Best Dispersed Camping near Newfane, VT

Dispersed camping near Newfane, Vermont provides access to the deep forests and waterways of the Green Mountains. Most sites sit between 1,500-2,500 feet elevation with dirt forest roads that become challenging after rain. Winter temperatures can drop into single digits, requiring specialized cold-weather gear for off-season camping in these remote locations.

What to do

Paddling at Somerset Reservoir: Drive past Somerset Airfield for water-based recreation at the reservoir. "The real attraction is the huge Somerset Reservoir which is up the road. Plenty of fishing, paddling, hiking and picnicking opportunities," notes one Somerset Airfield camper.

Winter adventure options: Experience challenging cold-weather camping with proper preparation. A winter visitor to Somerset described, "temperatures plummeting to 8° and a windchill of -3 for this morning. Everything crusted was over with a good inch of ice."

Hiking trail connections: Access the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail system from various campsites. A Stratton Pond Shelter visitor notes it's "a great location at the intersection of AT, LT and Stratton Mountain trail" with a 3.75-mile winter hike from the nearest parking lot.

What campers like

Dark skies for stargazing: Find excellent night sky viewing at remote sites. One camper at NF83 Dispersed site 1 appreciated the "great spot with no light pollution, cell signal or distractions."

Accessible riverside locations: Several sites feature direct water access with open spaces. Thomas and James S. described the riverside campsite as having "a large open grassy area with a sizable fire pit" along the river bends.

Larger group camping areas: Some locations accommodate multiple vehicles or larger gatherings. One camper described Dispersed site along Forest RD 71 as "one of many locations along Forest rd 71, this spot was a good place to pitch a tent for the night while exploring the area even in the rain."

What you should know

Road conditions vary dramatically: Forest roads can become challenging after rain. One camper warned about NF83: "Don't expect to get in here unless you have more than 8 inches of clearance under your vehicle."

Campsite availability issues: Many sites fill quickly during peak seasons. A camper at NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot mentioned, "Went on a Wednesday night late October and had to drive about 4 miles down the dirt road to find a suitable spot."

Primitive facilities only: Most sites have fire rings but no other amenities. The George D Aiken Wilderness area offers "Large, well organized camping spots along the road" with "a beautifully built fire pit," but camping spots "were a little muddy from rain."

Tips for camping with families

Consider Somerset Airfield for basic facilities: This location offers limited amenities including pit toilets. A visitor described it as "a strip of land with several campsites and fire pits. It has pit toilets."

Prepare for bugs in wooded sites: Dense forest areas can have persistent insects. One camper at NFR 273 noted "A LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well."

Look for open areas for kids: Some sites provide more room for children to play. A Statton Pond Camp on Forest Road 71 visitor found "a great site" that was "very flat and could accommodate several small campers" with enough space for families.

Tips from RVers

Check site accessibility beforehand: Many forest roads aren't suitable for larger vehicles. A camper at Somerset Airfield mentioned it "is probably good for people who camp with RVs or Trailers that can't get into smaller sites."

Consider Hogback Mountain Trailhead: This paved location works for overnight stays in larger rigs. A visitor described it as a "Great place to stop for the night. Not a lot of ambiance, but plenty of room for any number of rigs."

Plan for no hookups or services: All dispersed camping near Newfane lacks electricity, water, or sewer connections. Campers must be fully self-contained and prepared to pack out all trash from these primitive Green Mountain National Forest sites.