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The western New Hampshire region surrounding Washington features primarily dispersed camping options, with many sites located across the nearby Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont. Somerset Airfield provides a central hub for campers seeking basic amenities, offering a strip of land with several established sites and pit toilets. Forest Road 71 hosts numerous primitive camping spots with varying degrees of privacy and access. Most sites in this area are free and accommodate both tent and RV camping, though amenities are minimal, typically limited to fire rings and occasional vault toilets.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with many dispersed sites requiring vehicles with higher clearance. As one camper noted, "Don't expect to get in here unless you have more than 8 inches of clearance under your vehicle." Weather impacts accessibility substantially, particularly during winter months and spring thaw when mud can make roads impassable. Several riverside locations experience seasonal flooding, with campers reporting that some spots are "normally way too wet to camp at" except during frozen conditions. Cell service remains spotty throughout the area, with limited coverage on most forest roads. Campers should verify land ownership before setting up, as some areas marked as dispersed camping on maps may actually be private property with "no camping" signs.
Water access represents a significant draw for many campers in the region. Somerset Reservoir provides opportunities for fishing, paddling, and picnicking near the airfield campground. Riverside sites along Forest Roads 71 and 83 offer peaceful settings with direct water access, though these locations can become swampy during wet periods. Winter camping presents unique challenges but rewards adventurous visitors. One camper described enduring "snow and mid-20s Friday night with 8 inches of fresh snow to wake up to Saturday," followed by high winds and temperatures dropping to 8°F. Hikers seeking backcountry experiences can access the Stratton Pond Shelter, which intersects with the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail, offering tent platforms and bunk spaces approximately 3.75 miles from the nearest parking area.
"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."
"Lots of bugs (horseflies, knots and mosquitoes) no shade so be prepared if it’s hot. Hogback Mt gift shop and museum across street must stop. Trailhead for fire tower next to distillery."
"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. "
"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. "
"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."
"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."
"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. "
"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."
"No public bathrooms, no hookups, I personally didn’t have service."
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.
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.
GuideMade the trip on a Friday evening. Set up in freezing drizzle. Not a bad weekend all things considered. Lots of snowmobile traffic, which didn’t bother me. Saturday was the best day by far. Was only one other couple that weekend. Bathrooms were open, but very basic and no water. But grateful nonetheless.
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
GuideWestford there last weekend. Got up on a Friday with plenty of spots. 10 spaces between the bathrooms/vault toilets with only 3 other 4 in working order. Great location near Somerset Reservoir. Weekend was interrupted by a domestic violence situation a few sites downbeat resulted in fights and someone shooting off a handgun. Took state police over 50 minutes to respond and multiple families left...... Can't pick the other people using the space I guess, but lots of trash left in fire pitsand all along river. Water behind the sites more like a marsh. Flat levels it's and people able to fit their campers. Campers near us said there are more sites if you pass the airfield that are more spread out past the actual airfield sites.
TravelerOverall, it was fairly quiet, considering it was the Fourth of July there were somebody in the parking lot set off a couple of small fireworks, but it was a quick woo hoo. There are some run down trailers and some trash sadly. :( please pack it in pack it out! And Patronage to the distillery who provides this free parking. Lots of vehicles in/ out during the day. Great hike to fire tower. Lots of bugs (horseflies, knots and mosquitoes) no shade so be prepared if it’s hot. Hogback Mt gift shop and museum across street must stop. Trailhead for fire tower next to distillery.
Dispersed camping near Washington, New Hampshire offers multiple free sites across the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont. Primitive campers can access these rustic sites via several forest roads, with varying terrain and seasonal accessibility. Winter conditions often require specialized gear while summer brings crowds to popular areas like Somerset Reservoir where swimming, kayaking and fishing attract families despite limited facilities.
Paddling and fishing: Somerset Reservoir provides excellent water recreation opportunities near Somerset Airfield. "Enjoyed the stunning babbling brook and reservoir- saw happy people swimming, kayaking, and camping," reports one visitor who stayed during a summer weekday.
Backcountry hiking: Access the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail from Stratton Pond Shelter, a 3.75-mile hike from the nearest parking area. "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."
Winter camping: For adventurous outdoor enthusiasts, winter camping offers solitude and unique experiences. The area around Somerset Airfield transforms with snowfall, though accessing sites requires preparation. A winter camper notes the shelter is "one of the largest bodies of water on the Long Trail" making it worth the cold-weather trek.
Privacy and seclusion: The Road's End Dispersed Camp offers quiet isolation. As one camper describes it, this is a "great private spot when nothing else is around. The drive in is a little rough, but doable for most vehicles."
Waterfront sites: Multiple riverside camping areas provide peaceful settings. At NF 83 - riverside, one camper describes "a large open grassy area with a sizable fire pit" that sits "peacefully placed along the bends of the river."
Group-friendly clearings: Some areas accommodate larger gatherings. One site along Statton Pond Camp on Forest Road 71 features "easy access to an open circle, capable of handling multiple rigs for a large gathering" with a "stone fire ring in the center."
Road conditions: Many access roads require vehicles with adequate clearance. The entrance to NF 83 is "quite rough with some bigger rocks" and "the left side of the drive in is swampy so be sure to not drift to that side."
Seasonal flooding: Some sites become unusable during wet seasons. One camper noted the riverside site on NF 83 is "normally way too wet to camp at, but this time it was frozen," indicating winter might be the only suitable time for certain locations.
Limited amenities: Most Dispersed site along Forest RD 71 locations offer minimal facilities. "The only thing you will find at this primitive site is a fire ring," explains one visitor, while another mentions having to "spend over an hour cleaning the site from the people before us."
Cellular connectivity: Cell service varies throughout the rustic camping areas near Washington. At Somerset Airfield, one camper reports "AT&T service at bridge prior to camp- short walk. SOS only in camp," while others note spotty service on most forest roads.
Site cleanliness concerns: Pack cleaning supplies when visiting popular areas. A regular camper at Forest RD 71 mentions, "2 years in a row my husband and I had to spend over an hour cleaning the site from the people before us."
Crowd management: Weekdays offer quieter experiences for family camping. One visitor at Somerset Airfield described their weekend being "interrupted by a domestic violence situation a few sites down that resulted in fights and someone shooting off a handgun."
Water access points: Seek out spots with safe water features for recreation. Somerset Airfield provides "great location near Somerset Reservoir" where families can enjoy water activities, though campsites themselves vary in appeal, with some describing it as their "least favorite of all the primitive sites in the area."
Suitable parking areas: The Hogback Mtn Trailhead offers overnight parking for larger vehicles. One RVer notes it's a "great place to stop for the night. Not a lot of ambiance, but plenty of room for any number of rigs."
Site selection timing: Arrive during daylight hours to find ideal spots. A camper at Downed Bridge Camp advises, "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."
Airfield advantages: Somerset Airfield works well for RVs that can't navigate tighter forest roads. One camper explains it "is probably good for people who camp with RVs or Trailor's that can't get into smaller sites."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Washington, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Washington, NH is Somerset Airfield with a 3.9-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Washington, NH?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 dispersed camping locations near Washington, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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