Free Camping in Vermont

53 sites across 5 federal and state land agencies. 0 sites have full agency-grounded write-ups; the rest are in the indexing queue.

National Park Service sites

3 sites. National Park Service camping rules →

  • Billings Farm & Museum Visitor Center
    Developed· Indexing
  • Carriage Barn Visitor Center
    Developed· Indexing
  • Marsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park
    Developed· Indexing

PRIVATE sites

38 sites. PRIVATE camping rules →

  • Apple Island Resort
    Developed· Indexing
  • Ben Cole Camp
    Dispersed· Indexing
  • Ben Cole Clearing
    Dispersed· Indexing
  • Brewster River Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Burke Mountain Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Camp Billings
    Developed· Indexing
  • Camping on the Battenkill
    Developed· Indexing
  • Campsite 17
    Dispersed· Indexing
  • Campsite 18
    Dispersed· Indexing
  • Campsite 19
    Dispersed· Indexing
  • Campsite 20
    Dispersed· Indexing
  • Campsite 24
    Dispersed· Indexing
  • Campsite 25
    Dispersed· Indexing
  • Clyde River Camping
    Developed· Indexing
  • Country Village Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Emerald Lake State Park
    Developed· Indexing
  • Greendale Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Grout Pond Recreation Area
    Developed· Indexing
  • Half Moon Pond State Park
    Developed· Indexing
  • Hapgood Pond Recreation Area
    Developed· Indexing
  • Horseshoe Acres Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Howell's Camping area
    Developed· Indexing
  • Limehurst Lake Campground
    Developed· Indexing
  • Maple Hill Campsites
    Developed· Indexing
14 more PRIVATE sites in Vermont.

US Army Corps of Engineers sites

8 sites. US Army Corps of Engineers camping rules →

  • Ball Mountain Lake
    Developed· Indexing
  • North Hartland Lake
    Developed· Indexing
  • North Springfield Lake
    Developed· Indexing
  • Stoughton Pond Rec Area
    Developed· Indexing
  • Townshend Lake
    Developed· Indexing
  • Townshend Lake Recreation Area
    Developed· Indexing
  • Union Village Dam
    Developed· Indexing
  • Winhall Brook Camping Area
    Developed· Indexing

US Forest Service sites

3 sites. US Forest Service camping rules →

  • Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests
    Developed· Indexing
  • Green Mountain National Forest Christmas Tree Permit
    Developed· Indexing
  • Grout Pond Campground
    Developed· Indexing

US Fish and Wildlife Service sites

1 site. US Fish and Wildlife Service camping rules →

  • Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge
    Developed· Indexing

Common questions about camping in Vermont

How long can you camp on public land in Vermont?
The federal limit on BLM and USFS land in Vermont is 14 days within any 28-day period at one camp area, then a 25-mile move. Source: 43 CFR §8365.1-2 for BLM and 36 CFR §261.10 for USFS. NPS sites in Vermont have separate per-park limits, usually set by the park superintendent's compendium. Always check the local field office before relying on the rule for any specific site.
Are there fire restrictions in Vermont right now?
Fire restrictions in Vermont change weekly during fire season. Check the BLM Vermont state office page and the USFS Vermont forest pages for the current Stage I, II, or III restrictions before lighting any fire. Stage I usually means no open fires outside developed grates. Stage II usually means no fires anywhere on the unit, including stoves outside developed sites. Carry a backup stove and a check-in plan.
What's the difference between dispersed and developed camping in Vermont?
Dispersed camping in Vermont means primitive, no fee, no facilities. You pull off a public-land road and camp where established disturbance already exists. Developed camping means a designated campground with a host, vault toilet, fire ring, picnic table, and usually a nightly fee through Recreation.gov. USFS national forests in Vermont allow dispersed camping along MVUM-marked roads. Per 36 CFR §261.13 and the Travel Management Rule.
Can you run a generator at public-land campsites in Vermont?
Generators are generally allowed at developed campgrounds in Vermont with quiet hours, usually 8pm to 8am. The exact window varies by site and is posted at each campground or in the host's contract. On dispersed land, the federal noise rules and Leave No Trace ethics apply: do not run a generator within 200 feet of water or after dark. Some NPS units in Vermont prohibit generators entirely; check the park's compendium first.
Are dogs allowed at public-land campsites in Vermont?
Dogs are generally allowed on BLM and USFS public-land sites in Vermont when leashed, with the same Leave No Trace ethics that apply to humans: pack out waste, keep your dog on a 6-foot leash or under voice control, do not let them chase wildlife. NPS units in Vermont are stricter; dogs are typically barred from trails and backcountry, allowed only in developed campgrounds and on paved roads. Always check the specific unit's rules before driving in. State park rules vary too.
Can you camp on public lands in Vermont in winter?
Winter access in Vermont depends on the unit. Many BLM dispersed sites and USFS forest roads stay open year-round when conditions allow but become snowed-in or gated above certain elevations. Developed campgrounds usually close from mid-October to mid-April. NPS units in Vermont often shift to limited winter operations with reduced services. Check the agency office or Recreation.gov for current road status and gate closure dates. Carry chains and emergency supplies in shoulder season.
Where can you dump RV waste on public lands in Vermont?
Most dispersed and primitive sites in Vermont do not have dump stations. You need to plan a stop at a developed campground (USFS, BOR, USACE, or NPS) with a dump station, or a paid commercial dump at a Pilot/Flying J or KOA on your route. Recreation.gov lists which federal campgrounds have dump stations. Never dump on dispersed land; it is a federal violation under 36 CFR §261.11 and 43 CFR §8365.1-1. Sites that have a dump station show it in the Boondock site page.
What's cell coverage like at public-land campsites in Vermont?
Coverage in Vermont varies sharply by carrier and site elevation. Carriers' coverage maps are aspirational; the FCC National Broadband Map is more honest but still self-reported. For remote Vermont sites you should expect no signal on Verizon and T-Mobile at most BLM dispersed land and on dry-side USFS roads. AT&T tends to drop in canyons. The Boondock site page shows coverage data when we have it; absent that, assume no signal and tell someone your plan before you go.

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