Best Dispersed Camping near Dorset, VT
Forest Road 71 offers multiple free dispersed camping options in Green Mountain National Forest near Dorset, Vermont. Most sites feature established fire rings but lack other amenities—no toilets, trash service, or drinking water except at Stratton Pond Shelter and Somerset Airfield. Road conditions vary, with some routes requiring higher-clearance vehicles. One camper noted that "NFR 71 has an open circle capable of handling multiple rigs for a large gathering" while another cautioned about muddy conditions during wet periods.
Access points include Downed Bridge Camp, Branch Pond, and various pull-offs along Forest Road 71. Many sites accommodate both tents and small RVs. The Somerset Airfield area provides more open, less private camping with pit toilets and easy access to Somerset Reservoir for fishing and paddling. For backcountry options, Stratton Pond Shelter requires a 3.75-mile winter hike from the nearest parking lot and features tent platforms, outhouses, and shelter space. Most dispersed areas maintain the "pack it in, pack it out" principle, with several reviewers mentioning they spent time cleaning sites left messy by previous visitors.
