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Dispersed camping options near Petersburg, New York include several free primitive sites across nearby Vermont and New York state forests. Most camping opportunities are concentrated in Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont, with sites like NFR 273 Dispersed Camping, George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed, and several forest road pulloffs offering no-fee camping. Ushers Road State Forest in New York represents one of the closer options to Petersburg itself. These areas typically feature minimal development with basic fire rings and clearings for tents or small vehicles.
Access roads to dispersed sites range from well-maintained dirt roads to rougher forest routes requiring higher clearance. FR 273 and the George D Aiken Wilderness area provide multiple pulloff spots with established fire rings, though road conditions may deteriorate after rain. Most sites lack amenities such as drinking water, toilets, or trash service. Camping is permitted without reservations, though time limits may apply. Campers should be prepared for self-sufficient stays with no facilities. Fire restrictions may be in place seasonally, particularly during dry periods or high fire danger.
The primitive camping areas provide varying levels of seclusion and natural settings. "Peaceful and quiet dispersed camping spot. Large enough for 2-3 vehicles or one large rig/RV," noted one visitor to NFR 273. George D Aiken Wilderness sites receive positive reviews for their size and privacy, with one camper mentioning "Large, well organized camping spots along the road." Somerset Airfield sites offer pit toilets and proximity to Somerset Reservoir for fishing and paddling opportunities. Cell service is minimal or non-existent at most sites. Weather conditions can impact accessibility, particularly in winter months when snow and ice may make roads impassable without appropriate vehicles and equipment.
"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."
"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."
"Just about what you would expect in a national forest. Nice dirt road without too many potholes."
"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."
"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."
"This trailhead provides access to bicycle-friendly nature trails. I explored both directions on my bike, riding approximately half a mile down each 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. "
ScoutIt was dark. I arrived after 7p. There were 3 rv camps already going on. All 3 had camp fires. Many fire rings for many groups. No hassles at all. It's off the beaten path but worth it. The first 4 camp sites were open. Made a fire. Ate some food. I got a good night sleep. Nothing ate me or attacked me so that's 5 star in my book.
TravelerLots of beautiful spots to pick from but be careful some are a bit muddy. We brought our school bus down the dirt road just fine and backed right in. They also have fireplaces which was nice!
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.
TravelerThis is a good spot if you don’t mind being social. The main camping area is a large grassy opening where multiple people park and camp together, and there is a bathroom, but there isn’t much privacy between sites. If you continue farther down the forest road, there are several smaller pull-offs with much more private dispersed camping spots. I’d recommend checking those out if you’re looking for a quieter experience.
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!
GuideI selected a semi shaded site about 25 feet off the road about 2 miles in. There are many sites but you may have to look as a lot are overgrown. I am glad I selected the site I did as it stayed “dry” through 48 hrs of torrential downpours. I had very few problems with the bugs: have a nice smoky fire…best repellant out there!
GuideSo peaceful and serene
GuideI had many sites to choose from. Definitely remote and private.
ScoutOnly about 7-8 spots to camp but super spread out down a gravel road. I pulled in at 8 ish and grabbed the last or one of the last spots. Super quiet and out of the way
Dispersed camping sites around Petersburg, New York sit mostly in the southern Green Mountain National Forest with elevations ranging between 1,500-2,500 feet. The area experiences significant seasonal changes, with spring mud season often making access challenging through May. Most sites become accessible by late May through October, though winter camping options remain available for properly equipped visitors.
Fishing opportunities: Somerset Reservoir near Somerset Airfield offers excellent fishing access. "The real attraction is the huge Somerset Resevoir which is up the road. Plenty of fishing, paddling, hiking and picnicking opportunities," notes one camper.
Hiking to mountain ponds: Several marked trails connect camping areas to mountain ponds. Near Statton Pond Camp on Forest Road 71, campers have "good hiking access to Stratton Pond, to Branch Pond, to Grout Pond Recreation Area, to the AT/LT," according to visitor Tim M.
Wildlife observation: The remote forest setting provides wildlife viewing opportunities. At NF83 Dispersed Site 1, one visitor noted the area offered "no light pollution, cell signal or distractions," creating ideal conditions for night wildlife activity.
Secluded spots: Many campers appreciate the more remote sites. At NF 83 - riverside, visitors enjoy the "peacefully placed along the bends of the river is a large open grassy area with a sizable fire pit!"
Group camping areas: Larger clearings accommodate multiple vehicles or group camping. "Easy access to an open circle, capable of handling multiple rigs for a large gathering. Stone fire ring in the center," reports a camper at Statton Pond Camp.
Local attractions: The rustic camping areas near Petersburg provide access to nearby towns. At George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed, one camper noted "Brewery, distillery, beautiful lakes and scenic towns all within 15 minutes of the sites."
Road conditions vary drastically: Access roads can range from well-maintained to extremely rough. At NF83 Dispersed site 1, visitors warn "Don't expect to get in here unless you have more than 8" of clearance under your vehicle."
Seasonal impacts: Weather dramatically affects site conditions and access. "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," notes a winter visitor to NF 83 - riverside.
Maintenance concerns: As with most free dispersed camping around Petersburg, sites receive minimal maintenance. Sandy L. at Dispersed site along Forest RD 71 shared: "2 years in a row my husband and I had to spend over an hour cleaning the site from the people before us."
Site selection timing: Arrive early, especially on weekends. At NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot, one camper reported: "Went on a Wednesday night late October and had to drive about 4 miles down the dirt road to find a suitable spot."
Insect preparation: Dense wooded sites often have more insects. A camper at NFR 273 reported "A LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well."
Alternative sites: Look for more open areas to reduce bugs. The same camper added "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."
Site capacity awareness: Most primitive camping near Petersburg can accommodate smaller RVs but rarely large rigs. At Ushers Road State Forest, which offers some of the closest rustic camping to Petersburg itself, campers noted the potential for RV camping but primarily with smaller units.
Surface conditions: Many sites have soft ground that can cause issues. A visitor to Somerset Airfield mentioned: "This really is just a grass strip next to FR71 with a bunch of sites and a pit house. It is probably good for people who camp with RVs or Trailor's that can't get into smaller sites."
Seasonal planning: Winter camping with RVs requires significant preparation. A winter camper at Somerset Airfield shared their experience: "We endured Snow and mid 20s Friday night with 8" of fresh snow to wake up to Saturday, and our main Roadhouse down from the weight of the snow. The stakes didn't hold in the frozen ground."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Petersburg, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Petersburg, NY is NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot with a 4.4-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Petersburg, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 25 dispersed camping locations near Petersburg, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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