Dry River Shelter # 3
Open year-round for backcountry camping. No reservations or permits required. First-come, first-served shelter use. Campers must bring their own water and pack out all trash.
Town Hall Road Camping and Fire Restrictions
Camping and campfires are restricted along Slippery Brook Road (Forest Road 17) and East Branch Road (Forest Road 38), which together form a 7‑mile road system collectively known as Town Hall Road. Camping within ¼ mile of these roads is only allowed at designated campsites marked with a tent…
Lincoln Woods Trail Closure
UPDATE: Lincoln Woods Trail will close beginning June 15th through November 2026 when when restoration work commences. See the Lincoln Woods Trailhead page for more information.
Pemigewasset Wilderness Food Storage Requirement
Effective May 1st, 2026, all overnight campers in the Pemigewasset Wilderness must store all food, food containers, scented items (such as soap, lip balm, and toothpaste) and refuse in a cylindrical, hard-sided, non-pliable Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) certified bear resistant…
About
Dry River Shelter #3 is a backcountry shelter in the Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness, one of the most remote areas of the White Mountain National Forest. The 3-sided lean-to structure accommodates up to 8 hikers and sits at mile marker 6.3 on the Dry River Trail, accessed from Route 302. A rock fire ring in front of the shelter allows campfires when conditions permit. This wilderness shelter provides a true backcountry experience with no developed amenities. There is no potable water, so campers must treat water from natural sources or pack in their own supply. No toilet facilities exist at the site, requiring visitors to follow Leave No Trace practices for human waste. All trash must be packed out. The Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness encompasses 29,000 acres with approximately 43 miles of maintained trails. Group size is limited to 10 people. No permit is required for overnight use. The first 0.7 miles of the Dry River Trail passes through Crawford Notch State Park before entering the national forest.
Directions
From Route 302 in Crawford Notch, access the Dry River Trailhead. Hike 6.3 miles south on the Dry River Trail to reach the shelter. Note that the first 0.7 miles of trail passes through Crawford Notch State Park.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | No |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (603) 536-6100 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!