Somerset Reservoir Access Road
Technical climb to Vermont's highest reservoir
Somerset Reservoir Access Road climbs relentlessly from Route 9 through some of Vermont’s most technical terrain to reach the state’s highest major body of water at 2100 feet. The final three miles demand serious attention as the rough forest service road navigates granite ledges, loose boulder fields, and steep grades that separate casual drivers from committed four-wheelers. Active logging operations mean sharing the narrow track with massive timber trucks that own the right of way.
Difficult rating earned through rocky technical sections requiring good ground clearance and skid plates. Modified 4WDs with armor handle it confidently; stock rigs proceed with caution and spotters. Best accessed June through September when frost heaves settle and before winter closure. No permits, but respect active logging schedules. The reward justifies the beating: pristine high-altitude fishing, backcountry camping, and views across the Deerfield River watershed that few Vermont residents ever witness.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 8 mi / 12.9 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2100 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with skid plates |
| Nearest town | Wilmington, Vermont |
| Land manager | Green Mountain National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner run Somerset Reservoir Access Road, or does it need mods?
Stock rigs will struggle — the granite ledges and boulder fields demand real clearance and skid plate protection. A lifted rig with at least skid plates and all-terrain tires is the minimum; lockers help on the steeper rock sections. Don't bring a factory-height daily driver.
When does the trail actually open each year, and is snow a real concern?
June through September is the reliable window — Vermont's elevation keeps snow and mud around well into late spring, and early October can bring surprise snowfall at 2,100 ft. Avoid it during mud season (April–May); you'll tear up the trail and likely get stuck.
Do you need a permit to drive or camp on the Somerset Reservoir Access Road?
No permit is required to drive the trail, and dispersed camping is allowed under Green Mountain National Forest rules — 14-night stay limit, 200 ft from water and trails. No fees as of current USFS policy, but check fs.usda.gov/gmfl before you go since regulations do change.
What's the hardest section, and what exactly makes it technical?
The upper granite ledge climbs are the crux — exposed rock slabs with limited traction lines and off-camber angles that will drag rocker panels on anything with stock clearance. Approach angles matter here, and a wrong line can put you high-centered on bare ledge with no easy recovery anchor nearby.
There's zero cell service — how far is the nearest gas and should I carry water?
Wilmington is your last stop for fuel, food, and water — fill up there because you won't get a signal or a tow truck once you're on the trail. The water crossings are not potable without treatment, so carry what you need for the trip; a filter is smart backup if you're camping overnight.
Trail track
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