Dispersed Camping
Backpackers seeking a Wilderness or backcountry experience should consult one of the many trail guides available, and should be familiar with the Forest's Backcountry Camping Rules.
When camping in the backcountry - camping and fires are prohibited:
- Within 200 feet of certain trails and water bodies.
- Within 1/4 mile of backcountry facilities (shelters, huts, and trailheads).
- In the alpine zone - where trees are 8 feet or less (except on two feet of snow).
- Within 1/4 mile of certain roads.
- Please consult the Forest's Backcountry Camping Rules for more information.
- 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.
Specific areas are identified below and should be referred to if planning a visit:
- Androscoggin District - northern WMNF
- Pemi and Saco District - east of I-93
- Pemi District -west of I-93
Dispersed Camping Areas
- Androscoggin Ranger District
- Gentian Pond Shelter
- Hermit Lake Shelters
- Imp Shelter
- Mt Cabot Cabin
- Osgood Tentsite
- Rattle River Shelter
- Trident Col Tentsite
- Unknown Pond Tentsite
- Valley Way Tentsite
- Pemigewasset Ranger District
- Beaver Brook Shelter
- Coppermine Shelter
- Eliza Brook Shelter
- Ethan Pond Shelter
- Franconia Brook Tentsite
- Garfield Ridge Shelter
- Guyot Shelter
- Hexacuba Shelter
- Jeffers Brook Shelter
- Kinsman Pond Shelter
- Liberty Springs Tentsite
- Moose Mountain Shelter
- Smarts Mountain Campsite
- Thirteen Falls Tentsite
- Three Ponds Shelter
- Trapper John Shelter
- Tripoli Road Camping Area
- Velvet Rocks Shelter
- Saco Ranger District
- Baldface Shelter
- Camp Penacook Shelter
- Dry River Shelter #3
- Flat Mountain Pond Shelter
- Fourth Iron Campground
- Jim Liberty Cabin
- Mead Explorer Base Camp
- Mountain Pond Shelter
- Nauman Shelter Tentsite
- Province Pond Shelter
- Rocky Branch Shelter #1
- Sawyer Pond Shelter & Tentsite
- Wentworth Trail / Mead BaseTrailhead