Best Dispersed Camping near Winchester, NH
Dispersed camping options near Winchester, New Hampshire are predominantly located in the nearby Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont, just a short drive west of Winchester. These free primitive camping areas include several designated dispersed sites along forest roads in the Vermont wilderness. The George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed camping area and sites along Forest Road 71 provide opportunities for tent and RV camping without facilities or reservation requirements. Most sites are accessible via drive-in routes, though some require short walks to reach camping spots.
Access to many dispersed sites requires navigating unpaved forest roads that can become muddy or difficult to traverse during wet periods. Several areas need vehicles with higher clearance, particularly after rain. The Forest Road 71 corridor contains multiple pull-off sites with varying conditions throughout the season. Most locations permit campfires where fire rings exist, though restrictions may apply during dry periods. None of these dispersed sites provide drinking water, toilets, or trash collection. Campers must bring all supplies and follow pack-in, pack-out principles. Somerset Airfield represents one exception, offering basic pit toilets among otherwise primitive conditions.
These backcountry areas attract campers seeking quiet, natural settings away from developed facilities. Sites are typically spread apart, providing privacy from neighboring campers. "Different size sites, ATT cell reception. Mostly clean, short drive to pond and stores," noted one visitor to the George D Aiken Wilderness area. Another camper described the sites as "large and flat" with good spacing between camping spots. Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains, with one Somerset visitor reporting: "We endured snow and mid 20s Friday night with 8 inches of fresh snow to wake up to Saturday." The areas around Somerset Reservoir provide additional recreational opportunities, with fishing, paddling and hiking available nearby. Cell service is limited or non-existent at most sites, with one camper reporting "SOS only in camp" and "no light pollution, cell signal or distractions."
