Best Dispersed Camping near Chesterfield, MA
Multiple dispersed camping areas exist in the Green Mountain National Forest within driving distance of Chesterfield, Massachusetts. The majority of free camping options are located north of Chesterfield in southern Vermont, where the national forest permits primitive camping with minimal facilities. Key dispersed areas include George D Aiken Wilderness, Forest Road 71, Somerset Airfield, and NFR 273, all situated on public land managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Access to most sites requires travel on unpaved forest roads with varying conditions. Many locations need vehicles with adequate ground clearance, particularly the NF 83 riverside area where at least 8 inches of clearance is recommended. Most dispersed sites feature only basic fire rings with no other amenities. A camper noted that NFR 273 has "a lot of 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." Forest Road 71 contains multiple primitive sites along its length, while some areas like Jug End in Massachusetts may prohibit camping despite being listed in directories.
These primitive camping areas typically attract visitors seeking seclusion and natural settings, though popularity varies seasonally. The Somerset Airfield area provides more developed dispersed camping with pit toilets and access to Somerset Reservoir for fishing and paddling. A reviewer described it as having "several campsites and fire pits. It has pit toilets. These sites are close together with little to no shade." For more privacy, the George D Aiken Wilderness dispersed sites offer greater separation, with one camper reporting that "camp spots were all pretty spread out from each other and the road was easy to drive on." Cell service is limited or nonexistent in most areas, with a reviewer mentioning "spotty service" at Green Mountain National Forest sites. Campers should practice Leave No Trace principles, as several reviews mention finding trash and human waste at some locations.
