Best Dispersed Camping near Brandon, VT
Green Mountain National Forest provides numerous dispersed camping opportunities near Brandon, Vermont, with several primitive sites located along forest roads and near streams. Popular areas include FR207, which features meadow sites with mountain views, and FR50, which offers more secluded camping options. Texas Falls Primitive campsites provide streamside camping with nearby waterless toilets. Most sites are located on public land managed by the U.S. Forest Service, requiring no permits and typically offering free camping with established fire rings.
Access to many dispersed sites requires vehicles with adequate ground clearance, particularly for areas like FR207 where campers report needing at least 9 inches of clearance to navigate rough terrain. Roads are often unpaved, with some becoming impassable during mud season or winter months. Most locations have no amenities—no drinking water, toilets, or trash service—requiring visitors to pack out all waste. Fire restrictions may apply seasonally, and campers should be prepared for limited or no cell service in remote areas.
The dispersed camping experience near Brandon varies from open meadows with panoramic mountain views to secluded riverside spots. FR207 is noted for spectacular sunrise and sunset views from its higher elevation sites. Patterson Brookside camp offers several riverside camping options with varying levels of privacy. Visitors frequently mention the natural beauty and solitude as highlights, though some areas are experiencing increased use. One camper noted that "some spots are being shut down from abuse, please be aware that you have a lot of impact, and that impact can be positive or negative." Another visitor described FR207 as having "beautiful fields and views" with "many spots on open fields with beautiful scenic views of the mountains."
