Town Hall Road dispersed camping requires navigation through a residential area before reaching White Mountain National Forest. Sites vary in accessibility, with some requiring careful maneuvering for vehicles and equipment. During rainy conditions, certain sites remain relatively dry due to terrain and tree cover. Tripoli Road dispersed camping spans approximately 3 miles with numerous unmarked sites, each containing established fire rings and offering varying levels of privacy and river access.
What to do
Riverside exploration: Sites near Town Hall Road offer water access for wading and fishing. "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," notes a Town Hall Road visitor.
Hiking options: Access multiple trail systems directly from camping areas. "Hiking in the region include the Osceolas (moderate hike with beautiful views, exceedingly popular and crowded on autumn weekends - get there early!), Tripyramid, and Tecumseh," according to a Tripoli Road camper.
Water recreation: The nearby Pemigewasset River provides opportunities for tubing and kayaking with outfitter services available. "Russell Pond offers ranger programs, fishing, and you can put a kayak or canoe in," reports an experienced camper. Local outfitters one exit south on I-93 provide rentals and transportation services.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing between sites at Town Hall Road. "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," shares a regular visitor.
River proximity: Several sites provide direct water access. "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," notes an Alex S. about their experience at Town Hall Road.
GPS navigation tips: First-time visitors should follow specific directions. "GPS initially took me on the wrong road - make sure you stay on Town Hall Rd no matter what the GPS says," advises a Mark M. who found good cell service at nearby Russell Pond with Verizon outperforming AT&T.
What you should know
Bear awareness: Proper food storage is essential in both camping areas. "Didn't see any but saw plenty of evidence," reports one visitor about Tripoli Road, highlighting the importance of securing food in vehicles or bear canisters.
Site selection strategy: Arrive early for better options. "Downhill sites closest to the Russell Pond area seem to be most popular. Most of these were occupied on a late June weekend, while those farther down the road remained empty," notes a camper.
Weather considerations: Free camping near Union, New Hampshire remains viable even during inclement weather. "It was a great place for Rainy Camping. We went during a pouring rain storm and our site remained relatively dry," reports Rowan E. about Town Hall Road.
Tips for camping with families
Weekday visits: For a quieter experience with children, plan for non-weekend stays. "Great spot for the weekdays, hardly anyone around and got a great site right by the river (mid-sept.)," shares Ali B. about Tripoli Road, adding that weekends get significantly busier.
Beginner-friendly options: Some dispersed camping areas provide a good introduction to primitive camping. "This is a great spot to start getting into camping with less amenities and more outdoors. I have been going there for 20 years and I still recommend it," advises Joseph A.
Multiple tent configurations: Many sites accommodate family setups with varied terrain. "We found there to be a couple of large group camping areas but they were spread out enough not to bother each other," reports Beau B. about the Tripoli area.
Tips from RVers
Medium camper accessibility: Some sites accommodate smaller RVs and campers with limitations. "There is 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," reports Bob G. about Town Hall Road.
Remote work considerations: For those needing connectivity, options are limited. "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. about Town Hall Road free camping near Union, New Hampshire.
Site location considerations: Road proximity creates dust and noise issues. "The road can be irritating/cars kick up dust as they drive by," notes Kat B., suggesting camping further from the main access points for a more peaceful experience.
