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Dispersed Camping near Amherst Center, MA

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    Dispersed camping options near Amherst Center, Massachusetts are limited within the immediate area, with most free primitive camping opportunities located in Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest, approximately 60-90 minutes northwest. George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed offers several well-established sites along Forest Road 273, featuring fire rings but no other amenities. Campers note these sites are "spread out from each other" with "a beautifully built fire pit" at some locations. The access road is generally passable for most vehicles, though conditions can deteriorate after heavy rain.

    Somerset Airfield and the surrounding forest roads provide additional primitive camping options in the Green Mountain National Forest. This area includes sites near Somerset Reservoir with basic pit toilets but no water or waste services. The Somerset Airfield sites are described as "a grass strip next to FR71 with a bunch of sites and a pit house," while more private riverside dispersed sites can be found along NF 83. Winter access is challenging, with one camper reporting they "endured snow and mid 20s" temperatures. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, and all sites operate on a first-come basis with no reservations or fees.

    Best Dispersed Campgrounds near Amherst Center (15)

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      1. Connecticut River Farm Site

      Be the first to review6mi from Amherst Center

      2. George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed

      4.6(11)43mi from Amherst CenterRVs, Tents

      "The camp spots were all pretty spread out from each other and the road was easy to drive on. There were only about 10 spots along the access road."

      "Definitely remote and private."

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      3. NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot

      4.4(9)45mi from Amherst Center

      "A LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well."

      "Went on a Wednesday night late October and had to drive about 4 miles down the dirt road to find a suitable spot. After what was very quiet and a peaceful place to be."

      4. Somerset Airfield

      3.9(8)47mi from Amherst CenterRVs, Tents

      "It has pit toilets. These sites are close together with little to no shade. Some sites have access to a stream that flows behind the park."

      "I arrived after the 4th of July and a neighbor said it was rowdy during the holiday with illegal fireworks set off every night over the dry forest. These pics are from a weekday morning."

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      5. NF 83 - riverside

      4.3(3)49mi from Amherst CenterRVs, Tents

      "This is a nice clearing near the river where the road used to cross."

      "The left side of the drive in is swampy so be sure to not drift to that side."

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      6. George D Aiken Wilde Road Dispersed Site

      4.0(1)43mi from Amherst CenterRVs, Tents

      "Just about what you would expect in a national forest. Nice dirt road without too many potholes."

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      7. Jug End Dispersed — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

      4.5(2)50mi from Amherst CenterTents

      "Between Sage's Ravine and Jug End Road there are five backcountry campsites on the Appalachian Trail."

      "Trash cans, but carry out is preferable."

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      8. Green Mountain National Forest FR71

      5.0(1)47mi from Amherst Center

      "Free camping"

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      9. Somerset Vt Dispersed on the Deerfield River

      2.0(2)43mi from Amherst CenterRVs, Tents
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      10. 42.99045° N, 72.98195° W

      4.0(1)49mi from Amherst Center

      "Great little dispersed camping area off Forest Road 71 in West Dover, Vermont."

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    Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Amherst Center, MA

    35 Photos of 15 Amherst Center Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers

    Dispersed Camping Reviews near Amherst Center, MA

    35 Reviews of 15 Amherst Center Campgrounds

    • Sue B.The Dyrt Pro User
      May. 6, 2026

      Jug End Dispersed — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

      Dispersed Camping?

      Between Sage's Ravine and Jug End Road there are five backcountry campsites on the Appalachian Trail. Sage's Ravine Laurel Ridge Race Brook Falls (with a shelter) The Hemlocks (with a shelter) Glen Brook (with a shelter) After descending Mt. Everett, you descend to Guilder Pond State Park. It is a day use park with trash cans and in season it also has a porta potty and a few picnic tables. No camping besides those already mentioned, which are all A.T. campsites. Jug End Road allows overnight parking (often used by folks hiking the A.T.) but I wouldn't classify that as dispersed camping unless you just need a place to pull over and sleep for a night. Each site mentioned, with the exception of Race Brook, is no more than .2 off the A.T.

    • Clark M.The Dyrt Pro User
      Jun. 27, 2026

      George D Aiken Wilde Road Dispersed Site

      Average dispersed campsite

      Just about what you would expect in a national forest. Nice dirt road without too many potholes. As far as I can tell about 10 different sites, maybe more, all spaced out enough you don’t see anyone else. No toilet or water but there is a fire ring.

    • M.A.D. P.The Dyrt Pro User
      Jan. 1, 2023

      Somerset Airfield

      Small open park

      The Airfield Campground is a strip of land with several campsites and fire pits. It has pit toilets. These sites are close together with little to no shade. Some sites have access to a stream that flows behind the park. The real attraction is the huge Somerset Resevoir which is up the road. Plenty of fishing, paddling, hiking and picnicking opportunities. There are other dispersed sites down the road that are free

    • Kevin C.The Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 30, 2024

      Somerset Airfield

      Good stopover location

      Only the first section of the campground was open due to flooding. As a result, there were puddles everywhere.

      Campsites are listed as disbursed but there are only 7 trees to separate 9 camp sites. The campsites are all next to the road and have fire circles.

      There is a single pit toilet at the end of the camping area. No garbage service, no water, no cell service. Basically a camp site where you can share a fire with the neighbors.

    • Natasha T.
      Jun. 6, 2022

      NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot

      Nice wooded little campsite

      A LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well. A few miles down the road there is another campsite that is more open and also has a fire pit with a lot less bugs flying around and more open space.

    • c H.The Dyrt Pro User
      Jun. 13, 2023

      George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed

      Cool Spot!

      The camp spots were all pretty spread out from each other and the road was easy to drive on. There were only about 10 spots along the access road. Brewery, distillery, beautiful lakes and scenic towns all within 15 minutes of the sites.

    • SJ W.The Dyrt Pro User
      Nov. 1, 2024

      NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot

      Beautiful but surprisingly crowded

      Went on a Wednesday night late October and had to drive about 4 miles down the dirt road to find a suitable spot. After what was very quiet and a peaceful place to be. Many pull offs but a lot were too wet for my van and I was afraid of getting stuck. The road itself was in great condition though.

    • Shannon C.The Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 14, 2026

      NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot

      Barebones, well maintained and private

      My 2008 Prius handled the road with ease. Sites were spaced out. There was hiking at the end of the road but not too much space to wander around from the sites given the road’s high speed limit. Sites had fire pits and that was it. Very quiet and fairly accessible from society. Given the lack of free camping in the southern northeast this spot is a gem!

    • licia S.The Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 17, 2025

      Somerset Airfield

      No Wifi, Resevoir Beautiful

      Enjoyed the stunning babbling brook and resevoir- saw happy people swimming, kayaking, and camping. It's been quiet and peaceful and sometimes generators running all night. I arrived after the 4th of July and a neighbor said it was rowdy during the holiday with illegal fireworks set off every night over the dry forest. These pics are from a weekday morning. It's great to see families camping. There are pit toilets. AT.T service at bridge prior to camp- short walk. SOS only in camp. Another camper told me Starlink works here.

    Guide to Amherst Center

    Dispersed camping near Amherst Center, Massachusetts is primarily found in the Green Mountain National Forest across the state line in Vermont, approximately 45-60 miles northwest. George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed offers free camping with multiple sites along an access road. Reviews indicate large, well-organized spots with fire pits, though some sites can be muddy after rain. The road is generally accessible for most vehicles.

    Forest Road 273 (NFR 273) provides another free dispersed camping option with multiple pull-off sites. Campers note the road is in good condition but some spots can be wet and unsuitable for vans or larger vehicles. Somerset Airfield offers a more open camping area with pit toilets, though it's less secluded with sites close together along a strip of land. One camper wrote, "The real attraction is the huge Somerset Reservoir which is up the road. Plenty of fishing, paddling, hiking and picnicking opportunities." Most sites in this region lack amenities—no drinking water, toilets (except at Somerset Airfield), or trash service. Pack out all waste and prepare for variable weather conditions.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Amherst Center, MA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Amherst Center, MA is Connecticut River Farm Site with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Amherst Center, MA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 15 dispersed camping locations near Amherst Center, MA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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