Forest Service Road 71 – Mount Tabor Circuit
Climb to abandoned fire tower through logging history
Forest Service Road 71 winds through abandoned logging cuts on Mount Tabor’s northern slopes, where the ghosts of Vermont’s timber industry still haunt the hardwood hollows. This gravel forest service road climbs steadily past old skidder trails and stone foundations of logging camps, leading to the remnants of a 1930s fire tower that once kept watch over thousands of acres of Green Mountain National Forest. The final push to the summit requires navigating around washouts and fallen timber, but the payoff is a commanding view of the Taconic Range stretching south into Massachusetts.
This is a straightforward moderate route suitable for any high-clearance vehicle, though the final mile to the tower gets rocky and steep enough to test your low-range gears. Best tackled in late spring through fall when the access road is clear of snow. No permits needed, and dispersed camping is allowed throughout the national forest. You’ll find this route delivers exactly what Vermont backcountry driving should be – real forest roads with real history and views that remind you why the Green Mountains earned their name.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance |
| Surface | Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 12 mi / 19.3 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2950 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD |
| Nearest town | Danby, Vermont |
| Land manager | Green Mountain National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle FSR 71, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 2WD truck or SUV can manage this trail in dry conditions — the gravel logging road surface is the main challenge, not rock crawling. A lifted rig isn't necessary, but a low-clearance car or crossover will scrape and struggle, especially after rain when ruts deepen.
When does FSR 71 open after winter, and is mud season a real problem here?
Best access runs May through October. Vermont mud season (typically March–April) turns this logging road into a soft mess that will bog down anything short of a dedicated 4x4, and Green Mountain National Forest may post seasonal road closures during this period — check with the forest service before heading out in early spring.
Do I need a permit or pay any fees to run this trail or camp off FSR 71?
No permit is required and there are no fees for dispersed camping or driving FSR 71 — it's Green Mountain National Forest land, so standard Leave No Trace rules apply. Camp at least 200 feet from the road and any water sources.
What's the hardest part of this trail and what should I actually be ready for?
The steeper upper sections approaching the 2,950-foot high point can get loose and rutted, particularly after heavy rain — that's where 2WD rigs with street tires will feel it most. The trail is rated moderate, not a shelf road or rock crawl, but don't let that make you sloppy on the descents when the surface is wet.
There's zero cell service out here — how far is the nearest gas and should I bring water?
Danby, Vermont is your last real stop — fuel up there before you head in because you won't find a pump on this loop. Bring all your own water; there are no reliable treated sources on trail, and backcountry streams should be filtered before drinking.
Trail track
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