Best Dispersed Camping near West Swanzey, NH

Several dispersed camping areas can be found near West Swanzey, New Hampshire, primarily on public lands in nearby Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest. Free primitive camping is permitted in multiple areas along Forest Roads, particularly in the region southwest of West Swanzey. Notable locations include the George D. Aiken Wilderness Dispersed area, Somerset Airfield, and several unmarked sites along Forest Roads 71, 83, and 273. These areas typically feature basic clearings with established fire rings but minimal other infrastructure.

Forest access roads range from well-maintained dirt paths to rougher routes requiring higher clearance vehicles. Many sites are accessible via FR71, which serves as a main corridor to several primitive camping spots. Vehicle requirements vary by location, with some areas needing high-clearance while others accommodate standard passenger vehicles. Most sites lack amenities like drinking water, toilets, or trash service, though Somerset Airfield does offer pit toilets. Campfires are permitted at most locations except Hogback Mountain Trailhead. Free camping is generally allowed for up to 14 days, though specific regulations may vary.

Campers visiting these areas should prepare for varying conditions based on season and recent weather. Sites along FR273 provide wooded seclusion but can be buggy due to dense forest cover. The Somerset Reservoir area attracts visitors for fishing, paddling and hiking opportunities. Several reviewers note the privacy between sites at George D. Aiken Wilderness, with one camper remarking that "camp spots were all pretty spread out from each other and the road was easy to drive on." Winter camping is possible but challenging, as described in one review: "We endured snow and mid 20s Friday night with 8 inches of fresh snow to wake up to Saturday." Cell service is limited or non-existent at most locations.

Best Dispersed Sites Near West Swanzey, New Hampshire (17)

    2. George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed

    8 Reviews
    Wilmington, VT
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 747-6700

    "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."

    3. Somerset Airfield

    6 Reviews
    West Dover, VT
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 388-4362

    "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."

    4. NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot

    6 Reviews
    Bennington, VT
    39 miles

    "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."

    5. NF 83 - riverside

    3 Reviews
    West Dover, VT
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 362-2307

    "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."

    6. Statton Pond Camp on Forest Road 71

    3 Reviews
    Sunderland, VT
    36 miles

    "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. "

    7. Dispersed site along Forest RD 71

    3 Reviews
    Sunderland, VT
    36 miles

    "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."

    8. Green Mountain National Forest FR71

    1 Review
    West Dover, VT
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 747-6700

    "Free camping"

    9. Stratton Pond Shelter

    1 Review
    Manchester Center, VT
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 747-6700

    "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.  "

    10. NF83 Dispersed site 1

    1 Review
    West Dover, VT
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 362-2307

    "Don't expect to get in here unless you have more than 8" of clearance under your vehicle.  "

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near West Swanzey, NH

31 Reviews of 17 West Swanzey Campgrounds


  • M.A.D. P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2023

    Somerset Airfield

    Small open park

    The 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

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2024

    Somerset Airfield

    Good stopover location

    Only 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.

  • Natasha T.
    Jun. 6, 2022

    NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot

    Nice wooded little campsite

    A 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.

  • c H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 13, 2023

    George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed

    Cool Spot!

    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. Brewery, distillery, beautiful lakes and scenic towns all within 15 minutes of the sites.

  • SJ W.
    Nov. 1, 2024

    NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot

    Beautiful but surprisingly crowded

    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. The road itself was in great condition though.

  • licia S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Somerset Airfield

    No Wifi, Resevoir Beautiful

    Enjoyed 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.

  • Miccal  M.
    Jan. 18, 2024

    NF 83 - riverside

    Quiet spot on the river

    I'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.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 26, 2023

    Statton Pond Camp on Forest Road 71

    NFR 71 Wide Open Site, North End

    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. 

    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

  • Ricky H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed

    Not terrible

    Site was littered with places previous campers had left human excrement. While not in the site directly, it was all around it. Also 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. Was not aware this was a gun range. Tried to flag down a park ranger, but he just drove on by.


Guide to West Swanzey

Dispersed camping options near West Swanzey, New Hampshire extend into Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest where elevations range from 1,500 to 3,900 feet. Most primitive camping areas experience temperature variations of up to 20°F between day and night, particularly at higher elevations. The forest roads accessing these sites typically open by mid-May and close with the first significant snowfall in late October or November.

What to do

Fishing and paddling: Somerset Reservoir offers excellent recreational opportunities beyond just camping. The reservoir is accessible from Somerset Airfield where one camper noted, "Enjoyed the stunning babbling brook and reservoir—saw happy people swimming, kayaking, and camping." The area provides access points for canoes and kayaks with multiple fishing spots.

Hiking trails: Access the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail system from several primitive campsites. Stratton Pond Shelter sits "at the intersection of AT, LT and Stratton Mountain trail" according to a recent review, making it a strategic basecamp. The shelter requires "a 3.75mi hike from the nearest parking lot in winter" but rewards with access to "one of the largest bodies of water on the Long Trail."

Stargazing: Forest Road locations offer excellent night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. Primitive sites along NF-83 provide optimal stargazing conditions as one camper described, "a great spot with no light pollution, cell signal or distractions." Clear nights typically offer visibility of the Milky Way and meteor showers during peak seasons.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: While the existing Somerset Airfield campground can get busy, other dispersed sites offer more seclusion. At NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot, campers appreciate the isolation, with one noting it has "at least a dozen spots, some very spacious." Another reviewer mentioned, "Peaceful and quiet dispersed camping spot. Large enough for 2-3 vehicles or one large rig/RV."

Easy forest road access: Many primitive camping areas near West Swanzey connect via Forest Road 71. Statton Pond Camp on Forest Road 71 gets praise for being "easy to get to, had service the whole time, fire pits for every spot." Another camper described it as having "easy access to an open circle, capable of handling multiple rigs for a large gathering."

Established fire rings: Most dispersed sites come with fire rings. At the NF 83 riverside location, one visitor described "a large open grassy area with a sizable fire pit." Another camper at Statton Pond Camp mentioned "a stone fire ring in the center" of the clearing. These established rings help minimize fire impact while providing focal points for evening gatherings.

What you should know

Road conditions vary: Access roads to primitive camping near West Swanzey range from well-maintained to challenging. For NF 83 - riverside, one 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." Another noted "the beginning of the little driveway is quite rough with some bigger rocks."

Seasonal crowding: During peak seasons, finding open dispersed sites requires preparation. One visitor to NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot reported: "Went on a Wednesday night late October and had to drive about 4 miles down the dirt road to find a suitable spot." At Statton Pond Camp, a reviewer noted sites "further south on 71 were filled and some were just TTs holding the space for the upcoming weekend."

Weather preparedness: Mountain weather changes quickly in this region. At Somerset Airfield, one winter camper experienced: "Snow and mid 20s Friday night with 8 inches of fresh snow to wake up to Saturday, and our main Roadhouse down from the weight of the snow." Summer visitors should prepare for afternoon thunderstorms while shoulder season campers need gear for freezing nights.

Tips for camping with families

Bathroom access considerations: For families with young children, toilet facilities matter. Hogback Mtn Trailhead offers a "large open lot at top of paved highway pass" that one camper called "a great place to stop for the night." While it lacks amenities, its ease of access makes quick trips to nearby facilities possible.

Site selection for swimming: Families often prefer sites near water features. At Somerset Airfield, campers report "sites behind the airfield that have easy river access" and note that "in the summer be ready for snowmobiles, in the winter trucks." The Somerset Reservoir nearby offers swimming options during warmer months.

Wildlife awareness: Bear activity occurs throughout the region. One camper at Statton Pond Camp reported: "I did see a huge blackbear." Teach children proper food storage protocols and keep a clean campsite to minimize unwanted wildlife encounters.

Tips from RVers

Clearance requirements: Many dispersed sites have rough access roads. One RVer at NF83 Dispersed site warned "Don't expect to get in here unless you have more than 8 inches of clearance under your vehicle." Some sites along Forest Road 71 can accommodate larger rigs but require careful navigation.

Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at many primitive sites. At George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed, one camper noted "It had rained a lot prior to our arrival, and several sites were damp. We found a perfect site off the road on the right side. It was large and flat." Having proper leveling equipment helps maximize site options.

Seasonal road closures: RVers should check road status before traveling to remote sites. Some forest roads close after first snowfall or during spring thaw. One camper at NFR 273 commented that "The entrance to the road had a sign that said 'road closed ahead'. We chanced it and was able to find a really nice open spot right before the road closure."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near West Swanzey, NH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near West Swanzey, NH is Hogback Mtn Trailhead with a 3-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near West Swanzey, NH?

TheDyrt.com has all 17 dispersed camping locations near West Swanzey, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.