Dispersed camping near Woodsville, New Hampshire offers sites at elevations ranging from 800 to 2,500 feet across White Mountain and Green Mountain National Forests. Most primitive campsites remain accessible until mid-October when seasonal closures begin due to fall weather conditions. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-80°F, with nighttime temperatures dropping significantly at higher elevations.
What to do
Hiking nearby trails: Cherry Mountain Road dispersed sites provide direct access to several hiking options. As one camper notes, "Great location with access to the Cherry Mountain trail, and back down to Ammonoosuc Falls back down near Rt. 302."
River activities: Town Hall Road Dispersed sites offer excellent water recreation. A camper shares, "Ten minutes from grocery/gas etc in Bartlett. 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!"
Mountain biking: Multiple trail networks within 30 minutes of dispersed sites provide varied terrain for cyclists of all levels. According to a visitor at Tripoli Road, "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."
What campers like
Remote settings: Many dispersed sites offer genuine seclusion. A Haystack Road camper reports, "These are my go to sites when I am in the Franconia Notch area. They have a fire pit, plenty of woods around, and are free. The North Twin Trailhead is at the end of Haystack Rd."
Wildlife viewing: The area hosts diverse wildlife including moose, deer, and birds. A visitor to Green Mountain National Forest FR207 shared, "My first time winter camping and had the entire area to myself. Beautiful sunsets, night skies and scenery. Extremely calm and peaceful. Woke up to two moose nearby the morning I was leaving."
Water features: Many sites include stream or river access. One camper at Austin Brook mentioned, "There's a few sites here! All pretty much have access to the streams. Nice fire rings."
What you should know
Road conditions: Many dispersed camping roads require appropriate vehicles. A visitor to Elbow Pond Recreation Area warned, "The road in is pretty rough and is not recommended for sedans or lower riding cars."
Seasonal considerations: Road closures affect accessibility throughout the year. A Tripoli Road reviewer explains, "Tripoli Road is a seasonal road, opening in late May most years and closing in autumn. Check the White Mountain National Forest Facebook page for up to date road closures/status."
Increasing regulation: Growing popularity has led to more restrictions. A Green Mountain National Forest FR25 visitor noted, "There was a NFS sign along FR-25 posted asking people to clean up after themselves (litter and human waste) as there'd been complaints to the extent that they were considering closing the sites if people didn't do better."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection: Choose locations with natural features for children. A Town Hall Road camper shared, "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."
Safety preparations: Pack appropriate first aid and emergency supplies. Cell service is unreliable at most sites, as one camper notes, "Zero cell service in this whole area, but some messages popped through while we were hiking. weBoost did not help."
Weather planning: Mountain weather changes rapidly. A Guyot Shelter visitor advised, "This is a classic AMC shelter in the backcountry of the white mountains. There is a small stream to pump water from but it is seasonal."
Tips from RVers
Vehicle limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller rigs only. A Town Hall Road reviewer explained, "We got lucky and snagged a perfect spot 2 miles in from the entrance sign- completely level (didn't even need our leveling blocks) and big enough for our 26ft class c. Each site is different, but there were plenty that could fit a medium sized RV like ours."
Road navigation: Plan for challenging access roads. Another Town Hall Road camper mentioned, "The road is dirt, but it's hard packed and smooth, with a few dips and holes here and there. A little narrow but it's manageable."
Campsite positioning: Arriving early improves site selection chances. A camper advised, "It's also first come first serve, so be sure to get up early on Friday for a weekend campout."
