white mountain (NH) dirtbag camping

gonna be in the whites next week for the last climbing trip before the semester starts and i dont want to pay for camping.

im looking for either carside or very short walk camping. its gotta be free or very cheap. any help is appreciated!

They are available. I've driven by USFS primitive sites on approach "roads" to the trail heads. They are pretty cheap and self service. Not sure how available they will be this close to the end of summer. I know the road into the North Twin trail head has a whole pile of sites. I think the road to the Gale river trail head (and hut) has sites also. I've never gone looking for them specifically, just noticed them driving to trail heads to hike. Not sure if the AMC guide calls out the primitive sites.

Nathan Stokes wrote:They are available. I've driven by USFS primitive sites on approach "roads" to the trail heads. They are pretty cheap and self service. Not sure how available they will be this close to the end of summer. I know the road into the North Twin trail head has a whole pile of sites. I think the road to the Gale river trail head (and hut) has sites also. I've never gone looking for them specifically, just noticed them driving to trail heads to hike. Not sure if the AMC guide calls out the primitive sites.

Rob ~ Nathan's dead on. Do a little research on the 'primiative sites'. They are about $3.00 per night, or you can buy the WMNF Pass for $20.00 if you plan on staying a bunch.

I have heard stories of people getting ticketed by rangers for staying in these spots without paying, but there are locations within a 5-10 minute drive of Cathedral, 'Horse, Cannon, etc..

Have fun!

There are legit, legal, free camp sites on USFS land off Cherry Mountain Road between Twin Mountain and Bretton Woods. First come, first served.

They're OK quality. Level, grassy, with a fire ring. Make sure you haul in your own water as there are no facilities. Clean up after yourself.

I got unlazy and dug out my White Mountain guide to have a look see. Nothing about primitive car camping, the preface says only camp in designated areas available from the rangers in the WMNF on an annual basis. Doing a bit of searching reveals:

fs.fed.us/r9/forests/white_…

There is a list of Forest service roads called out where camping is only allowed at designated sites. The roads listed jive with where I know primitive camping to be possible. As Adam stated, LNT practices apply.
On a side note the train station at the AMC highland center has pay showers. They are spendy, but you get a clean towel and are really nice after a week of roughing it.