Green Mountain National Forest is a national forest located in Vermont, a forest area typical of the New England/Acadian forests ecoregion. The forest supports a variety of wildlife, including beaver, moose, coyote, black bear, and white tailed deer. It also supports an abundant variety of bird species, such as wild turkey and ruffed grouse. The forest, being situated in Vermont’s Green Mountains, has been referred to as the ‘granite backbone’ of the state.
The forest was established in 1932, as a result of uncontrolled overlogging, fire and flooding.[3] It consists of 399,151 acres (1,615.31 km2); and is the biggest contiguous land mass in the state. If Finger Lakes National Forest, which is managed as a unit of the Green Mountain National Forest, is included within it, GMNF is one of only two national forest northeast of the Pennsylvania-New Jersey barrier; the other being the White Mountain National Forest. Split into the southwest and central areas, GMNF has a total of eight wilderness areas. These were designated by Congress beginning with the Wilderness Act of 1964 to be areas off limits to mechanized gear down to and including bicycles.
Along Prospect Mountain Road aka National Forest Road 273 (NFR 273), you’ll find a series of primitive, dispersed campsites that serve as a quiet basecamp for exploring the southern Green Mountain National Forest.
Campsite Overview
These sites are “dispersed,” meaning they are free, first-come-first-served, and offer no facilities like water or toilets.
Site Features: There are approximately 12 pull-off spots along the road. Many are large enough for 2–3 vehicles or a medium-sized RV.
Amenities: Most established spots include fire rings.
Road Conditions: NFR 273 is a dirt road generally accessible by most cars and SUVs, though higher clearance is recommended after heavy rain.
Key Regulations: You must camp in designated pull-offs or at least 200 feet from roads, trails, and water. Stays are limited to 14 days.
Nearby Trails
NFR 273 provides convenient access to several notable hiking opportunities:
The Long Trail (LT) & Appalachian Trail (AT): The road provides a gateway to these famous long-distance paths. You can hike from the end of NFR 273 toward the Congdon Shelter via connecting paths like Stage Coach Road.
Bald Mountain: A popular, challenging 8-mile hike with significant elevation gain and viewpoints of the Bennington area.
Prospect Rock Trail: A moderate 3.1-mile hike following an old road to a rocky overlook with views of Manchester Center.
Stratton Pond Loop: Accessible via nearby Forest Road 71, this 15.1-mile loop is one of the most popular backpacking destinations in the region.
Outdoor Activities
Stargazing: Due to the remote, wooded location, the area has very low light pollution, making it excellent for night sky viewing along the road.
Fishing & Paddling: The Somerset Reservoir is located a short drive away, offering extensive opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing.
Wildlife Viewing: The forest is home to moose, beaver, and various bird species, particularly near wetlands and brooks like Castle Brook.
Winter Recreation: In winter, the forest roads (including NFR 273) typically close to vehicles and transform into routes for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
Be sure to pack out all trash and check for seasonal road closures before you go, especially during “mud season” in the spring. Be aware some of the sites may have road noise from VT 9 (Molly Stark Trail) as trucks climb out of the valley.
Off of Vermont 9, a short distance east of Woodford State Park and the George Aitken Wilderness is Yaw Pond Road, a popular place for primative roadside camping.
Like many National Forests, there are a wide variety of dirt roads with primitive campsites along them in the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont. Learn more about Camping Opportunities in Green Mountain National Forest, including a description of the various camping areas in the forest.
