Top Free Dispersed Camping near Northampton, MA
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Best Dispersed Sites Near Northampton, MA (9)
1. George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed
7 Reviews•8 Photos•191 SavesDetails and map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd756161.pdf
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- RVs
- Tents
2. Somerset Airfield
5 Reviews•59 Photos•82 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
3. Jug End Dispersed
2 Reviews•36 Saves- Pets
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
4. Green Mountain National Forest FR71
1 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.
- RVs
- Tents
- Dispersed
5. NF 83 - riverside
2 Reviews•18 Photos•53 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
6. NF83 Dispersed site 1
1 Review•8 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
7. Somerset Vt Dispersed on the Deerfield River
1 Review•8 SavesBackcountry 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
8. George D Aiken Wilde Road Dispersed Site
Be the first to review!•15 SavesDetails and map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd756161.pdf
- Pets
- Fires
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Recent Dispersed Reviews In Northampton
17 Reviews of 9 Northampton Campgrounds
- M
MaryA L.
Scout
George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed
Wonderful spot
I just got here. Road was quite good. I believe I have the last of 4 sites. Nice camp fire area.
Evan M.ScoutGeorge D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed
Easy and Desolate
Great spot for quiet desolate camping. Several spots to choose from.
Kevin C.
Ranger
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.
- TTam E.
GuideGeorge 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.
Thomas and James S.Guide
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.
LegendSomerset 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.Legend
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.Legend
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.Legend
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.
- mmary
TravelerGeorge 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.
- DDavid G.Guide
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.GuideSomerset 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.ScoutGeorge 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.
AcIdBuRnTravelerGeorge D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed
Very nice
Different size sites, att cell reception. Mostly clean short drive to pond and stores.
M.A.D. P.LegendSomerset 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.Traveler
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.Traveler
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 Northampton
Camping near Northampton, MA, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.
What to do:
- Hiking: Many campgrounds are close to scenic trails. For instance, 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."
- Fishing: If you enjoy fishing, October Mountain State Forest is near the Housatonic River, which is great for catch-and-release fishing. A visitor noted, "I tent camped here while exploring the fishing in Western Massachusetts."
- Exploring Historic Sites: Nearby towns like Concord and Ayer offer rich history and charming shops. 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 reviewer at Woodford State Park Campground said, "The bathrooms are BEAUTIFUL! The nicest I've seen yet."
- Friendly Staff: Many campgrounds have welcoming hosts. A visitor at Mt. Greylock Campsite Park shared, "Pat and Gordon are incredibly welcoming hosts."
- Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy having room to spread out. One camper at George Washington State Campground mentioned, "Sites were well spaced and provided some privacy depending on your site choice."
What you should know:
- No Same-Day Reservations: Some campgrounds, like October Mountain State Forest, do not allow same-day reservations or walk-ups. A frustrated camper noted, "First off no same day reservations or walk ups allowed."
- Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell service in many areas. A camper at Monadnock State Park Campground said, "I wish this were clearer on their website as we needed service to do some work."
- Wildlife: Some campers have had encounters with local wildlife. A visitor at George Washington State Campground mentioned, "Everyone complains about the local small wildlife getting into your food."
Tips for camping with families:
- Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and recreational areas. At Camping On The Battenkill, one camper said, "A big playground for kids. Even free WiFi if that is desired."
- Plan for Privacy: Choose sites that offer some distance from neighbors. A family at Woodford State Park Campground enjoyed their secluded site, stating, "It was pretty well surrounded with trees so it feels very private."
- Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can keep the kids happy. A camper at Minute Man Campground mentioned, "There are lots of good coffee spots and restaurants in historic downtown Concord."
Tips from RVers:
- Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Minute Man Campground noted, "The sites were ample size and space for our rig and needs."
- Dump Station Availability: Look for campgrounds with dump stations. A camper at Woodford State Park Campground appreciated, "The dump station was clean."
- Electric Hookups: If you need power, check for campgrounds with electric hookups. A visitor at George Washington State Campground mentioned, "Full water and electrical hookup."
Camping near Northampton, MA, has something for everyone, whether you're in a tent or an RV. Enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Northampton, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Northampton, 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 Northampton, MA?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 dispersed camping locations near Northampton, MA, with real photos and reviews from campers.