FAQs
No. The White Mountain National Forest is a national forest and is part of the USDA Forest Service. While national parks are part of the Department of Interior, national forests are managed by the Department of Agriculture. Founded a decade before the National Park Service and overseeing more than twice the land of the National Park Service, the USDA Forest Service’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.
While National Park Service manages much of its land through tenets of preservation, the USDA Forest Service employs conservation of the land, allowing for multiple use of federal land under its jurisdiction.
The forest recreation areas, picnic sites and campgrounds do not have physical addresses. Visit White Mountain National Forest’s online Recreation page for descriptions and maps. Free highway and paper maps are also available at all three White Mountain National Forest ranger stations.
Yes. There are Recreation Day Use fees associated with some trailheads and parking lots in the national forest.
Yes. The Dolly Copp Picnic Area is available for reservations online. For all other day use and picnic areas, the White Mountain National Forest does not maintain reservations – these areas are first-come, first-serve.
In the event of an emergency in the White Mountain National Forest, dial 911. Be aware that much of the national forest has unreliable cell coverage, so making a call could necessitate driving to an area with coverage.
Some White Mountain National Forest developed campgrounds allow reservations at recreation.gov. (make a link). Be aware that all reservations must be made at least 4 days in advance. Some campsites are available on a first come, first-serve basis. When you arrive at the developed campground entrance, follow the instructions on the fee station. To learn more about White Mountain National Forest developed campgrounds, visit our developed camping page. Leave No Trace ethics apply to all visits to the White Mountains.
Yes. White Mountain National Forest has 3 rentable cabins. Reservations are maintained through recreation.gov. Be aware that all reservations must be made at least 4 days in advance.
Yes. Dogs are welcome in the White Mountain National Forest; however, they must be leashed when in developed recreation areas such as campgrounds, picnic areas, trailhead parking lots, and on developed trails (Diana’s Baths, for instance). Once outside of developed recreation areas on the trails, dogs may be off leash if they are under strict voice command.
Be aware that excessive barking in developed campgrounds, especially during 10 PM – 6 AM quiet areas can result in violation tickets due to noise.
Developed campgrounds: These campgrounds are the classic drive-up sites. There is a fee at these campgrounds which offers amenities such as a picnic table, fire ring with grilling grate, parking spot, potable drinking water and a toilet. There is also a dumpster nearby for your use. Camping is allowed at one campsite for a maximum of 14 nights. Some of these campgrounds are closed seasonally; please see our recreation site index for more details. For specific regulations, visit our developed camping page for details on developed campground camping. It is also a good idea to leave your location and expected date of return with someone at home.
Dispersed camping: Dispersed camping on the White Mountain National Forest is a more primitive form of camping, offering little to no amenities. For specific regulations, visit our dispersed camping page for dispersed camping regulations. No permits are required. It is also a good idea to leave your location and expected date of return with someone at home. Leave No Trace ethics apply to all visits to the White Mountain National Forest.
Firewood must be from obtained from local sources only. White Mountain National Forest developed campgrounds have wood available for purchase on-site. If you use wood near your campsite, you must only use dead and down wood. Preventing the movement of wood from across long distances helps to reduce the spread of non-native insects, which can kill large numbers of trees.
Yes. We have all America the Beautiful interagency passes available for sale at any of our ranger stations. Interagency passes can also be purchased online through the USGS Store.
Fishing and Hunting are allowed within the White Mountain National Forest. Fishing and hunting are both regulated within the forest according to the laws, licenses, and regulations of New Hampshire Fish & Game Department and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
Because the White Mountain National Forest includes land in both the state of New Hampshire and the state of Maine, it is the responsibility of those hunting or fishing to have the appropriate state permit or license, depending on which side of the state border one is in.
Yes. Target shooting on White Mountain National Forest land is permitted. However, certain rules and guidelines must be followed:
- Ensure that you have a safe backdrop to shoot towards. Look for large earthen mounds or hills. Dense tree understory is never a suitable backdrop!
- Do not discharge firearms in ways that cause resource damage. Do not shoot trees or stumps. 36 CFR 261.6a ($200.00 Fine)
- Recreational shooting must follow Leave No Trace principles. There should be no sign of your activity once you vacate the area. Pick up all trash, shell casings, shooting debris, targets, etc. 36 CFR 261.11d ($200.00 Fine)
- Tracer bullets or incendiary ammunition is prohibited. 36 CFR 261.5b ($200.00 Fine)
- For hunting, follow all licensing requirements of either New Hampshire Fish and Game or the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
- The possession or use of exploding targets is prohibited on White Mountain National Forest land. 36 CFR 261.52f ($150.00 Fine)
- In or within 150 yards (450 feet) of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area.
- Across or on roads or bodies of water, or where people or property are exposed to injury or damage.
- Into or within any cave. 36 CFR 261.10(d) ($350.00 Fine)
Certain areas of the White Mountain National Forest are closed to target shooting by the following forest orders:
Contact any White Mountain National Forest office with further questions regarding the use of firearms on national forest land.
Regulations concerning overnight occupancy of vehicles varies across the White Mountain National Forest:
- Occupying a vehicle overnight is prohibited in all trailhead and day-use parking lots.
- Occupying a car overnight is allowed if the car is parked within a designated campsite in one of the national forest's developed campgrounds.
- Occupying a vehicle overnight along a road within the national forest is determined through consulting the Forest Protection Area maps. Maps are available to be viewed at all White Mountain National Forest ranger stations or online.
When consulting rules and regulations, keep in mind the National Forest definition of camping as "the temporary use of National Forest System land for the purpose of overnight occupancy without a permanently-fixed structure."