Best Dispersed Camping near Grand Isle, VT

Dispersed camping in the Green Mountain National Forest offers several primitive options within a 1-2 hour drive from Grand Isle, Vermont. Austin Brook near Warren Falls provides undeveloped riverside sites with fire rings but no formal amenities. Lincoln Dispersed Camping areas are accessible via Forest Road 291, a somewhat primitive road requiring vehicles with decent clearance. Both areas provide authentic backcountry camping experiences with varying degrees of accessibility and minimal facilities.

Access to Lincoln Dispersed Camping requires navigating Forest Road 291, which features large puddles and rough terrain. Most visitors recommend vehicles with higher clearance, though standard SUVs like Toyota Highlanders can manage the route with care. Austin Brook sites are positioned between the Mad River and Vermont Route 100, offering easier drive-in access. Neither location provides drinking water, toilets, or waste disposal services, requiring campers to pack in all supplies and pack out all trash. Fire regulations vary seasonally, with Austin Brook typically allowing fires in established rings while Lincoln areas have more restrictions.

These primitive camping areas attract visitors seeking seclusion and natural surroundings. Lincoln Dispersed Camping features sites near a clean brook suitable for water filtering, with multiple reviewers noting the exceptional quiet broken only by "occasional dog barking from houses in the Downingville area." Austin Brook offers several streamside sites with established fire rings. According to one visitor, the Austin Brook area includes "4-5 sites, 3 picnic tables" in a setting "wedged between the Mad River and Vermont Route 100." Another camper noted that while the area has "smaller areas roughly 1-6 sites," most "have river access" and feature "nice fire rings." Several reviewers emphasized the importance of keeping these areas clean to preserve their natural character.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Grand Isle, Vermont (5)

    2. Austin Brook

    7 Reviews
    Warren, VT
    48 miles
    Website

    "When driving in on the right there’s a culdesac type set up of sites. Pretty sure these sites all have river access. Road is short dead ends with a decent amount of turn around space."

    "Great location, easy access, on a nice brook. Fire ring only, no facilities and minimal parking."

    3. Lincoln Dispersed Camping

    2 Reviews
    Lincoln, VT
    44 miles

    "Down off this back road in VT you can find some beautiful secluded campsites - Yards away from gorgeous running water. No trash or restrooms - Primitive for sure. Prepare for bugs as well."

    "I would want some clearance for a vehicle. Our Toyota Highlander made it easily. We found 2 campsites with fire pits right off the end of FR 291. Easy stroll to a clean brook for filtering water."

    5. Jones Pond

    Be the first to review!
    Rainbow Lake, NY
    48 miles
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Showing results 1-5 of 5 campgrounds

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Grand Isle, VT

7 Photos of 5 Grand Isle Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Grand Isle, VT

9 Reviews of 5 Grand Isle Campgrounds


  • Thomas and James S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 18, 2024

    Austin Brook

    Nice sites

    Smaller area roughly 1-6 sites. When driving in on the right there’s a culdesac type set up of sites. Pretty sure these sites all have river access. Road is short dead ends with a decent amount of turn around space.

  • Michelle R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2018

    Austin Brook

    Green Mountain National Forest Warren Falls

    Just south of Warren Falls trail head and parking lot and just north of Green Mountains National Forest Road #25, is a small (4-5 sites, 3 picnic tables) camping and parking area wedged between the Mad River and Vermont Route 100. Grassy and Rocky sites, 4 fire rings, 3 porta-potties, and stream side (river) camping close to trails, Warren Falls swimming hole, the Lincoln Gap Road and hiking, and the "famous" Warren General Store, and covered bridge. There aren't any reservation or use instructions or signs posted.

  • Miccal  M.
    Jun. 2, 2021

    Austin Brook

    Great Primative Location

    I didn't get the chance to camp here, it was full when I drove through looking for a place. So I came back later in the weekend for pictures. Great location, easy access, on a nice brook. Fire ring only, no facilities and minimal parking.

  • Mike B.
    Sep. 1, 2016

    Lincoln Dispersed Camping

    FR 291

    Down off this back road in VT you can find some beautiful secluded campsites - Yards away from gorgeous running water. No trash or restrooms - Primitive for sure. Prepare for bugs as well. The seclusion of this spot is what makes it. On the weekends some people ride ATVs around here, otherwise it is a sanctuary

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 14, 2023

    Austin Brook

    Wrong Coordinates

    This is a beautiful little pull off the road right on the river with tables & fire rings. For correct coordinates look at Fire Road 25. This area is right next to FireRoad 25 rd. We did not camp here we camped on FR25.

  • Gavin P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 11, 2024

    Austin Brook

    Amazing Site

    This location is easy to access and has really nice drive in sites. Will definitely be a regular on our ventures

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2024

    Lincoln Dispersed Camping

    FR 291 Dispersed camping

    FR 291 is a somewhat primitive road - lots of big puddles. I would want some clearance for a vehicle. Our Toyota Highlander made it easily. We found 2 campsites with fire pits right off the end of FR 291. Easy stroll to a clean brook for filtering water. Very quiet, though we could hear the occasional dog barking from houses in the Downingville area. There are probably more sites, but really liked the first one we found. Great trees for hammocks.

    Day 2 we walked past the gate beyond the end of the road followed a trail up 500 feet or so of elevation in the foothills to the west of Mt Ellen. Found one more camp site. Road/path had a big blowdown, but looked like some ATVs had been up it in the last few months. Pretty walk, lots of mushrooms.

    Saw no bear sign, but kept all food in car as a precaution.

    Lincoln General Store is 3.5 miles away via Downingville. Some modest resupply options there.

  • Thomas and James S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 25, 2024

    Austin Brook

    Beautiful brookside

    There’s a few sites here! All pretty much have access to the streams. Nice fire rings. Keep it clean!

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Austin Brook

    Site is mislabeled as FR 25

    There are a handful of sites down Austin Brook road, I had trouble finding a level spot. Minimal ATT reception but overall pretty area


Guide to Grand Isle

Primitive camping near Grand Isle, Vermont centers on undeveloped sites in the Green Mountain National Forest. During spring thaws, many forest roads become muddy with standing water that persists through early summer. Fall temperatures drop rapidly after sunset, often reaching 30-40°F even when daytime temperatures exceed 70°F. Sites typically sit at elevations between 900-2,500 feet, requiring campers to prepare for temperature variations and changing conditions.

What to do

Hiking from campsites: Access multiple trail connections from Lincoln Dispersed Camping. According to one camper, "We walked past the gate beyond the end of the road followed a trail up 500 feet or so of elevation in the foothills to the west of Mt Ellen. Found one more camp site." The trail continues into higher elevations with mushroom gathering opportunities.

Water activities: Austin Brook provides direct access to streams and the Mad River. One visitor notes, "All pretty much have access to the streams," making these sites ideal for fishing, wading, or cooling off during summer months.

Photography: Seasonal colors and moving water create photographic opportunities near forest campsites. A visitor to Austin Brook mentioned, "I didn't get the chance to camp here, it was full when I drove through looking for a place. So I came back later in the weekend for pictures. Great location, easy access, on a nice brook."

What campers like

Natural soundscapes: Forest camping areas provide notable quiet compared to developed campgrounds. At Lincoln Dispersed Camping, campers report "Very quiet, though we could hear the occasional dog barking from houses in the Downingville area," offering a more secluded experience than front-country options.

Water proximity: Many dispersed sites feature water access for filtering, cooling off, or ambiance. One camper at Lincoln describes "beautiful secluded campsites - Yards away from gorgeous running water," making water access a primary benefit of these locations.

Fire rings: Many primitive sites include established fire rings despite minimal other infrastructure. At Austin Brook, visitors note "4 fire rings" are available among the limited number of sites, allowing for traditional camping experiences when seasonal restrictions permit.

What you should know

Vehicle requirements: Forest roads leading to dispersed camping areas present challenges for low-clearance vehicles. For Chapel Pond Camping, approach roads feature seasonal ruts and erosion that worsen after heavy rains, potentially requiring 4WD during wet periods.

Supplies and provisioning: Pack in all necessities as services are limited. Near Lincoln Dispersed Camping, "Lincoln General Store is 3.5 miles away via Downingville. Some modest resupply options there," but selection remains limited compared to larger towns.

Wildlife considerations: Bears inhabit the Green Mountain National Forest, requiring proper food storage. One Lincoln camper noted they "Saw no bear sign, but kept all food in car as a precaution," following standard protocol for backcountry camping in the region.

Tips for camping with families

Site selection priorities: Choose sites with adequate space and minimal hazards. Austin Brook offers varied options where "When driving in on the right there's a culdesac type set up of sites," providing more contained spaces that work well for family groups needing to maintain sight lines to children.

Water safety planning: Jones Pond and similar water-adjacent sites require careful supervision of children near water. Sites positioned closest to streams carry higher risks during sudden rainstorms when water levels can rise rapidly.

Location verification: Confirm site locations before arrival as mapping applications sometimes provide incorrect coordinates. One visitor noted, "This is a beautiful little pull off the road right on the river with tables & fire rings. For correct coordinates look at Fire Road 25."

Tips from RVers

Turnaround space: Forest roads often end with limited turning radius for larger vehicles. At Austin Brook, "Road is short dead ends with a decent amount of turn around space," but conditions vary seasonally and space narrows when multiple vehicles are present.

Road conditions assessment: Before attempting forest roads with an RV, assess conditions or seek recent visitor reports. Regarding Lincoln, one camper specified "FR 291 is a somewhat primitive road - lots of big puddles. I would want some clearance for a vehicle. Our Toyota Highlander made it easily," indicating potential challenges for larger or longer vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Grand Isle, VT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Grand Isle, VT is Moscow Recreation Park with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Grand Isle, VT?

TheDyrt.com has all 5 dispersed camping locations near Grand Isle, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.