Dispersed camping near Winchester, New Hampshire primarily centers around access points in Green Mountain National Forest, located just across the Vermont border. The forest terrain features elevations ranging from 900 to 2,300 feet with mixed hardwood forests and scattered mountain streams. Most primitive sites are concentrated along Forest Road 71, Forest Road 273, and several connecting forest service roads that become rutted during spring thaw and after heavy rainfall.
What to do
Hiking to Stratton Pond: Access the trailhead near Statton Pond Camp on Forest Road 71 for day hikes. "Easy access to an open circle... Good hiking access to Stratton Pond, to Branch Pond, to Grout Pond Recreation Area, to the AT/LT," notes one visitor.
Kayaking at Somerset Reservoir: The reservoir near Somerset Airfield offers paddling opportunities. A camper reported seeing "happy people swimming, kayaking, and camping" at this location where the "reservoir [is] beautiful."
Wildlife viewing: Early morning and dusk present opportunities for wildlife spotting. "I did see a huge blackbear," reported one camper at Statton Pond Camp, indicating the active wildlife in these forests.
Winter camping challenges: For those seeking extreme conditions, Somerset area transforms with snow. Winter campers should prepare for temperature fluctuations and possible snow accumulation on camping gear.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot offers separation between campsites. "Peaceful and quiet dispersed camping spot. Large enough for 2-3 vehicles or one large rig/RV. Very few vehicles pass, some days none," notes one camper.
Access to water features: Many sites provide streamside camping. At NF 83 - riverside, campers enjoy a "large open grassy area with a sizable fire pit" that's "peacefully placed along the bends of the river."
Dark skies for stargazing: Remote locations offer minimal light pollution. One camper at NF83 Dispersed site 1 highlighted it as "a great spot with no light pollution, cell signal or distractions."
Multiple site options: Forest Road 71 contains numerous camping opportunities. "Amazing Numerous Free Dispersed Camping! Easy to get to, had service the whole time, fire pits for every spot," says a visitor to Statton Pond Camp.
What you should know
Variable site conditions: Sites can become unusable during wet periods. At Dispersed site along Forest RD 71, one camper noted, "This particular campsite is very muddy. Well, at least today it is. I have an SUV and I didn't trust it to get through, and I didn't want to get stuck."
Site maintenance concerns: Prepare to clean up after previous campers. "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," reports a visitor at Dispersed site along Forest Road 71.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies throughout the region. "2 bars of USCellular LTE" was reported at Statton Pond Camp, while other locations have "spotty service" or none at all.
Vehicle clearance requirements: Some sites require high-clearance vehicles. The NF83 Dispersed site was described as inaccessible "unless you have more than 8" of clearance under your vehicle."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection for children: Choose locations with flat, open areas for play. The Statton Pond Camp offers a "very flat" site that "could accommodate several small campers," making it suitable for families with children.
Weekend timing: Plan midweek visits when possible. One camper at NFR 273 noted they "went on a Wednesday night late October and had to drive about 4 miles down the dirt road to find a suitable spot," suggesting weekends fill quickly.
Bathroom access planning: Facilities are extremely limited. Somerset Airfield provides "a single pit toilet at the end of the camping area," but most dispersed sites have no toilet facilities, requiring families to bring portable options.
Safety considerations: Be prepared for wildlife encounters and changing weather. Hogback Mtn Trailhead offers a "large open lot at top of paved highway pass" that can be more accessible for families while providing "plenty of room for any number of rigs."
Tips from RVers
Site capacity assessment: Several areas accommodate larger vehicles. NFR 273 was described as "large enough for 2-3 vehicles or one large rig/RV," making it suitable for smaller RVs.
Road condition monitoring: Forest roads deteriorate seasonally. The riverside NF 83 site has "access into this location [that] is a little rough but most cars should make it," though the reviewer preferred "having a little more clearance though just to be sure."
Elevation and temperature planning: Higher elevation sites experience significant temperature drops at night. Prepare heating systems for overnight use, particularly in spring and fall.
Generator etiquette: Where generators are permitted, respect quiet hours. One Somerset Airfield camper mentioned "sometimes generators running all night" as a disturbance to others seeking peace and quiet.
