Dispersed camping near Goshen, Massachusetts occurs primarily across the Vermont border within the Green Mountain National Forest. Access roads can become difficult after rain, with several Forest Roads requiring higher clearance vehicles. The terrain ranges from open fields to densely wooded sites with occasional riverside locations, all within a 30-45 minute drive from Goshen.
What to do
Hiking to ponds: Near Statton Pond Camp, trails lead to multiple water features. "Good hiking access to Stratton Pond, to Branch Pond, to Grout Pond Recreation Area, to the AT/LT," notes one camper who stayed in a teardrop trailer.
Swimming and kayaking: Somerset Reservoir offers water recreation opportunities. A visitor at Somerset Airfield observed "happy people swimming, kayaking, and camping" at the reservoir, which features a "stunning babbling brook."
Wildlife watching: The forest areas support diverse wildlife. "I did see a huge blackbear," reports one camper who stayed at Statton Pond Camp, suggesting visitors should store food properly and maintain awareness of surroundings.
What campers like
River access: Several sites feature water proximity. At NF 83 - riverside, one camper described it as "peacefully placed along the bends of the river is a large open grassy area with a sizable fire pit!"
Space between sites: Many locations on Forest Road 273 offer privacy. "The camp spots were all pretty spread out from each other and the road was easy to drive on," writes a visitor to George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed, who also noted "Brewery, distillery, beautiful lakes and scenic towns all within 15 minutes of the sites."
Cellular connectivity: Coverage varies significantly across sites. At Statton Pond Camp, a camper reported "2 bars of USCellular LTE," while another camper at George D Aiken noted "att cell reception" availability.
What you should know
Site cleanliness varies: Previous campers' habits affect conditions. One visitor to Dispersed site along Forest RD 71 mentioned that "2 years in a row my husband and I had to spend over an hour cleaning the site from the people before us."
Weather impacts: Winter camping presents extreme challenges. A Somerset Airfield camper reported temperatures dropping to "8° and a windchill of -3" with "everything crusted over with a good inch of ice" and strong winds.
Road conditions: Access can be difficult depending on vehicle type. At NF 83 - riverside, a visitor cautioned that "the beginning of the little driveway is quite rough with some bigger rocks," adding they had "substantial ground clearance so no issues there but smaller ground clearances may feel a bump or two."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection timing: Popular weekends fill quickly. One camper at NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot was surprised to find it "beautiful but surprisingly crowded" even "on a Wednesday night late October" requiring them to "drive about 4 miles down the dirt road to find a suitable spot."
Insect preparation: Forested areas harbor significant bug populations. A visitor warned that at one site there were "A LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well."
Multiple campsite options: Look beyond the first sites. A reviewer at Somerset Airfield mentioned "Campers near us said there are more sites if you pass the airfield that are more spread out past the actual airfield sites."
Tips from RVers
Avoid wet conditions: Seasonal moisture affects accessibility. At NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot, one RVer 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."
Level site availability: Some areas feature naturally flat parking. At Stratton Pond Camp, a visitor described "The site was very flat and could accommodate several small campers."
Overnight parking options: For self-contained vehicles, some areas permit simple stopovers. At Hogback Mtn Trailhead, a traveler called it a "Great place to stop for the night. Not a lot of ambiance, but plenty of room for any number of rigs."
