Best Dispersed Camping near New Haven, VT

Dispersed camping in the Green Mountain National Forest surrounds New Haven, Vermont, with multiple primitive sites available on forest service roads. The area features several free camping zones along FR207, FR25, and FR50, typically situated near streams or in open meadows with mountain views. Most sites contain basic fire rings but lack formal amenities. Some locations like Austin Brook (also known as Warren Falls) provide streamside camping opportunities within the national forest boundary.

Road conditions vary significantly across these dispersed camping areas, with several sites requiring high-clearance vehicles for access. FR207 includes both meadow and brookside options, though spring mud season can make ground soft and difficult to navigate. FR291 near Lincoln is described as somewhat primitive with large puddles that may require vehicles with adequate clearance. Most sites have fire rings, though fire bans may be in effect seasonally. No drinking water is available at any location, and only a few sites near Texas Falls have toilet facilities. Campers must pack out all trash and waste.

The dispersed sites in this region provide varying experiences, from meadows with panoramic mountain views to streamside camping along brooks and rivers. Sites along FR207 feature "beautiful fields and views" with "great tree coverage" at some of the brookside locations. Several areas include swimming holes or access points to rivers for water recreation. According to one visitor, Austin Brook offers "beautiful brookside" camping where "all pretty much have access to the streams." However, conditions can change seasonally, as another camper noted: "Super buggy in June. No cell service. But, plenty of privacy and solitude." Winter camping is possible in some areas, with one camper reporting: "Woke up to two moose nearby the morning I was leaving."

Best Dispersed Sites Near New Haven, Vermont (20)

    1. Austin Brook

    7 Reviews
    Warren, VT
    15 miles
    Website

    "When driving in on the right there’s a culdesac type set up of sites. Pretty sure these sites all have river access. Road is short dead ends with a decent amount of turn around space."

    "Great location, easy access, on a nice brook. Fire ring only, no facilities and minimal parking."

    2. Green Mountain National Forest FR207

    8 Reviews
    Granville, VT
    17 miles
    Website

    "Able to see sunrise/sunset/moonrise over the surrounding rolling hills and crests.  Upper meadows accessible with 4WD / high clearance vehicles."

    "About 12 sites off National Forest Road 71. Beautiful area and very secluded. All have fire rings but that’s about it."

    3. Lincoln Dispersed Camping

    2 Reviews
    Lincoln, VT
    10 miles

    "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."

    "I would want some clearance for a vehicle. Our Toyota Highlander made it easily. We found 2 campsites with fire pits right off the end of FR 291. Easy stroll to a clean brook for filtering water."

    4. Green Mountain National Forest FR25 - Dispersed Camping

    4 Reviews
    Warren, VT
    15 miles
    Website

    "Beautiful sites on the River but with the wet summer, we just couldn’t dry out. Make sure to lock you valuables. Our Jackery, Solar panels & toilet were stolen."

    "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"

    5. Route 100 Dispersed Camping

    5 Reviews
    Warren, VT
    15 miles

    "Main lot has plenty of parking, perfect for car camping. Pull through the trees has some spots for tents and smaller setups."

    "This is right next to Mad River with a area to walk down into a swimming hole. Great place."

    6. Patterson Brookside camp on West Hill Road

    2 Reviews
    Granville, VT
    17 miles

    "The dirt road along the river is an easy drive, though it is single lane in a few locations, so be aware of oncoming traffic. "

    "There is no services of any sorts at this location. Mostly local traffic. Peaceful! Gorgeous rock river 💜"

    7. Green Mountain Camp on Town Road 11

    2 Reviews
    Granville, VT
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 362-2307

    "It is old Vermont farm land that the team of the US National Forest must manage. They have kept the clearing clear and access is pretty good."

    "There are no amenities at this campground. It is an open field on the left side of the road with two or three sites on the right side of the road that are walk in sites."

    8. Green Mountain National Forest Texas Falls Primative campsites

    2 Reviews
    Hancock, VT
    18 miles
    Website

    "There seems to be a little confusion about where restricted day use ends and overnight dispersed sites begin. Some folks were camping in the picnic area."

    9. Green Mountain National Forest FR50 - Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Granville, VT
    16 miles
    Website

    "Pretty remote. Lots of traffic. Found a site that people with a Prius wouldn’t be able to get to. Super buggy in June. No cell service. But, plenty of privacy and solitude."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near New Haven, VT

37 Reviews of 20 New Haven Campgrounds


  • Miccal  M.
    Sep. 24, 2024

    Patterson Brookside camp on West Hill Road

    This is a wonderful place to camp

    There are a handful of sites to camp at along the river here, each offering a slightly different experience.  The dirt road along the river is an easy drive, though it is single lane in a few locations, so be aware of oncoming traffic.  Some of the sites are drive in, some are walk in, but all are primitive. 

    There is no electricity, no cell coverage, not outhouses in this area.  Be prepared to pack out everything you bring in.

    This area is being heavily use and some spots are being shut down from abuse, please be aware that you have a lot of impact, and that impact can be positive or negative. Choose Positive!

    This area is closed in the winter due to snow, by the GMNF

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 26, 2023

    Green Mountain National Forest FR207

    NFR 207 Meadows, with great views!

    In the first large meadow, multiple fire rings / sites. Able to see sunrise/sunset/moonrise over the surrounding rolling hills and crests. 

    Upper meadows accessible with 4WD / high clearance vehicles.
    Nearby Clark Brook Trail is a 3 mile hike connecting with the AT/LT.
    2 bars USCellular LTE.

  • Thomas and James S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 18, 2024

    Austin Brook

    Nice sites

    Smaller area roughly 1-6 sites. When driving in on the right there’s a culdesac type set up of sites. Pretty sure these sites all have river access. Road is short dead ends with a decent amount of turn around space.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2024

    Green Mountain National Forest Texas Falls Primative campsites

    Nice setting, simple fire pit only sites

    There seems to be a little confusion about where restricted day use ends and overnight dispersed sites begin. Some folks were camping in the picnic area. Past the gate at the end of the Texas Falls recreation area we found several sites with only a fire pit along the brook. They were well used with some litter. We packed out what we could find. There are posted signs on the opposite bank so we stayed on our side. Brook water filtered fine and was tasty. Relatively short walk to waterless toilets was welcome. Very pretty area.

  • Michelle R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2018

    Austin Brook

    Green Mountain National Forest Warren Falls

    Just south of Warren Falls trail head and parking lot and just north of Green Mountains National Forest Road #25, is a small (4-5 sites, 3 picnic tables) camping and parking area wedged between the Mad River and Vermont Route 100. Grassy and Rocky sites, 4 fire rings, 3 porta-potties, and stream side (river) camping close to trails, Warren Falls swimming hole, the Lincoln Gap Road and hiking, and the "famous" Warren General Store, and covered bridge. There aren't any reservation or use instructions or signs posted.

  • Chris D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 10, 2024

    Route 100 Dispersed Camping

    Great little spot right off RT-100

    I was looking for the Austin Brook campsite north of this one, but someone on here gave directions to this site, which turns out has its own page on here. Right off the road, a small handful of camp sites, some picnic tables, presumably some fire rings although with snow coverage I didn’t see any. Main lot has plenty of parking, perfect for car camping. Pull through the trees has some spots for tents and smaller setups. 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.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 1, 2024

    Green Mountain Camp on Town Road 11

    Beautiful View Real VT setting but can be a little crowded

    It is a beautiful setting and the first nice weekend in May. There were quite a few folks there already but worth the visit. 

    It is old Vermont farm land that the team of the US National Forest must manage. They have kept the clearing clear and access is pretty good. We are so lucky to have access like this for all of us to enjoy.

  • Joann&WellsThePup I.
    Jul. 9, 2021

    Green Mountain National Forest FR207

    NF-71

    About 12 sites off National Forest Road 71. Beautiful area and very secluded. All have fire rings but that’s about it. Make sure to have a backup plan during the mud season and treat your skin and clothes during black fly season

  • Miccal  M.
    Jun. 2, 2021

    Austin Brook

    Great Primative Location

    I didn't get the chance to camp here, it was full when I drove through looking for a place. So I came back later in the weekend for pictures. Great location, easy access, on a nice brook. Fire ring only, no facilities and minimal parking.


Guide to New Haven

Dispersed camping near New Haven, Vermont provides access to the western slopes of the Green Mountains at elevations ranging from 1,200-2,500 feet. The region experiences substantial seasonal variation, with winter temperatures regularly dropping below freezing and summer highs typically in the 70s-80s°F. Most accessible sites close during "mud season" (usually March-April) when forest roads become impassable.

What to do

Hiking access: Multiple sites along FR207 connect to established trails. According to Tim M., "Nearby Clark Brook Trail is a 3 mile hike connecting with the AT/LT," making Green Mountain National Forest FR207 an excellent basecamp for longer treks.

Swimming opportunities: During summer months, several dispersed sites provide water recreation. At Austin Brook, the campsites offer excellent river access. Thomas and James S. note that "There's a few sites here! All pretty much have access to the streams."

Wildlife viewing: Winter camping provides unique wildlife encounters. Phil J. from FR207 reports: "My first time winter camping and had the entire area to myself. Beautiful sunsets, night skies and scenery. Extremely calm and peaceful. Woke up to two moose nearby the morning I was leaving."

What campers like

Mountain views: Many campers appreciate the panoramic vistas. At Green Mountain Camp on Town Road 11, Kevin C. describes the setting: "The scenic beauty of this place is amazing... There are wide open views of 3 mountain ranges. There are many flowering plants, wild apple trees on the right side of the road. Lots of birds, butterflies, and bees."

Riverfront campsites: Sites along rivers and brooks are particularly popular. Thomas and James S. describe camping at Patterson Brookside camp on West Hill Road: "Mountain road lingers along the river. There's quite a few sites along the road... Gorgeous rock river."

Seasonal differences: Each season offers unique experiences. J W. from Green Mountain National Forest Texas Falls Primitive campsites reports: "Past the gate at the end of the Texas Falls recreation area we found several sites with only a fire pit along the brook... Brook water filtered fine and was tasty. Relatively short walk to waterless toilets was welcome."

What you should know

Vehicle clearance requirements: Many forest roads require appropriate vehicles. Miccal M. warns about North Green Mountain Camp on Town Road 11: "Due to flooding and the abundance of campers abusing the roads these sites are no longer accessible unless you have a lifted full-size jeep or 4-runner type vehicle. I drive a Subaru Wilderness and have been able to access all of the sites for years, this year I cannot."

Seasonal conditions: Prepare for different challenges throughout the year. Jeff N. from FR50 notes: "Super buggy in June. No cell service. But, plenty of privacy and solitude."

Site closures: Management practices change regularly. Murf V. warns about Route 100: "This is a picnic area that people insist on camping there and because of this kind of stuff is why we keep loosing free camping sites."

Facilities (or lack thereof): Most sites have minimal amenities. J W. from Lincoln Dispersed Camping observes: "FR 291 is a somewhat primitive road - lots of big puddles. I would want some clearance for a vehicle... We found 2 campsites with fire pits right off the end of FR 291. Easy stroll to a clean brook for filtering water."

Tips for camping with families

Swimming holes: Kids enjoy the water access at many sites. Amanda from FR207 notes: "We followed the river all the way to the very end of the road up on the mountain... We decided on a site at the top of the mountain at the end of the long road."

Security concerns: Take precautions with valuable items. Melissa M. from FR25 shares a cautionary tale: "Beautiful sites on the River but with the wet summer, we just couldn't dry out. Make sure to lock you valuables. Our Jackery, Solar panels & toilet were stolen."

Toilet access: Plan accordingly for bathroom needs. Kevin C. from Green Mountain Camp warns: "There are no amenities at this campground. It is an open field on the left side of the road with two or three sites on the right side of the road that are walk in sites."

Tips from RVers

Road conditions: RV access varies significantly by location and recent weather. Phil J. from FR207 advises: "The top end of the road has a few mud pits and may require some ground clearance from rocks."

Site size limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller rigs only. According to Helen P. from FR25: "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)."

Winter closures: Many roads become impassable in winter. Miccal M. notes about Patterson Brookside camp: "This area is closed in the winter due to snow, by the GMNF."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near New Haven, VT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near New Haven, VT is Austin Brook with a 4.4-star rating from 7 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near New Haven, VT?

TheDyrt.com has all 20 dispersed camping locations near New Haven, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.