Does anyone know of a good place to camp for free in the North Conway area? I'm planning to climb at Cathedral Ledge and other nearby areas over Labor Day weekend. I don't need anything fancy, just someplace to set up a tent. I won't be having any fires or cooking or hanging out around the campsite...just need a place to crash for the night. I'll be arriving on Thur afternoon, so I should beat most of the holiday crowd. I appreciate any suggestions.
Free Camping near Cathedral Ledge?
- Thread starter tjf24
- Start date
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You are probably going to need to go into the National Forest to Camp for free. Most adjacent areas to Cathedral are either "Private" land or pay for campgrounds. Donot be tempted to camp at the base of the Ledge as "NO" camping is definitely enforced. You might want to ask around at the base of the cliff or while you are on the crag if people are Camping in a pay for Campground and you might be able to latch on.Not for free but cheaper. If you decide to camp in the National forest for Free this will mean probably finding a Trailhead and hiking in a ways to Camp. I would certainly educate myself with all the Camping rules for the National Forest. The Ranger Station at the beginning of the Kanc on the Conway end of town or any of the Outdoor Outfitters EMS,IME, or Ragged MT. would also have some INFO on Rules and Regulations.
You can checkout this link also:http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/white/recreation/land_above/backcountry_rules.html
Last edited:
forestgnome
New member
Rt 16 north to Town Hall Road, which is on the right, about 1000 ft after Ragged Mountain Outfitters/Scarecrow Pub.
About 3 miles(?) it becomes a dirt road(Slippery Brook Rd) and enters WMNF.
It's very lax in there; you'll see places right on the road where people often pull in and car-camp. No signs saying you can't
If you want to get off the road, there are quite a few old logging fields on the right, a few hundred feet into the woods.
Happy Trails!
About 3 miles(?) it becomes a dirt road(Slippery Brook Rd) and enters WMNF.
It's very lax in there; you'll see places right on the road where people often pull in and car-camp. No signs saying you can't
If you want to get off the road, there are quite a few old logging fields on the right, a few hundred feet into the woods.
Happy Trails!
clg898
New member
Another option would be the fourth iron tentsite off of rt. 302. A little further away, but there are nice sites right on the water. It's probably 20 mins. from Catheral Ledge. Go up West Side Rd. to 302. Bang a left and head through Bartlett. There is a parking lot on your right at an railroad bridge (the fourth iron). You hike in about 1/4 mile to some sites. I believe it's free, just the WMNF parking pass. I think it can get a little rowdy given its proximity to the road, but it is a nice spot.
I haven't stayed there in a while, perhaps someone else has more recent news.
I haven't stayed there in a while, perhaps someone else has more recent news.
