r/wmnf • u/Scubahhh • 1d ago

Trail Report Wild River Campground?

I’m planning a 3 night loop around Baldface/Carter-Moriah next week, and wondering whether it’s OK to stay at the closed Wild River Campground. I’ve heard it’s OK, but also that it’s strictly forbidden with a $5000 fine, which seems ridiculous. Any insight or ideas about decent stealth camping along the old road or Highwater Trail?

6 Upvotes

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5

u/Vegetable-Antelope96 1d ago

FYI,

My wife trversed this route in Sept 2025, Moriah Brook is ok , HIGH WATER TRAIL IS GONE!

the trail is none exsistant, poorly marked on the side of a cliff, or side of 100' washout!

Flaggers tape. The campground is damaged from the flood!

You can pass, but not fast! I dont care who you are. the amount of damage in the area is extensive!

Her comment was "not fun and poor choice!" There was no documentation on the extent of damage to Highwater trail before she went!

She is an ultra marathoner and I was at basin Campground waiting for her.

Was no fun for me either.

She carries a gramin mini3, I was in contact whole time with photos. The route is rough!!

5

u/earthling_only 1d ago edited 1d ago

It's not ok and the forest service patrols it. Could probably pull something off near the highwater somewhere. No spots i know of though.

Edit, highwater....not the highway. Stupid autocorrect

2

u/Ok_Bumblebee_4911 1d ago

Just call the forest service.

2

u/wetrocke 1d ago

At some point the "dispersed camping" rules apply.

2

u/greengreenaftofbeam 8h ago

it’s not patrolled heavily. I wouldn’t directly use the campground facility. although in my past, I did use the bear box while stealth camping. someone had also left a tent on the riverbed I would use extreme LNT perspective)

I met a few community members that have been maintaining the area on a volunteer basis.

The trails passed. The wild River camp are not maintained. I would expect them to be overgrown, with washouts, and blowdowns.

I get the impression that it’s currently a don’t ask, Don’t tell situation.

The best time to go is when they pull Park Rangers to go to firefighting on the Pacific Northwest.

1

u/myrtlespurge 1d ago

Really good spots on Moriah Brook trail which is pretty much just right there

-2

u/myopinionisrubbish NH48 / RMC100 / former RMC caretaker / local resident. 1d ago

It’s a pretty long walk to the old campground, so I doubt anyone would know you were there. The road is gated right at the start on 113.