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Best Dispersed Camping near West Stewartstown, NH

11 Reviews

Dispersed camping opportunities in the West Stewartstown, New Hampshire area include several primitive sites along the Connecticut River Paddlers Trail and nearby forested lands. The Maine Railroad Trestle and Scott C. Devlin Memorial sites offer tent camping with boat-in access along the Connecticut River. Additional dispersed camping can be found at Cherry Mountain Road, where multiple pull-off sites exist along forest roads. Hogan Road provides another free camping option with lake views. Most sites require no reservations, though some areas recommend registration to prevent overcrowding.

Access varies significantly across the region's dispersed sites. Cherry Mountain Road features multiple tent sites on either side of the unpaved road, with some sites providing more privacy than others. Many locations are accessible only by boat, particularly the Connecticut River sites and several in the Rangeley Lakes area of nearby Maine. Limited amenities exist at most sites—some feature fire rings, picnic tables, and primitive toilets, while others have no facilities whatsoever. Fire restrictions apply in many areas, with some sites prohibiting fires entirely. Camping is generally free, though sites may have varying regulations regarding permits for fires.

The dispersed sites around West Stewartstown provide opportunities for solitude and natural settings. Sites along the Connecticut River offer fishing access and sandy beaches for boat launching. The Cherry Mountain sites provide convenient access to hiking trails, including the Cherry Mountain trail and Cohos Trail. Campsites at Hogan Road pulloff near the Appalachian Trail feature lake views with relative privacy. Visitors should be prepared for wildlife encounters and variable weather conditions. "About 1km of gravel road, easy enough for a big road bike, but don't go any further as it gets rough. Plenty of trees to hang your hammock," noted one camper about the Hogan Road site. Another visitor to Cherry Mountain Road observed, "It was so quiet I could hear the sound of crow wings flapping as they flew by."

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Best Dispersed Sites Near West Stewartstown, New Hampshire (9)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near West Stewartstown, NH

18 Photos of 9 West Stewartstown Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near West Stewartstown, NH

11 Reviews of 9 West Stewartstown Campgrounds

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2024

    Cherry Mountain Road Dispersed

    Super quiet and lots of privacy

    Came into the area after 7 PM on a Tuesday and found several open sites. We stayed one night in campsite 9. This site is about 90 yards from the fire tower trailhead.

    Site #9 goes back about 70 to 80 feet back off the road. There appears to have been a longer site, but the Forest Service placed boulders blacking vehicles from going further. Just past the boulders is a large fire circle with room for 6 to 8 campers to sit around the fire.

    We were able to collect sunlight onto our solar panel from the site.

    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.

    We enjoyed a spectacular view of the Blood Super Moon from the campsite. Overall the site was open to the sky nea3 the road yet protected from the wind.

    The only downside was the lack of any other amenities. As far as disbursed camping in the national forest, this place is not a decent unpaved road and our campsite was only about 3 miles from the highway.

  • Justin P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 16, 2021

    Cherry Mountain Road Dispersed

    Smaller car and tent sites

    Stopped by on the Cohos Trail. Great location with access to the Cherry Mountain trail, and back down to Ammonoosuc Falls back down near Rt. 302.

    There are a string of tent sites on either side of the road with some right up to the intersection with Cherry Mountain trail.

    A few were small and could just fit a tent and a car, where some offered more space. Some offered a bit of privacy into the woods while most were right along the road.

    There are no facilities here, and most sites showed some significant signs of use. 

    There were plenty of sites available on the weekend in October.

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2023

    Raven

    Super Impacted

    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.

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2023

    Scott C. Devlin Memorial

    Secluded and Quiet

    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!

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2023

    Eagle Cove

    Not good in the rain

    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.

  • Laurel P.
    Jul. 28, 2024

    Hogan Road Pulloff near Appalachian Trail

    Quick Saturday Night with my pup

    amazing lil spot, a pull off the wild rocky road. very private. right next to a serene view of the lake. very mild highway traffic sounds in the distance. there was another spot at the posted coordinates for this area but someone got to it before me last night. no fires allowed here. only saw one biker and one truck full of local boys pass by in the last 16 hrs

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2023

    Smudge Cove

    A Favorite Spot

    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!

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2023

    Maine Railroad Trestle

    Nice site along the CT River Paddlers Trail

    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.

  • Aimee L.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 22, 2025

    Cherry Mountain Road Dispersed

    Great spot

    We stayed on site #5 because it was flat, sunny, grassy and had a little brook. Had some passing by traffic but each site is far apart from each other.

Guide to West Stewartstown

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near West Stewartstown, New Hampshire, where nature lovers can find serene spots away from the crowds. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, this area is perfect for those seeking adventure and tranquility.

Dispersed campers should check out secluded spots along the CT River

  • The Scott C. Devlin Memorial offers a well-maintained site tucked in a pine forest, providing a peaceful atmosphere for tent camping.
  • For those who enjoy fishing, the Maine Railroad Trestle features a rocky beach with easy access to the water, making it an ideal spot for anglers.
  • Be cautious of ticks while exploring the area, as they can be prevalent in the grassy fields near these sites.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near West Stewartstown, New Hampshire

  • Many sites, like the Hogan Road Pulloff near Appalachian Trail, are accessible via a gravel road, making them suitable for various vehicles.
  • It's essential to arrive early, especially on weekends, to secure a good spot, as some areas can fill up quickly.
  • Always check for local regulations regarding fires and waste disposal, as many sites do not provide amenities like trash disposal or restrooms.

Unique experiences await at waterfront locations

  • The Smudge Cove campsite features a long dock for easy boat access, allowing campers to enjoy the stunning Maine forests along the way.
  • If you're looking for a more rugged experience, the Eagle Cove site offers breathtaking views but may require some effort to find a suitable spot for your tent.
  • For those who prefer a quieter environment, the Raven site, perched above Cupsuptic Lake, provides a beautiful setting, though it may be impacted by weather conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near West Stewartstown, NH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near West Stewartstown, NH is Maine Railroad Trestle with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near West Stewartstown, NH?

TheDyrt.com has all 9 dispersed camping locations near West Stewartstown, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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