Best Dispersed Camping near Charlemont, MA

Several dispersed camping options exist in the Green Mountain National Forest near Charlemont, Massachusetts, with most sites located across the border in Vermont. George D Aiken Wilderness offers multiple free dispersed sites along forest access roads, while additional primitive camping spots can be found on Forest Roads 71, 83, and 273. These areas provide basic backcountry camping with no facilities or services. Somerset Airfield represents one of the few dispersed areas with vault toilets, though it maintains primitive conditions.

Access to most dispersed sites requires traveling on unpaved forest roads that may become muddy after rain. Many campsites are accessible to standard vehicles, though some remote areas may require higher clearance. Sites typically include informal fire rings but no other amenities - campers must pack in all water and supplies and pack out all trash. Cell service ranges from spotty to nonexistent throughout the region. Camping is permitted for up to 14 days in accordance with standard National Forest regulations.

These primitive camping areas attract visitors seeking quiet forest experiences with minimal crowds. Several sites provide access to streams or the Somerset Reservoir for water activities. Campsites at George D Aiken Wilderness are described as "large, well organized camping spots along the road" with some featuring "beautifully built fire pits." The NFR 273 area contains "at least a dozen spots, some very spacious," though visitors note it can become "surprisingly crowded" even during off-peak times. Somerset Airfield offers more open camping with "easy river access" but less privacy, as one camper noted: "campsites are all next to the road and have fire circles."

Best Dispersed Sites Near Charlemont, Massachusetts (18)

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Charlemont, MA

33 Reviews of 18 Charlemont Campgrounds


  • The L.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 8, 2025

    Ushers Road State Forest

    Trail head

    This trailhead provides access to bicycle-friendly nature trails. I explored both directions on my bike, riding approximately half a mile down each side. The terrain eventually transitions into a low-lying, swampy area, likely due to recent rainfall over the past week.

    About 500 feet down the right-hand trail, there is a smaller path branching off to the left. This leads to a previously used campsite, approximately 200 feet from the main trail. The site includes a stone fire ring, indicating prior use.

    Given that camping is permitted anywhere in the woods as long as it’s at least 150 feet off the trail, the surrounding area offers an abundance of potential camping spots.

  • 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.
    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.

  • 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.

  • Miccal  M.
    Jan. 18, 2024

    NF 83 - riverside

    Quiet spot on the river

    I've looked at this spot a few times and it is normally way to wet to camp at, but this time it was frozen.  This is a nice clearing near the river where the road used to cross.

    The access into this location is a little rough but most cars should make it, I would prefer having a little more clearance though just to be sure.  

    Being a primitive site there is only a fire ring here.


Guide to Charlemont

Dispersed camping near Charlemont, Massachusetts primarily requires travel into the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont, located just across the state border. Most primitive sites sit at elevations between 1,500-2,500 feet within northern hardwood forests dominated by maple, beech and birch trees. Winter access becomes challenging with unpaved roads accumulating snow and ice from November through April, often requiring 4WD vehicles.

What to do

Reservoir recreation: Somerset Reservoir provides opportunities for paddling, fishing and swimming in a remote setting with minimal development. Access points near Somerset Airfield offer watercraft launching areas. "Enjoyed the stunning babbling brook and reservoir - saw happy people swimming, kayaking, and camping," reports one visitor.

Wildlife viewing: Early mornings at clearings along Forest Road 71 offer opportunities to spot white-tailed deer, black bears, and numerous bird species. One camper at Dispersed site along Forest RD 71 noted the area was "very quiet definitely check it out" making it ideal for nature observation.

Stargazing: The remote locations with minimal light pollution provide excellent night sky viewing conditions. A camper at NF83 Dispersed site 1 described it as a "great spot with no light pollution, cell signal or distractions," making it ideal for astronomy enthusiasts.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Many forest road locations provide adequate separation between camping areas. At George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed, one visitor noted "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."

Multiple water features: Streams and rivers flow near many primitive sites. A camper at NF 83 - riverside described their spot as "Peacefully placed along the bends of the river is a large open grassy area with a sizable fire pit!"

Proximity to small towns: Despite remote locations, many sites remain within reasonable distance of services. As one George D Aiken visitor highlighted, "Brewery, distillery, beautiful lakes and scenic towns all within 15 minutes of the sites."

What you should know

Road conditions vary: Forest road quality fluctuates seasonally and with weather patterns. At NF 83, a camper warned "The beginning of the little driveway is quite rough with some bigger rocks," advising that vehicles with "substantial ground clearance" navigate better than low-clearance vehicles.

Limited facilities: Most primitive camping areas near Charlemont have minimal or no amenities. At NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot, visitors found "campsites are listed as disbursed but there are only 7 trees to separate 9 camp sites" with "no garbage service, no water, no cell service."

Variable site conditions: Weather impacts site quality significantly. One camper observed, "It had rained a lot prior to our arrival, and several sites were damp," while another noted many sites were "too wet for my van and I was afraid of getting stuck."

Tips for camping with families

Site selection: Choose established sites with clear boundaries and safe spaces for children. One family at George D Aiken Wilderness reported finding "a perfect site off the road on the right side. It was large and flat. We were off the road by 100 feet or so. It made it more private."

Weekend planning: Weekends see increased activity at easily accessible locations. Somerset Airfield experiences can vary widely as one visitor noted: "Weekend was interrupted by a domestic violence situation a few sites down that resulted in fights and someone shooting off a handgun. Took state police over 50 minutes to respond."

Toilet considerations: Only Somerset Airfield offers vault toilets among these dispersed areas. A camper reported, "10 spaces between the bathrooms/vault toilets with only 3 other 4 in working order," indicating maintenance issues even where facilities exist.

Tips from RVers

Site accessibility: RVers should assess road conditions before committing to remote sites. At Hogback Mtn Trailhead, visitors found a "large open lot at top of paved highway pass" that provides "plenty of room for any number of rigs."

Ground clearance requirements: Many forest roads require vehicles with adequate clearance. One RVer warned about NF83 Dispersed site 1: "Don't expect to get in here unless you have more than 8" of clearance under your vehicle."

Seasonal timing: Spring access proves most challenging for larger vehicles. Campers report Forest Road 71 becomes "very muddy" after rainfall, with one RVer noting "I have an SUV and I didn't trust it to get through, and I didn't want to get stuck."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Charlemont, MA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Charlemont, MA is George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed with a 4.6-star rating from 8 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 18 dispersed camping locations near Charlemont, MA, with real photos and reviews from campers.