Best Dispersed Camping near Waterville Valley, NH
Tripoli Road offers numerous dispersed camping sites near Waterville Valley, stretching between Waterville Valley area and I-93 exit 31. This seasonal road opens in late May and closes in autumn, with sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Campers must register at the ranger station near the Russell Pond campground entrance and pay a flat rate fee ($20-30 depending on weekday or weekend stays). Sites vary from roadside locations to spots set above or below the road, some near rivers and others in wooded areas.
The camping area has minimal facilities - only port-a-potties near the western entrance. Bear activity is common, requiring proper food storage in vehicles or bear canisters. According to one visitor, "You need to be aware that bears are in the area. Following the July 4, 2019 holiday, the camping area was closed after bears visited campsites." The area provides access to popular hiking trails including the Osceolas, Tripyramid, and Tecumseh mountains. Another camper noted, "This is a great spot to start getting into camping with less amenities and more outdoors. Drive up the dirt road and find a nice riverside camp site."
Other dispersed options include Elbow Pond Road with sites where "you can park and walk up to your site or pull right up next to them," though the road is "pretty rough and not recommended for sedans." Town Hall Road offers free camping with drive-in access suitable for tents and RVs, while Haystack Road provides primitive sites that are "perfect for a dirt bag. You get a fire pit and that's it."