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Dispersed camping in Green Mountain National Forest surrounds Plymouth, Vermont, with primitive sites available on several forest roads and along waterways. Most popular locations include Road's End Dispersed Camp, Downed Bridge Camp, and the areas along Forest Road 207, where camping occurs in clearings and meadows with mountain views. The Texas Falls Primitive Campsites area also provides backcountry camping options with varying levels of accessibility. All sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation system.
Several forest roads in the area require high-clearance vehicles, particularly during mud season. Forest Road 207 demands at least 9 inches of ground clearance, with some reviewers noting, "This is not a place to go without at least 9 inches of ground clearance." Many sites feature only established fire rings with no other amenities. Most dispersed camping in the Green Mountain National Forest allows fires where permitted, though some locations have fire restrictions. No drinking water, toilets, or trash facilities exist at most sites, requiring visitors to pack out all waste and bring their own water supplies.
The dispersed camping areas provide scenic mountain views, brook access, and relative solitude. Some campsites sit in open meadows with panoramic vistas, while others nestle alongside streams or in forested areas. According to one visitor, "There are wide open views of 3 mountain ranges. There are many flowering plants, wild apple trees on the right side of the road." Another camper described the Patterson Brookside area as having "a handful of sites to camp at along the river, each offering a slightly different experience." Seasonal considerations affect accessibility, with some areas becoming impassable during winter months or spring mud season. Cell service varies significantly, with most remote areas offering limited or no connectivity.
"great private spot when nothing else is around. The drive in is a little rough, but doable for most vehicles. The only thing you will find here is a fire ring."
"But don't worry there is primitive camping starting about a mile down fire road 10... You don't even have to go to fire road 30."
"Great location for a small group to camp at. Can't wait to go back. The main area is a walk in and is worth it. The road into here was easy to drive. "
"We have a low clearance car and it was a bit bumpy. This site was amazing, clean and easy pull in pull out."
"Able to see sunrise/sunset/moonrise over the surrounding rolling hills and crests. Upper meadows accessible with 4WD / high clearance vehicles."
"Public Lands with about 8 semi private sites, each with nice views west or easterly. It's a large meadow and with a breeze, it will keep bugs away. Lacking a breeze, it is tough but still beautiful"
"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."
"A little more than half of the sites can be driven to and others require a very short walk (50 ft?). "
"Main lot has plenty of parking, perfect for car camping. Pull through the trees has some spots for tents and smaller setups."
"Free dispersed camping right off of the road. Includes picnic tables and a fire ring. It is located in the mountains of Vermont and right next to a beautiful river."
"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 💜"
"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."
ScoutIt was dark. I arrived after 7p. There were 3 rv camps already going on. All 3 had camp fires. Many fire rings for many groups. No hassles at all. It's off the beaten path but worth it. The first 4 camp sites were open. Made a fire. Ate some food. I got a good night sleep. Nothing ate me or attacked me so that's 5 star in my book.
TravelerLots of beautiful spots to pick from but be careful some are a bit muddy. We brought our school bus down the dirt road just fine and backed right in. They also have fireplaces which was nice!
GuideWent with a friend on an impromptu last minute camping trip up in the NF and hoped we could find a spot on a Friday night. Quite a few spots were taken but there were still some free ones. We stayed at one near the creek just over a little bridge. Cute little site, nice fire pit, clean, perfect rock to put a big water jug on. The sound of running water was soothing. In the morning, adorable little red squirrels with big personalities made themselves known and there were wildflowers blooming all over with hummingbirds going about their business. This is dispersed camping so there’s no rest rooms, running water, etc. The particular site we stayed at did have another site on the other side of the creek and we could hear the family during the day and see them as they walked past, so it wasn’t as isolated as some of the other sites. It was a cute spot and I’ll def be back.
TravelerThis is a good spot if you don’t mind being social. The main camping area is a large grassy opening where multiple people park and camp together, and there is a bathroom, but there isn’t much privacy between sites. If you continue farther down the forest road, there are several smaller pull-offs with much more private dispersed camping spots. I’d recommend checking those out if you’re looking for a quieter experience.
TravelerPrivate, large site. This was the first site in the road. We have a low clearance car and it was a bit bumpy. This site was amazing, clean and easy pull in pull out.
GuideSo peaceful and serene
GuideI had many sites to choose from. Definitely remote and private.
ScoutOnly about 7-8 spots to camp but super spread out down a gravel road. I pulled in at 8 ish and grabbed the last or one of the last spots. Super quiet and out of the way
ScoutJust about what you would expect in a national forest. Nice dirt road without too many potholes. As far as I can tell about 10 different sites, maybe more, all spaced out enough you don’t see anyone else. No toilet or water but there is a fire ring.
Dispersed camping near Plymouth, Vermont offers numerous primitive sites within the Green Mountain National Forest where elevation ranges from 1,000 to 2,500 feet. Most sites sit along forest roads that wind through hardwood forests and connect to mountain streams. Winter access becomes extremely limited from November through April, with many forest roads completely closed due to snow accumulation or spring mud conditions.
Explore swimming holes: Austin Brook features several natural swimming areas along the river. According to one camper, "This is a beautiful little pull off the road right on the river with tables & fire rings."
Hike nearby trails: From Patterson Brookside camp, access multiple forest trails connecting to the broader network. One reviewer notes, "This area is closed in the winter due to snow, by the GMNF," so plan summer hiking trips accordingly.
Wildlife viewing: Green Mountain Camp on Town Road 11 offers excellent bird watching opportunities. A visitor observed, "There are many flowering plants, wild apple trees on the right side of the road. Lots of birds, butterflies, and bees (they were not aggressive)."
Solitude in meadows: Campers at Green Mountain Camp on Town Road 11 appreciate the quiet atmosphere. One reviewer mentioned, "The campground was very quiet at night except for an occasional owl hoot."
River access: Many sites at Patterson Brookside camp on West Hill Road offer direct water access. A camper described it as "Mountain road lingers along the river. There's quite a few sites along the road. Be sure to camp at spots with established fire rings!"
Scenic beauty: Primitive camping spots often feature excellent views. At Green Mountain National Forest Texas Falls Primative campsites, a visitor noted, "Brook water filtered fine and was tasty. Relatively short walk to waterless toilets was welcome. Very pretty area."
Vehicle requirements: Many access roads need high clearance vehicles, especially after rain. On Austin Brook, one camper reported, "There are a handful of sites down Austin Brook road, I had trouble finding a level spot."
Limited amenities: Most sites have only fire rings. A visitor to Road's End Dispersed Camp described it as "great private spot when nothing else is around. The drive in is a little rough, but doable for most vehicles. The only thing you will find here is a fire ring."
Seasonal considerations: Spring brings muddy conditions and insects. One camper at Green Mountain National Forest FR207 advised, "Make sure to have a backup plan during mud season and treat your skin and clothes during black fly season."
Site selection: Choose spots away from steep river banks. At Downed Bridge Camp, a camper advised, "If you're lucky enough to get the last spot on the road it's epic. Note that fills quickly on a weekend."
Bathroom access: Most primitive sites lack facilities. However, at Texas Falls Primitive campsites, "Past the gate at the end of the Texas Falls recreation area we found several sites with only a fire pit along the brook... Relatively short walk to waterless toilets was welcome."
Weather preparation: Mountain weather changes rapidly. One reviewer at Green Mountain Camp noted, "We were fortunate to have perfect weather for our stay. This would be an awesome place to see the fall colors."
Road conditions: Many forest roads have tight turns and narrow passages. A visitor to Green Mountain National Forest FR42 Dispersed Site observed, "The sites are small and close to the road. Being primitive sites there are no facilities."
Site spacing: Some primitive areas provide more privacy than others. At Patterson Brookside 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."
Clearance requirements: Larger vehicles face challenges on forest roads. A camper at Green Mountain National Forest FR207 warned, "This is not a place to go without at least 9 inches of ground clearance."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Plymouth, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Plymouth, VT is Road's End Dispersed Camp with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
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TheDyrt.com has all 34 dispersed camping locations near Plymouth, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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