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Tripoli Road is a very popular area for those seeking a roadside camping experience. This is not an area you would choose if looking for that tranquil out of the way spot.
$20 - $30 / night
This shelter and accompaning tentsites is located on a spur path at 4,360 ft. off the Bondcliff Trail between Mt. Guyot (ponounced Gee - O) and Mt. Bond at the edge of the Pemigewasset Wilderness. It is 0.6 miles from the Twinway Trail (Appalachain Trail). The open log shelter accomodates approximately 12 people with six additional tent platforms. There is a spring for water that may be unreliable in the summer months. A caretaker is in charge during the summer months. This site is often crowded for much of the summer months, particularly weekends.
$15 / night
When camping in the backcountry - camping and fires are prohibited: Within 200 feet of trails and water bodies. Within 1/4 mile of backcountry facilities (shelters, huts). In the alpine zone - where trees are 8 feet or less. Please consult the Forest's Backcountry Camping Rules: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5363715.pdf Be certain to view the Recreation Conditions Report for the most current trail and camping information. Forest Protection Area - Know Before You Go Forest Protection Area (FPA) are potentially overused or fragile areas of the Forest where use restrictions are applied. Restrictions may include limits on camping use, use of wood or charcoal fires, and limits on party size.
The White Mountain National Forest offers a variety of camping experiences: from family-friendly developed campgrounds, to popular backcountry sites, to the solitude of a Wilderness setting. https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5363715.pdf
Scout
Great spot w an exception of local officer Rowe. Comes to site unannounced or invited then fabricates the visit.
Other than that it's wonderful. Some really amazing river sites. Moose pond at top left fork has reception as well as lower gate.
Scout
This location is easy to access and has really nice drive in sites. Will definitely be a regular on our ventures
ScoutHad everything we needed
Scout
This is a picnic area that people insist on camping there and because of this kind of stuff is why we keep loosing free camping sites
ScoutGreat sites. Some right.on water. First come first serve, can get busy.
Traveler
small number of sites and a bit hard to find
Legend
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
Ranger
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.
Ranger
Came in on a Wednesday afternoon in late September and found several available camp sites.
There are no amenities at this campground. It is an open field on the left side of the road with two or three sites on the right side of the road that are walk in sites.
The scenic beauty of this place is amazing. There was some color in the forest but most of it was still green. There are wide open views of 3 mountain ranges. There are many flowering plants, wild apple trees on the right side of the road. Lots of birds, butterflies, and bees (they were not agressive).
The campground was very quiet at night except for an occasional owl hoot.
We were fortunate to have perfect weather for our stay. This would be an awesome place to see the fall colors.
Ranger
Drove in on a Wednesday afternoon and drove past 4 or 5 sites, which were all occupied.
Then saw a car ahead that was backing up. Long story short, they were afraid to drive across a dry wash in their new Jeep. No place to get by. Had to back my trailer about a quarter mile, so they could get out.
Camped in a very small spot, just barely enough room for our SUV and small teardrop to get off the road.
There was only a 20 foot by 12 foot space to camp jn with no water, no dumpster, no toilet, no view of anything and lots of other campers that appear to be long term residents.
OK for an overnight stay but not a desirable camping location overall.
Traveler
Great campsite!
Bear box, food area, water source, cabin, Privy, and platforms.
ScoutThere seems to be a little confusion about where restricted day use ends and overnight dispersed sites begin. Some folks were camping in the picnic area. Past the gate at the end of the Texas Falls recreation area we found several sites with only a fire pit along the brook. They were well used with some litter. We packed out what we could find. There are posted signs on the opposite bank so we stayed on our side. Brook water filtered fine and was tasty. Relatively short walk to waterless toilets was welcome. Very pretty area.
Scout
FR 291 is a somewhat primitive road - lots of big puddles. I would want some clearance for a vehicle. Our Toyota Highlander made it easily. We found 2 campsites with fire pits right off the end of FR 291. Easy stroll to a clean brook for filtering water. Very quiet, though we could hear the occasional dog barking from houses in the Downingville area. There are probably more sites, but really liked the first one we found. Great trees for hammocks.
Day 2 we walked past the gate beyond the end of the road followed a trail up 500 feet or so of elevation in the foothills to the west of Mt Ellen. Found one more camp site. Road/path had a big blowdown, but looked like some ATVs had been up it in the last few months. Pretty walk, lots of mushrooms.
Saw no bear sign, but kept all food in car as a precaution.
Lincoln General Store is 3.5 miles away via Downingville. Some modest resupply options there.
TravelerThe road was not as bad as I anticipated. There was room for my Jeep Grand Cherokee towing a squaredrop camper to pass the very few oncoming vehicles we encountered. There is a good mix of tent and small/medium camper sites. Many of the sites are right on the side of the road.
We went to the end of Town Hall Road and camped at the last site before you leave the WMNF. It was a very spacious site, set back from the road, a little bumpy getting into it.
Guideno entry 🚫
ScoutThis site was lovely, but signs say No Camping. There were a few spots with fire rings and picnic tables and would be a great place to camp though! Not sure how strict that is. There was someone camping for a least a week given their tent was there the whole week I was in the area. So I guess it's not that strict. Signs indicate this offshoot road where these sites are is also FR-25, then FR-25 picks up again as a spur off of VT 100 a little farther south down 100 where there were permitted (but full) camping sites.
ScoutAll 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. 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. There were some fire ring sites along Vermont 100 where FR-25 intersects it, but those are marked as No Camping (though one tent had been there at least a week). That area along 100 is supposed to be a day-use picnic area.
The sites looked lovely though. Some people were really entrenched with string lights etc.
GuideLove this site! The very last spot on the right hand side. If you’ve reached the closed gate you’ve missed the site! Keep it clean!
TravelerWe loved this spot. There were plenty of sites to choose from and most (not all) had access to the river as well as a fire ring. Sites were on a dirt road, but it was quiet for the most part. Sites were also a good distance from each other so it felt pretty private. We stayed two nights and at two different sites; enjoyed both. Would love to return here in the future.
Traveler
Love everything about Tripoli. 1st come 1st serve. We have out favorite sites but have had to venture out and take other sites often times. 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
GuideThere’s a few sites here! All pretty much have access to the streams. Nice fire rings. Keep it clean!
Guide
Crystal clear waters with never ending mesmerizing relaxation. Great spot
GuideSmaller 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.
GuideMountain road lingers along the river. There’s quite a few sites along the road. Be sure to camp at spots with established fire rings! There is no services of any sorts at this location. Mostly local traffic. Peaceful! Gorgeous rock river 💜
GuideDespite being so remote, one of the busiest back country camps in the Whites.
Has a nice shelter, spring, privy, platforms, some sites have somewhat of a view of far away mountain tops.
No space for non-free standing tents. Quite a hike dropping down from the main trail to the campsite, 15-20 min straight up to hike out in the morning
ScoutI was looking for the Austin Brook campsite north of this one, but someone on here gave directions to this site, which turns out has its own page on here. Right off the road, a small handful of camp sites, some picnic tables, presumably some fire rings although with snow coverage I didn’t see any. Main lot has plenty of parking, perfect for car camping. Pull through the trees has some spots for tents and smaller setups. Entrance and exit are a little steep and tricky in the winter, lot wasn’t plowed so AWD/4x4 and good ground clearance are recommended.
ScoutIt is a beautiful setting and the first nice weekend in May. There were quite a few folks there already but worth the visit.
It is old Vermont farm land that the team of the US National Forest must manage. They have kept the clearing clear and access is pretty good. We are so lucky to have access like this for all of us to enjoy.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Bolton Valley, Vermont, where nature lovers can enjoy serene landscapes and outdoor adventures without the crowds. This area offers a variety of spots for those seeking a more primitive camping experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Bolton Valley, VT is Tripoli Road with a 4.3-star rating from 11 reviews.
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