Osgood Tent Site

Introduction / Overview

For the experienced New Hampshire hiker, the name Osgood Tent Site resonates with the challenge and reward of the White Mountains. Located high on the southern slopes of majestic Mount Madison, within the remote and rugged Thompson and Meserve's Purchase, this primitive site serves as a vital waystation on the legendary Appalachian Trail (AT). Osgood Tent Site is not your standard car-camping destination; it is an authentic backcountry experience, designed specifically for tent campers and backpackers who are fully self-sufficient and committed to the Leave No Trace ethic.

The site is a simple, rustic haven positioned near the boundary of the Great Gulf Wilderness, offering a peaceful, albeit challenging, respite from the rocky trails of the Presidential Range. It provides essential accommodations for through-hikers and for local New Englanders tackling multi-day hikes in the highest and most exposed terrain of the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF). Generations of hikers have found sanctuary here, swapping stories beneath the towering evergreens and celebrating the successful navigation of New Hampshire’s famously difficult trails. Osgood Tentsite embodies the rugged spirit of New Hampshire's mountain wilderness, demanding respect for its challenging weather and steep terrain while rewarding visitors with unparalleled access to some of the state’s most spectacular high-country routes.

Location and Accessibility

Osgood Tent Site is deep within the White Mountain National Forest, situated in the unorganized territory known as Thompson and Meserve's Purchase, NH 03593, USA. Its location is strategically important, positioned on the lower part of the Osgood Trail—a major route that connects to the Appalachian Trail (AT) and ultimately leads toward the summit of Mount Madison and the historic Madison Spring Hut.

Accessibility is restricted exclusively to foot traffic. There is no vehicle access to the tent site, making it a true backpacking destination. Hikers typically begin their journey from trailheads off NH Route 16, such as the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center or similar parking areas. The hike to Osgood is universally rated as **difficult** due to the significant elevation gain and the notorious rocky, root-filled terrain characteristic of the Presidential Range. Hikers should be prepared for an arduous climb, often gaining thousands of feet in elevation over several miles to reach the site, which sits at an elevation where the air is noticeably thinner and the weather can shift dramatically and violently. The remote nature of the site means that cell service is unreliable or non-existent, requiring careful planning and a thorough understanding of mountain safety. It serves as a necessary stop for those traversing the entire Presidential Range or tackling the challenging loop hikes that encompass Mount Madison and the Great Gulf area.

Services Offered

As a primitive site managed by the U.S. Forest Service within a wilderness setting, Osgood Tent Site offers essential, low-impact services focused on sustainability and hiker need:

• Tent Platforms: The site provides five designated **wooden tent platforms**, designed to minimize the impact of camping on the delicate mountain soil. Each platform has a capacity limit (often four people, total capacity around 20).
• Sanitation: An **outhouse or composting privy** is available on site for human waste disposal, a crucial environmental service in high-traffic wilderness areas.
• Water Source: A **reliable natural water source** is located nearby. This is typically a stream or spring, but the water is non-potable and **must be filtered or chemically treated** before consumption.
• Bear Protection: While bear boxes are not universally confirmed, all hikers are required to practice proper **bear safety protocols**, including using bear canisters or hanging food properly to protect wildlife and supplies.
• Management Fee: The site may require payment of a White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) Recreational Pass fee, which can be purchased daily or annually. Fees support site maintenance and management.
• No Firewood: Open wood fires are generally **prohibited** or severely restricted due to high elevation and fire risk. Cooking must be done on portable gas stoves.
• No Built-In Amenities: There are **no trash receptacles** (all trash must be packed out), no electricity, no showers, and no picnic tables.

Features / Highlights

The true value of Osgood Tent Site lies in its natural features, its location, and the epic hiking experiences it enables:

• Appalachian Trail Access: It is a critical and popular overnight stop directly on the **Appalachian Trail (AT)**, fostering unique camaraderie among through-hikers and section hikers.
• Proximity to Mount Madison: The site offers a perfect basecamp for summiting **Mount Madison (5,366 ft)** and connecting to the major trails leading through the Presidential Range and to the nearby Madison Spring Hut.
• Gateway to the Great Gulf Wilderness: Located near the boundary of the Great Gulf Wilderness Area, it provides access to one of the most **rugged and remote** designated wilderness regions in New Hampshire.
• High Elevation Experience: Camping at this altitude provides a unique high-mountain experience, with crisp air and spectacular, albeit often glimpsed, **views of the surrounding peaks**.
• Sense of Solitude: Despite its popularity among AT hikers, the primitive, hike-in nature of the site offers a deep sense of **solitude and disconnection** from the modern world.
• Fragile Alpine Flora: The nearby trails ascend into the **alpine zone**, offering the chance to view rare and beautiful alpine plant life—a reminder of the area's ecological significance.

Contact Information

Osgood Tent Site is unstaffed and managed by the U.S. Forest Service. For the most current information on trail conditions, closures, regulations, and fee structure, contact the administering office:

Managing Agency: U.S. Forest Service (USFS), White Mountain National Forest (WMNF)

Address: Thompson and Meserve's Purchase, NH 03593, USA (Campsite Location - Primitive)

White Mountain National Forest Saco Ranger District (Nearest Office): (603) 447-5448

What is Worth Choosing

Osgood Tent Site is worth choosing if you are a **prepared, experienced hiker** seeking the true challenge and beauty of New Hampshire's highest peaks. This site is not about comfort; it is about location. It offers unparalleled access to the Appalachian Trail and the formidable Presidential Range, making it an essential staging point for any multi-day alpine adventure in the Whites.

Choosing Osgood means committing to the rigorous traditions of backcountry camping: carrying a full pack, treating your water, and strictly following wilderness ethics. For local New Englanders, it is a chance to participate in the historical tradition of mountain hiking and connect with the global community of AT trekkers. The reward for your efforts is a night spent under the immense, clear, dark sky of the White Mountains, a profound silence, and the satisfaction of earning your sleep high above the valleys.

Osgood Tent Site

Thompson and Meserve's Purchase, NH 03593, USA