Primitive camping near Schaghticoke, New York primarily clusters around forest roads and wilderness areas in neighboring Vermont, approximately 30-45 minutes from town. Winter temperatures in this region can drop well below freezing, with readings as low as 8°F and persistent high winds. Vehicle clearance becomes a critical consideration when accessing remote sites, with several areas requiring a minimum of 8 inches of ground clearance to navigate safely through rough terrain.
What to do
Pond exploration: The Somerset Reservoir provides excellent paddling opportunities near dispersed campsites. According to one visitor at Somerset Airfield: "The real attraction is the huge Somerset Reservoir which is up the road. Plenty of fishing, paddling, hiking and picnicking opportunities."
Biking: Forest roads throughout Green Mountain National Forest offer routes for mountain biking with varying difficulty levels. A camper at NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot noted: "Brewery, distillery, beautiful lakes and scenic towns all within 15 minutes of the sites."
Stargazing: Areas like NF83 Dispersed offer exceptional night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. One camper described it as "a great spot with no light pollution, cell signal or distractions."
What campers like
Natural water features: Many campers appreciate the small streams and water access at various sites. A visitor at NF 83 - riverside described it as "Peacefully placed along the bends of the river is a large open grassy area with a sizable fire pit!"
Space between sites: Several locations provide good separation between campers. At Somerset Airfield, one reviewer noted: "There are other dispersed sites down the road that are free."
Accessible fire rings: Most sites feature established fire pits. At Statton Pond Camp on Forest Road 71, a camper described "Easy access to an open circle, capable of handling multiple rigs for a large gathering. Stone fire ring in the center."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to many sites requires careful driving, especially after rain. One camper at NF83 Dispersed site 1 advised: "Don't expect to get in here unless you have more than 8" of clearance under your vehicle."
Seasonal flooding: Spring and heavy rain periods frequently make sites unusable. A camper at Dispersed site along Forest RD 71 reported: "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."
Sanitation facilities: Most sites lack toilets, requiring proper waste disposal practices. A reviewer at Somerset Airfield observed that "Site was littered with places previous campers had left human excrement. While not in the site directly, it was all around it."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection timing: Arrive early during peak seasons to secure suitable spots. At Branch Pond on National Forest Hwy, a camper recommended: "If you get there while its still sunlight you can pick a spot by a flowing stream/river."
Wildlife awareness: Bear activity has been reported in the area. A camper at Branch Pond noted: "I did see a huge blackbear."
Weekend crowding: Holiday periods bring significant activity and potential noise. At Somerset Airfield, one camper reported: "Weekend was interrupted by a domestic violence situation a few sites down that resulted in fights and someone shooting off a handgun. Took state police over 50 minutes to respond and multiple families left."
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: Several dispersed areas can accommodate multiple vehicles. At Statton Pond Camp, one RVer noted: "The site was very flat and could accommodate several small campers."
Weather preparation: Winter camping requires extensive preparation for extreme conditions. An RVer at Somerset Airfield shared: "Everything crusted was over with a good inch of ice. I have never endured such winds camping, I was sure camp was going to be blown apart."
Holding spots: During peak periods, expect some sites to be claimed in advance. One camper observed: "Many other sites further south on 71 were filled and some were just TTs holding the space for the upcoming weekend."
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