The Gateway Campground to Evans Notch
Hastings is the northernmost of the White Mountain National Forest campgrounds on the Maine side of Evans Notch, sitting along Route 113 about three miles south of Gilead. The forest spills across the New Hampshire line here, and this stretch of Route 113 threads one of the prettiest mountain valleys in the state. Hastings makes a practical base for it, close to Evans Brook and a short drive from the Wild River, with the high peaks of the Caribou-Speckled Wilderness rising to the east.
It is a rustic, forested campground rather than a resort. You get a wooded site, a fire ring, a picnic table, and the sound of the brook, but no hookups and no store. That is the appeal for most people who come here: a quiet, low-key spot in a national forest valley that sees a fraction of the traffic of the more famous White Mountain destinations across the border.
The Campground
The campground has a small number of wooded sites tucked a short distance from Evans Brook. Some sites are reservable in advance through Recreation.gov, and others are held back for first-come, first-served arrivals, which gives you a shot at a spot even on a busy weekend if you arrive early. The brook is a working brook-trout fishery, and Hastings is a favorite of anglers who want to fish the riffles right from camp.
This is genuinely off-grid camping. There is no cell service in the notch, so download maps and let someone know your plans before you head in.
Sites & Amenities
Amenities are the national-forest basics done well: vault toilets, potable water on site, picnic tables, and fire rings. There are no showers, no electric or water hookups, and no camp store, so come stocked. Campsite fees run about $24 per night, with an added fee of roughly $6 per night for each additional vehicle, and Senior and Access pass holders get 50 percent off. Dogs are welcome on a leash.
Campsite mosquito-free zone
Reserve early for summer weekends, but do not write off a same-day trip. Because Hastings keeps a share of its sites first-come, first-served, you can sometimes roll in on a weekday or early on a weekend morning and grab one. Have a backup in mind, since the other Evans Notch campgrounds at Cold River, Basin, and Crocker Pond are all minutes away.
Getting There
Hastings is on Route 113 about three miles south of Gilead, which sits on Route 2 in the Bethel area. From Portland it is roughly two and a half hours up Route 26 and Route 2; from Bangor it is about three hours. From the campground, Route 113 continues south through the heart of Evans Notch toward Cold River and Basin campgrounds.
Route 113 through Evans Notch is gated closed during the winter months and is not maintained for winter travel. Plan around the mid-May to mid-October camping season, and check current Forest Service conditions before a shoulder-season trip, since the gate timing shifts with the weather.
When to Visit
Spring
The campground opens in mid-May. Black flies are at their worst from mid-May into June, and the brook runs high.
Summer
Warm days, cool brook, and full access to the Evans Notch hiking trails. Reserve ahead for weekends.
Fall
Peak foliage in the notch, fewer bugs, and crisp nights. The campground closes mid-October.
Winter
Closed. Route 113 is gated and the campground is not accessible.
Late summer and the fall foliage window are the sweet spots. The notch lights up with color in late September and early October.
Packing List
Hastings Campground Trip
- Tent and ground tarp
- Sleeping bag rated for cool mountain nights
- Camp stove and fuel (no store nearby)
- Headlamp and spare batteries
- Bug spray or a repeller for black-fly season
- Fishing gear and a current Maine license
- Cash or card for self-pay fees
- Downloaded maps (no cell service)
FAQ
Can you reserve a site at Hastings Campground?
Yes, in part. Some sites are reservable through Recreation.gov, while others are held first-come, first-served. Reserve ahead for summer weekends.
Does Hastings have running water and bathrooms?
It has vault toilets and potable water on site. There are no showers and no flush toilets.
When is Hastings Campground open?
Mid-May through mid-October. Route 113 through Evans Notch is gated closed in winter.
Is there cell service?
No. There is no reliable cell service in Evans Notch, so download maps and share your plans before you go.
Can I fish at the campground?
Yes. Evans Brook runs next to the campground and holds brook trout. You will need a current Maine fishing license.
Hastings is one of four small campgrounds in the notch. See Cold River and Basin to the south, Crocker Pond to the east, or the overview at Evans Notch Campgrounds.
