Dispersed camping opportunities around Danby, Vermont concentrate within the Green Mountain National Forest, where campers can access free primitive sites along several forest service roads. The Downed Bridge Camp, Road's End Dispersed Camp, and sites along Forest Road 71 are popular choices for those seeking basic backcountry camping experiences. These areas typically feature nothing more than clearings with established fire rings, providing a true wilderness experience on public land.
Access routes to dispersed sites near Danby vary in quality and difficulty. Most primitive camping areas require moderate to high-clearance vehicles, with several reviewers noting rough entry points. As one camper described the NF 83 riverside location, "The beginning of the little driveway is quite rough with some bigger rocks," though they added that vehicles with "substantial ground clearance" should navigate it without issues. Forest Road 71 hosts multiple dispersed sites, but seasonal conditions can impact accessibility, particularly after rainfall when some areas become excessively muddy.
The dispersed camping areas surrounding Danby attract visitors seeking seclusion and natural settings. Many sites are situated along waterways or provide access to hiking trails, including connections to the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail. The Somerset Airfield area offers a more open environment with pit toilets, which distinguishes it from the completely primitive nature of other nearby sites. "This is a nice clearing near the river where the road used to cross," noted one review about the NF 83 riverside site. Campers frequently mention the lack of amenities at these locations—no water sources, no garbage service, and typically no cell service—making advance preparation essential. The reward is experiencing Vermont's forests with minimal crowds and light pollution, as one camper summarized a site as having "no light pollution, cell signal or distractions."
"But don't worry there is primitive camping starting about a mile down fire road 10... You don't even have to go to fire road 30."
"Great location for a small group to camp at. Can't wait to go back. The main area is a walk in and is worth it. The road into here was easy to drive. "
"great private spot when nothing else is around. The drive in is a little rough, but doable for most vehicles. The only thing you will find here is a fire ring."
"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. "
"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. "
"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."
"No public bathrooms, no hookups, I personally didn’t have service."
"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."
"Free dispersed camping site in the Green Mountain National Forest, off a dirt road. The site curves around past the driveway so you can tuck up into the trees to be more private."
"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."
"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!"
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!
TravelerPrivate, large site. This was the first site in the road. We have a low clearance car and it was a bit bumpy. This site was amazing, clean and easy pull in pull out.
GuideSo peaceful and serene
GuideI had many sites to choose from. Definitely remote and private.
Dispersed camping near Danby, Vermont primarily centers around the western portion of the Green Mountain National Forest. This area sits at elevations between 1,500-2,500 feet, with forest roads that cross multiple watersheds feeding into the Mettawee River. Winter access often requires 4WD vehicles, as many forest roads receive minimal maintenance during snow and mud seasons.
Hiking to water features: Stratton Pond Shelter provides access to one of the largest bodies of water on the Long Trail. "The lake looks great and is one of the largest bodies of water on the Long Trail," notes one camper who hiked in during winter conditions.
Access backcountry areas: The forest service roads around Danby connect to numerous trails. At Downed Bridge Camp, one camper shared: "If you're looking for the ideal spot to stay a few days make sure you show in daylight so you can explore for that."
Wilderness immersion: The remote sites provide true isolation. Forest Road sites offer spaces "with no light pollution, cell signal or distractions," according to one winter camper, making stargazing particularly rewarding during clear nights.
River proximity: Waterside sites rank among the most popular. At NF 83 - riverside, campers appreciate the "large open grassy area with a sizable fire pit" situated "peacefully placed along the bends of the river."
Varied site options: The George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed area features "large, well organized camping spots along the road," with one camper noting the spots "were all pretty spread out from each other and the road was easy to drive on."
Multi-day base camps: Many sites work well for extended stays. One camper at Statton Pond Camp reported: "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."
Access challenges: Most primitive sites require appropriate vehicles. The entrance to Road's End Dispersed Camp is "a little rough, but doable for most vehicles," according to visitor reports.
Weather impacts: Seasonal conditions significantly affect site conditions. After rain, Forest Road 71 sites can become "very muddy," with one camper noting "I have an SUV and I didn't trust it to get through, and I didn't want to get stuck."
Limited amenities: Prepare for true primitive camping. Most sites contain only fire rings, with one camper describing a typical site as having "the only thing you will find at this primitive site is a fire ring."
Clean-up responsibilities: Pack-in, pack-out practices are essential. One regular camper noted: "2 years in a row my husband and I had to spend over an hour cleaning the site from the people before us."
Open clearing sites: For families needing space, seek out the larger sites. At Somerset Airfield, you'll find "a strip of land with several campsites and fire pits" that provides more room for kids to play safely.
Water access considerations: When camping with children, riverside sites offer natural entertainment. One camper saw "happy people swimming, kayaking, and camping" at Somerset Reservoir, making it suitable for family activities.
Timing for solitude: Arrive midweek for better site selection. A camper mentioned their surprise at finding availability "especially the just a couple of days before Fourth of July weekend," noting that sites fill quickly for holidays and weekends.
Accessibility planning: Many forest service roads become difficult to navigate with families during wet conditions. One visitor warned that "the beginning of the little driveway is quite rough with some bigger rocks," suggesting families choose easier access points.
Site size limitations: Most dispersed areas accommodate smaller RVs only. Somerset Airfield provides "campsites all next to the road" with minimal separation, making it suitable for small to medium rigs.
Ground clearance requirements: RV access varies significantly by site. For some locations, campers warn "don't expect to get in here unless you have more than 8" of clearance under your vehicle."
Group camping options: For RV groups traveling together, seek out the larger cleared areas. One camper described a site as "an open circle, capable of handling multiple rigs for a large gathering" with a "stone fire ring in the center."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Danby, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Danby, VT is Downed Bridge Camp with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Danby, VT?
TheDyrt.com has all 35 dispersed camping locations near Danby, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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