Best Dispersed Camping near Groton, VT

Recent Dispersed Reviews near Groton, Vermont

68 Reviews of 23 Groton Campgrounds

• S

  Sean F.

  Guide

  

  May. 7, 2024

  Guyot Shelter - Dispersed Camping

  Has all you need, but busy

  Despite being so remote, one of the busiest back country camps in the Whites.

  Has a nice shelter, spring, privy, platforms, some sites have somewhat of a view of far away mountain tops.

  No space for non-free standing tents. Quite a hike dropping down from the main trail to the campsite, 15-20 min straight up to hike out in the morning

• D

  Dom L.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 29, 2023

  Elbow Pond Road Dispersed Site

  Car camping at elbow pond

  This is an awesome spot for camping. They have a couple different spots where you can park and walk up to your site or they have sites you can pull right up next to them. Some of the camping spots have fire pits but not all. Theres a nice pond with great views and good fishing. Some of the sites are close together but there are some that are a good distance apart. The road in is pretty rough and is not recommended for sedans or lower riding cars. Overall this is a great place to camp if you’re looking for free camping spots. Also it is first come first serve

• 

  Joann&WellsThePup I.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 9, 2021

  Green Mountain National Forest FR207

  NF-71

  About 12 sites off National Forest Road 71. Beautiful area and very secluded. All have fire rings but that’s about it. Make sure to have a backup plan during the mud season and treat your skin and clothes during black fly season

• 

  Murf V.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 6, 2024

  Route 100 Dispersed Camping

  This is not for camping

  This is a picnic area that people insist on camping there and because of this kind of stuff is why we keep loosing free camping sites

• 

  Jean C.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 17, 2019

  Tripoli Road

  Dispersed camping, be bear aware!

  Tripoli Road is a seasonal road, opening in late May most years and closing in autumn. Check the White Mountain National Forest Facebook page for up to date road closures/status. The section before Russell Pond often opens before the rest of it, which is graded, not paved. The road runs between the Waterville Valley area and I-93 exit 31. This is roadside camping, no frills, first come, first served. You must stay at a site with a fire ring, but sites are not numbered. Road signs demarcate no camping zones; some areas look like they could be campsites, but will also be marked with no camping signs. 

  You must register at the ranger station on the western end of the road, shortly past the entrance to the Russell Pond campground. Rates are a flat rate set per car and per weekends or weekday period. In other words, you pay one rate for 1-5 weekdays ($20 in 2019) and another fee for a weekend($25-30 - holidays). It’s self service most of the time, with the ranger available Friday and Saturday evenings. 

  The sites vary from sites near and level with the road to ones set above or well below the road. Some are near a river, most are wooded. Some are isolated, others are close together. There are no reservations, so you'll be choosing your own when you arrive. Downhill sites closest to the Russell Pond area seem to be most popular. Most of these were occupied on a late June weekend, while those farther down the road remained empty.

  There are port-a-potties near the western entrance, but otherwise you’re on your own with cat holes or portable toilet solutions. Nearest showers are at Russell Pond. Please keep it clean and protect the area. I’ve passed through several times while hiking My Osceola and have observed that these sites are often filled with groups or families with multiple tents. On a late June weekend there are numerous empty sites, so they seem to be more available than the dispersed sites along Gale River Rd and Haystack Rd (farther north in Twin Mountain). Excessive drinking and noise can be an issue. 

  You need to be aware that bears are in the area. Following the July 4, 2019 holiday, the camping area was closed after bears visited campsites and got into food that was left in the open and not secured in vehicles or bear canisters. The camping area re-opened July 19, but check the White Mountain National Forest FB page before heading up there. If the issue recurs, I wouldn't be surprised if they close it again.

  Hiking in the region include the Osceolas (moderate hike with beautiful views, exceedingly popular and crowded on autumn weekends - get there early!), Tripyramid, and Tecumseh. Shorter treks include Welch-Dickey (great open ledges) and Snow's Mountain (along a river with falls). Nearby Russell Pond offers ranger programs, fishing, and you can put a kayak or canoe in. The Pemigewassett offers tubing and kayaking put ins. Outfitters one exit south can provide you with transportation and rentals. Exit 32 for Lincoln, Woodstock, and the Kanc is less than 5 miles north.

  Cell service is decent at nearby Russell Pond (Verizon seemed to offer better service than AT&T).

• D

  David W.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 1, 2024

  Green Mountain Camp on Town Road 11

  Beautiful View Real VT setting but can be a little crowded

  It is a beautiful setting and the first nice weekend in May. There were quite a few folks there already but worth the visit. 

  It is old Vermont farm land that the team of the US National Forest must manage. They have kept the clearing clear and access is pretty good. We are so lucky to have access like this for all of us to enjoy.

• 

  Michelle R.

  Guide

  

  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.

• 

  Kevin C.

  Ranger

  

  Sep. 19, 2024

  Cherry Mountain Road Dispersed

  Super quiet and lots of privacy

  Came into the area after 7 PM on a Tuesday and found several open sites. We stayed one night in campsite 9. This site is about 90 yards from the fire tower trailhead.

  Site #9 goes back about 70 to 80 feet back off the road. There appears to have been a longer site, but the Forest Service placed boulders blacking vehicles from going further. Just past the boulders is a large fire circle with room for 6 to 8 campers to sit around the fire.

  We were able to collect sunlight onto our solar panel from the site.

  The camp site are all disbursed enough that we did not hear any other camping sounds at all. It was so quiet I could hear the sound of crow wings flapping as they flew by.

  We enjoyed a spectacular view of the Blood Super Moon from the campsite. Overall the site was open to the sky nea3 the road yet protected from the wind.

  The only downside was the lack of any other amenities. As far as disbursed camping in the national forest, this place is not a decent unpaved road and our campsite was only about 3 miles from the highway.

• 

  Jean C.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 11, 2019

  Haystack Road

  Dispersed roadside camping near Twin Mountain Trailhead & Franconia Notch

  If you can't snag a site along Gale River Rd or you are looking to hike the Twin Mountains, then continue a little farther north on US 3 near Twin Mountain (a little north of the Beaver Brook Picnic Area) and try your luck on Haystack Rd. This road is closed in winter and will open in late spring after the road has dried out and any repairs have been made. In 2019, it opened in mid-June. Check the the White Mountain National Forest FB page or website (FB is usually more up-to-date) for road status, including closures in the autumn.

  When open, you can drive in to one of 11 numbered, wooded sites and camp up to 14 nights for free. You may have up to 3 vehicles and 15 people on a site. The only amenity is a fire pit, but the road ends at the Little River, offering fishing and swimming options. The parking lot at the end of Haystack Rd serves as the Twin Mountain trail head. You may see moose or bears in the area.

  Franconia Notch State Park is just south of here, with its hikes, recreation trail, echo lake, and the Flume. Head east on 302 and you'll find yourself in Crawford Notch State Park with waterfalls and hikes.

  Forgot something? Fosters Corners just a few miles north has an eclectic selection of essentials as well as gas. Or take I-93 north to Littleton to a wider variety of shops.

• 

  Mike M.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 2, 2018

  Tripoli Road

  Primitive

  True primitive sites. First come first serve. Awesome feel. Cool road. Great access to tripyramid hikes. Somewhat isolated.

• 

  Mike B.

  Guide

  

  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

• 

  Laura

  Scout

  

  Jun. 12, 2018

  Tripoli Road

  great hidden spot

  Would call this a solid car camp spot. Went on a Saturday afternoon after a long hike and there were plenty of spots open. You can pick any spot, each one has a different variety wIth size and how deep into the woods you want to walk. No showers or bathrooms, a porter potty at the entrance but that’s about it. Only complaint I had were a couple cars kept flying back and forth down the road at night. Camp a little further in and you’d be fine

• J

  Jerome S.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 6, 2021

  Guyot Shelter - Dispersed Camping

  Great Campsite on the Pemi loop

  Spent a great night here.

  This is a very large campground. With a large shelter renovated in 2019. Approx 10 platform sites. Some are very isolated and some with great views.

  Privy is a bit of a walk. And the eating area is very small. X3 bear boxes.

  Great Water source right near the eating area.

  Loved this site!

• 

  Ali B.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 28, 2020

  Tripoli Road

  Primitive Car camping

  Great spot for the weekdays, hardly anyone around and got a great site right by the river (mid-sept.). We left on a Friday morning and a lot more people were coming in so I imagine it could get really loud during busy summer weekends/holidays. A lot of sites were right next to each other so if it's crowded, you might not get a lot of privacy. However, there are little camp spots all over this road, too many to count so it's a good bet of getting one, especially on the weekdays. Definitely watch out for bears though, didn't see any but saw plenty of evidence.

• A

  Amanda

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 18, 2021

  Green Mountain National Forest FR207

  Beautiful fields and views

  Wow this site was so beautiful!

  The road into the site was scenic and beautiful. We followed the river all the way to the very end of the road up on the mountain. From there we decided on a site at the top of the mountain at the end of the long road. We quickly got rained out and went back down to one of the brookside sites. This site had great tree coverage to easily set up a tarp. It even had a premade firepit! Make sure to bring your own trash bag and water. 

  The next morning we decided to visit the sites for this actual dispersed site on the field. There were many spots on open fields with beautiful scenic views of the mountains. If we go and stay up there again we will definitely be staying at one of these. 

  If you're considering a spot in Vermont to camp, come here!

  Also, make sure your car has a bit of clearance as some sports have dips in the ground.

• 

  Lily D.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 27, 2021

  Green Mountain National Forest FR207

  Town Highway 11 on W Hill Road

  Beautiful meadow campsites overlooking the valley. Firepits and tent platforms are in place although most of the sites are drive-in. If you’re looking for a picture perfect campsite with a view this is the place for you!

• 

  Alexandre R.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 8, 2024

  Guyot Shelter - Dispersed Camping

  Awesome campsite

  Great campsite!

  Bear box, food area, water source, cabin, Privy, and platforms.

• 

  Kat B.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 26, 2020

  Tripoli Road

  My always camp spot

  Fantastic secluded options, highly recommend getting a good spot by the river. Park staff are great and spots are well maintained. Downsides are there are few bathrooms (and they are Portojohns), and the road can be irritating/cars kick up dust as they drive by. It's also first come first serve, so be sure to get up early on Friday for a weekend campout. But this is by far one of my favorite spots!

• 

  Chris D.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 10, 2024

  Route 100 Dispersed Camping

  Great little spot right off RT-100

  I was looking for the Austin Brook campsite north of this one, but someone on here gave directions to this site, which turns out has its own page on here. Right off the road, a small handful of camp sites, some picnic tables, presumably some fire rings although with snow coverage I didn’t see any. Main lot has plenty of parking, perfect for car camping. Pull through the trees has some spots for tents and smaller setups. Entrance and exit are a little steep and tricky in the winter, lot wasn’t plowed so AWD/4x4 and good ground clearance are recommended.

• J

  J W.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 19, 2024

  Green Mountain National Forest Texas Falls Primative campsites

  Nice setting, simple fire pit only sites

  There seems to be a little confusion about where restricted day use ends and overnight dispersed sites begin. Some folks were camping in the picnic area. Past the gate at the end of the Texas Falls recreation area we found several sites with only a fire pit along the brook. They were well used with some litter. We packed out what we could find. There are posted signs on the opposite bank so we stayed on our side. Brook water filtered fine and was tasty. Relatively short walk to waterless toilets was welcome. Very pretty area.

• 

  Margaret E.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 15, 2020

  Route 100 Dispersed Camping

  Easy access and beautiful site

  This site has 3-5 campsites right off of route 100. This is right next to Mad River with a area to walk down into a swimming hole. Great place.

• 

  Kris Z.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 8, 2020

  Tripoli Road

  Came through in the 24th hr...

  Awesome adult spot, pretty much free reign, no quiet time, and, watch out for bears... #kudos

• L

  Lexi R.

  Guide

  

  May. 30, 2019

  Guyot Shelter - Dispersed Camping

  Amazing Views

  Step walk in and out though most of the tent plat forms have amazing views. I have stayed here twice and had great experiences. A outhouse is located at this tent site as well as pump-able water, bear boxes and a shelter. Great place to stay on the Pemi Loop. It is a carry in carry out campsite.

• J

  J W.

  Scout

  

  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.

• J

  Joseph A.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 13, 2021

  Tripoli Road

  Awesome

  This is a great spot to start getting into camping with less amenities and more outdoors. I have been going there for 20 years and I still recommend it. Drive up the dirt road and find a nice riverside camp site. 3 miles of seclusion if you want. Great hiking trails directly off Tripoli . Hiking the loop trail is amazing.

• 

  Sarah C.

  Legend

  

  Sep. 6, 2023

  Maine Railroad Trestle

  Nice site along the CT River Paddlers Trail

  While reservations are not required, there is a registration page on the CT River Paddler's Trail Website that they ask folx to complete just so spots don't get overcrowded. 

  There are several sites available here and a really nice rocky beach with easy access fo loading and unloading. It's also a nice spot to fish from. There is a site perched high on the hill where there is a picnic table and fire ring. There is also a spot lower down that is nice and flat and probably better spots for tents. We did have an ATV almost run over us at 1:00 a.m. that scared the dickens out of us. They were clearly unaware and intoxicated, it was a scary moment. But aside from that, it's a wonderful site. If you walk through the campsite, there is a massive cornfield, just beware that the ticks in the field are insane! They weren't bad in the campsite but in the grass, they were epic. There's nice shade available as well.

• 

  Miccal M.

  Legend

  

  Jun. 11, 2021

  Green Mountain National Forest Texas Falls Primative campsites

  Some great Primitive sites here

  This area is wonderful, first Texas falls it a great place to stop and explore.  Then, if you venture further up into the mountains you come upon the campsites with fire pits and if your lucky you can get one on the river.

  There is not much to these sites as far as amenities, just a fire pit.  But that is all I need.