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Best Tent Camping near Hartford, VT

770 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Tent campsites along the Appalachian Trail offer multiple backcountry options near Hartford, Vermont. The area features several established shelters including Winturri, Happy Hill, and Thistle Hill, all accessible only by hiking segments of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. These walk-in tent sites provide primitive overnight accommodations for section hikers and those seeking a wilderness experience within Green Mountain National Forest.

Most primitive tent campgrounds in this region provide basic amenities limited to fire rings and occasional vault toilets. Water sources at these backcountry tent sites are typically seasonal and unreliable, particularly during summer drought conditions. One camper wrote, "The water source was dry during my trip which was expected during the drought." Hikers should carry adequate water or plan to filter from streams when available. Tent sites vary from established platforms to slightly sloped clearings near shelters. Sites like Michigan Brook Road Camping in Green Mountain National Forest offer drive-in access for tent campers, though high clearance vehicles are recommended for the rutted forest roads.

Areas farther from town provide deeper seclusion with varying terrain suitable for tent camping. At Happy Hill Backcountry Shelter, "there were a bunch of level tent camp sites around the shelter," according to a recent visitor. The tent campsites around Stony Brook Shelter feature "large tenting areas where multiple tents could fit and which looked quite level." Most backcountry sites include a three-sided shelter structure and designated tent pads nearby. The more accessible tent campgrounds like Michigan Brook Road feature established fire rings and proximity to streams, making them popular with weekend campers. Cell service is extremely limited or non-existent at most primitive tent sites, requiring proper planning for overnight stays.

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Best Tent Sites Near Hartford, Vermont (37)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Hartford, VT

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Tent Camping Reviews near Hartford, VT

770 Reviews of 37 Hartford Campgrounds

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2018

    Big Rock

    WMNF rustic campground on the Kanc

    There are 2 Big Rock Campgrounds in NH and they are very different! This is not the resort campground convenient to ATV trails, but a rustic campground offering large, level, wooded sites along the Kancamagus Highway just 2 miles east of the Lincoln Woods Visitor Center. It's a great location for exploring the sites and beautiful vistas along the Kancamagus, easy access to Franconia Notch and Lincoln, NH. Lincoln also offers a grocery store, restaurants, stores selling outdoor gear, moose tours, and adventure tours (zip/climbing).

    Some of the sites are tent only, with parking separated from the tent pad/fire ring/picnic table. Others are large and level with ample space for RVs. You'll get some traffic noise, but there's less here than at places along 3 & 93.

    There are no reservations; all sites are first-come, first serve and it's open from mid-May to mid-October. Bring cash or a check to pay for your campsite. It's self-service with an iron ranger. Fee (2018) is $22, an extra $5 for a second car.

    Water is available. There are vault toilets and no showers. No cell phone service.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2019

    White Mountain National Forest Wildwood Campground

    quiet, large sites

    I reviewed this campground last fall after visiting on the final day of the season, but I just had a chance to sty here during a peak summer weekend and have a few additional insights. Fees are now up to $20/night, still a bargain, but it comes with only the most basic amenities, i.e. vault toilets, running water at faucets, picnic tables and fire rings. Although the campground description indicates that the sites are first-come, first-served, this has changed and many of them are available online in advance. I didn't realize this and when i arrived late Friday afternoon I had 5 or 6 campsites to choose from that could accommodate my small teardrop camper; if I were tent camping, I'd have had a couple more sites available to me. The tent only sites require a short walk from the parking area.

    When you arrive, each site will be labelled either Reserved or _Open. _ If it is Reserved, the dates it is reserved will be listed and they may not be contiguous. All the sites filled up Friday night. 

    I had site 24 which I liked. it was very large and level, with ample space for today's large tents. The water spigot was near the site next door. I could see my neighbors, but they didn't bother me. Every host site always seems to look messy with tarp-covered items and wood piles and site 24 will give you a view of the host site, but it's far enough away that you can ignore it. 

    If I were in a tent, I'd try for site 22. It's a walk-in site that includes 7-8 steps down, but it opens into a large open area and just a bit beyond there is a small brook, too.

    The campground is just a few miles west of I-93 and the town of Woodstock. If you want to hike Mooselauke or the Kinsmans, the Appalachian Trail crosses 112 nearby. Lost River Gorge is nearby as are numerous tourist attractions/activities in Woodstock and Lincoln. Take some time to explore Cascade Park in Woodstock if you want to cool off in the river and lounge on the rocks (park on the street or in the lot that is north of 112 just before the traffic light at Rte 3 in Woodstock). While you're there, pick up ice cream at Coneheads; choose among numerous hard serve ice cream made on site (downstairs) or dozens of soft-serve flavors.

    This side of 112 seems quieter than the stretch east of Lincoln. Noise level was quite low. Cell coverage is non-existent for several miles around here; you'll start to get a signal closer to Lost River Gorge in the direction of Woodstock.

  • Beau B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 14, 2018

    Russell Pond Campground

    Russell Pond Campground (Walk in)

    Walk in sites at Russel Pond are nice. spacious sites with fire pits and a picnic table. Potable water is close by along with a bear box. Bathrooms are clean and the showers are $2.50 for 5 minutes. Genuinely nice staff a close proximity to several nice hikes.

  • Kate K.
    Aug. 22, 2019

    Hancock Campground

    The White Mountains Stole My Heart!

    We had a last minute change of plans to our hiking trip due to a delay. We wouldn’t have the time to hike into our pre planned area before dark, so decided to set up shop here. This place was actually pretty great. Each site was pretty large and most of them had access to the river. Which had nice areas for swimming and wading. Each site had its own bear box and it was only a short hike down from the car. The park connected directly to some beautiful AT trails that we took advantage of the next day. It was also pretty cheap! $12 or $15 if I remember correctly. All self registration.

  • d
    Jun. 18, 2018

    Osceola Vista Campground

    great for group camping

    i stayed here for one night with a large group (maybe 40ish people) prior to setting out on our backpacking weekend.

    This is a great campground, very clean. toilets available, and dumpster for trash were very convenient. There was potable water available also, and picnic tables. parking was tricky for our large group, and we had a bit of trouble fitting in all of the cars, but if you have a smaller group it should be no problem.

    campground was very quiet, no real road noise or anything could be heard. ground was soft and grassy, although i would still recommend using a sleeping pad, was not as hard as some other campgrounds I have stayed at. had a nice big grassy area for the large group.

  • Justin P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2022

    Baker Rocks

    Great location and amazing facilities

    I tent camped here while doing some fishing in the area.

    Baker Rocks had a host of different camping options onsite including tent platforms, yurts, and cabins. I booked one of the tent platforms.

    The site had a large tent platform they could fit multiple tents, a brand new picnic table, a fire ring (with a free bundle of firewood), two chairs by the fire ring, and even a few strings of solar lights around the camp area.

    The tent sites are within the wooded area around the property and felt very secluded. There was a bit of road noise overnight.

    The facilities here were great. There is a full bathhouse with individual rooms for showers and sink/toilets, with running water.

    Around the campground there was a little beach along the Baker river. I only caught a few minnows when fishing but that may have been more to do with the angler. Along another bend of the river were two chairs for taking in the scenery.

    Check-in was super easy with the camp hosts who were very flexible with timing and wanted to make sure I had a great stay. The property and individual sites are deliberately designed with guests in mind.

    I would definitely stay here again if I’m in the area and might try some of the glamping options as well.

  • 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.

  • Tara S.
    Sep. 7, 2018

    Hancock Campground

    Loved the Walk-In Tent Sites!

    Hancock Campground is one of 6 national forest campgrounds along the Kancamagus Highway. Campsites can't be reserved and the campground does fill up on the weekends. We were lucky to score a walk-in tent site on a Saturday in August, and while it did feel a bit like a tent city, we loved that there were no cars at the campsites. It made the tenting area feel more like a community. This is a busy campground, but lovely all the same.

    We got site #19, which was one of the last sites available. It had a picnic table, fire pit, and bear box. There were awesome waterfront sites nearby, but they were taken, of course. Cost was reasonable - $22 per night. Pit toilets were near the parking area, but there was a real bathroom with a sink and a flush toilet in the car camping area. There is also a fabulous swimming hole. Clear, cold and deep just off the car camping area.

    Hancock Campground is a five-minute drive from Lincoln, NH, and very close to awesome hiking trails in the White Mountain National Forest and Franconia Notch State Park.

  • 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.

Guide to Hartford

Hartford, Vermont features numerous Appalachian Trail backcountry campsites located within Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest. Most sites sit between 1,200 and 1,800 feet elevation, with camping conditions varying dramatically between seasons. Winter brings heavy snowfall accumulation while summer temperatures typically range from 50°F overnight to 80°F during daytime hours.

What to do

Explore swimming holes: During summer months, Stony Brook Backcountry Shelter offers access to natural swimming areas. "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," notes one AT thru-hiker at Stony Brook Backcountry Shelter.

Climb Mount Cardigan: The 3,155-foot summit provides exceptional panoramic views from its fire tower. "The climb is challenging but shouldn't take too long. Great fire tower views at the top too!" reports a visitor to Cardigan Campsites.

Winter camping preparation: During snow season, access changes significantly. "The main road to the parking lot is plowed and sanded. However if you would like to continue down the service road during winter months I would highly recommend snowshoes or a snowmobile," advises a winter camper at Michigan Brook Road.

What campers like

Multi-level shelter options: The double-decker design at Happy Hill Backcountry Shelter provides flexibility for group arrangements. "The loft was nice since folks could decide to sleep up there while others were down below, either cooking, arriving, or departing."

Viewpoint seating: Moose Mountain shelter features outdoor seating with scenic views. "The shelter did stand out with a bench overlooking a clearing in the brush with a view which was a great place to enjoy my freeze dried dinner," notes a section hiker at Moose Mountain Backcountry Shelter.

Spacious tent sites: Many shelters offer numerous flat spaces for pitching tents. "The shelter is on the larger side and could fit maybe 6-8 folks. There were lots of tent camping spots as you worked up the hill perpendicular to the shelter," reports a camper about Winturri Backcountry Shelter.

What you should know

Bear box availability: Limited bear boxes exist on the AT through Vermont. "There was also a bear box here, which I hadn't seen at other shelters along the AT in Vermont (heading southbound)," notes a hiker at Stony Brook Backcountry Shelter.

Road conditions: Access roads to drive-in camping can be challenging. "Road goes in pretty far. Some parts are muddy and very rough. Higher clearance would be advised!!!" warns a camper at Michigan Brook Road Camping.

Privy conditions vary: Bathroom facilities range from new to basic. "The privvy was also new and very spacious," reports a hiker at Moose Mountain, while conditions at other shelters may be more primitive.

Winter isolation: Cell service becomes particularly important during cold months. "PLEASE NOTE: THIS LOCATION DOES NOT PROVIDE CELL PHONE SERVICE OR WIFI CONNECTION," cautions a winter visitor to Michigan Brook Road.

Tips for camping with families

Supply outposts: For families needing additional supplies, know where to restock. "If you walk to the end of upper Michigan Brook road you will have cell phone service and a gas station along with a United States Post Office as well as a general store which also serves as a restaurant. There you can find just about anything."

Shelter size considerations: For family groups, larger shelters provide more options. "There were a bunch of level tent camp sites around the shelter," notes a visitor to Trapper John Backcountry Campground, which offers a standard shelter that "was on the medium side with plenty of space for maybe 6-8 folks."

Water reliability planning: Teach children about water conservation when hiking to tent camping sites around Hartford, Vermont. "There is a water source in the area but it did not have water when I visited (probably on account of the drought)," reports a camper at Trapper John, highlighting the importance of carrying additional water.

Tips from RVers

Length restrictions: Most forest roads near tent camping sites in Hartford are unsuitable for larger RVs. "I attempted to bring my car and was stuck overnight but was able to dig myself out the next morning," cautions a winter visitor, underscoring the challenging road conditions even for standard vehicles.

Dispersed parking: Michigan Brook Road offers multiple pull-off spots for smaller RVs and campervans. "I found most of the spots to be on the road before the GPS marker. Few nice ones near the creek," notes a camper who found an elevated site with "lots of space."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Hartford, VT is Winturri Backcountry Shelter on the AT in Vermont — Appalachian National Scenic Trail with a 4-star rating from 3 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 37 tent camping locations near Hartford, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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