Dispersed camping near North Conway, New Hampshire offers roadside primitive sites throughout the White Mountain National Forest. Located in a region with elevations ranging from 528 to 6,288 feet, these rustic campsites experience temperature variations of 20-30°F between day and night, even in summer. Most sites remain open from late May through mid-October, with seasonal closures based on road conditions and wildlife activity.
What to do
Hiking from campsite bases: Several Tripoli Road sites provide direct access to popular trails. "This is a great spot to start getting into camping with less amenities and more outdoors. Great hiking trails directly off Tripoli. Hiking the loop trail is amazing," notes one camper. Tripoli Road serves as a strategic base for multiple day hikes.
Fishing opportunities: Many campsites near North Conway provide access to fishing spots. "There are trout in the river and if you cross and go through the woods to the right there's some great spots to explore further," reports an experienced camper at Town Hall Road. Sites along rivers offer both recreation and natural cooling during summer months.
Swimming holes: Natural swimming areas provide relief during hot weather. "Right near a great swimming hole and the twin mountains. It is quiet, the sites are far apart," says a regular at Haystack Road. Local swimming spots remain relatively uncrowded during weekdays, with optimal water temperatures from July through early September.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: The spacing between many primitive sites receives positive feedback. At Cherry Mountain Road, "The camp site are all disbursed enough that we did not hear any other camping sounds at all. It was so quiet I could hear the sound of crow wings flapping as they flew by," according to one reviewer.
Water features: Sites with water access rank highly among campers. One Town Hall Road camper notes, "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."
Natural surroundings: The undeveloped forest setting attracts those seeking rustic camping experiences. "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," shares a visitor to White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access routes vary significantly in quality and passability. "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," reports a camper about Town Hall Road, though many other forest roads require higher clearance vehicles.
Site selection timing: Weekends fill quickly, especially during peak summer and fall foliage seasons. "It's also first come first serve, so be sure to get up early on Friday for a weekend campout," advises a visitor to Tripoli Road. Holiday weekends often reach capacity by Thursday afternoon.
Cell service availability: Connectivity varies by location. At Hogan Road Pulloff, "Even had a cell signal that gave data with a weboost," notes one camper, while another reports at Little Larry Road: "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 security concerns: At some locations, unattended gear may be at risk. "Beware of people stealing camping gear. I left out gear to claim a spot while out hiking and came back to people having stolen some of it as well as setting up in that spot," warns a camper at Haystack Road.
Weather preparedness: Rain resilience varies between sites. "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," notes a Town Hall Road camper. Elevated sites generally drain better during wet weather.
Multiple site options: Some areas provide backup locations if first choices are taken. "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," shares a Little Larry Road visitor, highlighting the benefit of having alternative sites within the same area.
Tips from RVers
Limited flat parking: Many dispersed sites cannot accommodate large rigs. At Elbow Pond Road, a camper reports: "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 in." Most sites best suit vehicles under 20 feet.
Solar considerations: For those relying on solar power, tree cover impacts energy collection. "If all we needed was a campsite with no solar or starlink, this would be 5 star review. Lots of options, great hiking in the area. But if you need solar or starlink, there's only 1 or 2 viable spots," notes a Town Hall Road visitor.
Road clearance requirements: Access roads often challenge lower vehicles. At Elbow Pond, "The road in is pretty rough and is not recommended for sedans or lower riding cars." Most primitive camping areas near North Conway require at least 6-8 inches of ground clearance.
