The southwestern New Hampshire region surrounding Gilsum features primarily dispersed camping options, with many sites located in the nearby Green Mountain National Forest across the Vermont border. George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed camping area offers well-rated primitive sites approximately 30 miles west of Gilsum, with several campers noting its spacious, well-organized spots and established fire rings. Somerset Airfield provides a more open camping experience with basic amenities including pit toilets, while Forest Road 71 hosts multiple pull-off sites suitable for both tent and small RV camping. Most locations are primitive with minimal facilities but provide access to hiking trails, fishing spots, and scenic forest settings.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the area, with many dispersed 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 many reviews mentioning muddy or wet areas after rainfall. Winter camping is possible but challenging, with one Somerset Airfield visitor describing "temperatures plummeting to 8° with a windchill of -3" during their stay. Cell service ranges from spotty to nonexistent at most locations, and campers should arrive prepared with all necessary supplies as most sites lack drinking water, trash service, or other amenities.
Proximity to water features ranks highly among camper priorities in this region. Somerset Reservoir receives frequent mentions as a destination for paddling and fishing, while riverside camping spots like NF 83 offer peaceful settings described by one visitor as "enchanting" with "a large open grassy area with a sizable fire pit." Privacy levels vary considerably between locations, with Somerset Airfield described as having sites "close together with little to no shade," while George D Aiken Wilderness sites are "pretty spread out from each other." Weekends see significantly higher usage, with several reviewers noting the need to arrive early or explore further down forest roads to find available spots. Bug pressure can be intense in wooded areas during summer months, with more open sites generally offering relief.
"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."
"Some sites were really wet but we found a nice dry place."
"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."
"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. "
"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."
"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."
"There are a few spots around you can park at. I chose a more sunny and open spot with less trees. So there's more options. It's very quiet definitely check it out."
"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."
"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. "
"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. "
"Free camping"
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.
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.
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.
GuideTons of different styles of camping spots (if you get there while its still sunlight you can pick a spot by a flowing stream/river). No public bathrooms, no hookups, I personally didn’t have service.
LegendI've looked at this spot a few times and it is normally way to wet to camp at, but this time it was frozen. This is a nice clearing near the river where the road used to cross.
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.
Being a primitive site there is only a fire ring here.
GuideEasy 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.
Good hiking access to Stratton Pond, to Branch Pond, to Grout Pond Recreation Area, to the AT/LT.
Pretty quiet during our stay, plenty of dispersed sites along 71 further south.
Only reason for 4 stars is the lack of any long distance views from the site itself.
2 bars of USCellular LTE
Dispersed camping near Gilsum, New Hampshire provides primitive woodland experiences primarily in the nearby Green Mountain National Forest across the Vermont border. Most sites are located within a 30-45 minute drive west of Gilsum at elevations between 1,500-2,500 feet. The region experiences dramatic seasonal changes with summer temperatures reaching 80°F while winter camping often faces single-digit temperatures and significant snowfall.
Paddling at Somerset Reservoir: Access this large body of water from the nearby Somerset Airfield camping area. "Enjoyed the stunning babbling brook and reservoir- saw happy people swimming, kayaking, and camping," reports camper Licia S., who visited on a weekday morning when the area was less crowded.
Hiking to mountain shelters: The Stratton Pond Shelter provides access to multiple trail systems. "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," notes Miccal M. This location sits at the intersection of the Appalachian Trail, Long Trail, and Stratton Mountain trail.
Brewery and distillery tours: Several craft beverage producers operate within 15 minutes of the George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed camping area. Camper C H. mentioned, "Brewery, distillery, beautiful lakes and scenic towns all within 15 minutes of the sites."
Quiet, spacious sites: The Downed Bridge Camp offers secluded camping options. "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," explains Caitlin K.
Established fire rings: Many dispersed sites feature well-built fire areas. At NF 83 riverside, Thomas and James S. discovered "a large open grassy area with a sizable fire pit!" The area is "peacefully placed along the bends of the river."
Flat terrain for tents: Camping areas generally offer level ground for setup. At Statton Pond Camp, Andy M. found "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."
Road conditions vary significantly: Access to many sites requires careful navigation. At NF 83 - riverside, Miccal M. notes, "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 site availability: Many areas flood or become unusable during wet periods. "This is a nice clearing near the river where the road used to cross... I've looked at this spot a few times and it is normally way too wet to camp at, but this time it was frozen," explains one camper about NF 83.
Variable cell service: Connectivity is unpredictable throughout the region. At NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot, SJ W. noted it was "beautiful but surprisingly crowded" even midweek in late October, but didn't mention any cell service. Other locations report "2 bars of USCellular LTE" or "SOS only in camp."
Plan for bathroom needs: Most dispersed sites lack facilities. Somerset Airfield provides an exception with "a single pit toilet at the end of the camping area. No garbage service, no water, no cell service," according to Kevin C.
Arrive early on weekends: Competition for sites intensifies Friday through Sunday. At NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot, SJ W. discovered that "Went on a Wednesday night late October and had to drive about 4 miles down the dirt road to find a suitable spot."
Prepare for bug pressure: Insects can be problematic in wooded areas. Natasha T. experienced "A LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well" at one location, but found "another campsite that is more open and also has a fire pit with a lot less bugs flying around."
Site cleanliness varies: Previous campers may leave messes behind. Sandy L. reports that at Forest Road 71, "2 years in a row my husband and I had to spend over an hour cleaning the site from the people before us."
Limited facilities for larger rigs: Most sites accommodate smaller vehicles only. For RVs, M.A.D. P. suggests Somerset Airfield noting, "It is an easy dirtroad drive to get to this location, that is why they tend to be used so much by RVers."
Winter camping challenges: Cold weather camping requires thorough preparation. Miccal M. describes a Somerset Airfield winter experience where "temperatures plummeted to 8° and a windchill of -3 for this morning. Everything crusted was over with a good inch of ice."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Gilsum, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Gilsum, NH is George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed with a 4.6-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Gilsum, NH?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 dispersed camping locations near Gilsum, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
