Wheelerville Road – Somerset Reservoir Circuit
Technical valley run to flooded ghost towns
Wheelerville Road drops into the flooded ghost towns of the Deerfield River valley, where entire communities were sacrificed to create Somerset Reservoir in the 1960s. The trail starts innocuously enough near the Molly Stark Trail but quickly deteriorates into a technical 4WD route with multiple stream crossings, including a particularly nasty ford at Beaver Brook that’s claimed more than a few oil pans. Stone foundations and old cellar holes peek through the hardwoods, remnants of farms that once thrived in these valleys before the dam builders arrived.
This is genuine technical terrain requiring 4WD low-range, skid plates, and recovery gear – those stream crossings are no joke, especially during spring runoff. Summer and early fall offer the best conditions when water levels are manageable. The payoff is spectacular dispersed camping along the reservoir’s remote eastern shore, miles from the crowds at the dam. Fuel up in Wilmington before heading in, and don’t expect cell service until you’re back on pavement. This route delivers Vermont’s wild side in spades.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 18 mi / 29 km |
| Duration | Full day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2300 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 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 |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler handle this trail without mods?
A stock 4WD with skid plates is the hard minimum — think factory Wrangler or 4Runner with decent ground clearance. Lifted rigs are better suited given the stream crossings and rocky sections; low-clearance SUVs will get hung up or take damage.
When does Wheelerville Road actually become passable after winter?
June is the realistic start of the season — spring mud and snowmelt keep the trail a mess well into May and the stream crossings run high and fast. September is the cutoff before fall weather turns the dirt greasy and early snow becomes a real risk at elevation.
Do I need a permit to run this trail or camp overnight?
No permit required — it's Green Mountain National Forest land and dispersed camping is allowed under standard GMNF rules (14-night max, 200 feet from water). No fees to drive the trail itself.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The stream crossings are where rigs get stopped — water depth varies with recent rainfall and can catch you off guard even in dry season. Rocky shelf sections with limited line choice will test your skid plates; plan on getting out to walk sections before committing.
Is there any cell service on the trail, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
Zero cell service for the entire 18 miles — bring a satellite communicator, full stop. Wilmington is the closest town for fuel; top off there before you head in because there's nothing between you and the trail.
Trail track
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