Free dispersed camping on Vermont's spine with peak New England fall foliage.
Vermont's only national forest covers 400,000 acres of the Green Mountains. Free dispersed camping is allowed on national forest land outside developed areas — rare for New England, where most camping is paid.
Why it's special
Free camping in New England is unusual. Add Vermont fall color the first two weeks of October and you have one of the best leaf-peeping basecamps in the country.
Best time to go
Late June through October. Foliage peaks early October.
Getting there
VT-100 (the Skiers Highway) runs through the forest north-south.
Know before you go
- 14-day stay; pack in/pack out.
- Bears active; secure food.
- Roads are narrow, sometimes seasonally closed.
- Cell service patchy off main routes.
Pro tips from boondockers
- Forest roads off VT-100 north of Plymouth are quiet weekday picks.
- Visit a creemee stand; it's the law in Vermont.
- Foliage peak moves north to south — plan accordingly.
- Brewery scene is excellent — Hill Farmstead, Lawson's, Heady Topper country.
Combine with
Camel's Hump, Killington, White Mountain NF (NH).