Tent camping opportunities near Calais, Vermont include both established sites and primitive backcountry locations across the region's diverse ecosystem of forests, reservoirs, and waterways. The area sits at elevations between 700-1,500 feet with humid continental climate conditions typical of northern Vermont. Summer temperatures average 65-80°F during peak camping season from late May through early October, with regular afternoon thunderstorms.
What to do
Paddle to remote campsites: Access boat-in camping at Green River Reservoir State Park Campground where most sites require under a mile of paddling. "It's a primitive park, perfect for paddling, wild camping, swimming, and watching wildlife. The reservoir is 653 acres with 19 miles of shoreline," reports one camper who recommends paddling to the Beaver Meadow area for moose sightings.
Hike summit trails: Camp at Camel's Hump State Park and tackle the strenuous but rewarding hike to one of Vermont's highest peaks. A camper describes it as "a short and sweet hike to one of the higher points in Vermont. The designated primitive camping area is about 1.5 miles into the hike. If I recall it had about 10-12 sites."
Wild swimming: Find swimming holes along Mad River near Route 100 Dispersed Camping areas. "This site has 3-5 campsites right off of route 100. This is right next to Mad River with a area to walk down into a swimming hole," notes one visitor who appreciates the easy access.
What campers like
Privacy between campsites: Underhill State Park Campground receives consistent praise for its site layout. "The camp sites are nice but a little close together. Bathrooms were clean and well stocked," shares one reviewer. Another camper adds, "This is the best of car camping - you get the feel of really being out in the woods, with your car a short distance away."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Green River Reservoir State Park campers regularly spot moose, beaver, and various bird species. One camper advises to "be sure to paddle out to the Beaver Meadow - we have seen moose there several times" and notes that despite popularity on weekends, "there is plenty of space between each site."
Accessible backcountry experience: Tent camping near Calais provides wilderness feel without difficult access. "We stayed at campsite 6 and loved waking up to the sound of the stream down the embankment," reports a camper at Underhill State Park, while another calls it "terrific camping" with "trees that helped with privacy."
What you should know
Toilet facilities vary widely: Expect everything from composting toilets to no facilities whatsoever. At Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites, one camper warns: "The bathroom is a composting toilet that you'll share with fishing spiders the size of your hand, slam the lid before use!"
Site selection impacts comfort: Terrain varies considerably between campsites. A Waterbury Reservoir camper notes "the spot where you set up tent at this site was on a slope, others sites might be better." Similarly, at Green River Reservoir, a frequent visitor warns against campsite #12: "It was difficult to find a flat tent spot, and the site seemed very overused."
Reservation strategies matter: For popular camping areas near Calais, timing is critical. The Green River Reservoir fills quickly, with one camper advising: "The earlier in the year you reserve, the more choices you will have" and suggesting weekday reservations to avoid crowds.
Tips for camping with families
Wheelbarrows simplify setup: Use provided equipment to transport gear at walk-in sites. Underhill State Park provides this helpful feature: "They provide wheelbarrows for easy moving of your stuff, and the campsites are super clean and well organized."
Launch point selection: When boating to campsites with children, choose wisely. A Waterbury Reservoir camper advises: "Be sure to launch from cotton brook road if your site r11-27. We made the mistake of parking at Little River rd the first time and the paddle to r14 from there was way too long."
Food storage precautions: Camel's Hump State Park requires special handling of food supplies. "The area had a host who was there 24/7 and a shared area for eating and food storage (I guess Bear's are a problem there)," notes one camper, highlighting the importance of proper storage when camping with kids.
Tips from RVers
FR-25 access limitations: Green Mountain National Forest FR25 accommodates smaller RVs but requires caution. A visitor reports "small number of sites and a bit hard to find" while another warns that during wet weather, "we just couldn't dry out."
Security considerations: When camping with valuable equipment in remote areas, take precautions. A FR25 camper cautions: "Make sure to lock your valuables. Our Jackery, Solar panels & toilet were stolen."
Winter access challenges: For cold-weather RV camping, prepare for unplowed roads. One Route 100 camper notes: "Entrance and exit are a little steep and tricky in the winter, lot wasn't plowed so AWD/4x4 and good ground clearance are recommended."
