Primitive camping near Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire provides access to the backcountry areas of Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont. Winter camping in this region presents unique challenges with temperatures dropping to single digits and wind chills below zero, as experienced by campers at Somerset Airfield who reported "temperatures plummeted to 8° and a windchill of -3." Forest roads that access dispersed campsites typically remain unplowed during winter months, limiting access to snowmobiles or winter hiking equipment.
What to do
Fishing and paddling opportunities: Somerset Airfield offers proximity to Somerset Reservoir, which provides excellent water recreation options. As one camper notes, "The real attraction is the huge Somerset Reservoir which is up the road. Plenty of fishing, paddling, hiking and picnicking opportunities."
Hiking to backcountry shelters: More adventurous campers can access Stratton Pond Shelter via a 3.75-mile winter hike from the nearest parking lot. A visitor described it as "a great location at the intersection of AT, LT and Stratton Mountain trail" and mentioned it has "2 tent platforms, 2 outhouses and at least 16 bunk spaces in the shelter."
Wildlife observation: Free camping areas often provide opportunities to spot local wildlife. At Forest Road 71, one camper reported, "I did see a huge blackbear," highlighting the importance of proper food storage when backcountry camping near Fitzwilliam.
What campers like
Remote locations without distractions: NF83 Dispersed Site 1 offers a truly disconnected experience. A reviewer appreciated that it has "no light pollution, cell signal or distractions" and described it simply as "a little more than a clearing with a fire pit."
Water features: Many free camping spots near Fitzwilliam feature streams or ponds. One camper at NF 83 Riverside described their site as "Peacefully placed along the bends of the river is a large open grassy area with a sizable fire pit!"
Varied terrain options: Statton Pond Camp on Forest Road 71 offers "Easy access to an open circle, capable of handling multiple rigs for a large gathering" with good hiking access to several areas including "Stratton Pond, to Branch Pond, to Grout Pond Recreation Area, to the AT/LT."
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Access to many free camping areas requires appropriate vehicles. At NF 83 Riverside, a camper warned, "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 fluctuations affect site availability: Wet conditions can limit camping options. At NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot, a visitor in late October reported, "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."
Wilderness etiquette issues: Unfortunately, some sites suffer from previous campers' behavior. One visitor to Forest Road 71 mentioned, "I would have given 5 stars except for the unfortunate fact that 2 years in a row my husband and I had to spend over an hour cleaning the site from the people before us."
Tips for camping with families
Choose developed sites during busy periods: Holiday weekends can become rowdy at some dispersed sites. A Somerset Airfield camper reported "it was rowdy during the holiday with illegal fireworks set off every night over the dry forest," suggesting families might prefer weekday visits.
Consider proximity to water features: Children often enjoy camping near streams or ponds. At George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed, one family found "a perfect site off the road on the right side. It was large and flat. We were off the road by 100 feet or so. It made it more private."
Pack for variable weather: Weather conditions change rapidly in the mountains. One camper at Statton Pond Camp noted having "this all to ourselves" but reminded that conditions can be challenging with "Cold, Snow, Wind" even in late February.
Tips from RVers
Clearance requirements: Smaller RVs navigate forest roads better than large rigs. NF83 Dispersed Site 1 requires "more than 8 inches of clearance under your vehicle," making it unsuitable for larger recreational vehicles.
Site selection strategies: RVers should arrive early to secure suitable spots. At NFR 273, even midweek visits can be busy, as one camper noted: "Went on a Wednesday night late October and had to drive about 4 miles down the dirt road to find a suitable spot."
Communication considerations: Prepare for limited connectivity in backcountry camping areas. While some sites have sporadic service (Forest Road 71 reported "spotty service"), others like Somerset Airfield have "SOS only in camp," though "Another camper told me Starlink works here."
