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Several dispersed camping options exist in the Green Mountain National Forest near Westmoreland, New Hampshire, primarily across the state border in Vermont. These primitive sites are located along forest roads such as FR 71, NFR 273, and NF 83, offering free camping with minimal amenities. The George D. Aiken Wilderness Dispersed area provides multiple established sites, while Somerset Airfield and various roadside pull-offs accommodate both tent and RV camping on public land.
Access to most dispersed sites requires navigating unpaved forest roads that can become muddy or rough after rain. Many locations have limited clearance, with several reviewers noting high-clearance vehicles are recommended for certain areas. Most sites feature established fire rings but no facilities such as water, toilets, or trash service. According to one visitor at NF 83 Riverside, "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." Winter access becomes significantly more challenging, with snow and ice affecting road conditions.
The dispersed camping experience in this region provides solitude and natural settings, though site availability varies by season. The George D. Aiken Wilderness area receives positive reviews for its "large, well organized camping spots along the road" with "different size sites" and cell reception in some areas. Somerset Airfield offers a more open setting with some sites featuring stream access, though one camper noted it can get "busy" on weekends. For those seeking more remote options, Forest Road 71 provides multiple pull-offs, though a visitor mentioned "unfortunately, two years in a row my husband and I had to spend over an hour cleaning the site from the people before us." Most areas permit fires in established rings, and many sites accommodate both tent and small RV camping with no reservation system.
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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. "
"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 little dispersed camping area off Forest Road 71 in West Dover, Vermont."
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.
Dispersed camping sites near Westmoreland, New Hampshire are primarily concentrated in Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 feet. The terrain features mixed hardwood forests with seasonal streams that can swell during spring runoff. Road conditions typically deteriorate after rain events, with many access points requiring careful navigation during wet weather.
Fishing opportunities: Somerset Reservoir is accessible from Somerset Airfield, providing excellent fishing spots. "The real attraction is the huge Somerset Reservoir which is up the road. Plenty of fishing, paddling, hiking and picnicking opportunities," notes one camper.
Winter recreation: Cold-weather adventurers can access these sites year-round, though preparation is essential. "We endured Snow and mid 20s Friday night with 8 inches of fresh snow to wake up to Saturday," shares a visitor who winter-camped at Somerset Airfield. Winter activities include snowshoeing on forest roads and snowmobiling on designated trails.
Hiking trails: The area connects to significant trail systems. Access points near Stratton Pond Shelter offer multi-trail connections. "Great location at the intersection of AT, LT and Stratton Mountain trail," reports a hiker. "The shelter is a 3.75mi hike from the nearest parking lot in winter."
Peaceful environment: The remoteness offers quiet camping experiences. At NF83 Dispersed site 1, campers appreciate the isolation: "What a great spot with no light pollution, cell signal or distractions."
Stream access: Several sites feature water access. At NF 83 - riverside, campers enjoy "Peacefully placed along the bends of the river is a large open grassy area with a sizable fire pit!" The site offers direct river proximity, though visitors should "be sure to not drift to [the left] side" of the drive-in as it "is swampy."
Variable site sizes: From small clearings to large group areas, the region offers flexible accommodation options. One camper describes a site along Forest Road 71 as "Easy access to an open circle, capable of handling multiple rigs for a large gathering. Stone fire ring in the center."
Access challenges: Many sites require appropriate vehicles. For NF83 Dispersed site 1, "Don't expect to get in here unless you have more than 8 inches of clearance under your vehicle."
Variable conditions: Weather impacts site availability significantly. At NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot, a camper noted: "Many pull offs but a lot were too wet for my van and I was afraid of getting stuck."
Site maintenance issues: Some locations require cleanup upon arrival. One visitor mentioned, "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."
Summer insects: Dense woodland sites experience heavy bug activity. "A LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well," warns one camper at NFR 273.
Site selection criteria: Choose sites with flat terrain and adequate space for activities. Somerset Airfield offers "a strip of land with several campsites and fire pits. It has pit toilets. These sites are close together with little to no shade."
Activity planning: Pack water activities for sites near streams or ponds. "Enjoyed the stunning babbling brook and reservoir - saw happy people swimming, kayaking, and camping," shares a visitor to Somerset Airfield.
Weekend timing: Consider weekday visits for rustic camping near Westmoreland, New Hampshire as weekend crowds can change the experience. "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."
Ground clearance considerations: Most dispersed sites require careful navigation. "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," advises an RV camper.
Site availability timing: Arrive early on weekdays for prime locations. "Went on a Wednesday night late October and had to drive about 4 miles down the dirt road to find a suitable spot," reports a van camper.
Generator etiquette: Be mindful of noise in these otherwise quiet locations. One camper at Somerset Airfield mentioned the otherwise peaceful area was "sometimes generators running all night."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Westmoreland, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Westmoreland, NH is George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed with a 4.7-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Westmoreland, NH?
TheDyrt.com has all 20 dispersed camping locations near Westmoreland, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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