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Several dispersed camping options exist in the Green Mountain National Forest of Vermont, about 20-30 miles west of Charlestown, New Hampshire. These free dispersed campsites range from roadside primitive sites to riverside clearings, offering no-cost access for those willing to forgo hookups, toilets, and water. Forest Road 71 offers multiple primitive sites with only fire rings provided. The road requires decent ground clearance as one camper noted: "Don't expect to get in here unless you have more than 8 inches of clearance under your vehicle." Most sites accommodate tents and small RVs with no hookups, toilets, or water.
Somerset Airfield provides a more accessible option with pit toilets and multiple sites along a grassy strip. A camper wrote: "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." For more seclusion, NF 83 riverside camping features a "large open grassy area with a sizable fire pit" though access requires navigating "a pretty rough road" according to reviews. Winter camping is possible but challenging, with temperatures dropping below 10°F and sites often covered in snow and ice. Most locations permit fires when seasonal restrictions aren't in place.
"But don't worry there is primitive camping starting about a mile down fire road 10... You don't even have to go to fire road 30."
"Great location for a small group to camp at. Can't wait to go back. The main area is a walk in and is worth it. The road into here was easy to drive. "
"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."
"great private spot when nothing else is around. The drive in is a little rough, but doable for most vehicles. The only thing you will find here is a fire ring."
"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. "
"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."
"The shelter is a 3.75mi hike from the nearest parking lot in winter. There are 2 tent platforms, 2 outhouses and at least 16 bunk spaces in the shelter. "
"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."
"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."
"No public bathrooms, no hookups, I personally didn’t have service."
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.
Green Mountain National Forest offers several primitive camping spots within a 20-30 mile radius of Charlestown, New Hampshire. This mountainous region includes elevations ranging from 900 to 3,800 feet with terrain that varies from dense forest to open meadows. Winter temperatures often drop to single digits with heavy snowfall, while summer brings moderate days with cool nights.
Hiking the AT/LT trail network: Near Stratton Pond Shelter, campers can access multiple connected trails. "The shelter is at the intersection of AT, LT and Stratton Mountain trail. The lake looks great and is one of the largest bodies of water on the Long Trail," notes reviewer Miccal M.
Fishing and paddling: Somerset Reservoir provides water recreation opportunities close to Somerset Airfield. A camper reports, "The real attraction is the huge Somerset Resevoir which is up the road. Plenty of fishing, paddling, hiking and picnicking opportunities."
Winter camping adventures: For those prepared for extreme conditions, winter camping offers a unique 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 temperatures plummeted to 8° and a windchill of-3," shares one winter camper at Somerset Airfield.
Privacy and seclusion: Downed Bridge Camp offers secluded spots. "If you're lucky enough to get the last spot on the road it's epic. Note that fills quickly on a weekend. But don't worry there is primitive camping starting about a mile down fire road 10," writes Caitlin K.
Riverside camping: Several locations feature stream and river access. At NF 83 riverside, campers enjoy "a large open grassy area with a sizable fire pit" along the river. Thomas and James S. describe it as "peacefully placed along the bends of the river."
Cell service availability: Connectivity varies by location. At George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed, one camper notes "att cell reception" is available. Another mentions that at Somerset Airfield, "AT&T service at bridge prior to camp - short walk. SOS only in camp. Another camper told me Starlink works here."
Road conditions: Many forest roads require higher clearance vehicles. For NF 83, "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 patterns: Weekends fill quickly at popular locations. "Don't worry there is primitive camping starting about a mile down fire road 10... If you're looking for the ideal spot to stay a few days make sure you show in daylight so you can explore for that."
Variable campsite quality: NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot offers "at least a dozen spots, some very spacious," but experiences vary. "Went on a Wednesday night late October and had to drive about 4 miles down the dirt road to find a suitable spot. Many pull offs but a lot were too wet for my van and I was afraid of getting stuck."
Choose Somerset Airfield for facilities: With pit toilets, this location works well for families needing basic facilities. One camper notes "10 spaces between the bathrooms/vault toilets with only 3 other 4 in working order."
Consider peak season crowds: During holidays, some areas become rowdy. A camper at Somerset Airfield reported, "a neighbor said it was rowdy during the holiday with illegal fireworks set off every night over the dry forest."
Pack for bugs: Dense wooded areas have significant insect activity. At NFR 273, one camper warned of "A LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well."
Site selection is crucial: For RVs, some areas provide better options than others. "Somerset Airfield is probably good for people who camp with RVs or Trailors that can't get into smaller sites," according to Miccal M.
Look for flat, open areas: At Stratton Pond Camp, "The site was very flat and could accommodate several small campers," notes Andy M.
Consider ground conditions: Weather impacts accessibility. "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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Charlestown, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Charlestown, NH is Downed Bridge Camp with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Charlestown, NH?
TheDyrt.com has all 22 dispersed camping locations near Charlestown, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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