Dispersed camping near Springfield, Vermont consists primarily of primitive sites within the Green Mountain National Forest, with multiple free options scattered along forest roads. Several undesignated camping areas can be found along Forest Road 71 and Forest Road 83, including Downed Bridge Camp, Road's End Dispersed Camp, and sites near Stratton Pond. These dispersed campsites offer true backcountry camping opportunities for those seeking solitude in Vermont's wilderness. The Somerset Airfield area provides additional dispersed camping opportunities with slightly more developed facilities. Most sites are basic clearings with fire rings and no other amenities.
Access roads in this region vary considerably in quality and often require vehicles with adequate ground clearance. According to one visitor, "don't expect to get in here unless you have more than 8 inches of clearance under your vehicle." Many forest roads become muddy after rain, with campers noting specific challenges: "This particular campsite is very muddy. I have an SUV and I didn't trust it to get through." Fire rings are present at most sites, and fires are generally permitted except at Downed Bridge Camp. No drinking water, toilets, or trash facilities exist at most locations, though Stratton Pond Shelter and Somerset Airfield do offer basic pit toilets.
The dispersed camping experience in this area provides genuine wilderness seclusion with minimal light pollution and limited cell service. Many sites feature proximity to water features—Somerset Reservoir and various streams and ponds are accessible from certain camping areas. One camper described their experience as "peacefully placed along the bends of the river is a large open grassy area with a sizable fire pit!" Campers consistently mention the need to clean up after previous visitors, with one noting, "we had to spend over an hour cleaning the site from the people before us." The winter months bring challenging conditions but unique experiences, with one visitor sharing details of enduring snow, ice, and temperatures dropping to 8 degrees while camping at Somerset Airfield.
"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. "
"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."
"It has pit toilets. These sites are close together with little to no shade. Some sites have access to a stream that flows behind the park."
"I arrived after the 4th of July and a neighbor said it was rowdy during the holiday with illegal fireworks set off every night over the dry forest. These pics are from a weekday morning."
"The camp spots were all pretty spread out from each other and the road was easy to drive on. There were only about 10 spots along the access road."
"We brought our school bus down the dirt road just fine and backed right in. They also have fireplaces which was nice!"
"Easy access to an open circle, capable of handling multiple rigs for a large gathering. Stone fire ring in the center. We had this all to ourselves in our Bean teardrop. "
"The site was very flat and could accommodate several small campers. It was quiet during our overnight stay other than a car or two on Stratton-Arlington Rd. There weren't many mosquitoes either. "
"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."
"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."
"The shelter is a 3.75mi hike from the nearest parking lot in winter. There are 2 tent platforms, 2 outhouses and at least 16 bunk spaces in the shelter. "
"This is a nice clearing near the river where the road used to cross."
"The left side of the drive in is swampy so be sure to not drift to that side."
"No public bathrooms, no hookups, I personally didn’t have service."
"A LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well."
"Went on a Wednesday night late October and had to drive about 4 miles down the dirt road to find a suitable spot. After what was very quiet and a peaceful place to be."
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.
TravelerMy 2008 Prius handled the road with ease. Sites were spaced out. There was hiking at the end of the road but not too much space to wander around from the sites given the road’s high speed limit. Sites had fire pits and that was it. Very quiet and fairly accessible from society. Given the lack of free camping in the southern northeast this spot is a gem!
GuideI selected a semi shaded site about 25 feet off the road about 2 miles in. There are many sites but you may have to look as a lot are overgrown. I am glad I selected the site I did as it stayed “dry” through 48 hrs of torrential downpours. I had very few problems with the bugs: have a nice smoky fire…best repellant out there!
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.
Dispersed camping near Springfield, Vermont provides primitive backcountry camping opportunities throughout Green Mountain National Forest at elevations ranging from 1,500-2,500 feet. These free camping sites typically feature clearings with established fire rings accessed via forest roads of varying quality. Vermont's seasonal conditions significantly impact site accessibility, with spring mud and winter snow limiting access to higher elevation locations.
Hiking to Stratton Pond: Access hiking trails directly from several dispersed camping areas near Springfield. Stratton Pond Shelter offers tent platforms at the end of a 3.75-mile winter hike. According to one camper, "The shelter is a 3.75mi hike from the nearest parking lot in winter... The lake looks great and is one of the largest bodies of water on the Long Trail."
Fishing opportunities: Somerset Reservoir provides excellent fishing access near camping areas. One visitor at Somerset Airfield notes: "Enjoyed the stunning babbling brook and reservoir - saw happy people swimming, kayaking, and camping." The reservoir is accessible by a short drive from most dispersed sites.
Wildlife viewing: The forests around Springfield support diverse wildlife including bears. At Statton Pond Camp, a camper reported: "Easy to get to, had service the whole time, fire pits for every spot. I did see a huge blackbear."
River access: Many campers value waterfront sites. At NF 83 - riverside, one camper shared: "Peacefully placed along the bends of the river is a large open grassy area with a sizable fire pit!" River proximity provides cooling options during summer months.
Seclusion from crowds: Despite proximity to established recreation areas, many dispersed sites offer privacy. A camper at Downed Bridge Camp noted: "If you're lucky enough to get the last spot on the road it's epic. Note that fills quickly on a weekend. But don't worry there is primitive camping starting about a mile down fire road 10..."
Campsite variety: The Springfield region offers diverse dispersed camping options for different group sizes. One camper at Statton Pond Camp described: "This was a great site. I couldn't believe that the site was not being used at all, especially just a couple of days before Fourth of July weekend... The site was very flat and could accommodate several small campers."
Road conditions: Forest roads in the Springfield area require adequate vehicle clearance. A visitor to NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot explained: "Many pull offs but a lot were too wet for my van and I was afraid of getting stuck. The road itself was in great condition though."
Site maintenance: Be prepared to clean up after previous visitors. Several campers note this responsibility, including one who stayed at George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed who shared: "Site was littered with places previous campers had left human excrement. While not in the site directly, it was all around it."
Limited facilities: Most free camping near Springfield lacks amenities. A reviewer of Road's End Dispersed Camp reported: "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."
Best family-friendly sites: For camping with children, look for sites with more open space and designated fire rings. George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed offers larger clearings suitable for family setups. A visitor noted: "Different size sites, att cell reception. Mostly clean short drive to pond and stores."
Bug preparation: Dense forest areas around Springfield can have significant insect populations. One camper at NFR 273 mentioned: "A LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well." Consider sites with more airflow for family comfort.
Arrival timing: Arriving during daylight hours helps families find suitable sites. A camper at Downed Bridge Camp advised: "If you're looking for the ideal spot to stay a few days make sure you show in daylight so you can explore for that."
Ground clearance requirements: RV campers should carefully evaluate vehicle clearance for forest roads. At NF 83 - riverside, a visitor warned: "The beginning of the little driveway is quite rough with some bigger rocks we have substantial ground clearance so no issues there but smaller ground clearances may feel a bump or two!"
Site sizing: Several dispersed areas can accommodate multiple small trailers or a larger RV. One camper at Somerset Airfield explained: "Flat levels it's and people able to fit their campers. Campers near us said there are more sites if you pass the airfield that are more spread out past the actual airfield sites."
Winter considerations: Winter camping with an RV requires special preparation. A Somerset Airfield visitor shared: "Everything crusted was over with a good inch of ice. I have never endured such winds camping, I was sure camp was going to be blown apart. Even with a winter fly tight to the snow my hammock was rocking all night."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Springfield, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Springfield, VT is Downed Bridge Camp with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Springfield, VT?
TheDyrt.com has all 24 dispersed camping locations near Springfield, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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