Top Free Dispersed Camping near Hancock, MA

Searching for the perfect place to dispersed camp near Hancock? Dispersed camping gets you off the grid so you can disconnect from the hecticness of everyday life. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your Massachusetts excursion.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Hancock, MA (17)

    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
        Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed site along Forest RD 71
        Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed site along Forest RD 71
        Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed site along Forest RD 71
        Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed site along Forest RD 71
        Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed site along Forest RD 71
        Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed site along Forest RD 71
        • No image available

          7. 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
          Camper-submitted photo from Statton Pond Camp on Forest Road 71
          Camper-submitted photo from Statton Pond Camp on Forest Road 71
          Camper-submitted photo from Statton Pond Camp on Forest Road 71
          • No image available

            9. 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
            Camper-submitted photo from Stratton Pond Shelter
            Camper-submitted photo from Stratton Pond Shelter
            Camper-submitted photo from Stratton Pond Shelter
            Camper-submitted photo from Stratton Pond Shelter
            Camper-submitted photo from Stratton Pond Shelter
            Camper-submitted photo from Stratton Pond Shelter
          Showing results 1-10 of 17 campgrounds

          Recent Dispersed Reviews In Hancock

          22 Reviews of 17 Hancock 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.

          • T
            Camper-submitted photo from Statton Pond Camp on Forest Road 71
            Jun. 26, 2023

            Statton Pond Camp on Forest Road 71

            NFR 71 Wide Open Site, North End

            Easy access to an open circle, capable of handling multiple rigs for a large gathering. Stone fire ring in the center. We had this all to ourselves in our Bean teardrop. 

            Good hiking access to Stratton Pond, to Branch Pond, to Grout Pond Recreation Area, to the AT/LT. 

            Pretty quiet during our stay, plenty of dispersed sites along 71 further south. 

            Only reason for 4 stars is the lack of any long distance views from the site itself. 

            2 bars of USCellular LTE

          • 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

          • S
            Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed site along Forest RD 71
            Feb. 28, 2022

            Dispersed site along Forest RD 71

            Love camping here!

            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.... We camp here every summer and make sure the site is left clean and ready for the camper...

          • Kirk C.
            Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed site along Forest RD 71
            Aug. 4, 2021

            Dispersed site along Forest RD 71

            Muddy

            I found this camping area on dyrt app. I didn't have too much luck with a different app.... So I decided to try this out. This particular campsite is very muddy. Well, at least today it is. I have an SUV and I didn't trust it to get through, and I didn't want to get stuck. There are a few spots around you can park at. I chose a more sunny and open spot with less trees. So there's more options. It's very quiet definitely check it out.

          • K
            Camper-submitted photo from Echo Lake
            Jul. 9, 2021

            Echo Lake

            Lovely Camping in the Catskills

            This campground was my first backpacking trip and it was perfect!  There are tent sites around the whole lake with fire pits and 1 lean-to site at the end of the trail when you first arrive at the lake.  The sites are relatively flat and well shaded with trees.  Note, it can get swampy near the edge of the lake so you may want to bring bug spray.  Make sure you practice leave no trace principles and pack out what you bring in!  It does get a little crowded later in the day so you may have to share space with others and it can be a little noisy at night.

          • Miccal  M.The Dyrt PRO User
            Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed site along Forest RD 71
            Jan. 29, 2021

            Dispersed site along Forest RD 71

            Nice Primitive spot in the Green Mountains

            One of many locations along Forest rd 71, this spot was a good place to pitch a tent for the night while exploring the area even in the rain.

          • 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 Hancock

          Camping near Hancock, Massachusetts, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, it’s a perfect getaway for families and nature lovers alike.

          What to do

          • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails around the area. Campers have enjoyed the trails leading to Kaaterskill Falls, noting that “the trail to the Mountain House Site is also pretty easy, with more of an incline,” making it accessible for various skill levels.
          • Swimming: Many campgrounds, like North-South Lake Campground, have lakes with swimming areas. One visitor mentioned, “There are two nice lakes with beaches,” perfect for a refreshing dip on a hot day.
          • Fishing: The lakes and rivers around Hancock are great for fishing. Campers have found success, with one stating, “Great hikes and fishing!” at Emerald Lake State Park Campground.

          What campers like

          • Privacy: Many campers appreciate the spacious sites. One reviewer at Kenneth L Wilson Campground said, “The sites seem more spread out than in other Catskill camping sites,” which adds to the overall experience.
          • Clean facilities: Campgrounds like Mt. Greylock Campsite Park are praised for their cleanliness. A visitor noted, “The bathrooms were well maintained,” which is always a plus when camping.
          • Friendly staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of campground staff. At Moose Hillock Camping Resorts, one guest remarked, “The staff was nice,” making for a welcoming atmosphere.

          What you should know

          • Limited cell service: Many campgrounds, including North-South Lake Campground, have little to no cell service. One camper shared, “There is NO cell service and just forget about WiFi. You are unplugged,” so be prepared to disconnect.
          • Bear activity: Campers should be cautious about food storage due to bear sightings. A visitor at Kenneth L Wilson Campground mentioned, “There’s a lot of bear activity here, so constantly cleaning up your food is very important.”
          • Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds have specific open seasons. For example, Emerald Lake State Park Campground is open from Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day weekend, so plan your trip accordingly.

          Tips for camping with families

          • Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and swimming areas. One family at Jamaica State Park Campground enjoyed, “A great playground and fun playing in the river,” making it a hit for kids.
          • Spacious sites: Choose campgrounds that offer larger sites for more room to play. A camper at Woodford State Park Campground noted, “Sites near T38 have a great elevated view of the reservoir,” providing a nice space for family activities.
          • Plan for rain: Be prepared for wet weather by bringing tarps or lean-tos. One family at Emerald Lake State Park Campground found their lean-to helpful during a rainy weekend.

          Tips from RVers

          • Big rig friendly: Many campgrounds, like Lake George RV Park, cater to larger RVs. A visitor mentioned, “Level sites and very large,” making it easier for RVers to set up.
          • Check for amenities: Look for campgrounds with full hookups and clean facilities. One RVer at Moose Hillock Camping Resorts appreciated, “Clean facilities,” which is essential for a comfortable stay.
          • Plan for extra fees: Be aware of potential extra charges, like early arrival fees. One camper at Lake George RV Park noted, “Had to pay $100 for early arrival!!!” so check the rules before you go.

          Camping near Hancock, Massachusetts, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for adventure or relaxation.

          Frequently Asked Questions

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

            According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Hancock, 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 Hancock, MA?

            TheDyrt.com has all 17 dispersed camping locations near Hancock, MA, with real photos and reviews from campers.