Primitive camping options exist across Green Mountain National Forest for rustic camping near North Adams, Massachusetts. The forest terrain varies from thick woodland to open clearings with riverside access. Winter temperatures can drop below 10°F, requiring specialized gear for cold-weather camping, while summer brings occasional heavy rain and thunderstorms, particularly in July and August.
What to do
Paddling on Somerset Reservoir: Somerset Airfield provides direct access to water recreation. "Enjoyed the stunning babbling brook and reservoir—saw happy people swimming, kayaking, and camping," notes a camper who visited after July 4th.
Winter adventure camping: The area accommodates cold-weather enthusiasts. At Somerset Airfield, one camper reports: "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."
Explore nearby towns: Multiple dispersed sites serve as bases for regional exploration. A camper at George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed noted, "Brewery, distillery, beautiful lakes and scenic towns all within 15 minutes of the sites."
What campers like
Site spacing and privacy: Campers appreciate the isolation at certain locations. At NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot, one visitor observed, "Peaceful and quiet dispersed camping spot. Large enough for 2-3 vehicles or one large rig/RV. Very few vehicles pass, some days none."
Riverside locations: Sites near water sources are popular. At NF 83 - riverside, a camper shared: "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."
Well-established fire rings: Fire pits at many sites show thoughtful construction. One camper at George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed noted, "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."
What you should know
Site conditions vary seasonally: Wet conditions frequently affect site selection. At Dispersed site along Forest RD 71, a camper reported: "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."
Cell service availability: Service exists in specific locations. One camper at Somerset Airfield noted, "AT&T service at bridge prior to camp—short walk. SOS only in camp. Another camper told me Starlink works here."
Cleanliness varies: Site maintenance depends on previous visitors. A Forest RD 71 camper mentioned: "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."
Site selection competition: During peak periods, sites fill quickly. At NFR 273, one camper noted: "Went on a Wednesday night late October and had to drive about 4 miles down the dirt road to find a suitable spot."
Tips for camping with families
Toilet facilities: For families with young children, prioritize sites with basic facilities. At Hogback Mtn Trailhead, "Great place to stop for the night. Not a lot of ambiance, but plenty of room for any number of rigs."
Bug management: Pack heavy-duty repellent for wooded sites. One camper at NFR 273 advised: "A LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well."
Safety considerations: Be aware of possible neighboring activities. At George D Aiken, one camper reported, "Had someone who decided to use the area to sight in his rifle. Which was very unexpected as it was incredibly loud with no warning at all. Was not aware this was a gun range."
Tips from RVers
Site assessment for vehicle safety: Test ground firmness before parking, especially after rain. A camper at NF 83 warned: "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!"
Open site options: Somerset Airfield offers specific advantages for larger vehicles. A reviewer noted: "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 Trailers that can't get into smaller sites."
Space limitations: Not all primitive camping near North Adams accommodates larger vehicles. Many sites require high-clearance vehicles, especially after wet weather when soft ground can strand vehicles with limited traction.
