities and maintain the true wilderness camping experience, with conditions varying dramatically between seasons.
What to do
Swimming access: At White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road, campers can enjoy nearby water recreation. As one camper notes, "You can drive out to the main road and be right on the river." The sites feature access to both a creek running through the road and a nearby river for water activities.
Hiking trails: Guyot Shelter provides a remote backcountry base for hiking adventures. A camper reported, "We got to the site, claimed our platform and hiked over to West Bond to catch a beautiful sunset." Another mentioned the "Bond cliff trail wooden platforms and a three sided cabin at 4360 ft."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple streams near Madison offer good fishing spots. A visitor to Tripoli Road mentioned, "The Pemigewassett offers tubing and kayaking put ins. Outfitters one exit south can provide you with transportation and rentals." Nearby waters contain trout and other local fish species.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: The spacing of campsites at many locations provides seclusion. One camper at Haystack Road said, "There are 11 options, each completely separated from the others." This privacy is a major draw for primitive camping near Madison.
River sounds: Many campers appreciate sites near moving water. A visitor wrote, "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. It was clean, quiet and other campers were friendly as well."
Night sky viewing: The limited light pollution creates excellent stargazing. As one camper at Little Larry Road described, "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."
What you should know
Bear safety protocols: Wildlife encounters require proper preparation. A reviewer at Tripoli Road warned, "The 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." Always store food properly.
Road conditions vary: Access roads require different vehicle capabilities. A camper noted, "The road was not as bad as I anticipated" while others report "The road is uphill" or "a dirt road, but it was quiet for the most part."
Limited amenities: True primitive camping means self-sufficiency. According to one camper, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection strategy: Finding family-appropriate sites requires planning. At Cherry Mountain Road Dispersed, a visitor recommended, "We stayed on site #5 because it was flat, sunny, grassy and had a little brook." Sites with gentle terrain work best for children.
Water availability: Plan your water needs carefully. A camper mentioned, "There appears to have been a longer site, but the Forest Service placed boulders blocking vehicles from going further. Just past the boulders is a large fire circle with room for 6 to 8 campers to sit around the fire."
Weather preparations: Mountain weather changes rapidly. One visitor experienced "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 only small to medium RVs. At Elbow Pond Road Dispersed Site, a camper shared, "Camped in a very small spot, just barely enough room for our SUV and small teardrop to get off the road."
Leveling challenges: Finding level spots requires scouting. A reviewer advised, "Some of the camping spots have fire pits but not all. The road in is pretty rough and is not recommended for sedans or lower riding cars."
Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies widely. One camper pointed out, "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."
