Best Dispersed Camping near Craftsbury Common, VT
Dispersed camping options near Craftsbury Common, Vermont primarily concentrate in the Green Mountain National Forest area, where several primitive sites offer backcountry experiences without formal facilities. Austin Brook and FR25 provide riverfront camping with established fire rings along forest roads. Two additional water-accessible sites—Maine Railroad Trestle and Scott C. Devlin Memorial—are located along the Connecticut River Paddlers Trail, offering boat-in access only. Lincoln Dispersed Camping provides hike-in options for those seeking more remote experiences.
Most sites require moderate navigation skills, as forest roads can be rough with occasional deep puddles requiring higher clearance vehicles. FR25 dispersed sites feature riverside locations with fire rings but no other amenities. Several reviews note the presence of trash at some locations, with posted Forest Service warnings about proper waste disposal. Campers should prepare for primitive conditions with no drinking water, toilets, or trash service at most sites. Austin Brook and Route 100 areas are easily accessible from paved roads, while Lincoln Dispersed Camping requires more remote travel down Forest Road 291.
These primitive camping areas provide natural immersion and water access at no cost. Austin Brook sites offer stream access with established fire rings, while sites along FR25 border the Mad River with swimming opportunities. The Connecticut River sites provide shoreline camping with designated facilities for paddlers. Lincoln Dispersed Camping delivers seclusion among wooded areas with nearby streams for water filtering. Visitors should be aware of potential wildlife encounters. "Gorgeous stream/river...love the river sounds," noted one camper at FR25. Another visitor cautioned about Lincoln's FR 291: "FR 291 is a somewhat primitive road - lots of big puddles. I would want some clearance for a vehicle."
