Best Dispersed Camping near Alstead, NH

The Green Mountain National Forest near Alstead, New Hampshire offers primitive camping options at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,500 feet. Winter temperatures can drop below 10°F with heavy snowfall, while summer brings pleasant 70-80°F days. Most dispersed sites in this region require visitors to pack out all waste and bring their own water supply.

What to do

Paddling at Somerset Reservoir: Located near Somerset Airfield, the reservoir provides excellent water recreation opportunities. One visitor notes, "Enjoyed the stunning babbling brook and reservoir - saw happy people swimming, kayaking, and camping."

Winter camping adventures: The area supports cold-weather camping for prepared visitors. At Stratton Pond Shelter, campers can experience "Cold, Snow, Wind, full moon in the middle of the woods with only the people I hiked in with. It was great! The shelter is a 3.75mi hike from the nearest parking lot in winter."

Hiking network access: Many sites provide connections to major trail systems. Stratton Pond Shelter sits "at the intersection of AT, LT and Stratton Mountain trail" and features a lake that's "one of the largest bodies of water on the Long Trail."

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing at George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed. One reviewer mentions that "Large, well organized camping spots along the road. The spot I chose had a beautifully built fire pit."

Riverside camping spots: Several locations offer water access, including NF 83 - riverside, described as "Peacefully placed along the bends of the river is a large open grassy area with a sizable fire pit!" The site offers an "enchanting" experience by the water.

Good cellular connectivity: Unlike many remote camping areas, some sites maintain decent service. At George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed, campers report "att cell reception" while Somerset Airfield has "AT&T service at bridge prior to camp - short walk. SOS only in camp. Another camper told me Starlink works here."

What you should know

Road conditions vary significantly: Access to many sites requires careful vehicle consideration. At NF 83 - riverside, "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 availability fluctuates seasonally: Free camping near Alstead, New Hampshire fills quickly during peak times. For Downed Bridge Camp, "If you're lucky enough to get the last spot on the road it's epic. Note that fills quickly on a weekend."

Maintenance issues with facilities: Where facilities exist, they may have limitations. Somerset Airfield has "10 spaces between the bathrooms/vault toilets with only 3 or 4 in working order."

Weather preparedness essential: Conditions can change rapidly across seasons. One Somerset Airfield camper reports: "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 was crusted over with a good inch of ice."

Tips for camping with families

Site selection for children: Look for flatter, more established areas. At Statton Pond Camp on Forest Road 71, "The site was very flat and could accommodate several small campers." This provides safer play areas for children.

Check for nearby facilities: Most dispersed camping areas lack amenities. Branch Pond on National Forest Highway has "Tons of different styles of camping spots" but "No public bathrooms, no hookups."

Consider noise levels: Some locations experience unexpected disturbances. At George D Aiken Wilderness, one camper had "someone who decided to use the area to sight in his rifle. Which was very unexpected as it was incredibly loud with no warning at all."

Cleanliness varies widely: Sites may require cleanup before setting up. At Dispersed site along Forest RD 71, a camper mentioned "my husband and I had to spend over an hour cleaning the site from the people before us."

Tips from RVers

Size-appropriate site selection: Not all dispersed sites accommodate larger vehicles. Somerset Airfield may be "good for people who camp with RVs or Trailers that can't get into smaller sites."

Avoid soft ground: Seasonal conditions impact accessibility. For sites along Forest RD 71, one visitor noted they were "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."

Parking lot alternatives: For larger rigs needing temporary stops, Hogback Mtn Trailhead offers a "Great place to stop for the night. Not a lot of ambiance, but plenty of room for any number of rigs."

Generator etiquette: Some sites have issues with generator noise. At Somerset Airfield, campers report it's "been quiet and peaceful and sometimes generators running all night."