Best Dispersed Camping near Montpelier, VT
Green Mountain National Forest provides multiple dispersed camping opportunities near Montpelier, Vermont, with most sites concentrated along forest roads and near waterways. Areas such as Austin Brook, FR207, FR25, and FR50 feature primitive camping sites with established fire rings but minimal to no amenities. These free sites are typically accessible via forest service roads, with some requiring higher clearance vehicles to navigate uneven terrain. Several sites such as Warren Falls and Patterson Brookside offer riverside camping experiences that attract visitors seeking natural settings.
Access roads throughout the Green Mountain National Forest dispersed camping areas range from maintained dirt roads to more challenging forest routes. Forest Road 207 requires vehicles with decent clearance, especially during mud season or after rainfall. According to one visitor, "FR 207 is scenic and beautiful. We followed the river all the way to the very end of the road up on the mountain." While most sites are drive-in accessible, some require short walks to reach tent spots. No drinking water, restrooms, or trash facilities are available at these locations. Campers must pack out all waste and bring necessary supplies, including water for drinking and cooking.
The primitive camping experience near Montpelier features quiet, secluded sites often situated along streams and rivers. A camper noted that Patterson Brookside offers "a handful of sites to camp at along the river here, each offering a slightly different experience." Many sites provide mountain views and the soothing sounds of flowing water. Winter camping is possible in some areas, though access becomes more difficult and some roads close seasonally. Wildlife sightings are common, with one visitor reporting moose encounters while camping at FR207. Visitors should be aware that some areas face increasing restrictions due to overuse, with a reviewer warning that "rangers have already started to move boulders into place to block off some of the other sites" near certain popular locations.
