Best Tent Camping near Lincoln, VT
Green Mountain National Forest surrounds Lincoln, Vermont with several dispersed tent camping options, particularly along Forest Road 25 (FR-25). Primitive tent campsites can be found along streams and wooded areas, with Patterson Brookside camp on West Hill Road offering tent-only camping along a river just south of Lincoln. Route 100 Dispersed Camping provides additional tent camping opportunities, though recent reviews indicate some confusion about permitted camping areas. These sites are typically accessible from late spring through early fall, with most located within a 15-minute drive of Lincoln's town center. Camel's Hump State Park, about 25 miles north, offers backcountry tent camping with designated primitive sites.
Most tent campsites in the Lincoln area feature minimal amenities and uneven terrain. Sites at FR-25 have established fire rings but no potable water or toilet facilities. According to recent visitors, some areas show signs of overuse, with Forest Service notices requesting better adherence to Leave No Trace principles. Patterson Brookside camp features both drive-in and walk-in tent sites along a single-lane dirt road, requiring awareness of oncoming traffic. Winter access is limited as roads are not plowed, and spring conditions often create muddy, rutted access roads requiring vehicles with higher clearance. The 14-day stay limit applies to all dispersed camping in the National Forest.
Tent campers frequently use these sites as bases for exploring nearby hiking trails and swimming holes. One visitor noted that Patterson Brookside offers "a handful of sites along the river, each with a slightly different experience," emphasizing the primitive nature of the area with no electricity or cell coverage. For Route 100 camping, a camper reported that while the "main lot has plenty of parking, perfect for car camping," the "entrance and exit are steep and tricky in winter." The FR-25 sites fill quickly during summer weekends, with approximately 6-8 scattered sites along a small stream. Backcountry tent camping at Camel's Hump provides more solitude with about 10-12 designated primitive tent sites accessible via a 1.5-mile hike.
