Best Dispersed Camping near Rochester, VT

Recent Dispersed Reviews in Rochester

36 Reviews of 17 Rochester Campgrounds

• 

  Gavin P.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 11, 2024

  Austin Brook

  Amazing Site

  This location is easy to access and has really nice drive in sites. Will definitely be a regular on our ventures

• 

  Murf V.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 6, 2024

  Route 100 Dispersed Camping

  This is not for camping

  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

• G

  Gerald P.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 25, 2024

  Green Mountain National Forest FR25 - Dispersed Camping

  Nice location

  small number of sites and a bit hard to find

• 

  Miccal M.

  Legend

  

  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

• 

  Kevin C.

  Ranger

  

  Sep. 19, 2024

  Green Mountain Camp on Town Road 11

  Beautiful view but no toilet

  Came in on a Wednesday afternoon in late September and found several available camp sites.

  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.

  The scenic beauty of this place is amazing. There was some color in the forest but most of it was still green. 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 (they were not agressive).

  The campground was very quiet at night except for an occasional owl hoot.

  We were fortunate to have perfect weather for our stay. This would be an awesome place to see the fall colors.

• J

  J W.

  Scout

  

  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.

• J

  J W.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 19, 2024

  Lincoln Dispersed Camping

  FR 291 Dispersed camping

  FR 291 is a somewhat primitive road - lots of big puddles. 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. Very quiet, though we could hear the occasional dog barking from houses in the Downingville area. There are probably more sites, but really liked the first one we found. Great trees for hammocks.

  Day 2 we walked past the gate beyond the end of the road followed a trail up 500 feet or so of elevation in the foothills to the west of Mt Ellen. Found one more camp site. Road/path had a big blowdown, but looked like some ATVs had been up it in the last few months. Pretty walk, lots of mushrooms.

  Saw no bear sign, but kept all food in car as a precaution.

  Lincoln General Store is 3.5 miles away via Downingville. Some modest resupply options there.

• H

  Helen P.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 5, 2024

  Route 100 Dispersed Camping

  This is not a campground.

  This site was lovely, but signs say No Camping. There were a few spots with fire rings and picnic tables and would be a great place to camp though! Not sure how strict that is. There was someone camping for a least a week given their tent was there the whole week I was in the area. So I guess it's not that strict. Signs indicate this offshoot road where these sites are is also FR-25, then FR-25 picks up again as a spur off of VT 100 a little farther south down 100 where there were permitted (but full) camping sites.

• H

  Helen P.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 5, 2024

  Green Mountain National Forest FR25 - Dispersed Camping

  Pretty, scattered sites along small stream

  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. There was a NFS sign along FR-25 posted asking people to clean up after themselves (litter and human waste) as there'd been complaints to the extent that they were considering closing the sites if people didn't do better. There were some fire ring sites along Vermont 100 where FR-25 intersects it, but those are marked as No Camping (though one tent had been there at least a week). That area along 100 is supposed to be a day-use picnic area. 

  The sites looked lovely though. Some people were really entrenched with string lights etc.

• 

  Thomas and James S.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 28, 2024

  Last light on Michigan Brook

  The Last Light

  Love this site! The very last spot on the right hand side. If you’ve reached the closed gate you’ve missed the site! Keep it clean!

• 

  Thomas and James S.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 25, 2024

  Austin Brook

  Beautiful brookside

  There’s a few sites here! All pretty much have access to the streams. Nice fire rings. Keep it clean!

• 

  Thomas and James S.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 22, 2024

  Riverside flat

  Majestic

  Crystal clear waters with never ending mesmerizing relaxation. Great spot

• 

  Thomas and James S.

  Guide

  

  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.

• 

  Thomas and James S.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 18, 2024

  Patterson Brookside camp on West Hill Road

  Amazing

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

• 

  Chris D.

  Scout

  

  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.

• D

  David W.

  Scout

  

  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.

• 

  Miccal M.

  Legend

  

  Mar. 1, 2024

  Road's End Dispersed Camp

  End of the road hide-away

  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.

• 

  Miccal M.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 26, 2024

  Green Mountain National Forest FR42 Dispersed Site

  Busy and small sites

  Every time I've driven up Bingo to find a spot I end up leaving the area and going somewhere else.  The sites are small and close to the road.  Being primitive sites there are no facilities.  You will find fire rings at each site though.

• T

  Tim M.

  Guide

  

  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.

• S

  Sigrid O.

  Guide

  

  May. 14, 2023

  Green Mountain National Forest FR25 - Dispersed Camping

  Beautiful by the river

  We were here on a Friday & Saturday nights. Friday night had the whole place to ourselves. Saturday night all spots filled. We had quiet and respectful neighbors. People have been careless with leaving discarded boards and other items…not good… but door is still beautiful. Gorgeous stream/river…love the river sounds.

• S

  Sigrid O.

  Guide

  

  May. 14, 2023

  Austin Brook

  Wrong Coordinates

  This is a beautiful little pull off the road right on the river with tables & fire rings. For correct coordinates look at Fire Road 25. This area is right next to FireRoad 25 rd. We did not camp here we camped on FR25.

• R

  Randy M.

  Traveler

  

  Apr. 27, 2023

  Green Mountain National Forest FR207

  Definitely stay here

  It’s quiet with several spots. You always hear the river or see waterfalls. The ground gets soft during mud season.

• 

  Danielle G.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 14, 2022

  Route 100 Dispersed Camping

  Closed

  Posted NO CAMPING as of 2021

• 

  Phil J.

  Traveler

  

  Dec. 24, 2021

  Green Mountain National Forest FR207

  Winter camping at its finest

  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

• A

  Amanda

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 18, 2021

  Green Mountain National Forest FR207

  Beautiful fields and views

  Wow this site was so beautiful!

  The road into the site was scenic and beautiful. We followed the river all the way to the very end of the road up on the mountain. From there we decided on a site at the top of the mountain at the end of the long road. We quickly got rained out and went back down to one of the brookside sites. This site had great tree coverage to easily set up a tarp. It even had a premade firepit! Make sure to bring your own trash bag and water. 

  The next morning we decided to visit the sites for this actual dispersed site on the field. There were many spots on open fields with beautiful scenic views of the mountains. If we go and stay up there again we will definitely be staying at one of these. 

  If you're considering a spot in Vermont to camp, come here!

  Also, make sure your car has a bit of clearance as some sports have dips in the ground.

• 

  Phil J.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 5, 2021

  Green Mountain National Forest FR207

  Great views with optional privacy

  Great mountain views, some sites right on the road, some in fields and some tucked away out of view. The top end of the road has a few mud pits and may require some ground clearance from rocks

• 

  Melissa M.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 27, 2021

  Green Mountain National Forest FR25 - Dispersed Camping

  Peaceful but moist

  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.