Tent campgrounds near Eden, Vermont offer remote experiences with varying accessibility and facilities. Sites range from boat-in locations at Green River Reservoir to walk-in tent platforms at Underhill State Park. Elevation changes across the region create distinct camping environments, with higher sites typically featuring more rugged terrain and cooler nighttime temperatures dropping into the 40s even during summer months.
What to do
Climb Mount Mansfield: Underhill State Park serves as an excellent base camp for hiking Vermont's highest peak. Camp at Underhill State Park Campground where "About a .3 mile hike to the main trail to climb the mountain. The camp sites are nice but a little close together. Bathrooms were clean and well stocked," according to Sam T.
Paddle remote waterways: Launch from Cotton Brook Road to access the remote sites at Waterbury Reservoir. Julia S. notes, "The paddle to r14 from there was way too long. It was about 30 minutes from the cotton brook launch to the site and was much more doable for all the trips we took bringing our gear in."
Wildlife watching: Tent camping at remote sites provides opportunities for animal sightings. Molly's Falls Pond State Park offers five unofficial remote campsites available first-come, first-served where anglers can find "rainbow trout, brown trout, northern pike, pickerel, smallmouth bass and yellow perch."
What campers like
Peaceful seclusion: Black Creek Maple's Nature Escape and Tent Haven offers quiet camping with mountain views. Émylie B. describes it as "a beautiful campsite with a magnificent view of Mount Mansfield. The small amount of camping space made the experience quite unique and private."
Spacious platforms: Indian Brook Reservoir provides tent platforms accessible by foot or boat. According to a reviewer, "They are spacious but not private. There is a shared privy among the sites. The Reservoir lends itself to peaceful boating, nature watching and great fishing."
Car-free environment: At Burton Island State Park Campground, visitors appreciate the absence of vehicles. Rita M. explains, "It is a car free paradise that requires a boat or ferry to get to but yields the rewards of peace, nature, and gorgeous shoreline."
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary: Composting toilets and outhouses are common at remote sites. At Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites, "The bathroom is a composting toilet that you'll share with fishing spiders the size of your hand, slam the lid before use!"
Tent site challenges: Finding flat ground can be difficult. Julia S. reported about Waterbury Reservoir, "The spot where you set up tent at this site was on a slope, other sites might be better."
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds operate from late May through early October. Burton Island State Park operates from "Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend," while Underhill State Park extends slightly longer, staying open "Memorial Day weekend to October 16."
Transportation logistics: Many sites require additional transport methods. For Burton Island, Michael L. advises, "After getting all of our stuff packed on the ferry and arriving on the island, we chose to have the campground deliver our stuff to our campsite for $10... it was well worth it."
Tips for camping with families
Pack light for walk-in sites: Underhill State Park offers wheelbarrows to help transport gear. Ali T. shares, "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. They provide wheelbarrows for easy moving of your stuff."
Consider cabins for easier setup: Some locations offer cabin alternatives to tents. At Black Creek Maple's Nature Escape, Evan M. notes, "Weather was not cooperative and my fiancé and I were able to rent one of the cabins for our second night."
Plan for temperature swings: Mountain elevations cause significant day-to-night temperature drops, especially at Camel's Hump State Park where primitive camping areas sit approximately 1.5 miles into the hike.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV accommodations: Most of the best tent camping near Eden, Vermont doesn't accommodate RVs. However, Nicholas G. mentions Little River State Park has "wide flat camp sites no hookups limited gen. Use hours 8am/10am and 4pm/6pm. Rough road coming to campground. Very quiet. Site could hold big rig we have a 28ft 5th wheel plenty of room for 35/40."
Consider alternatives to full hookups: With limited RV options near Eden, tent camping remains the primary accommodation. For RVers wanting to experience the area, consider reserving a tent site at Black Creek Maple's Nature Escape and using their facilities which include "clean water, fire wood and cooking rack" plus "a sink to do dishes" and a "very clean outhouse and shower."
