Best Dispersed Camping near Acworth, NH
Several dispersed camping options exist in the Green Mountain National Forest near Acworth, New Hampshire, primarily across the border in Vermont. Free primitive sites are concentrated along Forest Road 71, Forest Road 273, and near Somerset Reservoir. The George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed area, Stratton Pond Shelter, and Somerset Airfield provide established dispersed camping zones. Most sites feature simple fire rings with no other amenities and follow standard U.S. Forest Service regulations for primitive camping.
Access roads to many sites require careful navigation, particularly after rain when mud can create challenging conditions. Forest Road 71 and 273 have multiple pull-offs with varying clearance requirements. Some campers report needing at least 8 inches of ground clearance for certain sites like NF 83 riverside. Somerset Airfield offers more accessible camping with pit toilets but limited privacy. Most areas have no cell service, drinking water, or waste facilities. Fire restrictions may apply seasonally, and campers should practice proper waste management as these areas have no trash collection.
The dispersed sites around Stratton Pond provide excellent hiking access to the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail. According to reviews, the George D Aiken Wilderness area features "different size sites with ATT cell reception" and is described as "quiet and restful" with "large, well-organized camping spots along the road." Somerset Airfield receives mixed reviews, with one camper noting it has "only about 10 spaces between the bathrooms/vault toilets" and can get busy on weekends. The NF 83 riverside site is praised as "a nice clearing near the river" though access can be challenging. Winter camping is possible but demands proper preparation, as temperatures can drop significantly with one camper reporting "8 degrees and a windchill of -3" during a February stay.
