Top Free Dispersed Camping near White Mountain National Forest

Searching for the perfect place to dispersed camp near White Mountain National Forest? Dispersed camping is the perfect way to get off the grid. Search dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots and read camper reviews.

Best Dispersed Sites Near White Mountain National Forest, NH (5)

    Camper-submitted photo from Stillwater Reservoir
    Camper-submitted photo from Stillwater Reservoir
    Camper-submitted photo from Stillwater Reservoir
    Camper-submitted photo from Stillwater Reservoir
    Camper-submitted photo from Stillwater Reservoir
    Camper-submitted photo from Stillwater Reservoir

    1.

    Stillwater Reservoir

    9 Reviews
    75 Photos
    261 Saves
    Old Forge, New York

    The 6,700-acre Stillwater Reservoir is located in the western Adirondacks, and provides undeveloped, remote camping on both islands and along the shoreline. The Reservoir offers a multitude of recreational possibilities including remote wilderness camping, canoeing, boating, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. The area receives considerable use during each of the four seasons.

    During recent years, popularity of the Stillwater Reservoir has greatly increased. In an effort to alleviate some of the problems and preserve remote camping opportunities, campers are now required to use only designated sites, along the shoreline or to camp at least 150 feet inland from high-water mark. The high-water mark is generally that point where the sand beaches end and the forested or vegetative area begins.

    Camping on sand beaches is no longer permitted. Camping within 150 feet of the high-water mark is limited to 46 sites designated and marked by the department. Camping beyond the 150 feet limit, as in past years, is relatively unrestricted. The intention here is to move camper use back from the water's edge to less fragile sites. The only exception is to the north of the Reservoir, which is in the Five Ponds Wilderness, where group sizes are limited to nine people or less.

    Camping beyond the 150-foot perimeter remains relatively unrestricted, except for five Ponds Wilderness. That is, persons may use any site or open area for camping, provided it is more than 150 feet from the high-water mark, roads, trails or any other body of water. Furthermore, campers must comply with department regulations governing the use of state lands. These regulations will be posted at the registration booth at the Forest Ranger Headquarters and may also be found on the reverse side of the Interior Use Camping Permit. As the designated sites become filled, users are urged to camp within the Independence River Wild Forest Area on the south.

    Campfires are allowed, but only dead and downed fuel may be used. The use of trail stoves is encouraged because of limited supplies of wood.

    • Fires
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Cabins
    • Standard (Tent/RV)
    Camper-submitted photo from Cranberry Lake Backcountry Sites
    Camper-submitted photo from Cranberry Lake Backcountry Sites
    Camper-submitted photo from Cranberry Lake Backcountry Sites
    Camper-submitted photo from Cranberry Lake Backcountry Sites
    Camper-submitted photo from Cranberry Lake Backcountry Sites
    Camper-submitted photo from Cranberry Lake Backcountry Sites

    2.

    Cranberry Lake Backcountry Sites

    2 Reviews
    15 Photos
    102 Saves
    Cranberry Lake, New York
    • Primitive tent sites and lean-tos are available on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be reserved. If you find a tent site or lean-to with no people or gear, then you can camp there.
    • If not using a designated primitive tent site, your tent must be at least 150 feet from a water body, road, or trail. Do not camp in areas posted with "Camping Prohibited."
    • Camping for more than three nights or with 10 or more people requires a permit from a Forest Ranger. Call 518-897-1300 to get the name and contact information for the local ranger. Please observe all State Land Camping and Hiking Rules.
    • Black bears are present throughout the Adirondacks and Catskills. Campers should store all food, garbage and toiletries in a bear-resistant canister or food hang. Bear-resistant canisters are required in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness.
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Reservable
    • Dispersed
    • Picnic Table
    • Toilets

Recent Dispersed Reviews In White Mountain National Forest

13 Reviews of 5 White Mountain National Forest Campgrounds


  • Camper-submitted photo from Stillwater Reservoir
    April 10, 2024

    Stillwater Reservoir

    Excellent place! Went for Solar Eclipse

    a 20 mile ride of just woods on a bumpy road. Pretty cool! Surprisingly the place wasn't that populated as I expected it to be. I went to a accessible campsite near the dam so I can pull stuff i needed from my car. The restaurant in the town had great food, the staff were nice, and had two cute dogs!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Stillwater Reservoir
    February 27, 2023

    Stillwater Reservoir

    An island paradise

    Having both camped, and trained with my SAR Unit, on Stillwater Reserve, I must say it's a wonderful place to "get lost" (voluntarily at least)!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Stillwater Reservoir
    January 1, 2022

    Stillwater Reservoir

    Only car accessible campsite

    Was a great camp site very big and had a trail that lead down to the water. This campsite is right down the road from the fire tower trail.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Stillwater Reservoir
    December 28, 2021

    Stillwater Reservoir

    Nice kayaking spot

    My wife and I kayaked to Long Island and stayed for a weekend. It was quiet and had the whole island to our self. Would recommend if you want to break away from technology because you get zero service out there

  • Camper-submitted photo from Stillwater Reservoir
    August 4, 2021

    Stillwater Reservoir

    Need a boat

    I came here a couple days ago only to realize that all except one campsite needs a boat to be reached. It's first come first serve so best to find another place if you intend to drive up to your campsite. The drive up campsite had an outhouse though so that was nice

  • Camper-submitted photo from Blue Lagoon Primitive Dispersed Camping
    October 1, 2020

    Blue Lagoon Primitive Dispersed Camping

    Dispersed camping on stillwater reservoir

    Primitive site on the beautiful south eastern end of Stillwater. A short hike in to a great beach for swimming or paddling.

    We’ve stayed here many times in tents and hammock tents. The swimming is fantastic- water is clean and clear.

    Because you can’t make a reservation here sometimes there’s competition for a spot. There is a good fire circle with space all around. The trail down to the beach is only about a hundred feet, but it is downhill.

    This site is close to the trailhead for the Stillwater firetower, an original Adirondack firetower.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Sunday Lake Dispersed Camping
    October 1, 2020

    Sunday Lake Dispersed Camping

    Primitive dispersed camping. 1/4 mile walk in, lovely quiet lake

    This is a small primitive site. No services, but a very beautiful spot. There’s a small fire ring, and access to the lake for swimming or fishing. 

    Sunday lake has always been lovely and quiet and a great place to take youth campers. 

    Take Stillwater rd. to McCarty road, the trail is 0.3 miles To Sunday lake. Space to park two cars or a small RV off the road.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Stillwater Reservoir
    April 25, 2019

    Stillwater Reservoir

    Your own private adventure beach

    Even in cold rainy weather we had a phenomenal time at Stillwater. Our spot had gorgeous waterfront to it, a stone fire circle where someone had left extra fire wood, and ample trees. The season had had unusually low water all over and it left a really unusual landscape on the beach to explore. We can’t wait to come back!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Stillwater Reservoir
    August 13, 2018

    Stillwater Reservoir

    Unplugged but recharged!

    just returned from our annual week at the reservoir, such beauty! We saw Bald Eagles and Loons, enjoyed swimming, canoing and paddleboarding with the family. It was so peaceful with our site #37 accomodating 20 members of tge family plus 3 dogs!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Cranberry Lake Backcountry Sites
    June 28, 2018

    Cranberry Lake Backcountry Sites

    Your Own Private Island for FREE!

    We spent 3 nights backcountry camping on Catamount Island in Cranberry Lake and absolutely loved it! The sunsets from the island were truly incredible. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Ours had an extensive pile of dry wood, too. There is a decent privy tucked back in the woods. Bring your own TP though! Also, you will either need to bring your own potable water or filter from the lake, so don’t forget your water filter.

    In addition to many cool places to kayak from the island, there are a few hiking trails where you can land your boat and hike for a few hours. The Curtis Pond hike was our favorite and there are some incredible beaver dams along the way. While the mosquitoes weren’t bad at the campsite itself or while kayaking, they are terrible on the trails this time of year; so bring your bug spray, or better yet, bug shirts! The millions upon millions of dragonflies help make up for the mosquitoes!

    The Village of Cranberry Lake (which is accessible from the lake) has some supplies, but not much except the very basics at the general store.  You’ll need to head to Star Lake or Tupper Lake for anything of significance.

    Backcountry camping is first come, first served…no reservations necessary or even possible. No permit is needed. The only fee is if you want to park your vehicle in the state park while you are camping on the island, it is $8 per day.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Stillwater Reservoir
    August 16, 2017

    Stillwater Reservoir

    Another great trip

    This was my 3rd trip to Stillwater in 3 yrs and it gets better each time!

    Our first trip was an overnight to test some backpacking gear, it was September and the weather was perfect! We hiked into our site, not easy because almost everything is meant to be accessed by boat so we were guessing our course! Cooler weather meant no bugs to contend with

    Next year we took a canoe to our site, it was July, warm weather, warm water and the bugs were not terrible, we were at Site 1, secluded in a cove, not a lot of traffic but there is a hiking trailhead near the site so there is potential for visitors.

    Our latest trip was to site 10, an island site with a large sandy beachfront, we borrowed a motor boat to get there this year and brought plenty of gear for 4 days. Weather was great again, some rain each day but we had time to get setup and get shelters to keep dry.

    Camping if free here but it is first come first serve but with 40+ sites you can almost always get something. There is a small store at the boat launch to get provisions if you need, public restrooms and wifi. Very limited cell service.

    You should bring water or something to filter it from the reservoir. I believe all the site have privy boxes on them.

    There are opportunities for fishing, a few local attractions, a nice restaurant at the launch.



Guide to White Mountain National Forest

Camping near White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire, offers a fantastic escape into nature with stunning views and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds that cater to different preferences.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the numerous trails in the area. Campers at Wellesley Island State Park Campground rave about the "ton of trails" available, making it a great spot for hiking enthusiasts.
  • Fishing: Many campers enjoy fishing in the nearby waters. One visitor at Kring Point State Park mentioned, "Great fishing from almost every part of this park," highlighting the opportunities for anglers.
  • Swimming: Cool off during the summer months. A reviewer at Jacques Cartier State Park Campground noted, "There’s a great guarded beach if you have young ones," making it a family-friendly option.

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Swan Bay Resort said, "Washrooms were clean and adequate," which is a big plus for many.
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A camper at Higley Flow State Park mentioned, "Really nice sites that are private and easy to back into," making it a comfortable choice for families and groups.
  • Natural beauty: Campers love the scenic views. One reviewer at Birch’s Lakeside Campground and Marina exclaimed, "The lake was beautiful, the campground was quiet and we had the best view of the stars at night."

What you should know:

  • Booking in advance: Popular sites fill up quickly. A camper at Kring Point State Park advised, "It's so nice it’s hard to reserve, because people grab it nine months in advance!"
  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the modern conveniences. A visitor at Keewaydin State Park Campground noted, "No electricity or water hookups," so be prepared for a more rustic experience.
  • Crowded during peak season: Expect busier conditions in the summer. A camper at Dewolf Point State Park Campground mentioned, "The sites are too close together," which might be a concern for those seeking solitude.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose family-friendly campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and activities for kids. A reviewer at Higley Flow State Park highlighted, "Great playground for the kids, hiking trails and more."
  • Plan for activities: Make sure to have a list of things to do. Campers at Jacques Cartier State Park Campground enjoyed "kayaking, paddle boarding," and swimming, which kept the whole family entertained.
  • Pack essentials: Bring along games and outdoor gear. A visitor at Birch’s Lakeside Campground and Marina mentioned, "Star gazing is FANTASTIC!" which could be a fun evening activity for families.

Tips from RVers:

  • Look for big rig-friendly sites: Many campgrounds cater to larger RVs. A camper at Swan Bay Resort noted, "Big rig friendly, tiki bar, and a professional, polite, and efficient staff make this a great campground."
  • Check for hookups: Ensure your chosen campground has the necessary hookups. A visitor at Higley Flow State Park appreciated the "three loops with electric," making it easier for RV camping.
  • Plan for waste disposal: Be aware of sanitary dump stations. A camper at Eel Weir State Park mentioned, "There’s a small boat launch area," which can be useful for RVers needing to manage waste.

Camping near White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, with plenty of options for families and RVers alike. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful scenery!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near White Mountain National Forest?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near White Mountain National Forest is Stillwater Reservoir with a 4.9-star rating from 9 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near White Mountain National Forest?

    TheDyrt.com has all 5 dispersed camping locations near White Mountain National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.