Are you planning a dispersed camping trip to Stark? We've got you covered. Dispersed camping means that no facilities or amenities are provided, so that you can truly disconnect and get back to nature. Whether you're looking for a quiet location in the trees or wide open spaces, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect dispersed campsite.
The White Mountain National Forest offers a variety of camping experiences: from family-friendly developed campgrounds, to popular backcountry sites, to the solitude of a Wilderness setting. https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5363715.pdf
Tripoli Road is a very popular area for those seeking a roadside camping experience. This is not an area you would choose if looking for that tranquil out of the way spot.
$20 - $30 / night
Scout
Great spot w an exception of local officer Rowe. Comes to site unannounced or invited then fabricates the visit.
Other than that it's wonderful. Some really amazing river sites. Moose pond at top left fork has reception as well as lower gate.
ScoutHad everything we needed
ScoutGreat sites. Some right.on water. First come first serve, can get busy.
Ranger
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.
Traveler
Great campsite!
Bear box, food area, water source, cabin, Privy, and platforms.
TravelerThe 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. There is a good mix of tent and small/medium camper sites. Many of the sites are right on the side of the road.
We went to the end of Town Hall Road and camped at the last site before you leave the WMNF. It was a very spacious site, set back from the road, a little bumpy getting into it.
Guideno entry 🚫
TravelerWe 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. Sites were also a good distance from each other so it felt pretty private. We stayed two nights and at two different sites; enjoyed both. Would love to return here in the future.
Traveler
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
GuideDespite 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
Scout
There are 11 options, each completely separated from the others. We were in spot #1 which is nothing at all like the others. It is next to the Highway on a paved fire road. So you can hear traffic. And it is paved (which is good if it’s wet and muddy elsewhere). The other spots looked amazing.
TravelerThis was such an awesome site. Not a lot of traffic up and down the road, love being right on the creek.
ScoutThis 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
TravelerI am very speechless...in awe....
GuideGreat way they set up the sites! Wish more parks set up their dispersement sites like this!! Great privacy, lots of room, river for the dogs, gorgeous area!!
LegendDepending on when you arrive, you may have to drive up the road a ways to find a spot, but it is well worth it. It is quiet, peaceful, and free.
Legend
This site, while in a beautiful spot perched above Cupsuptic Lake, it is so impacted that in the rain it was a literal mud pit. While there was a picnic table to get up off the ground, finding a spot to pitch a tent where water wouldn't puddle would be impossible. We hiked in, but you can paddle into the site just know that the exit/entry to the water is a bit tricky and not as easy as some of the other sites available along the way.
There is a large fire pit, also a mess in the down pours. The picnic table is in far better shape here than the one in Eagle Cove (rotting) and Cedar Bay (non-existent). The site is quite small and wouldn't be able to accommodate more than two small tents. I wouldn't make a special trip to stay here.
Legend
We stayed here during a torrential downpour and it was tough to find a spot to pitch the tent that wasn't going to put us in a puddle. The site has very little clear flat area for an established campsite and it took a little bit of strategy to find a spot where we could actually sleep and stay relatively dry given the circumstances.
This is a waterfront site but there isn't super easy access to the lake, but the view is pretty amazing! There is a rough fire pit that had a stack of wood next to it that was clearly part of an old picnic table. The picnic table that was in the site was, well...let's call it a "living picnic table." It was not in great shape and was actively rotting. We made it work because we had already traveled through the other available sites and they were in worse shape than this one. It did the trick for an evening but I certainly wouldn't go out of my way to stay here.
Legend
This campsite is along the Forest Legacy Trail and while the trail is managed by one entity, the remote campsites are managed by another. The Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust maintains the trails in and out while Cupsuptic Campground manages the campsites.
There is a tent platform at Smudge Cove but it is in desperate need of repair and it sounds like that's in the plans for next summer. There is a nice picnic table available as well as an established fire ring. The site is just off the water and there is a nice long dock that makes it super easy to boat into and unload. You can also backpack in and enjoy some pretty cool Maine forests along the way. There is also relatively easy access to the water by way of the rocks, beside the dock.
These sites are secluded and offer a lovely amount of privacy and rest assured, the only sounds you will hear at night are the loons!
Legend
This is another beautiful site along the CT River Paddler's Trail. It is well maintained and tucked on a knoll in a pine forest. There is a picnic table, fire ring and composting toilet box seat. The takeout is easy to miss if you aren't looking as it sits right in the bend of the river. There is a set of wooden steps that go down into the water at a relatively steep angle. Be sure you tie your boat up while unloading as there is a fair amount of current sweeping around the bend. Use caution moving up and down the steps.
There is a flat area at the top of the steps where you can tie up your boat for the evening. Follow the path along an electric fence (be careful if you have dogs with you) up into the campsite. There you will find a nice shady spot with plenty of flat space for tents. Beware the ticks! They weren't the worse I've seen, but they are definitely around.
Aside from the tricky loading and unloading on the water, this site is pretty dang perfect!
Legend
While reservations are not required, there is a registration page on the CT River Paddler's Trail Website that they ask folx to complete just so spots don't get overcrowded.
There are several sites available here and a really nice rocky beach with easy access fo loading and unloading. It's also a nice spot to fish from. There is a site perched high on the hill where there is a picnic table and fire ring. There is also a spot lower down that is nice and flat and probably better spots for tents. We did have an ATV almost run over us at 1:00 a.m. that scared the dickens out of us. They were clearly unaware and intoxicated, it was a scary moment. But aside from that, it's a wonderful site. If you walk through the campsite, there is a massive cornfield, just beware that the ticks in the field are insane! They weren't bad in the campsite but in the grass, they were epic. There's nice shade available as well.
LegendThere are three free campsites off Route 16 between Rangeley and Stratton, ME, located on the Dead River. Head northeast out of Rangeley toward Stratton. They are located just after you cross the bridge over the Dead River on the left side of the road. You only need a permit if you plan to have a fire.
TravelerWe followed directions exactly as listed below. It does take about 10 minutes to reach the campsites but it’s so worth it. We passed up a couple on the left as you first drive in as they were too steep. 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. I absolutely would stay here again.
Scout
Closed due to logging
GuideMy first ever dispersed camping experience. So freaking amazing and unbelievable. It was pouring rain when we came to NH so we tried to wait out the rain, but it was getting dark. We followed the directions given by previous reviews. Turn onto town hall rd. and keep going past the residential area until you get to gravel road. keep going straight until you see the national forest sign. about a mile later us when campsites started popping up. the first few were full since it was 7pm but we came across one right around where the pin is dropped for this location. the cliff wasn’t too steep here (i passed up a campsite before this one bc it seemed too steep for my liking) and pretty large. beautiful view of the water and even a path down to swim. 10/10 experience and i cant wait to go back.
TravelerSome of the camping spots were really tiny but if you get there on a good day u can find a good sized spot. There is a beautiful river right below the camping spots. If you go deep enough down the road you might be lucky enough to see a moose. While I was visiting we were driving down the road and we saw a big moose. The only problem I had was that there is no service at the camp spots. All around the campsite there were so many different kinds of mushrooms. The river also has a bunch of rocks and me and my boyfriend make rock towers.
GuideThe GPS will take you to Dundee Rd. These sites are actually off end of Town Hall Rd. It was very busy and most sites were taken over Memorial Day weekend.
Camping near Stark, New Hampshire, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Stark, New Hampshire, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're hiking, fishing, or just enjoying the great outdoors, there's something for every camper to enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Stark, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Stark, NH is Guyot Shelter with a 4.8-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Stark, NH?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 dispersed camping locations near Stark, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
