Best Tent Camping near North Woodstock, NH
The White Mountains region surrounding North Woodstock, New Hampshire offers multiple backcountry tent camping options in the White Mountain National Forest, primarily along the Appalachian Trail corridor. Established tent sites like Guyot Shelter, Garfield Ridge Campsite, Liberty Springs Tentsite, and Kinsman Pond Shelter provide designated camping within hiking distance of town. These sites serve as strategic overnight points for multiday hikers tackling the Pemigewasset Loop or Franconia Ridge, with most locations requiring moderate to strenuous hiking to access.
Most backcountry tent sites feature wooden platforms rather than ground pads, requiring freestanding tents that don't rely on stakes. Seasonal restrictions apply, with many higher elevation sites inaccessible until late spring due to snow and mud. Water sources exist at most locations but require filtration or treatment. Fire regulations vary significantly between sites, with many high-elevation areas prohibiting open flames entirely. A recent review noted, "Despite being so remote, one of the busiest backcountry camps in the Whites. Has a nice shelter, spring, privy, platforms, some sites have somewhat of a view of far away mountain tops." Bear boxes are provided at many locations, particularly at Guyot and Garfield, eliminating the need for bear hangs.
Tent campers access these primitive sites via well-maintained but challenging hiking trails, typically requiring 1.5 to 5 miles of hiking with full packs. Sawyer Pond offers one of the gentler approaches at 1.5 miles from the trailhead with minimal elevation gain, making it suitable for beginners and families new to backcountry camping. A visitor commented that "sites are a little close together but the shelter is set off a good distance from the tent sites." Most established tent sites charge a small fee ($10 typical) collected by seasonal caretakers who maintain composting privies and manage site usage. Weekend crowding remains a consistent challenge, particularly at Guyot, Liberty Springs, and Garfield Ridge, with campers advised to arrive early or have backup plans for overflow areas when permitted.
