Dispersed camping near Townshend Lake offers primitive sites throughout the Green Mountain National Forest with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,500 feet. Winter temperatures often drop below 10°F while summer days typically reach 70-85°F. The region's forest roads connect multiple camping areas with varying accessibility depending on vehicle clearance and seasonal conditions.
What to do
Paddling at Somerset Reservoir: Located a short drive from Somerset Airfield, this large body of water provides excellent opportunities for kayaking and swimming. A camper at Somerset Airfield noted they "enjoyed the stunning babbling brook and reservoir—saw happy people swimming, kayaking, and camping."
Winter camping adventures: For cold-weather enthusiasts, the area offers challenging but rewarding winter camping experiences. A visitor at Somerset Airfield described their experience: "We endured Snow and mid 20s Friday night with 8" of fresh snow to wake up to Saturday... Saturday evening, we had 3" more by 11pm. Then the fun began as the wind blew the storms out and temperatures plummeted to 8° and a windchill of -3."
Hiking to mountain ponds: The region contains several backcountry ponds accessible by trail. A camper at Statton Pond Camp on Forest Road 71 mentioned the "good hiking access to Stratton Pond, to Branch Pond, to Grout Pond Recreation Area, to the AT/LT."
What campers like
Remote stargazing spots: The area's limited light pollution creates excellent stargazing opportunities. A camper at NF83 Dispersed site 1 appreciated the "great spot with no light pollution, cell signal or distractions."
River access: Many sites offer proximity to streams or rivers. At NF 83 - riverside, one camper described: "Peacefully placed along the bends of the river is a large open grassy area with a sizable fire pit!"
Multi-day backpacking options: For those seeking a more immersive experience, the area provides access to long-distance trails. A visitor to Stratton Pond Shelter shared: "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."
What you should know
Vehicle clearance requirements: Many forest roads require high-clearance vehicles. A visitor to NF83 Dispersed site 1 warned: "Don't expect to get in here unless you have more than 8" of clearance under your vehicle."
Road conditions vary seasonally: Spring can bring especially challenging road conditions. A camper noted that one dispersed site along FR71 was "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."
Trash management issues: Pack out all waste as previous campers sometimes leave trash. At George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed, a visitor reported: "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
Choose sites with flat terrain: Look for established areas with level ground for tents. A camper at George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed noted: "Large, well organized camping spots along the road. The spot I chose had a beautifully built fire pit."
Consider proximity to water features: Children often enjoy camping near streams. At NF 83 - riverside, a visitor mentioned: "If you get there while its still sunlight you can pick a spot by a flowing stream/river."
Be aware of weekend crowds: Holiday weekends can bring rowdier groups. At Somerset Airfield, a camper reported: "A neighbor said it was rowdy during the holiday with illegal fireworks set off every night over the dry forest."
Tips from RVers
Somerset Airfield for larger rigs: This location accommodates larger vehicles better than some other dispersed sites. One camper noted it "is probably good for people who camp with RVs or Trailers that can't get into smaller sites."
Hogback Mountain Trailhead parking area: For a quick overnight stop, this location offers ample space. A visitor to Hogback Mtn Trailhead described it as a "large open lot at top of paved highway pass. Great place to stop for the night. Not a lot of ambiance, but plenty of room for any number of rigs."
Check roads after rain: Many forest roads become challenging after precipitation. A visitor to NF 83 - riverside cautioned: "The beginning of the little driveway is quite rough with some bigger rocks... smaller ground clearances may feel a bump or two!"
