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The western border of New Hampshire near Ashuelot features predominantly dispersed camping options, with most sites located across the state line in Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest. George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed camping area offers free, primitive sites with consistently high ratings from visitors seeking solitude. Somerset Airfield provides a more open camping experience with basic amenities including pit toilets. The region primarily supports tent and small RV camping with fire rings being the most common site feature, while developed campgrounds with full hookups are notably scarce.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the area, with many sites requiring moderate clearance vehicles. As one camper noted about NF 83 riverside site, "The access is a little rough but most cars should make it, though having more clearance is preferable." Weather impacts site conditions substantially, with multiple reviews mentioning muddy or wet sites following rain. Winter camping is possible but challenging, as described by a Somerset Airfield visitor who experienced "temperatures plummeting to 8° with a windchill of -3" during their stay. Cell service remains spotty throughout the region, with most primitive sites offering no connectivity.
Campers consistently praise the privacy and quiet atmosphere at most dispersed sites. The George D Aiken area receives particularly positive feedback for its spacious, well-separated sites, with one visitor noting "camp spots were all pretty spread out from each other and the road was easy to drive on." Water access represents a significant draw, with Somerset Reservoir mentioned as "the real attraction" by several reviewers. Seasonal crowding can be an issue, particularly at more accessible locations. One visitor to NFR 273 in October reported having to "drive about 4 miles down the dirt road to find a suitable spot." Visitors should verify land status before setting up camp, as some areas near Somerset have posted "No Camping" signs on private property.
"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."
"We brought our school bus down the dirt road just fine and backed right in. They also have fireplaces which was nice!"
"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."
"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."
"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."
"We stayed at one near the creek just over a little bridge. Cute little site, nice fire pit, clean, perfect rock to put a big water jug on. The sound of running water was soothing."
"One of many locations along Forest rd 71, this spot was a good place to pitch a tent for the night while exploring the area even in the rain."
"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. "
"Just about what you would expect in a national forest. Nice dirt road without too many potholes."
"Great little dispersed camping area off Forest Road 71 in West Dover, Vermont."
ScoutJust about what you would expect in a national forest. Nice dirt road without too many potholes. As far as I can tell about 10 different sites, maybe more, all spaced out enough you don’t see anyone else. No toilet or water but there is a fire ring.
LegendThe 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
RangerOnly 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.
GuideWent with a friend on an impromptu last minute camping trip up in the NF and hoped we could find a spot on a Friday night. Quite a few spots were taken but there were still some free ones. We stayed at one near the creek just over a little bridge. Cute little site, nice fire pit, clean, perfect rock to put a big water jug on. The sound of running water was soothing. In the morning, adorable little red squirrels with big personalities made themselves known and there were wildflowers blooming all over with hummingbirds going about their business. This is dispersed camping so there’s no rest rooms, running water, etc. The particular site we stayed at did have another site on the other side of the creek and we could hear the family during the day and see them as they walked past, so it wasn’t as isolated as some of the other sites. It was a cute spot and I’ll def be back.
TravelerA 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.
ScoutThe 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.
GuideWent 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.
TravelerMy 2008 Prius handled the road with ease. Sites were spaced out. There was hiking at the end of the road but not too much space to wander around from the sites given the road’s high speed limit. Sites had fire pits and that was it. Very quiet and fairly accessible from society. Given the lack of free camping in the southern northeast this spot is a gem!
RangerEnjoyed 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.
Primitive camping near Ashuelot, New Hampshire requires campers to cross into Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest where elevations range from 1,600 to 2,500 feet across most dispersed sites. Winter temperatures in this region can drop below 10°F with significant snowfall accumulation, while summer brings moderate 70-80°F days. Many sites feature established fire rings but lack other amenities, requiring full self-sufficiency.
Reservoir activities: Somerset Reservoir provides excellent paddling and fishing opportunities just minutes from several campsites. A camper at Somerset Airfield observed "the stunning babbling brook and reservoir- saw happy people swimming, kayaking, and camping" during their stay, noting the peaceful atmosphere on weekday mornings.
Winter exploration: For cold-weather adventurers, the area offers snowmobile access and winter camping challenges. At Somerset Airfield, one experienced winter camper reported "enduring snow and mid-20s Friday night with 8" of fresh snow to wake up to Saturday" before conditions worsened with "sleet, freezing rain, and rain."
Hiking trails: Multiple trail networks connect to dispersed camping areas, particularly near the northern sites. A visitor to Statton Pond Camp mentioned "good hiking access to Stratton Pond, to Branch Pond, to Grout Pond Recreation Area, to the AT/LT" from their site.
Privacy levels: While some sites offer isolation, others maintain a social atmosphere. A visitor to George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed found "large, well organized camping spots along the road" and noted their chosen spot "had a beautifully built fire pit" despite being slightly muddy from rain.
Night sky views: The minimal light pollution creates excellent stargazing opportunities. A camper at NF83 Dispersed site 1 appreciated the "great spot with no light pollution, cell signal or distractions" though they cautioned it requires "more than 8" of clearance under your vehicle" to access.
Fire ring quality: Many sites feature well-established fire rings. At the Dispersed Site along Forest Road 71, one regular visitor mentioned they "camp here every summer and make sure the site is left clean and ready for the camper" though they noted having to clean up after previous visitors two years in a row.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies dramatically between sites. A visitor to Hogback Mtn Trailhead found it to be a "great place to stop for the night" with "plenty of room for any number of rigs" but no amenities beyond the open parking area.
Access challenges: Road conditions limit vehicle types at many locations. For NF83 riverside, a reviewer noted "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."
Site availability patterns: Finding a spot can be difficult during peak periods. A visitor to NFR 273 in October "had to drive about 4 miles down the dirt road to find a suitable spot" despite traveling midweek in the off-season.
Private property awareness: Some mapped camping areas may not permit overnight stays. A visitor to Somerset Vt Dispersed reported finding "no camping signs all along road" and "private property" notices, resulting in needing to find alternatives.
Site selection priorities: Choose sites with safe water access for children. At NF 83 riverside, a camper found "a large open grassy area with a sizable fire pit" that was "peacefully placed along the bends of the river" though they cautioned the left side of the drive was swampy.
Weather preparation: Temperature swings can be significant even in summer. Pack additional warm layers as evenings can drop below 50°F even when daytime temperatures reach the 70s.
Activity planning: Scout nearby recreation areas before setting up camp. Multiple sites along Forest Road 71 offer access to ponds and hiking trails suitable for children of different ages.
Site sizing limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller rigs only. At Statton Pond Camp, a visitor with a teardrop trailer found "easy access to an open circle, capable of handling multiple rigs for a large gathering" with a "stone fire ring in the center."
Ground clearance requirements: Higher clearance vehicles fare better on forest roads. The Somerset Airfield area has "flat level sites" where people were "able to fit their campers" according to one reviewer, who added that "there are more sites if you pass the airfield that are more spread out."
Generator considerations: Many sites prohibit generators or restrict hours. Primitive camping near Ashuelot typically requires self-contained power solutions as most sites lack electricity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Ashuelot, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Ashuelot, NH is George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed with a 4.7-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Ashuelot, NH?
TheDyrt.com has all 20 dispersed camping locations near Ashuelot, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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