Can you reserve a site at Rattle River Trailhead?

No. Rattle River Trailhead is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Rattle River Trailhead

Facility · Maine ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

777 ft
Elevation

This large gravel lot is located along US Route 2 and is occassionally plowed in the winter. A gradual 1.7 miles will bring hikers to the Rattle River Shelter, while those looking for a more intense adventure can continue up high to the Kenduskeg trail and the 4,000 footers of the Carter-Moriah Range.

Getting there

Located where the Appalachian Trail crosses US 2, 3.5 miles east of Gorham, New Hampshire's town center.

44.40068, -71.10984 · 44°24'2.4"N 71°6'35.4"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 79°F in Jul, down to 27°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	27	30	39	52	67	74	79	78	70	57	44	33
Low °F	6	7	16	29	42	50	55	52	44	34	25	14
Precip in	3.1	2.5	2.9	3.5	3.6	4.2	4.2	4.0	3.5	4.9	3.5	3.3

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 4.2 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

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Common questions about Rattle River Trailhead

Can you reserve a site at Rattle River Trailhead?: No. Rattle River Trailhead is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Rattle River Trailhead

Barnes Field Campground 6.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Hastings Campground 7.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Dolly Copp 7.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Rattle River Shelter 1.4 mi · Campground
Trident Col Tentsite 3.1 mi · Campground
Gentian Pond Shelter 4.1 mi · Campground
Androscoggin Ranger District 5.2 mi · Facility
Imp Shelter 5.3 mi · Campground
Burnt Mill Brook Trailhead 6.4 mi · Facility
Roost North Trailhead 6.6 mi · Facility
Wild River / Basin Trailhead 6.9 mi · Facility
Wild River Campground 7 mi · Campground

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Info Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.