Green Mountain National Forest offers over 400,000 acres of dispersed camping opportunities with numerous sites situated along forest roads, streams, and hiking trails. Winter access requires special preparation as many roads remain unplowed, while spring brings muddy conditions that often necessitate 4WD vehicles. Most dispersed camping allows 14-day stays with required setbacks of 200 feet from water sources and 1/4 mile from developed recreation areas.
What to do
Swimming in natural pools: At Little Rock Pond Group Camp & Shelters, the pond is surprisingly warm despite its elevation and features excellent swimming. A visitor noted, "The pond is surprisingly warm for its altitude and it's home to two Common Loons. There's a huge jumping rock on the far side of the pond."
Winter recreation: Michigan Brook Road camping areas remain accessible year-round but require proper equipment during winter months. One camper advised, "The main road to the parking lot is plowed and sanded. However if you would like to continue down the service road during winter months I would highly recommend snowshoes or a snowmobile."
Stream exploration: The small streams and brooks throughout the forest provide natural cooling and exploration opportunities. Sites along Forest Road 25 offer direct water access, with a camper mentioning, "We had quiet and respectful neighbors. People have been careless with leaving discarded boards and other items…not good… but door is still beautiful."
What campers like
River sounds: The natural white noise from flowing water enhances the camping experience at many sites. At Route 100 Dispersed Camping, visitors appreciate the proximity to Mad River. One camper described it as "Easy to find, quiet & scenic with the river."
Privacy between sites: Many dispersed areas offer secluded spots with natural separation. At Winturri Backcountry Shelter, a hiker observed, "The shelter was fairly standard but this stop had a great amount of tent camping around in spaces with decent privacy."
Varied terrain options: The forest offers both streamside and elevated camping experiences. At Michigan Brook Road, a camper reported, "I found most of the spots to be on the road before the GPS marker. Few nice ones near the creek. I stayed at one on top of a hill—lots of space at mine."
What you should know
Road conditions vary seasonally: Spring brings particularly challenging driving conditions on forest roads. A visitor to Michigan Brook advised, "Beware that in Spring the road gets muddy and quite rutted, I would not recommend driving down there with a car that is low to the ground."
Limited amenities: Most dispersed sites lack facilities. Near Route 100, campers should note the signage situation: "There was a NFS sign along FR-25 posted asking people to clean up after themselves (litter and human waste) as there'd been complaints to the extent that they were considering closing the sites if people didn't do better."
Site closure concerns: Several areas face potential shutdown due to misuse. One camper observed, "This area is being heavily used and some spots are being shut down from abuse, please be aware that you have a lot of impact, and that impact can be positive or negative. Choose Positive!"
Tips for camping with families
Site selection: For best tent camping near Green Mountain National Forest with children, consider proximity to water features and accessibility. The Bingo camping area provides easy access with "Couple of spots along the forest access road. Beautiful stream close by."
Water access points: Sites with gentler water entry are ideal for families. At Patterson Brookside camp, a camper described, "Mountain road lingers along the river. There's quite a few sites along the road. Be sure to camp at spots with established fire rings!"
Cell service considerations: Many forest areas lack connectivity. One Michigan Brook Road visitor warned, "PLEASE NOTE: THIS LOCATION DOES NOT PROVIDE CELL PHONE SERVICE OR WIFI CONNECTION. However, if you walk to the end of upper Michigan Brook road you will have cell phone service and a gas station along with a United States Post Office."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most forest service roads accommodate smaller RVs but present challenges for larger rigs. At Last light on Michigan Brook, campers noted specific site locations: "The very last spot on the right hand side. If you've reached the closed gate you've missed the site!"
Weather preparation: Changing seasons significantly impact road accessibility. A visitor to Green Mountain National Forest FR25 noted, "Beautiful sites on the River but with the wet summer, we just couldn't dry out. Make sure to lock you valuables."
Clearance requirements: Higher clearance vehicles perform better on forest roads. One Michigan Road visitor emphasized, "Road goes in pretty far. Some parts are muddy and very rough. Higher clearance would be advised!!!"
