Directions to Camp Bell
Please use the following directions for travelling to and from Camp Bell. Camp Bell, and Hidden Valley (the other camp located on the Griswold Scout Reservation) produce a relatively large volume of traffic that causes problems for the camps' neighbors. On different weeks, the camps use different routes in order to spread the impact. This is the route assigned for our week at camp. Please obey all posted speed limits and drive courteously.
Leg #1. Hanover to McDonalds at I-93 in Tilton, NH. Travel time approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Depart Hanover and follow Route 120 towards Lebanon and Interstate 89.
- Take I-89 South to Exit 11 for Route 11 East.
- Follow Route 11 East through the towns of Andover, Franklin and Tilton. This route is well marked but there are a few turns. Give your Scouts an exercise in land navigation by having them follow your progress on a road map. You will pass a McDonalds restaurant in Franklin (or Tilton) before you reach the Interstate 93 interchange. Don't stop here! The McDonalds you are looking for is on the right, just after you cross over I-93.
Stopping at this McDonalds for lunch gives us a chance to get the travelers together to enjoy a last "real meal" before they start cooking for themselves. Scouts should be in Class A uniform at McDonalds. Everyone should leave McDonalds at the same time so as to arrive at Camp Bell at the same time. At the end of the week, its a great place for a "return to civilization" breakfast.
Leg #2. McDonalds to Camp Bell. Travel time approximately 45 minutes.
- Depart McDonalds by turning right as you leave the parking lot. This puts you on Route 140 East.
- Follow Route 140 east for about 5 miles and you pass through the town of Belmont. Route 140 makes a couple turns in Belmont; first a left and then a right before continuing out of town.
- Continue on Route 140 east through Gilmonton where you will cross Route 107 at a flashing traffic light. A little more than 6 miles beyond the Route 107 intersection (10 miles from Belmont), you will see Crystal Lake Road on the left. You're almost there! Very few good roads beyond this point!
- Turn left on Crystal Lake Road. Almost immediately after turning onto Crystal Lake Road, the road forks.
- Bear right at the fork on to Mountain Road.
- Follow Mountain Road until it ends at a T intersection.
- Turn Left at the T and Mountain Road turns into Avery Hill Road.
- Proceed about two and one-half miles and turn left onto Places Mill Road.
- Follow Places Mill Road for about a mile and the entrance to the Griswold Scout Reservation will be on the right.
- Once you enter the Griswold Scout Reservation you will follow the dirt road for about a mile until you reach the Hidden Valley Camp.
- Follow the signs through Hidden Valley to Camp Bell
The Troop 45 Advance Party will meet you in the parking lot at Camp Bell.