Best Dispersed Camping near Island Pond, VT
Dispersed camping near Island Pond, Vermont includes two boat-in sites along the Connecticut River Paddlers Trail. Maine Railroad Trestle and Scott C. Devlin Memorial both offer primitive camping with no facilities except basic amenities. These free sites require no reservations but are part of the CT River Paddlers Trail network, which recommends voluntary registration to prevent overcrowding. Several additional dispersed camping options can be found in neighboring New Hampshire within 30-45 miles, primarily in White Mountain National Forest areas.
Access to the Connecticut River sites requires watercraft, with both locations featuring designated boat landings. Maine Railroad Trestle provides a rocky beach landing area with easy loading/unloading access, while Scott C. Devlin Memorial has wooden steps at a river bend with stronger currents. Both sites permit fires and allow pets but provide minimal amenities—Maine Railroad Trestle includes a picnic table and fire ring, while Scott C. Devlin Memorial features a composting toilet box. Neither site offers drinking water, and campers must pack out all trash and supplies.
The river sites provide seclusion with distinctive environments. According to one visitor's review, Maine Railroad Trestle offers "a really nice rocky beach with easy access for loading and unloading. It's also a nice spot to fish from." The site includes both hilltop and lower areas suitable for camping. At Scott C. Devlin Memorial, a reviewer noted it is "tucked on a knoll in a pine forest" with "plenty of flat space for tents." Wildlife encounters are common at these primitive sites—campers should be aware of ticks in grassy areas and properly store food. For those seeking drive-in options, the nearest dispersed camping zones are in New Hampshire's White Mountain National Forest, where numerous free forest sites along Haystack Road and Cherry Mountain Road accommodate tent campers for up to 14 days.
