Dispersed camping near North Hatfield, Massachusetts typically requires traveling to Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest, which sits at elevations between 1,600 and 4,000 feet. The region experiences significant seasonal variations with winter snowfalls often reaching 100+ inches annually. National Forest roads generally open in mid-May after mud season subsides, though conditions vary based on precipitation and maintenance schedules.
What to do
Hiking to nearby ponds: Forest Road 71 provides access to multiple hiking trails connecting to Stratton Pond and other water features. A camper at Statton Pond Camp on Forest Road 71 notes, "Good hiking access to Stratton Pond, to Branch Pond, to Grout Pond Recreation Area, to the AT/LT."
Swimming opportunities: During summer months, the Somerset Reservoir offers refreshing swimming options. A visitor at Somerset Airfield observed, "Enjoyed the stunning babbling brook and reservoir- saw happy people swimming, kayaking, and camping."
Winter recreation: For cold-weather enthusiasts, some dispersed sites remain accessible for winter camping. A camper at Somerset Airfield described their experience: "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."
What campers like
Natural water features: Multiple sites offer access to rivers or streams. At NF 83 - riverside, a reviewer described their experience as "Peacefully placed along the bends of the river is a large open grassy area with a sizable fire pit!"
Privacy at certain sites: Some locations offer more seclusion than others. A visitor to NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot found it to be a "Peaceful and quiet dispersed camping spot. Large enough for 2-3 vehicles or one large rig/RV. Very few vehicles pass, some days none."
Accessibility to local amenities: Despite the remote nature of these sites, some are relatively close to towns. A camper at George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed mentioned, "Brewery, distillery, beautiful lakes and scenic towns all within 15 minutes of the sites."
What you should know
Road conditions vary: Access to many sites requires driving on unpaved forest roads. At NF 83 - riverside, a camper 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!"
Seasonal crowding: Some areas become unexpectedly busy during peak times. A visitor to NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot reported in late October: "Beautiful but surprisingly crowded... had to drive about 4 miles down the dirt road to find a suitable spot."
Weather preparation: Vermont weather can change rapidly. A Somerset Airfield camper shared their winter experience: "Then the fun began as the wind blew the storms out and temperatures plummeted to 8° and a windchill of -3 for this morning. Everything crusted was over with a good inch of ice."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection for children: Choose sites with natural features for exploration. NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot offers "Large open site just off of Forest Road 273" according to one visitor.
Safety considerations: Some sites have reported incidents that might concern families. At Somerset Airfield, a camper noted, "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."
Wildlife awareness: Bear sightings have been reported in the area. A visitor to Dispersed site along Forest RD 71 mentioned, "I did see a huge blackbear."
Tips from RVers
Site capacity for different vehicles: Some dispersed sites can accommodate various sized recreational vehicles. A camper at Stratton Pond Camp described it as "a large open circle, capable of handling multiple rigs for a large gathering."
Parking challenges: Wet conditions can make parking difficult for larger vehicles. A reviewer at Dispersed site along Forest RD 71 cautioned: "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."
Overnight parking options: For those seeking quick stopover locations, some areas serve as convenient overnight spots. A visitor to Hogback Mtn Trailhead described it as a "Great place to stop for the night. Not a lot of ambiance, but plenty of room for any number of rigs."
