Winter Van Camping -Whites

Where is a solid place to van/car camp in the winter in the White Mountains?

I’m assuming most normal spots aren’t plowed out. We were looking at the Crawford Notch area.

Hopefully these spots aren’t a closely held secret. 

I would imagine you could get away with it at some of the trailheads in the Notch if you're self contained in a van.

Mike Morin wrote:

I would imagine you could get away with it at some of the trailheads in the Notch if you're self contained in a van.

Do you have any experience with the probability of a ranger actually caring? I know COVID has made ranger's care about this more than in the past. 

I can't say that I do. I thought more about my suggestion this morning and aside from the challenges of getting hassled, I wanted to follow up and point out that this time of year camping up in the Notch brings other logistical challenges such as dealing with human waste. We experienced an unprecedented amount of surface shit at our trails and trailheads this year, if you do end up camping anywhere in the valley please come prepared with a wag bag system. The ground is frozen making a cathole pretty much impossible.

Mike Morin wrote:

I can't say that I do. I thought more about my suggestion this morning and aside from the challenges of getting hassled, I wanted to follow up and point out that this time of year camping up in the Notch brings other logistical challenges such as dealing with human waste. We experienced an unprecedented amount of surface shit at our trails and trailheads this year, if you do end up camping anywhere in the valley please come prepared with a wag bag system. The ground is frozen making a cathole pretty much impossible.

Yep! We pack out all waste in the winter. 

Best I've seen for legal car camping are the paid USFS sites. $15/vehicle. Hancock, Barnes Field, or walk in sites like Fourth Iron. Otherwise it's trying your luck at the trailheads. I'm also curious if there is some place I don't know about...

I've been told to move from multiple trailheads and pull offs through the years, and thats a total bummer at 3am. In NOCO the local cops used to say go to walmart, a couple years ago but they put up signs that said no overnight parking, I did 2 nights there last yr and littleton in a suby w/ with no issue tho. Not sure whats up with the highland center don't think it's open and is a big parking lot call up the appies??? There was a bunch of car break ins at franconia notch trailheads a while back so any overnight cars were def getting 3AM window taps in the night. Sent u a PM too.

NH. live free and die unless you trying to live free in a van. Nobody seems to like Gypsies.... 

Mitch Steiner wrote:

Do you have any experience with the probability of a ranger actually caring? I know COVID has made ranger's care about this more than in the past. 

Yes they have been waking people up and you can get fined.

I live with two UsFS employees and it has been a busy year.  

Nick Goldsmith wrote:

NH. live free and die unless you trying to live free in a van. Nobody seems to like Gypsies.... 

when the have limited resources that are abused it becomes a issue.

People having fires while illegally camping during burn bans.

Parking lot fires, etc.

Insert name wrote:

when the have limited resources that are abused it becomes a issue.

People having fires while illegally camping during burn bans.

Parking lot fires, etc.

Basically ass, grass or gas,nobody rides free. Wanna camp for free? Get to know someone in the neighborhood real damn well. Gypsies are supposed to be able to read the future right?

Do whatever's less than obvious. A car parked _______ draws no attention. Fill in blank.

M M wrote:

Basically ass, grass or gas,nobody rides free. Wanna camp for free? Get to know someone in the neighborhood real damn well. Gypsies are supposed to be able to read the future right?

I lived on the road for 9 years. In every state in the country. I have never been asked to leave a spot (including MWV for 2+ months). That being said... People who van camp at trailheads/stores/etc that are clearly listed or labeled “no camping” make it harder for everyone who actively tries their best to avoid the bust spots.

Record numbers for people visiting the whites this year and it’s estimated the people being turned away from other ski destinations are coming to Nh (2 resorts sold record season pass sales). Tourism is booming and people filling the limited number of spots are going to be under scrutiny. There is also a surplus of “van lifers” this year.

If you want to Van camp for free in the area, drive out of the valley (Gorhan/Shelburne area, Albany/Madison area, or Fryeburg/Lovell and there are a ton of spots you could fly under the radar. If not, expect that the Rangers or some type of LEO will make you move, possibly fine you. Or the big excuse this year “well we are illegally camping smoking weed/drunk and you can’t move”.  

Alternatively, ask someone with property if you can sleep on their property for a little $.

Insert name wrote:

I lived on the road for 9 years. In every state in the country. I have never been asked to leave a spot (including MWV for 2+ months). That being said... People who van camp at trailheads/stores/etc that are clearly listed or labeled “no camping” make it harder for everyone who actively tries their best to avoid the bust spots.

Record numbers for people visiting the whites this year and it’s estimated the people being turned away from other ski destinations are coming to Nh (2 resorts sold record season pass sales). Tourism is booming and people filling the limited number of spots are going to be under scrutiny. There is also a surplus of “van lifers” this year.

If you want to Van camp for free in the area, drive out of the valley (Gorhan/Shelburne area, Albany/Madison area, or Fryeburg/Lovell and there are a ton of spots you could fly under the radar. If not, expect that the Rangers or some type of LEO will make you move, possibly fine you. Or the big excuse this year “well we are illegally camping smoking weed/drunk and you can’t move”.  

Alternatively, ask someone with property if you can sleep on their property for a little $.

See, to me this shows you have common sense. I've never been moved along either. The overwhelming problem is many people who get a van have never ever spent time laying low, under the radar and out of the way of the law. This is a skill that is not inherited with buying a van, its one that takes time to develop(or you just hang out in random walmart parking lots). My experience is no matter what, you have to pay to play. How much you pay is the skill.

I'll give some advice - dont be afraid to chat up the local police/rangers if you have a chance, they know all the spots.

I have been moved twice.  . Once because we were not aware that  concert was happening near us and every van was suspected of being full of drugged out hippys. cops would not believe we were at the trailhead to climb and not part of the shitshow. Another time In bartlet on the road below Endevor that looks like it is on NF land on the map but cop said its not a designated spot. we had camped at that spot at least a dozen times previously.  Out west we have been hasseled a few times just for stopping to cook. Once for filling up our water jugs at a fountain in Greasy Grass MT. The simple fact  is that here in the states its a thing to try and hassel van  people. Canada much different.  If you are in a bad spot up there they apologize for asking you to move and then help you find a legal spot.  Heck we parked right next to the locked gate of park national once makeing certain to not block the gate. Rangers smiled and waved. Here in the states they would have rolled up on us with lights, ran our plates and treated us as criminals.  It's far from a free country. 

Well this is disappointing! Anyone live up there that has a nice driveway??? 

Hey Mitch, I sent you a PM.

Walmart north conway. When I’ve wanted to be fairly close for early starts (at least closer than driving all the way from up in maine) I would car sleep there, sometimes for 2-3 nights in a row. Never had an issue at all. 

 I though conway passed a city ordanance to protect local campgrounds prohibiting camping at wallmart? 

Nick - oh man I don’t know. I hope I didn’t give out dated info. I stayed there 2-3 nights in a row and sometimes just 1 night, probably about a dozen times last winter. I could see other cars that were pretty obviously camping in their vehicles too.

I didn’t see any signs prohibiting it, as I normally take car to follow those things.

Maybe in winter it’s fine since most campgrounds in the area are closed. 

There are scary signs posted in the parking lot, but AFAIK nothing is enforced. I car-camped there last weekend with no issue, and it looked like there were at least half a dozen others doing the same.