Top Free Dispersed Camping near Hadley, MA

Want to go dispersed camping near Hadley? Dispersed camping means that no facilities or amenities are provided, so that you can truly disconnect and get back to nature. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your Massachusetts camping adventure.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Hadley, MA (9)

    Camper-submitted photo from George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed
    Camper-submitted photo from George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed
    Camper-submitted photo from George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed
    Camper-submitted photo from George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed
    Camper-submitted photo from George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed
    Camper-submitted photo from George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed
    Camper-submitted photo from Somerset Airfield
    Camper-submitted photo from Somerset Airfield
    Camper-submitted photo from Somerset Airfield
    Camper-submitted photo from Somerset Airfield
    Camper-submitted photo from Somerset Airfield
    Camper-submitted photo from Somerset Airfield

    2. Somerset Airfield

    5 Reviews
    59 Photos
    82 Saves

    Forest Road 71: This forest road stretches from the old Somerset airfield to the Kelley Stand Road. Campsites can be found in various spots along the way and along some of the forest roads leading off of Forest Road 71.

    There are many general forest areas available on the Green Mountain National Forest for rustic or dispersed camping. These areas provide a place to camp and enjoy nature’s solitude at no charge. Visitors can camp anywhere on the forest unless the area is posted closed to camping. Camp in existing sites or stay the strongly recommended 200 feet from roads, streams, trails, and bodies of water to disperse impact. Do not cut any vegetation. There is a camping limit of 14 days in any 30-day period on the Forest. Please leave the campsites clean by using Leave No Trace Principles, such as carry out what you carry in.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • ADA Access
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Group
    • No image available

      3. Jug End Dispersed

      2 Reviews
      36 Saves
      • Pets
      • Phone Service
      • Reservable
      • Tents
      • Group
      • Dispersed
      • No image available

        4. Green Mountain National Forest FR71

        1 Review
        68 Saves

        Forest Road 71: This forest road stretches from the old Somerset airfield to the Kelley Stand Road. Campsites can be found in various spots along the way and along some of the forest roads leading off of Forest Road 71. There are many general forest areas available on the Green Mountain National Forest for rustic or dispersed camping. These areas provide a place to camp and enjoy nature’s solitude at no charge. Visitors can camp anywhere on the forest unless the area is posted closed to camping. Camp in existing sites or stay the strongly recommended 200 feet from roads, streams, trails, and bodies of water to disperse impact. Do not cut any vegetation. There is a camping limit of 14 days in any 30-day period on the Forest. Please leave the campsites clean by using Leave No Trace Principles, such as carry out what you carry in.

        • RVs
        • Tents
        • Dispersed
        Camper-submitted photo from NF 83 - riverside
        Camper-submitted photo from NF 83 - riverside
        Camper-submitted photo from NF 83 - riverside
        Camper-submitted photo from NF 83 - riverside
        Camper-submitted photo from NF 83 - riverside
        Camper-submitted photo from NF 83 - riverside

        5. NF 83 - riverside

        2 Reviews
        18 Photos
        53 Saves

        Backcountry camping is allowed in most locations on the forest unless there is a specific closure order in place for a particular area.

        The following camping practices are recommended:

        Locate campsites at least 200’ from trails or waterbodies including ponds, rivers, and streams When able, utilize sites already managed for overnight use including designated tent platforms and established shelters Do not camp in alpine or sub-alpine areas where trees are 8’ or less. Help protect these fragile ecosystems!

        • Fires
        • RVs
        • Tents
        • Standard (Tent/RV)
        • Dispersed
        • No image available

          6. NF83 Dispersed site 1

          1 Review
          8 Saves

          Backcountry camping is allowed in most locations on the forest unless there is a specific closure order in place for a particular area.

          The following camping practices are recommended:

          Locate campsites at least 200’ from trails or waterbodies including ponds, rivers, and streams When able, utilize sites already managed for overnight use including designated tent platforms and established shelters Do not camp in alpine or sub-alpine areas where trees are 8’ or less. Help protect these fragile ecosystems!

          • Fires
          • RVs
          • Tents
          • Standard (Tent/RV)
          • Dispersed
          • No image available

            7. Somerset Vt Dispersed on the Deerfield River

            1 Review
            8 Saves

            Backcountry Camping (Dispersed Camping)

            Backcountry camping is allowed in most locations on the forest unless there is a specific closure order in place for a particular area.

            The following camping practices are recommended:

            Locate campsites at least 200’ from trails or waterbodies including ponds, rivers, and streams
            When able, utilize sites already managed for overnight use including designated tent platforms and established shelters
            Do not camp in alpine or sub-alpine areas where trees are 8’ or less.  Help protect these fragile ecosystems!

            ​Please follow the principles of leave no trace:

            Plan Ahead and Prepare
            Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
            Dispose of Waste Properly
            Leave What You Find
            Minimize Campfire Impacts 
            Respect Wildlife
            Be Considerate of Other Visitors
            • Pets
            • RVs
            • Tents
            • No image available
              • No image available

              Recent Dispersed Reviews In Hadley

              17 Reviews of 9 Hadley Campgrounds


              • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
                Camper-submitted photo from Somerset Airfield
                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.

              • Thomas and James S.The Dyrt PRO User
                Camper-submitted photo from NF 83 - riverside
                Jun. 12, 2024

                NF 83 - riverside

                Enchanting

                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. 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! Live by the motto leave nicer than you found it so we all can continue to enjoy the beauty!

              • Miccal  M.The Dyrt PRO User
                Camper-submitted photo from Somerset Airfield
                Mar. 29, 2024

                Somerset Airfield

                Winter camping wonder

                Well, that was an experience! Met some friends Friday night at the Somerset Airfield for a weekend of camping. We endured Snow and mid 20s Friday night with 8" 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. Saturday, we got at least 8" more along with sleet, freezing rain, and rain. Saturday evening, we had 3" more by 11pm.

                 Then the fun began as the wind blew the storms out and temperatures plummeted to 8⁰ and a windchill of-3 for this morning. Everything crusted was over with a good inch of ice. I have never endured such winds camping, I was sure camp was going to be blown apart. Even with a winter fly tight to the snow my hammock was rocking all night. Our tarps held mostly, we only lost one or two anchor points. Gear that wasn't staked, tied or put in our cars moved blown around inside our foxholes of snow.

                In the morning when packing up and breaking the ice glazed on everything.

                we stayed in the first few sites, there are walk in sites behind these that have easy river access.  in the winter be ready for snowmobiles, in the summer trucks.

                As I've stated in my other review for this location, there are outhouses here and firerings.  It is an easy dirtroad drive to get to this location, that is why they tend to be used so much by RVers.

              • Miccal  M.The Dyrt PRO User
                Camper-submitted photo from Somerset Airfield
                Mar. 1, 2024

                Somerset Airfield

                Least favorite of all the primitive sites in the area

                I've camped here a couple of times and it is ok.  This really is just a grass strip next to FR71 with a bunch of sites and a pit house.  It is probably good for people who camp with RVs or Trailor's that can't get into smaller sites, but if you can I would go some where else.

              • Miccal  M.The Dyrt PRO User
                Camper-submitted photo from NF 83 - riverside
                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.

              • Miccal  M.The Dyrt PRO User
                Camper-submitted photo from NF83 Dispersed site 1
                Jan. 18, 2024

                NF83 Dispersed site 1

                Nice remote location

                This primitive spot is a little more than a clearing with a fire pit.  But what a great spot with no light pollution, cell signal or distractions.  Don't expect to get in here unless you have more than 8" of clearance under your vehicle.  

                I was here in winter, but I would expect in summer a lot of undergrowth in the woods, if your hammock camping bring a manchette to clear a spot.

              • m
                Camper-submitted photo from George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed
                Oct. 8, 2023

                George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed

                Beautiful, Quiet and restful!

                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.

              • DThe Dyrt PRO User
                Camper-submitted photo from George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed
                Sep. 27, 2023

                George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed

                Nice Night

                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. We were off the road by 100 feet or so. It made it more private. I would highly recommend this site. We stopped on our way through to Stowe Vermont.

              • Erica M.The Dyrt PRO User
                Camper-submitted photo from Somerset Airfield
                Aug. 2, 2023

                Somerset Airfield

                Nice spot but to busy

                Westford there last weekend. Got up on a Friday with plenty of spots. 10 spaces between the bathrooms/vault toilets with only 3 other 4 in working order. Great location near Somerset Reservoir. Weekend was interrupted by a domestic violence situation a few sites downbeat resulted in fights and someone shooting off a handgun. Took state police over 50 minutes to respond and multiple families left...... Can't pick the other people using the space I guess, but lots of trash left in fire pitsand all along river. Water behind the sites more like a marsh. Flat levels it's and people able to fit their campers. Campers near us said there are more sites if you pass the airfield that are more spread out past the actual airfield sites.

              • c H.
                Camper-submitted photo from George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed
                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.

              • M.A.D. P.
                Camper-submitted photo from Somerset Airfield
                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

              • Luke A.
                Camper-submitted photo from Jug End Dispersed
                Oct. 3, 2018

                Jug End Dispersed

                Jug End Campground, Great Spot for Section Hikers and All.

                Great spot, I have section hiked the majority of the east coast AT and this is in my top 10 spots to stay at. Trash cans, but carry out is preferable.

              • Luke A.
                Camper-submitted photo from Sage's Revine
                Oct. 3, 2018

                Sage's Revine

                Fantastic spot, right near water. 12 platforms available.

                Near non-potable stream, no fires allowed, bathroom is fine, bear boxes available. 50 feet between platforms. Right over the border of CT into MA on the Appalachian Trail. Great spot, highly recommend.



              Guide to Hadley

              Camping near Hadley, Massachusetts, offers a great mix of nature, fun activities, and cozy campgrounds. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a family-friendly adventure, there are plenty of options to explore.

              What to do:

              • Hiking and Nature Walks: Many campgrounds are close to beautiful trails. For example, at October Mountain State Forest, one camper mentioned, "The trails were completely perfectly maintained with some 2x6 boards over the muddy bits so our boots didn't get wet." This makes it easy to enjoy the outdoors without worrying about muddy shoes.

              • Fishing: If you enjoy fishing, the area around October Mountain State Forest is great for that. A reviewer noted, "For any fly fishing folks, this campground is very close to the Housatonic (catch and release only!)"

              • Exploring Local History: Nearby towns like Concord offer rich history. One camper at Spacious Skies Minute Man said, "Concord is only a 30-minute drive away with two full days of revolutionary historic sites."

              What campers like:

              • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained bathrooms and showers. A visitor at Woodford State Park Campground remarked, "The bathrooms are BEAUTIFUL! the nicest I've seen yet. Very clean, well stocked with toilet paper and soap."
              • Friendly Staff: Many campers mention the welcoming atmosphere. At Mt. Greylock Campsite Park, one reviewer said, "Pat and Gordon are incredibly welcoming hosts."
              • Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy having room to spread out. A family at Spacious Skies Minute Man noted, "The sites were ample size and space for our rig and needs."

              What you should know:

              • Reservation Policies: Some campgrounds, like October Mountain State Forest, require reservations in advance. One camper expressed frustration, saying, "First off no same day reservations or walk-ups allowed."
              • Noise Levels: Be prepared for some noise, especially near power stations. A visitor at October Mountain State Forest mentioned, "You can hear the hum of the electric station."
              • Wildlife: Bugs can be a nuisance, especially in warmer months. A camper at Monadnock State Park Campground warned, "The bugs… holy hell, the bugs."

              Tips for camping with families:

              • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities. At Camping On The Battenkill, one reviewer said, "A big playground for kids. Even free WiFi if that is desired."
              • Safety First: Always keep an eye on kids, especially near water. A parent at Jamaica State Park Campground mentioned, "The kids were able to safely ride bikes on the camp roads."
              • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can keep kids happy. A camper at George Washington State Campground suggested, "Make sure you stock up before you get there; stuff is expensive at the corner stores."

              Tips from RVers:

              • Space for RVs: Choose campgrounds that accommodate larger rigs. A visitor at Spacious Skies Minute Man noted, "The sites were ample size and space for our rig and needs."
              • Dump Stations: Check if the campground has a dump station. One camper at Woodford State Park Campground appreciated, "The dump station was clean."
              • Connectivity: Some campgrounds may have limited cell service. A camper at Monadnock State Park Campground mentioned, "Limited cell service from some carriers."

              Camping near Hadley, Massachusetts, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. With a little planning, you can enjoy the great outdoors and make lasting memories.

              Frequently Asked Questions

              • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Hadley, MA?

                According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Hadley, MA is George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed with a 4.9-star rating from 7 reviews.

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

                TheDyrt.com has all 9 dispersed camping locations near Hadley, MA, with real photos and reviews from campers.