Class IV Road Network

Vermont’s Class IV roads are the state’s best-kept secret for legal backcountry exploration — abandoned town roads that remain public rights-of-way but receive no municipal maintenance. These historic routes wind through the Green Mountain National Forest and private timber lands, connecting ghost settlements like Somerset Reservoir and Glastenbury. The network spans from the Massachusetts border north to Canada, with challenging sections like the Kelley Stand Road offering technical rocky climbs and creek crossings through dense hardwood forest.

Difficulty varies wildly — some sections are passable in a stock SUV during dry conditions, while others demand high-clearance 4WD and recovery gear. Peak foliage season (late September) brings crowds and muddy conditions; late spring through early fall offers the best access. No permits required since these remain public roads, but respect private timber operations and hunting seasons. Dispersed camping is allowed on National Forest sections. What you get is legal access to Vermont’s backcountry without the political hassles of rail-trails or private land disputes.