Best Dispersed Camping near Stowe, VT
Primitive campsites are scattered throughout Green Mountain National Forest near Stowe, Vermont, primarily along forest roads and alongside brooks and rivers. The area contains several dispersed camping options including Austin Brook, Lincoln Dispersed Camping, and numerous forest service roads such as FR25, FR50, and FR207. Most sites are undeveloped with no designated facilities, allowing for authentic backcountry camping experiences on public land.
Forest road conditions vary significantly across the area, with many requiring high-clearance vehicles. FR207 in particular needs at least 9 inches of ground clearance according to visitor reports. Several sites along brooks like Patterson Brookside camp offer drive-in and walk-in access, though some roads become impassable during mud season or after heavy rains. Most dispersed sites feature established fire rings but lack amenities such as toilets, drinking water, or trash service. Campers must pack out all waste and bring their own water. Many sites allow fires where permitted, though seasonal restrictions may apply.
These backcountry areas provide scenic camping with mountain views and riverside locations. FR207 offers fields with panoramic vistas of surrounding mountain ranges, while sites along Austin Brook and Patterson Brookside provide peaceful streamside camping. The accessibility varies by location, with some sites suitable for tents only and others accommodating small RVs. During peak seasons, more remote areas provide better chances for solitude. "Beautiful fields and views. 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," notes one camper about FR207. Another warns that "Rangers have already started to move boulders into place to block off some sites" due to overuse, suggesting visitors should practice Leave No Trace principles to help preserve access to these areas.
