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."
