Franconia camping, anything free?

Is there any free camping anywhere near Cannon? My searching has only presented me with fee-based campgrounds. Many thanks for any help anyone can provide.

you can sleep in ur car at the campground for free if you show up late and leave early...

Live 'free' or die

Greg Kuchyt wrote:Is there any free camping anywhere near Cannon? My searching has only presented me with fee-based campgrounds. Many thanks for any help anyone can provide.

While I'm not 100% sure where it is located, I am sure that it is somewhere just north of the notch. The "it" is free camping. I think these sites, which are just off the road, are somehow tied to backpacking sites (maybe the AT? not sure if it goes that far north). They are not a campground, but a series of sites (maybe a dozen or so?) along one of the side roads that is off one of the exits north of the notch.

Sorry that I can't be of more help, but there are sites there, and in my experience, they are typically busy.

Greg Kuchyt wrote:Is there any free camping anywhere near Cannon? My searching has only presented me with fee-based campgrounds. Many thanks for any help anyone can provide.

How close do you want to be and are we talking full-on tent/campfire/beers or sleep-in-the-car stealth camping?

Keyan P wrote:On the drive to cannon there are many trailhead parking lots that are designated "day use areas." You can park here and sleep in your car or just walk into the woods and camp somewhere. Most parking lots have a self-pay box, the fee is $2 a day/night, you could likely not pay the fee but it does support the forest... Should you choose to walk into the woods make sure you follow backcountry camping regulations: fs.fed.us/r9/forests/white_…

Wrong on many accounts. Franconia Notch is a State (can you name the State?) Park and the NFS fees and permits do not apply. On land that actually is National Forest the fee is $3/day (not $2).

If you drive north and east of the notch on Rt3. towards Twin Mountain (5-10 miles) there will be several dirt roads (going to trail heads (Garfield, Galehead, etc.) that go to National Forest land where there is camping and some designated sites. I think this is what one of the other up stream posters was alluding to with their cock-a-manie story about the AT and "backpacking" sites.

Eric Engberg wrote: Wrong on many accounts. Franconia Notch is a State (can you name the State?) Park and the NFS fees and permits do not apply. On land that actually is National Forest the fee is $3/day (not $2). If you drive north and east of the notch on Rt3. towards Twin Mountain (5-10 miles) there will be several dirt roads (going to trail heads (Garfield, Galehead, etc.) that go to National Forest land where there is camping and some designated sites. I think this is what one of the other up stream posters was alluding to with their cock-a-manie story about the AT and "backpacking" sites.

ya, that's what I was trying to say. I was always told they were more for backpacking, but I always stayed at lafayette or rumney or NoCo.

I tried to stay at those designated sites maybe two or three times and was shut out each time. several of the sites did not have cars parked there despite people being onsite.

GMBurns wrote: While I'm not 100% sure where it is located, I am sure that it is somewhere just north of the notch. The "it" is free camping. I think these sites, which are just off the road, are somehow tied to backpacking sites (maybe the AT? not sure if it goes that far north). They are not a campground, but a series of sites (maybe a dozen or so?) along one of the side roads that is off one of the exits north of the notch. Sorry that I can't be of more help, but there are sites there, and in my experience, they are typically busy.

What you describe sounds like Tripoli Road. Definitely not free but Kudos to you if you stayed for free.

There is a cul de sac at the end of the road by Echo crag. Get off the exit for Echo. Go opposite from the Artist bluff direction. This is where you park for Echo. Go about 1/4 mile and the road Culs. Cross the blocked bridge and the old route 3 continuesfor I don't know how long. Pitch your tent in a dog shit free spot, if there are any.

Dr. Hemlock wrote: What you describe sounds like Tripoli Road. Definitely not free but Kudos to you if you stayed for free.

What I was describing is what Eric better described; is that free? I never got to stay there, but I was under the impression that it was free. What is the cost? Where does one pay?

Sorry for the misinformation on that. I swear to God I was told it was free and I didn't see a pay post anywhere.

GMBurns wrote: What I was describing is what Eric better described; is that free? I never got to stay there, but I was under the impression that it was free. What is the cost? Where does one pay? Sorry for the misinformation on that. I swear to God I was told it was free and I didn't see a pay post anywhere.

Tripoli Road is south of the Notch - runs between Woodstock and Waterville Valley. Used to be free - is no longer. Somewhat of a hippy/paty central vibe. I was describing spots notrh of the Notch going towards Twin Mountain off of Rt 3.

Why don't you just camp in the national forest?

Is anyone else wondering where the OP went?

GMBurns wrote: What I was describing is what Eric better described; is that free? I never got to stay there, but I was under the impression that it was free. What is the cost? Where does one pay? Sorry for the misinformation on that. I swear to God I was told it was free and I didn't see a pay post anywhere.

No it's not technically free - I've stayed there many, many times without seeing a ranger, but I have heard of horror stories involving huge fines for bandit camping there. It's $3 a night, or you must have the Annual Pass (available @ REI for $20 bucks).

Also - the grassy bivy ledge around pitch 6 on Moby Grape makes for a memorable romantic get-a-way!