Primitive camping near Chesterfield, Massachusetts largely centers on the Green Mountain National Forest in southern Vermont, approximately 30-45 minutes north via Route 8 and Route 9. The region sits at elevations between 1,500-2,500 feet with seasonal access affected by snowfall from November through April. Most sites require navigating unpaved forest roads with varying conditions depending on recent precipitation.
What to do
Fishing at Somerset Reservoir: Drive 5 miles past the Somerset Airfield campground to reach Somerset Reservoir for excellent fishing opportunities. At Somerset Airfield, one camper notes that "the real attraction is the huge Somerset Resevoir which is up the road. Plenty of fishing, paddling, hiking and picnicking opportunities."
Winter camping: Forest Road 71 offers year-round primitive camping with varying seasonal challenges. A winter camper at Green Mountain National Forest FR71 experienced "mid 20s Friday night with 8 inches of fresh snow to wake up to Saturday, and our main Roadhouse down from the weight of the snow. The stakes didn't hold in the frozen ground. So, we tied them to the trees and our cars."
Hiking options: Several trails connect to dispersed camping areas, providing day hiking opportunities. The Appalachian Trail runs through portions of the region near Jug End, where one visitor points out it's "a hiking trail only- no camping per website."
What campers like
River access: Many primitive sites provide proximity to water features. At NF 83 - riverside, a camper describes it as "peacefully placed along the bends of the river is a large open grassy area with a sizable fire pit! The left side of the drive in is swampy so be sure to not drift to that side."
Site privacy: Some dispersed areas offer better separation between campsites than others. In the George D Aiken Wilderness area, a camper appreciated that "large, well organized camping spots along the road. The spot I chose had a beautifully built fire pit. It was a little muddy from rain."
Convenience for section hikers: Sites along the Appalachian Trail provide strategic stopping points. At Sage's Revine, one hiker found "12 platforms available. Near non-potable stream, no fires allowed, bathroom is fine, bear boxes available. 50 feet between platforms."
What you should know
Seasonal conditions: Wet conditions can limit site accessibility, particularly in spring and after heavy rainfall. A visitor to NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot noted: "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."
Vehicle requirements: Some sites demand higher clearance vehicles. For the NF 83 riverside area, a reviewer warns "the beginning of the little driveway is quite rough with some bigger rocks we have substantial ground clearance so no issues there but smaller ground clearances may feel a bump or two!"
Site maintenance concerns: Camper behavior impacts site conditions. At one Forest Road 71 site, a regular visitor shared: "I would have given 5 stars except for the unfortunate fact that 2 years in a row my husband and I had to spend over an hour cleaning the site from the people before us."
Tips for camping with families
Location selection: Choose sites with adequate space for children to explore safely. The Somerset Airfield area offers "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."
Weather preparation: Mountain weather changes rapidly, requiring flexible planning. At George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed, a family noted: "It had rained a lot prior to our arrival, and several sites were damp. We found a perfect site off the road on the right side. It was large and flat."
Arrival timing: Plan to arrive with daylight for site selection. One camper at George D Aiken shared: "It was getting dark when we arrived and it had been raining all day. We just needed a night and it was great. Some sites were really wet but we found a nice dry place."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: For larger vehicles, Somerset Airfield provides more open sites than forest road pullouts. A reviewer suggests it "is probably good for people who camp with RVs or Trailor's that can't get into smaller sites."
Overnight parking options: When traveling between destinations, Hogback Mtn Trailhead offers a convenient overnight stop with a "large open lot at top of paved highway pass. Great place to stop for the night. Not a lot of ambiance, but plenty of room for any number of rigs."
Communication limitations: Prepare for limited connectivity throughout the region. At the dispersed sites on Forest Road 71, campers report only "spotty service" in most areas with reliable connections requiring travel to larger towns.
Ranger
