Best Dispersed Camping near Tanglewood, MA

Several dispersed camping options exist within driving distance of Tanglewood, Massachusetts, primarily located in the Green Mountain National Forest in nearby Vermont and along the Appalachian Trail corridor. Free primitive sites can be found at George D. Aiken Wilderness Dispersed, NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot, and Green Mountain National Forest FR71. Additional backcountry camping is available at Jug End Dispersed along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, though recent reports indicate camping may be prohibited according to Massachusetts state regulations.

Access roads to many dispersed sites feature variable conditions that may require high-clearance vehicles during wet periods. The NFR 273 area includes multiple pull-offs with established fire rings, though parts of the road occasionally close. Forest Road 71 in Green Mountain National Forest provides additional camping opportunities with minimal facilities. Most sites lack drinking water, toilets, and trash service. Pets are generally permitted at these locations, and fires are allowed at most Vermont sites but prohibited at Massachusetts Appalachian Trail locations. Campers must practice leave-no-trace principles and pack out all waste.

These primitive camping areas provide varying levels of seclusion and natural settings. According to one visitor at NFR 273, there are "at least a dozen spots, some very spacious," though another noted it was "surprisingly crowded" even midweek in October. George D Aiken Wilderness dispersed sites are described as "large and flat" with "spots all pretty spread out from each other." A camper mentioned that "brewery, distillery, beautiful lakes and scenic towns all within 15 minutes of the sites." Somerset Airfield offers more developed options with vault toilets but can become busy on weekends. Cell service is spotty throughout most areas, particularly at the Green Mountain National Forest sites.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Tanglewood, Massachusetts (17)

    1. Jug End Dispersed — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

    2 Reviews
    South Egremont, MA
    16 miles
    Website

    "Trash cans, but carry out is preferable."

    2. Sage's Revine

    2 Reviews
    Taconic, CT
    22 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."

    3. George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed

    8 Reviews
    Wilmington, VT
    39 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."

    4. NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot

    6 Reviews
    Bennington, VT
    37 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."

    5. Somerset Airfield

    6 Reviews
    West Dover, VT
    45 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."

    6. Echo Lake

    2 Reviews
    Woodstock, NY
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 652-7365

    "There are tent sites around the whole lake with fire pits and 1 lean-to site at the end of the trail when you first arrive at the lake.  The sites are relatively flat and well shaded with trees. "

    "Lake is surrounded by hills and there is a small lean two with a few campfire spots."

    7. Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park

    3 Reviews
    Verbank, NY
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 256-3000

    "99% off people don't even know this area exists. If you want a quiet piece of beautiful forest to truly rough it and go camping for a few days, then this is what you have been looking for."

    "This spot is easy to find and access, and had decent ATT service. There's only a few spots, and the road is narrow with not much turnaround room, I wouldn't recommend for trailers or RVs."

    8. Ushers Road State Forest

    2 Reviews
    Round Lake, NY
    46 miles

    "This trailhead provides access to bicycle-friendly nature trails. I explored both directions on my bike, riding approximately half a mile down each side."

    9. NF 83 - riverside

    3 Reviews
    West Dover, VT
    48 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."

    10. Green Mountain National Forest FR71

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

    "Free camping"

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Tanglewood, MA

34 Reviews of 17 Tanglewood Campgrounds


  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2021

    Echo Lake

    Lovely Camping in the Catskills

    This campground was my first backpacking trip and it was perfect!  There are tent sites around the whole lake with fire pits and 1 lean-to site at the end of the trail when you first arrive at the lake.  The sites are relatively flat and well shaded with trees.  Note, it can get swampy near the edge of the lake so you may want to bring bug spray.  Make sure you practice leave no trace principles and pack out what you bring in!  It does get a little crowded later in the day so you may have to share space with others and it can be a little noisy at night.

  • 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.

  • Doc B.
    Jun. 17, 2021

    Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park

    A hidden gem...

    99% off people don't even know this area exists. If you want a quiet piece of beautiful forest to truly rough it and go camping for a few days, then this is what you have been looking for. Less then 10 min drive from town, but hiking in and finding a suitable place to make camp has the feeling of the wild, with the safety of having full cell service. There is plenty of trails to explore and wildlife to enjoy, especially since these over 900 acres also back up to another huge plot of protected forests. Please enjoy Mother Nature's healing love, and leave the area cleaner than when you arrived. Always let someone know where you are headed and when you plan to return.

  • 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.


Guide to Tanglewood

Dispersed camping near Tanglewood, Massachusetts typically centers on the western edge of the Berkshires where elevations range from 1,000-2,500 feet. Most primitive sites experience temperature drops of 15-20°F at night compared to daytime highs, even in summer months. Many of these sites provide access to the Appalachian Trail system, with seasonal road conditions varying dramatically between mud season (spring) and the drier periods of summer and fall.

What to do

Explore Somerset Reservoir: Located about an hour from Tanglewood near several camping areas, this large body of water offers paddling and fishing opportunities. According to a visitor at Somerset Airfield, "The real attraction is the huge Somerset Reservoir which is up the road. Plenty of fishing, paddling, hiking and picnicking opportunities."

Winter camping: For the adventurous, some Green Mountain National Forest sites remain accessible for cold-weather camping. One camper at Somerset Airfield describes the experience: "We endured Snow and mid 20s Friday night with 8" of fresh snow to wake up to Saturday... Saturday evening, we had 3" more by 11pm. Then the fun began as the wind blew the storms out and temperatures plummeted to 8° and a windchill of-3."

Mountain biking: The network of forest roads and trails offers excellent cycling opportunities. At Ushers Road State Forest, a camper notes: "This trailhead provides access to bicycle-friendly nature trails. I explored both directions on my bike, riding approximately half a mile down each side."

What campers like

Riverside camping locations: Several dispersed sites offer direct water access. At NF 83 - riverside, campers appreciate that it's "Peacefully placed along the bends of the river is a large open grassy area with a sizable fire pit!"

Lake views: Echo Lake offers scenic waterfront camping options. A visitor reports: "We camped on the hill with a beautiful view of the whole lake and breeze. Lake is surrounded by hills and there is a small lean to with a few campfire spots."

Quiet settings: Many campers value the serenity of these areas when properly timed. One visitor to Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park states: "99% of people don't even know this area exists. If you want a quiet piece of beautiful forest to truly rough it and go camping for a few days, then this is what you have been looking for."

What you should know

Road condition challenges: Access to many sites requires navigating rough forest roads. A camper at NF 83 notes: "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."

Seasonal flooding and wet conditions: Low-lying areas become problematic after rain. One visitor at Ushers Road mentioned: "The terrain eventually transitions into a low-lying, swampy area, likely due to recent rainfall over the past week."

Temporary closures: Forest service roads may close with minimal notice. A camper at NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot reported: "The entrance to the road had a sign that said 'road closed ahead'. We chanced it and was able to find a really nice open spot right before the road closure."

Variable connectivity: Cell service ranges from full to non-existent. A camper at Somerset Airfield mentioned: "No cell service" while another at Green Mountain National Forest FR71 described it as "Spotty service."

Tips for camping with families

Bring insect protection: Seasonal bugs can be persistent in wooded areas. A camper at NFR 273 warns: "A LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well."

Consider bathroom access: Most primitive sites lack facilities, though some exceptions exist. At Somerset Airfield, a visitor notes: "There is a single pit toilet at the end of the camping area. No garbage service, no water."

Choose sites strategically: For families, some locations offer better options than others. A visitor to Echo Lake advises: "The sites are relatively flat and well shaded with trees. Note, it can get swampy near the edge of the lake so you may want to bring bug spray."

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: Many forest roads are unsuitable for larger vehicles. A visitor to Taconic Hereford notes: "There's only a few spots, and the road is narrow with not much turnaround room, I wouldn't recommend for trailers or RVs."

Clearance considerations: Ground clearance matters more than AWD on many access roads. At NF 83, a camper warns: "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!"

Weekday arrivals recommended: Popular areas fill quickly on weekends. One visitor to Somerset Airfield shared: "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."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Tanglewood, MA is Jug End Dispersed — Appalachian National Scenic Trail with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 17 dispersed camping locations near Tanglewood, MA, with real photos and reviews from campers.