Camping near Lincoln, Vermont encompasses a mix of established campgrounds and dispersed sites within the Green Mountain National Forest. The area features several free primitive camping options along forest roads like FR 291, as well as developed facilities at Moosalamoo Campground and Branbury State Park. Located in the heart of Vermont's mountains, Lincoln provides access to swimming holes, hiking trails, and scenic mountain views. According to one visitor, Lincoln Dispersed Camping offers "very quiet" sites with "great trees for hammocks" and easy access to clean brooks for filtering water.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day weekend, with state parks and established sites closing during winter months. Forest roads accessing dispersed camping areas may become impassable during spring mud season or after heavy rains, with some requiring higher-clearance vehicles. One camper noted that FR 291 has "lots of big puddles" though their "Toyota Highlander made it easily." Cell service is generally limited throughout the area, particularly at remote sites. Fire restrictions vary by location and season, with some dispersed areas prohibiting fires entirely.
The camping experiences around Lincoln range from primitive to moderately developed. Dispersed sites in the national forest provide basic camping with few amenities, typically offering fire rings but no facilities. Established campgrounds like Branbury State Park feature amenities such as drinking water, toilets, and picnic tables. For supplies, the Lincoln General Store offers "modest resupply options" about 3.5 miles from some camping areas. Visitors seeking water recreation can find swimming holes near several campgrounds, while hikers appreciate the proximity to trails including access points to the Long Trail, Vermont's iconic long-distance hiking path that traverses the spine of the Green Mountains.
$15 / night
"there are no amenities other than cascading waterfalls, mountain views, incredible swimming hole, a nearby lake, a picnic table and a fire ring. the easiest access to sites one and two is the Silver Lake"
"Access to campground is on a gravel road but my van did okay. It is small and primitive and there is a camp host who is very nice."
"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."
"Able to see sunrise/sunset/moonrise over the surrounding rolling hills and crests. Upper meadows accessible with 4WD / high clearance vehicles."
"All pretty much have access to the streams. Nice fire rings. Keep it clean!"
"This area is right next to FireRoad 25 rd. We did not camp here we camped on FR25."
"It is located in the mountains of Vermont and right next to a beautiful river. The only con was the highway noise since it's pretty close to the road."
"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."
"The site was so scenic with a little waterfall and stream nearby. The camp staff was so nice. They kept the the bathrooms and areas so clean."
"Love to lake access, secluded camping, the hiking and remote area. Planning on revisiting next summer, even in august the nights get to a good sleeping temperature a vast majority of the time."
"All the sites were full when I visited (6 to 8 sites, approximately, but i didn't go down a couple little gravel paths to check each spot as you couldn't turn around easily) , so I didn't get to camp there"
$23 / night
"the best part is every night its only a ten minute hike to the summit from where the sites are and you get to watch the sunset over Vermont and lake champlain as the sun falls behind the adirondack mountains"
"apparently this is the first state park in Vermont. Only 8 campsites so try to book early. Nice trails that lead to scenic views of Lake Champlain. Bathrooms and showers were clean."
$19 - $28 / night
"Little River State Park is located just outside of Waterbury Vermont so it’s an ideal location for jumping off on other adventures!"
"We came here to hike the Dalley Loop Trail (which is a great trail full of history), but we wish we had camped here instead of the private campground 45 minutes away where we did stay."
"A great peaceful spot right next to the river."
"Loved camping next to the water and hearing the river as we slept. There are fire rings. No bugs."
"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."
"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."
GuideRight along the road (so if anything happens you can get help) also has wifi signal. It’s right along a creek that’s clean and beautiful. Crisp air and calming flowing river noises all night made it so I slept like a baby!
GuideDrove all the way here just to pull in and see signs that say “no overnight camping”
ScoutPublic Lands with about 8 semi private sites, each with nice views west or easterly. It's a large meadow and with a breeze, it will keep bugs away. Lacking a breeze, it is tough but still beautiful
TravelerMy favorite campsite we stayed at on my 2 week trip (despite the bugs lol). Great swimming hole and very well kept. Very beautiful and loved my stay.
ScoutPam met us outside as she said ‘dodging rain drops’ to stack wood. She was warm and friendly. You can tell she runs a tight ship immediately telling us when quite hours were, and letting us know the dogs needed to be on leash and under our control. We brought our 2 labs with us. Only 2 vehicles per site is allowed. You do need tokens to use the shower. 2 tokens was more than enough for me to shower and not feel rushed. The bathrooms are AMAZING! I am looking forward to coming back!
ScoutDEC has designated and constructed 12 camp sites in areas around Shelving Rock Road and Dacy Clearing Road. Camping will only be allowed at the designated campsites or more than 500 feet from the Shelving Rock and Dacy Clearing Roads.
ScoutAs noted by others, most of the sites have a fire ring and nothing more. A little more than half of the sites can be driven to and others require a very short walk (50 ft?). The toilets mentioned are at Texas falls area and are not a practical walk from most of the campsites.
There are no showers.
Aside from the loop trail at the falls there are also a couple of snowmobile trails that cross the area.
ScoutSame name and google search, but new owner since 2024. We just wrapped up a stay at this campground and I can honestly say… we’ll be back.🙌 From the moment we arrived, you could feel the pride the owner has poured into this place. The new power and water hookups are a huge upgrade, and it’s exciting to see the vision for future expansion already coming to life. Everything about our stay felt easy, welcoming, and most importantly—safe. It’s the kind of spot where you can truly relax, enjoy your time, and feel right at home. Clean, well cared for, and clearly built with heart. Can’t wait to come back and see how it continues to grow.🌲✨
RangerStayed here for a week. Josh and Dori were super nice and helpful. Level grass field with water and 30amp hookup. Fire pit port o potty, creek across the street. Very pretty setting. Dark sky area. Cell att and Verizon we decent enough to work plus they had WiFi if needed.
Camping sites near Lincoln, Vermont vary from basic dispersed areas to more developed campgrounds in the Green Mountain National Forest. At elevations ranging from 1,300 to 2,400 feet, these sites experience cooler temperatures than surrounding valleys. Most campgrounds prohibit the use of generators, maintaining the natural soundscape that campers seek when visiting the area.
Mountain biking trails: Moosalamoo Campground serves as an excellent base for mountain biking enthusiasts. According to one visitor, the area has "awesome bike trails with smooth trail beds and nice rolling bumps," and the "campground host can tell you all about the hiking and biking trails within Moosalamoo National Forest."
Swimming in natural pools: Warren Falls offers excellent swimming options with several natural pools. Near the Austin Brook dispersed camping area, visitors appreciate that it's "a beautiful little pull off the road right on the river with tables & fire rings."
Hike to waterfalls: Multiple hiking options lead to scenic waterfalls. The Moosalamoo Campground area provides access to trails leading to the "Falls of Lana (or something like that), which is really just a cascade, but nice nonetheless," according to one camper who hiked the 3-mile one-way trail.
Wildlife observation: Early mornings present opportunities for wildlife viewing. One camper at Green Mountain National Forest FR207 reported waking up to "two moose nearby the morning I was leaving," highlighting the wilderness experience available in these remote camping areas.
Secluded, spacious sites: Campers consistently praise the privacy between sites. At Moosalamoo Campground, "The camp sites are well spaced and staggered for maximum privacy. Hosts are pleasant and very helpful." Another review notes the campground is "exceptionally well laid out and maintained."
Natural soundscape: The sound of flowing water enhances the camping experience at multiple sites. At White River & Gulf Brook, campers "loved camping next to the water and hearing the river as we slept," while another mentioned "the sites and sounds were soothing."
Dark skies for stargazing: The remote nature of many sites provides excellent night sky viewing opportunities. A camper at Moosalamoo noted that "At night, you can go out to the bicycle pump track and lay a blanket on the grassy hill against the track and look at stars in COMPLETE darkness."
Clean facilities: Despite the primitive nature of many sites, maintained facilities receive positive feedback. The water at Moosalamoo comes from "well water pumps and the cleanest most order free toilet vaults we have ever seen," according to one reviewer.
Road conditions vary seasonally: Forest roads can become challenging after rain or during spring thaw. One camper noted FR207 "is not a place to go without at least 9" of ground clearance," while another reported their experience at White River & Gulf Brook: "The site we found is visible from the road but is best accessible with a 4x4 as it has a rocky entrance and can be muddy during heavy rains or spring thaw."
Site availability fluctuates: Weekends see significantly higher usage than weekdays. At Route 100 Dispersed Camping, a reviewer noted there were "3-5 campsites right off of route 100," but another mentioned inconsistent enforcement as "there was someone camping for at least a week given their tent was there the whole week I was in the area."
Fire regulations can change: Some dispersed areas have permanent fire restrictions, while others vary seasonally. Some sites provide basic fire rings, with campers reporting that in locations like Austin Brook, visitors will find "fire rings only, no facilities and minimal parking."
Bear safety practices required: While bear encounters are infrequent, proper precautions remain necessary. At Moosalamoo Campground, a camper observed "I saw bear storage lockers but I did not use them as I had my bear keg with me," indicating both provided and personal options for food storage.
Beach access: Branbury State Park Campground offers excellent swimming facilities for children. A visitor noted the "day use section has a wonderful beach with a swimming area and boat launch. Large trees provide shade on a grassy lawn, and grills are available."
Playground options: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. One family reported Branbury has "a large playground" and "volleyball and horseshoe pits," making it ideal for active children.
Educational opportunities: Nature centers provide learning experiences for young campers. A visitor to Branbury mentioned "There's a nature center with all kinds of information and activities," offering educational value beyond typical recreation.
Site selection for privacy: Families should choose sites strategically for both space and seclusion. At Mount Philo State Park, a camper advised "Sites 1, 6 and 8 are the best if you're only camping with those at your site as they're the most secluded and private. Sites 2 and 3 are more open, to both each other, and to those en route to the bathrooms."
Campground accessibility: Some forest roads are unsuitable for larger vehicles. At Little River State Park Campground, RVers noted that while the campground is "big-rig friendly," access to the lake from many sites can be challenging as "most sites [are] up on hill looking over lake, not easily assessable from camp site."
Dump station availability: Plan waste management accordingly. Little River State Park provides a sanitary dump station, but most dispersed sites have no facilities whatsoever.
Weather preparedness: Seasonal conditions can impact RV camping significantly. A camper at Green Mountain National Forest FR207 warned about "mud pits" that "may require some ground clearance from rocks," suggesting larger vehicles should be especially cautious during spring thaw or after heavy rains.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any private campgrounds in Lincoln with full amenities?
Jacobs Brook Campground is a small, family-owned private campground with good amenities located just across the NH border less than 2 miles from I-93. The campground is clean, quiet, and well-maintained. Another option is Mountain View Campground, a family-friendly private campground nestled between Route 15 and the Lamoille River. It features car-accessible tent sites right on the water, a well-stocked camp store, and two swimming pools that kids will love. Both offer the amenities and comforts typical of private campgrounds while maintaining easy access to Vermont's natural attractions.
What are the best campgrounds in Lincoln for overnight stays?
The Lincoln area offers several excellent campgrounds for overnight stays. Silver Lake Campground is a top choice with private sites that aren't too close together, a clean lake with a concrete dock perfect for swimming, and ranger-led nature tours. For a more rustic experience, Moosalamoo Campground offers incredible natural features including cascading waterfalls, mountain views, and access to a swimming hole, though it lacks developed amenities. Both campgrounds provide peaceful settings typical of Vermont's natural beauty with opportunities for water recreation and hiking nearby.
How much do campgrounds in Lincoln typically cost per night?
Campground costs in the Lincoln area vary based on amenities and type. Public campgrounds like North Beach Campground offer reasonable rates for large sites, with premium prices for RV sites with electrical hookups. Grand Isle State Park Campground provides beautiful lakeside camping at typical state park rates. For budget options, dispersed camping areas like Austin Brook offer free or low-cost camping with minimal facilities. Generally, expect to pay $20-30 per night for basic tent sites at public campgrounds, $30-50 for sites with partial hookups, and $40-60+ for private campgrounds with full amenities. Prices may increase during peak summer season.
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