Best Dispersed Camping near Williamsville, VT
Dispersed camping areas surround Williamsville, Vermont, primarily within the Green Mountain National Forest where several free primitive sites are located along forest roads and near water features. Notable camping zones include George D. Aiken Wilderness Dispersed, Somerset Airfield, and various sites along Forest Road 71. Most of these locations offer primitive camping with no facilities, though Somerset Airfield includes pit toilets. Several sites feature access to water bodies, with NF 83 riverside and sites near Somerset Reservoir being particularly popular for those seeking proximity to water.
Access to many dispersed sites requires traveling on unpaved forest roads with varying conditions. Several sites, including those on NF83, demand higher ground clearance vehicles, with one review noting at least 8 inches of clearance needed for access. Seasonal conditions can impact accessibility, with some areas becoming muddy after rain or inaccessible in winter without proper vehicles. Most sites include established fire rings, though campers should verify current fire restrictions. The majority of dispersed sites have no drinking water, toilets, or trash service, requiring visitors to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste.
The dispersed camping experience near Williamsville varies by location, with sites offering different levels of privacy and natural features. Stratton Pond Shelter provides backcountry camping accessible by a 3.75-mile hike, situated at the intersection of the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail. Sites along Forest Road 71 allow campers to spread out with minimal neighbor interaction. The primitive nature of these locations means limited or no cell service at most sites. According to a camper's review, NF 83 riverside offers "a nice clearing near the river" with "no light pollution, cell signal or distractions." Another review described Somerset Airfield sites as having "access to a stream that flows behind the park" with the "huge Somerset Reservoir" being "the real attraction."
