Best Dispersed Camping near Ludlow, VT
Several dispersed camping areas exist in the Green Mountain National Forest near Ludlow, Vermont. Free primitive sites include Downed Bridge Camp, Road's End Dispersed Camp, and Stratton Pond Shelter. Additional dispersed camping options are available along Forest Roads 71 and 83, with sites like NF 83 - riverside offering streamside camping. The George D. Aiken Wilderness area and Somerset Airfield also permit backcountry camping without facilities or reservations.
Forest service roads accessing these sites vary in condition, with some requiring high-clearance vehicles. Many reviews note that Forest Road 71 has multiple primitive sites but can be challenging during mud season. Most dispersed areas feature only basic fire rings with no amenities such as water, toilets, or trash service. A camper noted, "Being primitive sites there are no facilities. You will find fire rings at each site though." Visitors must pack out all waste and come prepared with water and supplies. Some areas close seasonally due to snow, particularly in winter months.
These backcountry sites provide varying experiences from riverside camping to open meadows with mountain views. Somerset Airfield offers an open area with pit toilets and stream access behind some sites. According to one review, "The Airfield Campground is a strip of land with several campsites and fire pits. Some sites have access to a stream that flows behind the park." Many locations fill quickly on weekends, especially during summer and fall foliage season. Several campers report increasing site closures due to overuse, with one noting, "Rangers have already started to move boulders into place to block off some of the other sites." Cell service is spotty throughout the region, with most areas having limited or no coverage.
