Best Dispersed Camping near Essex Junction, VT
Dispersed camping is concentrated in the Green Mountain National Forest west of Essex Junction, Vermont, with multiple free primitive sites located along forest roads and near waterways. Many sites are accessible from Forest Roads 25, 207, and FR 291, offering undeveloped camping options in the national forest. Most locations provide basic fire rings but no amenities such as restrooms, running water, or trash services. The Austin Brook area and several designated forest road pull-offs represent the primary dispersed camping zones in this region, typically situated 45-60 minutes from Essex Junction.
Access to most dispersed sites requires careful navigation on unpaved roads with varying conditions. Many forest roads demand vehicles with higher clearance, particularly FR 207 where one visitor noted the need for "at least 9 inches of ground clearance." Several sites become difficult or impossible to access during mud season, with some areas now blocked by boulders or damaged by flooding. According to one camper, "This site is no longer accessible unless you have a lifted full-size jeep or 4-runner type vehicle." Winter conditions further limit access, though some dedicated winter campers report having entire areas to themselves during colder months.
These dispersed camping areas typically feature riverside or mountain-view settings with natural scenery as the primary draw. Campsites along Austin Brook provide stream access, while FR 207 offers "beautiful fields and views" with "spectacular" vistas from higher elevation sites. One reviewer described finding "many spots on open fields with beautiful scenic views of the mountains." Wildlife sightings are occasionally reported, with one winter camper mentioning, "Woke up to two moose nearby the morning I was leaving." Some areas show evidence of overuse, with rangers reportedly considering closures if campers don't practice better Leave No Trace ethics. A reviewer cautioned that "Rangers have already started to move boulders into place to block off some of the other sites" due to abuse of the areas.
