Top Free Dispersed Camping near North Adams, MA
Looking for dispersed camping near North Adams? Dispersed camping is the perfect way to get off the grid. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your Massachusetts camping adventure.
Best Dispersed Sites Near North Adams, MA (17)
1. George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed
Wilmington, Vermont6 Reviews•8 Photos•182 SavesDetails and map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd756161.pdf
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- RVs
- Tents
2. NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot
Bennington, Vermont4 Reviews•7 Photos•183 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
3. Somerset Airfield
West Dover, Vermont5 Reviews•59 Photos•80 SavesForest 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
4. NF 83 - riverside
West Dover, Vermont2 Reviews•18 Photos•48 SavesBackcountry 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
5. Green Mountain National Forest FR71
West Dover, Vermont1 Review•68 SavesForest 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
- Phone Service
- Alcohol
6. Dispersed site along Forest RD 71
Sunderland, Vermont3 Reviews•7 Photos•135 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
7. NF83 Dispersed site 1
West Dover, Vermont1 Review•7 SavesBackcountry 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
8. Statton Pond Camp on Forest Road 71
Sunderland, Vermont1 Review•3 Photos•32 Saves- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
9. Stratton Pond Shelter
Manchester Center, Vermont1 Review•23 Photos•11 Saves- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Toilets
10. George D Aiken Wilde Road Dispersed Site
Be the first to review!Wilmington, Vermont•14 SavesDetails and map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd756161.pdf
- Pets
- Fires
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Showing results 1-10 of 17 campgrounds
Recent Dispersed Reviews In North Adams
25 Reviews of 17 North Adams Campgrounds
Jug End Dispersed — Appalachian National Scenic Trail
No camping per MA.gov website
This is a hiking trail only- no camping per website: https://www.mass.gov/locations/jug-end-state-reservation-wildlife-management-area
George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed
Easy and Desolate
Great spot for quiet desolate camping. Several spots to choose from.
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.
George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed
Large sites
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.
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!
NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot
Green Mountain National Forest
Large open site just off of Forest Road 273
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed
Very nice
Different size sites, att cell reception. Mostly clean short drive to pond and stores.
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
NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot
Great spot
At least a dozen spots, some very spacious. Only crashed for 1 night but will be coming back to spend a few, this area was excellent!
NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot
Nice wooded little campsite
A LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well. A few miles down the road there is another campsite that is more open and also has a fire pit with a lot less bugs flying around and more open space.
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...
NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot
Quaint dispersed camping spot
Peaceful and quiet dispersed camping spot. Large enough for 2-3 vehicles or one large rig/RV. Very few vehicles pass, some days none. Two fire rings set up: a large one and a small cooking one.
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.
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.
Jug End Dispersed — Appalachian National Scenic Trail
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.
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 North Adams
Camping near North Adams, Massachusetts, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you’re into hiking, fishing, or just relaxing by the campfire, there’s something for everyone.
What to do:
- Hiking: Explore the trails around the area. Many campers enjoy the scenic hikes, with one reviewer mentioning, “This is a lovely camping area, close to a mountain with connecting trails” at Monadnock State Park Campground.
- Swimming: Enjoy the refreshing waters at local lakes. A camper at Emerald Lake State Park Campground said, “The lake and beach is lovely, clean, and the water is warm and clear.”
- Fishing: Cast a line in nearby rivers and lakes. One visitor to Camping On The Battenkill noted, “Great hikes and fishing!”
What campers like:
- Privacy: Many campgrounds offer spacious sites. A camper at Woodford State Park Campground appreciated the “good privacy from the sites around us.”
- Clean Facilities: Campers often mention the cleanliness of the bathrooms and showers. One reviewer at Mt. Greylock Campsite Park said, “The bathrooms are BEAUTIFUL! The nicest I've seen yet.”
- Friendly Staff: Campers enjoy the welcoming atmosphere. A visitor at Lake George RV Park remarked, “The staff treated us so nicely and the array of resort-level amenities are beautifully maintained.”
What you should know:
- Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have poor cell reception. A camper at Monadnock State Park Campground mentioned, “I wish this were clearer on their website as we needed service to do some work.”
- Bugs: Be prepared for insects, especially in warmer months. One camper humorously noted at the same campground, “The bugs… holy hell, the bugs.”
- Rough Roads: Some campgrounds have bumpy access roads. A visitor at Emerald Lake State Park Campground mentioned, “The road into the campground is super rough though.”
Tips for camping with families:
- Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and swimming areas. A reviewer at Jamaica State Park Campground said, “The kids were able to safely ride bikes on the camp roads.”
- Spacious Sites: Choose campgrounds with larger sites for more room to play. A camper at North-South Lake Campground noted, “Each of the campsites has a lot of foliage around it, creating privacy.”
- Plan for Rain: Bring a lean-to or tarp for unexpected weather. A family at Emerald Lake State Park Campground found it helpful during a rainy weekend.
Tips from RVers:
- Level Sites: Look for campgrounds with level sites for easier setup. A reviewer at Moose Hillock Camping Resorts mentioned, “The sites are large and well spaced out.”
- Dump Stations: Ensure the campground has a sanitary dump station. A camper at Lake George RV Park appreciated the convenience of having “each site had its own trash can and they collected garbage daily.”
- Check for Amenities: Look for campgrounds with additional amenities like laundry and showers. A visitor at Camping On The Battenkill noted, “They have laundry and a fenced-in dog area that was much appreciated!”
Camping around North Adams, Massachusetts, has its quirks, but with the right preparation, you can have a great time enjoying the outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near North Adams, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near North Adams, MA is George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed with a 4.8-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near North Adams, MA?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 dispersed camping locations near North Adams, MA, with real photos and reviews from campers.