Best Dispersed Camping near Peru, MA

The western Berkshire region surrounding Peru, Massachusetts features primarily dispersed camping options within the nearby Green Mountain National Forest. Campers seeking primitive sites will find several well-rated options within a 30-mile radius, including George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed in Vermont and Jug End Dispersed along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Most sites in this rural area are undeveloped with minimal amenities, though some locations like Somerset Airfield provide basic facilities such as pit toilets. The landscape transitions between dense forest and occasional open clearings, with many sites situated along forest roads or near water features.

Road conditions vary significantly by season and recent weather patterns, with many access roads becoming muddy or impassable after heavy rainfall. As one camper noted about NFR 273, "Many pull offs but a lot were too wet for my van and I was afraid of getting stuck." Vehicle clearance requirements differ by location, with some remote sites demanding 8 inches or more ground clearance. Cell service is spotty throughout the region, with limited coverage at most sites. Winter camping is possible but challenging, with temperatures frequently dropping below freezing and significant snowfall common. Most dispersed sites lack water sources, toilets, or trash facilities, requiring campers to be self-sufficient and practice proper waste management.

Proximity to water features ranks high among camper priorities in this region. Somerset Reservoir attracts visitors for fishing and paddling opportunities, while riverside sites like NF 83 offer peaceful settings with "large open grassy areas with sizable fire pits." Site privacy varies considerably, with George D Aiken receiving praise for spots "pretty spread out from each other," while Somerset Airfield has been described as "just a grass strip next to FR71 with a bunch of sites." Seasonal conditions significantly impact the camping experience, with summer bringing dense bugs in wooded areas and winter delivering extreme conditions. One winter camper at Somerset Airfield reported enduring "8 inches of fresh snow, sleet, freezing rain" with temperatures plummeting to "8° and a windchill of -3."

Best Dispersed Sites Near Peru, Massachusetts (18)

    1. George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed

    8 Reviews
    Wilmington, VT
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 747-6700

    "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."

    "Some sites were really wet but we found a nice dry place."

    2. NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot

    6 Reviews
    Bennington, VT
    29 miles

    "A LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well."

    "Went on a Wednesday night late October and had to drive about 4 miles down the dirt road to find a suitable spot. After what was very quiet and a peaceful place to be."

    3. Jug End Dispersed — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

    2 Reviews
    South Egremont, MA
    29 miles
    Website

    "Trash cans, but carry out is preferable."

    4. Somerset Airfield

    6 Reviews
    West Dover, VT
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 388-4362

    "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."

    "I arrived after the 4th of July and a neighbor said it was rowdy during the holiday with illegal fireworks set off every night over the dry forest. These pics are from a weekday morning."

    5. Sage's Revine

    2 Reviews
    Taconic, CT
    34 miles
    Website

    "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."

    8. NF 83 - riverside

    3 Reviews
    West Dover, VT
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 362-2307

    "This is a nice clearing near the river where the road used to cross."

    "The left side of the drive in is swampy so be sure to not drift to that side."

    9. Green Mountain National Forest FR71

    1 Review
    West Dover, VT
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 747-6700

    "Free camping"

    10. Statton Pond Camp on Forest Road 71

    3 Reviews
    Sunderland, VT
    43 miles

    "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. "

    "The site was very flat and could accommodate several small campers.  It was quiet during our overnight stay other than a car or two on Stratton-Arlington Rd.  There weren't many mosquitoes either. "

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Peru, MA

35 Reviews of 18 Peru Campgrounds


  • The L.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 8, 2025

    Ushers Road State Forest

    Trail head

    This trailhead provides access to bicycle-friendly nature trails. I explored both directions on my bike, riding approximately half a mile down each side. The terrain eventually transitions into a low-lying, swampy area, likely due to recent rainfall over the past week.

    About 500 feet down the right-hand trail, there is a smaller path branching off to the left. This leads to a previously used campsite, approximately 200 feet from the main trail. The site includes a stone fire ring, indicating prior use.

    Given that camping is permitted anywhere in the woods as long as it’s at least 150 feet off the trail, the surrounding area offers an abundance of potential camping spots.

  • M.A.D. P.The Dyrt PRO User
    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

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • Natasha T.
    Jun. 6, 2022

    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.

  • c H.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • SJ W.
    Nov. 1, 2024

    NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot

    Beautiful but surprisingly crowded

    Went on a Wednesday night late October and had to drive about 4 miles down the dirt road to find a suitable spot. After what was very quiet and a peaceful place to be. Many pull offs but a lot were too wet for my van and I was afraid of getting stuck. The road itself was in great condition though.

  • licia S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Somerset Airfield

    No Wifi, Resevoir Beautiful

    Enjoyed the stunning babbling brook and resevoir- saw happy people swimming, kayaking, and camping. It's been quiet and peaceful and sometimes generators running all night. I arrived after the 4th of July and a neighbor said it was rowdy during the holiday with illegal fireworks set off every night over the dry forest. These pics are from a weekday morning. It's great to see families camping. There are pit toilets. AT.T service at bridge prior to camp- short walk. SOS only in camp. Another camper told me Starlink works here.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Sage's Revine

    Not highest recommended

    There was a bunch of signs that said no parking so we parked at the entrance to the trailhead. The area itself is beautiful but I believe it is more for tent camping versus cars, overlanding vehicles and RVs.


Guide to Peru

Dispersed camping options near Peru, Massachusetts tend to be located along forest roads and access points within Green Mountain National Forest. The region sits at elevations between 1,500-2,500 feet with heavy winter snowfall averaging over 100 inches annually. Most primitive sites require some level of self-sufficiency as they lack basic amenities and are accessible via forest roads that can become challenging in wet conditions.

What to do

Paddling at Somerset Reservoir: The reservoir provides excellent fishing and paddling opportunities just north of Peru. According to one visitor at Somerset Airfield, they "Enjoyed the stunning babbling brook and reservoir- saw happy people swimming, kayaking, and camping."

Winter camping adventures: For experienced campers, winter camping offers a unique challenge with temperatures regularly dropping below 10°F. A winter camper at Somerset Airfield reported, "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."

Hiking nearby trails: Several camping areas provide access to regional hiking routes. The Hogback Mtn Trailhead offers "a large open lot at top of paved highway pass" making it convenient for hikers looking to explore the surrounding terrain.

What campers like

Riverfront access: Waterside campsites rank highly among visitors to the region. At NF 83 - riverside, campers appreciate the "large open grassy area with a sizable fire pit" that sits "peacefully placed along the bends of the river."

Well-built fire rings: Many dispersed sites feature established fire rings despite their primitive nature. At George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed, one camper noted their spot "had a beautifully built fire pit" while another mentioned finding "a perfect site off the road on the right side."

Local attractions: The region offers easy access to nearby towns and attractions. One 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 condition challenges: Access roads can vary significantly in quality, particularly after precipitation. At NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot, one camper noted "Many pull offs but a lot were too wet for my van and I was afraid of getting stuck. The road itself was in great condition though."

Site cleanliness varies: Some sites require cleanup upon arrival. A regular camper at Dispersed site along Forest RD 71 reported "2 years in a row my husband and I had to spend over an hour cleaning the site from the people before us."

Limited facilities: Most sites lack basic amenities. At Somerset Airfield, a camper found "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."

Tips for camping with families

Site selection priority: Choose sites with adequate space between neighbors. At George D Aiken, campers have noted the "spots were all pretty spread out from each other and the road was easy to drive on."

Weather preparation: Temperature swings can be dramatic, even in summer. A camper at Somerset Airfield experienced extreme conditions where "the wind blew the storms out and temperatures plummeted to 8° and a windchill of -3."

Communication planning: Cell service is extremely limited throughout the region. One visitor at Sage's Revine recommended using the "bear boxes available" for food storage and noted the campground is "near non-potable stream, no fires allowed, bathroom is fine."

Tips from RVers

Ground clearance requirements: Many forest roads require vehicles with adequate clearance. At NF 83 - riverside, one RVer cautioned "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!"

Site size considerations: Some areas provide more space for larger vehicles than others. A visitor to NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot observed "At least a dozen spots, some very spacious."

Winter access limitations: Snow and ice significantly reduce RV camping options in winter months. An RVer at Somerset Airfield discovered "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."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Peru, MA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Peru, MA is George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed with a 4.6-star rating from 8 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Peru, MA?

TheDyrt.com has all 18 dispersed camping locations near Peru, MA, with real photos and reviews from campers.