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Dispersed camping opportunities exist throughout the Green Mountain National Forest near Westminster, Vermont. Several free primitive sites are located along Forest Road 71 and Forest Road 83, with additional options in the George D. Aiken Wilderness area. These public lands permit no-fee camping in designated pull-off areas and clearings, typically featuring only basic fire rings with no other amenities. Somerset Airfield provides a more established dispersed camping experience with pit toilets, while more remote options like Stratton Pond Shelter require hiking access.
Access roads to most dispersed sites require careful navigation, with many campers reporting rough conditions that demand higher clearance vehicles. Forest Road 71 remains passable for most vehicles, while routes like NF 83 may require at least 8 inches of ground clearance according to visitor reports. Several sites experience seasonal challenges including spring mud and winter snow accumulation. Most locations lack drinking water, toilets, and trash service. Campers must practice proper waste disposal, as one visitor noted that some areas had "human excrement" issues from previous users not following Leave No Trace principles.
These primitive camping areas provide varying levels of seclusion and natural settings. The Somerset Airfield sites tend to be more open and clustered, with one camper describing it as "a grass strip next to FR71 with a bunch of sites and a pit house." More remote options offer greater privacy, with a visitor to Downed Bridge Camp stating, "If you're lucky enough to get the last spot on the road it's epic." Riverside sites along NF 83 provide water access, described by one camper as "a nice clearing near the river where the road used to cross." Cell service is limited or nonexistent in most areas, creating a true disconnect from urban life. Winter camping is possible but challenging, with one visitor reporting temperatures dropping to 8 degrees with wind chills of -3 degrees.
"Lots of bugs (horseflies, knots and mosquitoes) no shade so be prepared if it’s hot. Hogback Mt gift shop and museum across street must stop. Trailhead for fire tower next to distillery."
"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."
"It was large and flat. We were off the road by 100 feet or so. It made it more private. I would highly recommend this site. We stopped on our way through to Stowe Vermont."
"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."
"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. "
"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."
"There are a few spots around you can park at. I chose a more sunny and open spot with less trees. So there's more options. It's very quiet definitely check it out."
"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."
"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. "
"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."
"No public bathrooms, no hookups, I personally didn’t have service."
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.
LegendThe Airfield Campground is a strip of land with several campsites and fire pits. 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. The real attraction is the huge Somerset Resevoir which is up the road. Plenty of fishing, paddling, hiking and picnicking opportunities. There are other dispersed sites down the road that are free
RangerOnly the first section of the campground was open due to flooding. As a result, there were puddles everywhere.
Campsites are listed as disbursed but there are only 7 trees to separate 9 camp sites. The campsites are all next to the road and have fire circles.
There is a single pit toilet at the end of the camping area. No garbage service, no water, no cell service. Basically a camp site where you can share a fire with the neighbors.
TravelerA LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well. A few miles down the road there is another campsite that is more open and also has a fire pit with a lot less bugs flying around and more open space.
ScoutThe 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. Brewery, distillery, beautiful lakes and scenic towns all within 15 minutes of the sites.
GuideWent 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. 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.
RangerEnjoyed the stunning babbling brook and resevoir- saw happy people swimming, kayaking, and camping. It's been quiet and peaceful and sometimes generators running all night. 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. It's great to see families camping. There are pit toilets. AT.T service at bridge prior to camp- short walk. SOS only in camp. Another camper told me Starlink works here.
GuideTons of different styles of camping spots (if you get there while its still sunlight you can pick a spot by a flowing stream/river). No public bathrooms, no hookups, I personally didn’t have service.
ScoutI originally was scheduled to be working the whole weekend but ended up getting the time off and rushed to somewhere I could camp on the fourth. I got in around the afternoon and there were already a few camp sites taken. Which is to be expected on the fourth. I left on the 6th and it does seem that there’s a continuous flow of people in and out of the sites but for the most part it’s quiet and you can’t hear your neighbors. Law enforcement does drive by about once or twice a day which is nice. There is probably 4-5 usable sites. There are a few spots that someone could back a trailer into but I drive a hatchback so take that information as you will. It also looks to be that there are at least 2-3 sites that have become overgrown unclear if they are official sites or just large pull offs. Be wary in a small car that many of the entrances to the sites are either muddy and deeply rutted or a combination of steep and rutted out. Great place would definitely come back in the fall
Dispersed camping near Westminster, Vermont offers primitive sites throughout the Green Mountain National Forest's wooded terrain. Winter camping options remain accessible despite seasonal snowfall, with temperatures sometimes dropping to single digits during January and February. Free camping areas range from open clearings to secluded riverside spots across the forest's network of access roads.
Swimming and paddling: Somerset Airfield provides direct access to Somerset Reservoir where campers enjoy water activities. "Enjoyed the stunning babbling brook and resevoir- saw happy people swimming, kayaking, and camping," notes one visitor. The reservoir offers multiple put-in points for kayaks and canoes.
Hiking to backcountry sites: Stratton Pond Shelter requires a 3.75-mile winter trek but rewards with scenic isolation. A camper reports, "Spent the weekend here on the last weekend of Feb. 2024. Cold, Snow, Wind, full moon in the middle of the woods with only the people I hiked in with." The shelter provides 16 bunk spaces and two tent platforms.
Winter snowmobiling: Access roads like Forest Road 71 become snowmobile routes during winter months. Somerset Airfield accommodates winter camping with proper preparation as one visitor experienced: "Saturday, we got at least 8" more along with sleet, freezing rain, and rain. Saturday evening, we had 3" more by 11pm."
River proximity: NF 83 - riverside offers campsites directly alongside flowing water. A camper describes it as having "a large open grassy area with a sizable fire pit" along river bends. The riverside location provides natural white noise and cooling during summer months.
Secluded end-of-road spots: Downed Bridge Camp features particularly private sites at its terminus. "If you're lucky enough to get the last spot on the road it's epic. Note that fills quickly on a weekend," warns one visitor. Additional primitive camping extends down fire road 10 when primary spots fill up.
Level parking areas: Many dispersed sites feature flat, cleared areas suitable for various camping setups. The Statton Pond Camp location is described as "very flat and could accommodate several small campers" with "a fire pit in the middle" of a large open area.
Road conditions vary: Access requires appropriate vehicles for certain locations. NF 83 riverside campers note "The beginning of the little driveway is quite rough with some bigger rocks" while another states, "The access into this location is a little rough but most cars should make it, I would prefer having a little more clearance."
Variable site cleanliness: George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed camping requires visitors to check sites before settling in. One visitor noted sites were "large and flat" but others reported cleanliness issues at certain locations throughout the forest.
Limited facilities: Most dispersed sites offer fire rings but no other amenities. Somerset Airfield provides vault toilets, though their condition varies: "10 spaces between the bathrooms/vault toilets with only 3 other 4 in working order," reported one visitor.
Seasonal conditions: Spring camping often involves mud challenges. A Forest Road 71 camper noted: "This particular campsite is very muddy. Well, at least today it is. I have an SUV and I didn't trust it to get through, and I didn't want to get stuck."
Safety planning: With limited cell service throughout the forest, prepare emergency communications. Somerset Airfield offers limited connectivity: "AT.T service at bridge prior to camp- short walk. SOS only in camp. Another camper told me Starlink works here."
Campsite selection: Branch Pond on National Forest Hwy provides various campsite styles for different family preferences. "Tons of different styles of camping spots (if you get there while its still sunlight you can pick a spot by a flowing stream/river)," notes one visitor.
Nearby attractions: Families can combine camping with day trips to surrounding communities. George D Aiken Wilderness offers nearby options as "Brewery, distillery, beautiful lakes and scenic towns all within 15 minutes of the sites."
Clearance requirements: Somerset Airfield accommodates larger vehicles but access roads demand attention. RVers report it "is probably good for people who camp with RVs or Trailor's that can't get into smaller sites" due to its open layout.
Winter camping preparation: RV winter camping requires extensive preparation for rapidly changing conditions. One Somerset camper reported: "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."
Limited parking: Arrive early to secure suitable spots, especially for larger vehicles. "Great spot for a small group to camp at. The main area is a walk in and is worth it. The road into here was easy to drive," notes a visitor to Downed Bridge Camp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Westminster, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Westminster, VT is Hogback Mtn Trailhead with a 3.3-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Westminster, VT?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 dispersed camping locations near Westminster, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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