Best Tent Camping near Grafton, VT

Tent campsites near Grafton, Vermont offer a mix of established and backcountry camping experiences with several hike-in sites located along the Appalachian Trail. Little Rock Pond Group Camp & Shelters provides tent platforms within hiking distance of a natural pond, while Stratton Pond Shelter features free tent camping in a backcountry setting with access to one of the largest bodies of water on the Long Trail. Many tent sites in the area are maintained by the Green Mountain Club, with minimal fees for overnight stays.

Most tent camping areas require significant walking from parking areas, with no drive-up access to individual sites. Tent platforms are common at established sites, providing level surfaces for setup. Basic amenities like composting toilets are available at many backcountry shelters, though drinking water must typically be sourced from nearby springs or streams and treated before use. Fire regulations vary by location, with some shelters like Winturri and Stony Brook prohibiting open fires while others permit them in established fire rings. Most sites enforce "pack it in, pack it out" policies with no trash service available.

Tent campers at Little Rock Pond enjoy swimming opportunities with water that's "surprisingly warm for its altitude," according to one visitor. The pond is home to loons and features a large jumping rock on the far side. Backcountry tent sites along the Appalachian Trail, such as Stony Brook, offer peaceful settings with varying amenities. A camper noted that Stony Brook has "large tent areas where multiple tents could fit and which looked quite level" and features a nearby swimming hole. Michigan Brook provides more accessible tent camping with several spots near a bridge and riverside location, though reviewers emphasize the importance of proper waste disposal at these more remote sites.

Best Tent Sites Near Grafton, Vermont (32)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Grafton, VT

640 Reviews of 32 Grafton Campgrounds


  • Sa R.
    Jul. 7, 2019

    Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake

    Beautiful lake

    First time staying there. Two tents allowed per site, no alcohol although no one checked. No water or electricity at the sites. You park & walk in but they provide carts. You have to buy firewood from them. Canoe, kayak & padddleboard rental available. Showers & bathrooms by the parking area. Lots of islands & places to explore on the lake. Buggy in June so bring your repellent. Dogs allowed...that’s all I got for now :)

  • Erin B.
    Sep. 11, 2019

    Clarksburg State Park Campground

    low key and beautiful fall getaway

    Keep in mind that this review is written after camping sept 8th (the week that school started for many) so it might not be relevant to peak camping season. We were pleasantly surprised with our weekend getaway to Clarksburg State Park. Nestled in the Berkshires and basically walking distance to Vermont, Clarksburg State Park provides a comfortable and semi-private tent site. Several spots (including ours 6) were very close to the rather large pond. While the trees obstruct the views, the site was waterfront and we were able to walk a few yards downhill to the waters edge where we launched our kayaks (there is a designated launching spot elsewhere). No electric and water hookups are provided but we were totally okay with that. Bear boxes were provided on each site so that you don’t have to keep stinky food or garbage in your car! Each site also had a fire pit with a grate so that you can cook right there on the fire. The bathrooms were some of the cleanest campground bathrooms and showers i’ve experienced (no bugs or webs also) and there was a dishwashing station on the side. The sites were large and well spaced but they had trees in between so that you felt privacy. The campground itself had plenty of sites, firewood for sale in the front and a pavilion and beach area on the day use side. There are plenty of trails you can hop on right outside your tent site and very little light pollution for optimal star gazing. We really enjoyed our time here and will definitely be back!

  • Ryan A.
    Jun. 12, 2024

    Mohawk Trail State Forest Campground

    Great Campground in Western Mass

    This is a great campground located off of highway 2 in western Mass. I stayed in site 51 and luckily the campground was mostly empty(it was on a Thursday though and was supposed to be full for the weekend.) Each campsite has a bear box and fire ring, there is easy access to hiking trails and flush-toilet bathrooms with sinks are located throughout. There is only one dumpster though and it’s a walk to get to – store your trash in your car or drive it each night, or enjoy the walk. 

    The campsites are very close together without much brush for privacy, so you should expect to see your neighbors up close and personal. Some of the sites are on Cold River(which is more like a creek). The bugs were awful, especially the gnats and I did see a large tick on my fire grill, so be prepared. The best sites are on the lower loop around the water. Avoid any site next to the bathroom as the lights stay on all night and will shine directly into your tent. 49 looked really nice and seemed dark. The hike-in sites were also close together, 22 is the most private. There are baskets with wheels provided. 

    The rangers are friendly and sell firewood in case you need any. You’ll need to check in before going to the campsite, they’ll give you a map and they take good care of the sites. Would definitely camp here again.

  • Nancy R.
    Jul. 31, 2018

    Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake

    Tully Lake Campground is perfect to enjoy traditional family camping!

    Tully Lake Campground is located in Royalston, MA, which is a northern part of Central Massachusetts, near the New Hampshire border. It is a State managed campground, and reservations must be made through Massachusetts Trustees of Reservations. There are some prime camp sites with direct access to the lake, but suggest you be prepared to call early in the morning of the first day State Campground reservations can be made, if you want one of these!

    This is a "Carry In" campground. You park at the entrance, register with Ranger. Large wooden wheelbarrows are provided to bring your gear to your camp site. (This means no noise or disturbances from cars entering your camp sites.) There are individual sites, and 2 group sites, if you are camping with a group. Canoes are available to rent to explore Tully Lake. Most parts of the lake are suitable for swimming, and some camp sites offer direct entry into the lake for swimming, canoeing, or kayaking. If you'd like to hike with children, there is an easy hike close to the entrance, along Doane's Falls, a series of 5 waterfalls along an ascending path through a wooded area. The views are beautiful, and it's not unusual to spot professional nature photographers at various points along the waterfalls. Bring your cameras or smart phones to capture some of these breathtaking views! And of course there are longer, more challenging trails for more experienced hikers. There are family oriented programs offered, and dogs are allowed, on leash only. Cell service is spotty to non-existent for some providers within the campground. But a short walk or drive away from the campground you can get connected again.

    The bathrooms are located near the entrance to the Park, and include flush toilets as well as coin operated, hot showers, open 24/7. There are sinks beside the building, where campers are asked to wash their dishes, rather than at the camp site. A fire ring and picnic table are provided at each camp site. If you've forgotten any gear or need groceries, there's a Walmart just a 15 minute drive away, open until 12 midnight.

    The staff are quite friendly, helpful and informative. If you enjoy "old fashioned" family tent camping, without the noise and presence of cars and RV's near your camp site, (or cell phones!) this is the place for you. Enjoy!

  • Justin P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2022

    Velvet Rocks Shelter Backcountry Campground on the AT — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

    Standard AT back country shelter on the limited site of tent camping

    Note this is a back country shelter along the Appalachian Trail, so it is 100% long hike in with no guaranteed water and a basic privvy.

    I tented along here for a night during a section hike of the AT from Lyme into Vermont.

    The shelter was the basic AT 3-sided wood structure and was generally in good shape.

    The water source here was dry during my trip which was expected during the drought (August 2022).

    The tent camping here was ok, with some slightly slanted spots around the main shelter area.

    There was no real view from the shelter.  There was also a basic privvy available.

    This was a decent shelter to stop at along the AT, but I would not consider it a weekend destination.

    There was no bear box onsite.

  • Justin P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2022

    Stony Brook Backcountry Shelter on the AT in Vermont — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

    Basic AT shelter with lots of tent camping and swimming hole nearby

    Note: This is a hike in back country shelter with unreliable water and a pit bathroom.

    I tented here on a section hike of the AT. The shelter was a fairly basic 8ish person shelter, but this stop stood out because of a brand new privvy, large tenting areas, and a swimming hole and consistent water just a bit further down the trail (when heading northbound).

    For camping, there were a few large tent areas where multiple tents could fit and which looked quite level.

    The privvy looked brand new and was more spacious than most on the trail.

    There was no water on the shelter, but there was plenty of water at Stony Brook / Mink Brook a bit further northbound. I only explored a bit offtrail down the brook but found a decent swimming hole (could just barely submerge myself) to clean off a bit.

    There was also a bear box here, which I hadn't seen at other shelters along the AT in Vermont (heading southbound).

    Although the shelter was fairly basic, I would keep this on my list as a go-to place to stop if I was planning to hike in the area.

  • Dawn S.
    May. 30, 2020

    Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground

    Clean

    My pup and I spent two nights here and were very happy. While this campground is bare-bones (no pool) it is perfect for anyone who wants to just chill and do nothing or hit the mountains / local area and do some hiking. The entire campground was very clean, as were the bathrooms. At check-in they will give you maps of hiking routes. Firewood is for sale onsite as are a few necessities. They also had bear boxes, picnic tables and fire rings at each site. We will go back.

  • Jessica D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2023

    Molly Stark State Park Campground

    Quiet, secluded & nestled in the woods

    We stayed here as a stopover on our way home to NJ from Maine. It's 5 min down the road from Wilmington, one of our favorite towns to visit. There are no hookups at any Vermont state parks (Molly Stark included). We stayed at site T16. It's a pull through RV site with a fire ring & picnic table. T16 is right next to bathrooms- unfortunately the map shows showers there too (there are not). We boondocked- there's a spot up top near the other bathrooms where you can fill your fresh water tank. We had a slight issue with our fresh tank overflow valve & the park worker was INCREDIBLE, helpful and so kind. I think his name was Jerry?. He came right over and even rigged up a fix for it in his workshop. We got him a 12pack as a thanks before we left :). Campground is quiet & nestled in the woods. We didn't see any bear, but it is an active bear area. Some tent sites have lean to structures as well. There's a large pavilion at the top of the campground for eating etc. If we stayed longer we would have definitely done the Mt Olga Fire-tower trail. This is no frills, primitive & refreshing camping. And yes- we would stay again!!

  • Sara Q.
    Oct. 7, 2019

    Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground

    Small, loud, muddy

    Unfortunately, I was not a big fan of this small campground. Right from the start, upon checkin, I bought two $5 ea. bundles of wood after being assured they were "kiln dried".  The wood wouldn't catch no matter what I tried -- not even with the help of some fire starter.  The tent site itself was very small and barely fit my truck and tent.  It was made smaller still because of the mud and holes on the perimeter of the site. At night, there was a lot of traffic noise nearby and despite a posted quiet time, other campers were slamming car doors over and over and talking at the top of their lungs, making it difficult to sleep. The surrounding state forest was pretty and the trails were in decent shape.


Guide to Grafton

Backcountry camping around Grafton, Vermont offers hikers access to sections of the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail through the Green Mountains at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 feet. Water sources vary seasonally with numerous streams and ponds accessible from trail shelters. Summer temperatures typically range from 50°F at night to 80°F during daytime, while spring camping often means navigating muddy trail conditions as snow melts.

What to do

Swimming at natural ponds: Michigan Brook offers tent camping spots near water, though visitors should practice proper waste disposal. According to one visitor at Stratton Pond Shelter, the lake "is one of the largest bodies of water on the Long Trail" and provides a refreshing destination after hiking the 3.75-mile trail from the nearest parking lot.

Hiking to waterfalls: Just 15 minutes from some camping areas, Doane's Falls features a series of five waterfalls along an ascending wooded path. A camper at Tully Lake Recreation Area notes the falls are "beautiful, and it's not unusual to spot professional nature photographers at various points along the waterfalls."

Canoeing and kayaking: Several campgrounds offer boat rentals for exploring local waterways. At Tully Lake, campers can "either paddle or walk into your site" with waterfront access at select campsites, making it convenient to explore the lake during your stay.

What campers like

Rustic camping with modern amenities: Campers appreciate the balance between wilderness experience and basic comforts. A visitor to Maple Ridge Farm mentioned, "They have a common room that has games and eggs for sale. Toilet and shower were very clean. Very lush campground, plenty of space and privacy between sites."

Peaceful tent platforms: Many backcountry sites feature level wooden platforms that keep tents dry during wet weather. At Stony Brook Backcountry Shelter, a hiker noted "there were a few large tent areas where multiple tents could fit and which looked quite level" making it suitable for small groups.

Vehicle-free camping: The absence of cars creates a quieter experience. A camper at Tully Lake praised this feature: "No cars at all at the campsites, which was great for peace of mind as our toddler roamed around. It also made for a super quiet stay."

What you should know

Water treatment required: Most backcountry sites have no treated drinking water. At Stony Brook, "there was no water on the shelter, but there was plenty of water at Stony Brook / Mink Brook a bit further northbound" where hikers can filter or treat water from natural sources.

Fire restrictions: Rules vary by location with several shelters prohibiting open fires. At Winturri Backcountry Shelter, fires are not allowed, but the shelter offers compensation through its size and can "fit maybe 6-8 folks" with "lots of tent camping spots as you worked up the hill perpendicular to the shelter."

Limited cell service: Most camping areas have poor or no cellular coverage. Tully Lake campers note "cell coverage is pretty close to absent or poor in most of the area, so download any maps you might want (driving, trail, geocaching) before you arrive."

Site reservations: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially for summer weekends. For Tully Lake, "sites fill up weeks out (and can completely fill the day registration opens, which is date-dependent each year)" requiring advance planning.

Tips for camping with families

Pack light for walk-in sites: Many tent camping areas near Grafton require walking from parking areas to campsites. A visitor to Zoar Outdoor noted the campground is "connected to an adventure/outing company that provides white water rafting, tubing and other water activities on a nearby river," making it worth the extra effort to reach tent sites.

Choose sites near facilities: For families with young children, select campsites closer to restrooms. At Barton Cove, staff help match needs to sites: "The office was super helpful when I called to make reservations, making sure to ask questions about how big my tent was, what kind of view/privacy we wanted etc so they could help me find the perfect campsite."

Consider group shelters: For family reunions or larger gatherings, some areas offer designated group sites. At Stratton Pond Shelter, facilities include "2 tent platforms, 2 outhouses and at least 16 bunk spaces in the shelter," accommodating various sleeping preferences within a single group.

Tips from RVers

Stick to established campgrounds: Most backcountry sites near Grafton are tent-only with no RV access. For RVers, look for campgrounds with walk-in tent sites while parking your vehicle in designated areas. While most local sites don't accommodate RVs, tent camping opportunities abound for those willing to hike in from parking areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Grafton, VT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Grafton, VT is Stratton Pond Shelter with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Grafton, VT?

TheDyrt.com has all 32 tent camping locations near Grafton, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.