Best Dispersed Camping near South Burlington, VT
Dispersed camping in Green Mountain National Forest provides several free options within driving distance of South Burlington, Vermont. Most sites are located along forest roads and near water features, particularly in the Lincoln and Warren areas. Austin Brook, Lincoln Dispersed Camping, and multiple sites along Forest Roads 25, 50, and 207 offer primitive camping experiences with varying levels of accessibility. These areas typically feature only basic fire rings with no developed facilities or services.
Access to many dispersed sites requires careful navigation of unpaved forest roads. Several locations, including North Green Mountain Camp and sites along FR207, demand high-clearance vehicles, with some reviewers noting that "sites are no longer accessible unless you have a lifted full-size jeep or 4-runner type vehicle." Forest Road 291 contains "lots of big puddles" requiring "some clearance for a vehicle." Most areas prohibit camping in designated day-use areas, and rangers have begun restricting access to some overused sites. Camping duration is typically limited to 14 days, though specific restrictions vary by location.
The dispersed sites around Green Mountain National Forest provide varied camping experiences from meadow settings with mountain views to streamside locations. Patterson Brookside camp features "a handful of sites along the river, each offering a slightly different experience," while Green Mountain Camp on Town Road 11 offers "wide open views of 3 mountain ranges" with "many flowering plants, wild apple trees." Campers should be prepared for primitive conditions as "there is no electricity, no cell coverage, no outhouses in this area." Several reviewers emphasize the importance of responsible use, noting that "some spots are being shut down from abuse" and urging visitors to "pack out everything you bring in."
