Best Dispersed Camping near Woodsville, NH

Dispersed camping opportunities near Woodsville, New Hampshire include several primitive sites within White Mountain National Forest and nearby Green Mountain National Forest. Notable locations include Tripoli Road, Haystack Road, Town Hall Road, and Cherry Mountain Road dispersed sites. These free camping areas typically feature minimal amenities and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Most sites are accessible from late May through October, with seasonal closures during winter months and mud season.

The majority of dispersed sites offer only basic fire rings and small cleared areas for tents or vehicles. No drinking water, electricity, or sanitation facilities are available at most locations. According to reviews, several sites along Town Hall Road provide river access and sufficient space for medium-sized RVs, though larger rigs are not recommended. As one camper noted, "The road is dirt, but it's hard packed and smooth, with a few dips and holes here and there." Wildlife encounters are common; proper food storage in bear-resistant containers is essential, particularly at Tripoli Road where temporary closures have occurred due to bear activity.

Road conditions vary significantly by location and season. Several campers report that high-clearance vehicles are necessary for accessing Elbow Pond sites, while Cherry Mountain Road offers more accessible terrain approximately 3 miles from the highway. Cell service is limited or nonexistent at most dispersed sites. Recent visitor reports indicate increasing site closures due to overuse and environmental impact. As one reviewer warned about certain areas, "Rangers have already started to move boulders into place to block off some sites. It won't be long before the Rangers close this area down due to abuse." Visitors should practice strict Leave No Trace principles, pack out all waste, and check current forest service regulations before arrival.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Woodsville, New Hampshire (24)

    1. Tripoli Road

    11 Reviews
    North Woodstock, NH
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 528-8721

    $20 - $30 / night

    "Easy access to trailhead for Tecumseh Mountain. Rustic sites with no water or electric."

    "No electricity, no showers. Portta potties every so often. Always close enough to walk to. Love the sites on the water. Have been going here for over 10 years. My kids now love it too"

    2. Guyot Shelter - Dispersed Camping

    9 Reviews
    Deerfield, NH
    24 miles
    Website

    $15 / night

    "Sufficient amount of platform, water source, bear proof Joe box, pivy and springs all at one spot"

    "Step walk in and out though most of the tent plat forms have amazing views. I have stayed here twice and had great experiences."

    3. Elbow Pond Road Dispersed Site

    3 Reviews
    North Woodstock, NH
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 536-6100

    "They have a couple different spots where you can park and walk up to your site or they have sites you can pull right up next to them. Some of the camping spots have fire pits but not all."

    4. Haystack Road

    5 Reviews
    Twin Mountain, NH
    23 miles

    "They have a fire pit, plenty of woods around, and are free."

    "It is next to the Highway on a paved fire road. So you can hear traffic. And it is paved (which is good if it’s wet and muddy elsewhere). The other spots looked amazing."

    5. Haystack Road

    2 Reviews
    Deerfield, NH
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 528-8721

    "Right near a great swimming hole and the twin mountains. It is quiet, the sites are far apart."

    6. Cherry Mountain Road Dispersed

    4 Reviews
    Bretton Woods, NH
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 466-2713

    "This site is about 90 yards from the fire tower trailhead.

    Site #9 goes back about 70 to 80 feet back off the road."

    "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."

    7. Town Hall Road Dispersed

    19 Reviews
    Chatham, NH
    46 miles

    "Awesome boondocking in New Hampshire, what a treat in the east coast! Just beautiful scenery, with trees, rivers, creeks, hiking trails with a pond- we absolutely loved our time here. "

    "My first ever dispersed camping experience. So freaking amazing and unbelievable. It was pouring rain when we came to NH so we tried to wait out the rain, but it was getting dark."

    8. Green Mountain National Forest FR207

    8 Reviews
    Granville, VT
    43 miles
    Website

    "Able to see sunrise/sunset/moonrise over the surrounding rolling hills and crests. 

    Upper meadows accessible with 4WD / high clearance vehicles."

    "About 12 sites off National Forest Road 71. Beautiful area and very secluded. All have fire rings but that’s about it."

    9. Austin Brook

    6 Reviews
    Warren, VT
    41 miles
    Website

    "When driving in on the right there’s a culdesac type set up of sites. Pretty sure these sites all have river access. Road is short dead ends with a decent amount of turn around space."

    "Great location, easy access, on a nice brook. Fire ring only, no facilities and minimal parking."

    10. Green Mountain National Forest FR25 - Dispersed Camping

    4 Reviews
    Warren, VT
    42 miles
    Website

    "Beautiful sites on the River but with the wet summer, we just couldn’t dry out. Make sure to lock you valuables. Our Jackery, Solar panels & toilet were stolen."

    "All the sites were full when I visited (6 to 8 sites, approximately, but i didn't go down a couple little gravel paths to check each spot as you couldn't turn around easily) , so I didn't get to camp there"

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Woodsville, NH

89 Reviews of 24 Woodsville Campgrounds


  • Miccal  M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2024

    Patterson Brookside camp on West Hill Road

    This is a wonderful place to camp

    There are a handful of sites to camp at along the river here, each offering a slightly different experience.  The dirt road along the river is an easy drive, though it is single lane in a few locations, so be aware of oncoming traffic.  Some of the sites are drive in, some are walk in, but all are primitive. 

    There is no electricity, no cell coverage, not outhouses in this area.  Be prepared to pack out everything you bring in.

    This area is being heavily use and some spots are being shut down from abuse, please be aware that you have a lot of impact, and that impact can be positive or negative. Choose Positive!

    This area is closed in the winter due to snow, by the GMNF

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2019

    Tripoli Road

    Dispersed camping, be bear aware!

    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. The section before Russell Pond often opens before the rest of it, which is graded, not paved. The road runs between the Waterville Valley area and I-93 exit 31. This is roadside camping, no frills, first come, first served. You must stay at a site with a fire ring, but sites are not numbered. Road signs demarcate no camping zones; some areas look like they could be campsites, but will also be marked with no camping signs. 

    You must register at the ranger station on the western end of the road, shortly past the entrance to the Russell Pond campground. Rates are a flat rate set per car and per weekends or weekday period. In other words, you pay one rate for 1-5 weekdays ($20 in 2019) and another fee for a weekend($25-30 - holidays). It’s self service most of the time, with the ranger available Friday and Saturday evenings. 

    The sites vary from sites near and level with the road to ones set above or well below the road. Some are near a river, most are wooded. Some are isolated, others are close together. There are no reservations, so you'll be choosing your own when you arrive. 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.

    There are port-a-potties near the western entrance, but otherwise you’re on your own with cat holes or portable toilet solutions. Nearest showers are at Russell Pond. Please keep it clean and protect the area. I’ve passed through several times while hiking My Osceola and have observed that these sites are often filled with groups or families with multiple tents. On a late June weekend there are numerous empty sites, so they seem to be more available than the dispersed sites along Gale River Rd and Haystack Rd (farther north in Twin Mountain). Excessive drinking and noise can be an issue. 

    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 and got into food that was left in the open and not secured in vehicles or bear canisters. The camping area re-opened July 19, but check the White Mountain National Forest FB page before heading up there. If the issue recurs, I wouldn't be surprised if they close it again.

    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. Shorter treks include Welch-Dickey (great open ledges) and Snow's Mountain (along a river with falls). Nearby Russell Pond offers ranger programs, fishing, and you can put a kayak or canoe in. The Pemigewassett offers tubing and kayaking put ins. Outfitters one exit south can provide you with transportation and rentals. Exit 32 for Lincoln, Woodstock, and the Kanc is less than 5 miles north.

    Cell service is decent at nearby Russell Pond (Verizon seemed to offer better service than AT&T).

  • 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.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 26, 2023

    Green Mountain National Forest FR207

    NFR 207 Meadows, with great views!

    In the first large meadow, multiple fire rings / sites. Able to see sunrise/sunset/moonrise over the surrounding rolling hills and crests. 

    Upper meadows accessible with 4WD / high clearance vehicles.
    Nearby Clark Brook Trail is a 3 mile hike connecting with the AT/LT.
    2 bars USCellular LTE.

  • G
    Apr. 14, 2020

    Haystack Road

    Secluded, yet centrally located.

    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., these trails connect to the Twin Mountain peaks and the Pemigewasset Wilderness area. Its is a great staging ground for weeks worth of adventures, and you're allowed to stay for two weeks. They do get crowded during the season, so you'll have better luck showing up mid-week. Leave your tent set up, or your site could be taken when you get back. There is cell reception at most of the sites. Do not rely on cell phone trail maps, there is little to no reception trail on the trails. Use a downloadable GPS map like a Gaia GPS, or a Garmin type device. Also, wildlife like bear and moose will visit you at night. it's almost a certainty, keep your food locked in a bear tight container. *** The first few sites on the left have a small stream behind them, it'll make your stay a little easier. Bathing, dishes, etc.***

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 28, 2023

    Town Hall Road Dispersed

    Awesome Boondocking

    Awesome boondocking in New Hampshire, what a treat in the east coast! Just beautiful scenery, with trees, rivers, creeks, hiking trails with a pond- we absolutely loved our time here. 

    Town Hall Rd is a long road with many designated dispersed sites, all far apart from each other and all varying in levelness and size. 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. I wouldn’t recommend a giant 5th wheel or class A to come here looking for a spot. 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. The downside of a great road is the speeding cars and trucks- very annoying but thankfully there wasn’t much traffic in early October. I’d say more than half the sites were open when we stayed there mid-week. 

     No amenities here, just a rock fire pit to designate that it’s a spot. Please pack out your trash. Zero cell service in this whole area, but some messages popped through while we were hiking. weBoost did not help. Heavily wooded area, so it’s not so great for solar panels and probably not starlink either (we don’t have starlink so I can’t report on that).

  • Thomas and James S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 18, 2024

    Austin Brook

    Nice sites

    Smaller area roughly 1-6 sites. When driving in on the right there’s a culdesac type set up of sites. Pretty sure these sites all have river access. Road is short dead ends with a decent amount of turn around space.

  • Raj T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 28, 2021

    Guyot Shelter - Dispersed Camping

    Gayut Tentsite

    Sufficient amount of platform, water source, bear proof Joe box, pivy and springs all at one spot

  • Atlas W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 30, 2023

    Town Hall Road Dispersed

    SO AMAZING!!

    My first ever dispersed camping experience. So freaking amazing and unbelievable. It was pouring rain when we came to NH so we tried to wait out the rain, but it was getting dark. We followed the directions given by previous reviews. Turn onto town hall rd. and keep going past the residential area until you get to gravel road. keep going straight until you see the national forest sign. about a mile later us when campsites started popping up. the first few were full since it was 7pm but we came across one right around where the pin is dropped for this location. the cliff wasn’t too steep here (i passed up a campsite before this one bc it seemed too steep for my liking) and pretty large. beautiful view of the water and even a path down to swim. 10/10 experience and i cant wait to go back.


Guide to Woodsville

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."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Woodsville, NH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Woodsville, NH is Tripoli Road with a 4.3-star rating from 11 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 24 dispersed camping locations near Woodsville, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.