Looking for the best tent campgrounds near Hartford? You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Each tent campsite offers quick access to one or more of Hartford's most popular destinations.
Just like the Long Trail, the Vermont Appalachian Trail has shelters that can be used by hikers. Winturri Shelter, Stony Brook Shelter, Thistle Hill Shelter, and Happy Hill Shelter are all available on a first come, first serve basis for hikers to spend the night.
Group Use: Groups hiking this portion of the Appalachian Trail may need an Outfitter Guide Special Use Permit from the Green Mountain National Forest. Gilford Woods State Park Campground, where the Appalachian Trail crosses VT 100, and Silver Lake State Park Campground, north of the AT off VT 12 in Barnard, are available for base camp hiking. Please refer to our Groups Hiking Page for more information.
The Velvet Rocks Shelter is located on the Velvet Rocks Trail 1.2 miles from the official western terminus of the trail near NH Rte 120 and Chase Field House in Hanover. A privy is located nearby. Water is accessed along the loop trail but may be unreliable in dry months.
here are nearly six dozen Long Trail overnight sites spaced no more than a moderate day’s hike apart. These range from fully enclosed lodges to three-sided lean-tos and tenting areas. All sites, although primitive, have a water source nearby (purity and reliability cannot be guaranteed) and a privy (outhouse). Visitors must carry their own food, backpacking stove, and overnight gear.
Sites Along the Long Trail: Tenting area: Wooden tent platforms. Shelter: Usually three sided with a sloped roof. Fit 6-10 people. Lodge: Usually four-sided with wooden bunks. Fit 10-24 people.
Backcountry Campsites How many sites on the Long Trail? Over 70! Are there amenities? Established backcountry sites are all located by a primitive water source (untested) and a privy. There are no wood stoves. Are they by reservation? No, all sites are first-come, first-served. Is there a fee? A moderate fee ($5) is charged at overnight sites with GMC caretakers in the summer and fall. This fee funds a small portion of the Caretaker Program, which is an integral part of maintaining and protecting the Long Trail. The sites with caretakers require consistent maintenance of the site and the surrounding trails. (GMC members get to stay free!) How long can I stay? We request you stay no more than two consecutive nights. Do I still need to bring my tent if there is a shelter at the site I plan on spending the night? YES! Shelters are first come, first served, and during peak hiking season they are usually full. It is important to have your tent, tarp, or other shelter with you.
This 'Adirondack' style shelter sits atop the ridge of Moose Mountain off a loop trail from the Moose Mountain Trail (Appalachain Trail). This shelter was built by the Dartmouth Outing Club entirely by hand -using no power tools. It replaced the previous existing shelter located on the old Clark Pond Loop Trail. The shelter accomodates 8. A privy and 2 tent platforms are on separate side paths off the loop trail. Marginal water is nearby.
Built and maintained by the Dartmouth Outing Club, the Trapper John Shelter is located 1.1 miles from Dorchester Road via Holts Ledge Trail (Appalachian Trail) and spur trail. The 3-walled shelter can accommodate 8 people. The site has a composting privy and a fire ring. There is a water source nearby.
Stream. Regardless of the source, remember to boil, filter, or chemically purify water before use.
There are nearly six dozen Long Trail overnight sites spaced no more than a moderate day’s hike apart. These range from fully enclosed lodges to three-sided lean-tos and tenting areas. All sites, although primitive, have a water source nearby (purity and reliability cannot be guaranteed) and a privy (outhouse). Visitors must carry their own food, backpacking stove, and overnight gear.
Sites Along the Long Trail: Tenting area: Wooden tent platforms. Shelter: Usually three sided with a sloped roof. Fit 6-10 people. Lodge: Usually four-sided with wooden bunks. Fit 10-24 people.
Backcountry Campsites How many sites on the Long Trail? Over 70! Are there amenities? Established backcountry sites are all located by a primitive water source (untested) and a privy. There are no wood stoves. Are they by reservation? No, all sites are first-come, first-served. Is there a fee? A moderate fee ($5) is charged at overnight sites with GMC caretakers in the summer and fall. This fee funds a small portion of the Caretaker Program, which is an integral part of maintaining and protecting the Long Trail. The sites with caretakers require consistent maintenance of the site and the surrounding trails. (GMC members get to stay free!) How long can I stay? We request you stay no more than two consecutive nights. Do I still need to bring my tent if there is a shelter at the site I plan on spending the night? YES! Shelters are first come, first served, and during peak hiking season they are usually full. It is important to have your tent, tarp, or other shelter with you.
Baker Rocks is a boutique nature experience nestled between New Hampshire's Lakes and White Mountains Region. Located along 3,000 feet of the Baker River and across from well-known Rumney Rocks climbing area, we offer unique accommodations, event spaces, store, and farm stand. In addition we provide such amenities as a nature-based playground, CrossFit and yoga space, private trails, and river/beach access.
We encourage you to view our site, at Baker Rocks, for additional information and booking options.
$60 - $325 / night
There are many general forest areas available on the Green Mountain National Forest for rustic or dispersed camping. These areas provide a place to camp and enjoy nature’s solitude at no charge. Visitors can camp anywhere on the forest unless the area is posted closed to camping. Camp in existing sites or stay the strongly recommended 200 feet from roads, streams, trails, and bodies of water to disperse impact. Do not cut any vegetation. There is a camping limit of 14 days in any 30-day period on the Forest. Please leave the campsites clean by using Leave No Trace Principles, such as carry out what you carry in.
Forest Road 35 in Pittsfield, off of State Route 100, provides many camping opportunities in the woods and along Michigan Brook. The road is not recommended for low clearance vehicles.
The park is divided by Route 53. 19 tent/RV sites and 7 lean-to sites are on one side of the highway in a heavily wooded area, and 17 tent/RV sites are located along the perimeter of a grassy open area near the beach. There are restrooms with flush toilets, hot and cold running water and coin-operated hot showers. There is also a concession stand selling snacks, drinks and beach toys.
Nearby hiking trails to scenic vistas, waterfalls, caves, mountain lakes and streams provide outstanding hiking opportunites. Mountain biking trails are also nearby. There is fishing and boating on Lake Dunmore (canoe, kayak, rowboat, and pedal boat rentals are available at the park).
My family and friends were drawn to this campground for its exciting pool and convenient location, and those aspects definitely lived up to expectations. However, our campsite was not level, and the sites were very close together with little privacy. We were tent camping but the area we were in, while a tent site, is best for RVs.
The bathroom facilities could also use some attention– a loose toilet and a broken hand dryer weren't ideal. Overall, we enjoyed our stay, but these conditions kept it from being great.
Pretty pond, good lean-to's, nice toilets, central put-in for canoes and kayaks, friendly people. Big groups in one area, individual remote sites far enough away to be private. Nicely maintained, friendly staff when you do see them. Went September 6 and 7 2024. Only 3 hours from Boston.
In addition to the descriptions of this campground in other reviews, I add charm and utility of site design, and the friendliness and intelligence of the staff. Enjoy the serenity of the forest surrounding you, while you glimpse stars, and warm your innards beside a fire.
Owners were very welcoming and helpful. The bathrooms were cleaner than mine at home. Nostalgic feel with playground, pool, and rec hall.
Nicely spaced sites, level and welcoming hosts. There are a few trails around the campground and it is close to Mt Ascutney which if you are feeling a bit lazy there is an auto rd that goes about 3/4 of the way up. 3 mi. Away Springfield as all the services you might need.
Great spot, especially for families, it is a bit expensive, at $30 for tent spot and $40 for lean to. the staff was helpful and kept the grounds clean. We ended paying more for the lean to because it was more secluded and quiet, the rest of the park was busy.
Our spot was right on the brook which was peaceful and beautiful. It also had a fire pit with a grill grate and they sold firewood at the front gate.
This easy-to-access campground has made it on my list of places to stay.
There are two loops of sites, some deep in the woods with great-looking trees, others in a field, and some in between. There are even sites with stalls if you're into horses.
The bathhouse looks typical and clean.
Not much cell service, but some in places.
Easy access to a lake and a picnic pavilion.
Noticed more than a few sites that I could hang at.
This is a small campground, really it's an extension of Stillwater just up the road. Check-in happens at Stillwater, purchase your firewood and drive the 2 min down to Big Deer.
For Vermont, these sites felt close, but we could still get privacy. We did have to change sites due to our neighbors yelling at their kids and using less-than-appropriate language to do so. We could still hear them on the other side of the campground :(
The site itself was nice, even though it lacked privacy.
Boulder Beach Road is an easy dirt road access to these campgrounds.
We had 1 bar of AT&T service.
The bathrooms were adequate, nothing special
But we made a last-minute decision to camp and this was a decent location for that. I would camp here again, but it wouldn't be my first choice.
The owners are very nice but the sites are super close together. We had neighbors that had a large party 4 ft from our camper for two days. The showers cost .50 and are luke warm, definitely not hot. Only 4 shower stalls (2 men 2 female) for the whole campground. The bathrooms weren't cleaned during the 2 days we were there. The country side is beautiful and Newport is a cute little town. We won't stay at the campground again.
We were there June 26-30, 2024 for a Hiker Trailer Campout. We had 17 trailers and 30 people. Lafayette Place was the perfect place for an event like that. The water points and restrooms were placed well throughout the campground. The quarter operated showers were nice and hot and very good pressure and flow. Our campsite (79) was a bit uphill from the road, but easily negotiable. As others have noted, there is a bit of noise from Rt. 93.
This site was lovely, but signs say No Camping. There were a few spots with fire rings and picnic tables and would be a great place to camp though! Not sure how strict that is. There was someone camping for a least a week given their tent was there the whole week I was in the area. So I guess it's not that strict. Signs indicate this offshoot road where these sites are is also FR-25, then FR-25 picks up again as a spur off of VT 100 a little farther south down 100 where there were permitted (but full) camping sites.
All the sites were full when I visited (6 to 8 sites, approximately, but i didn't go down a couple little gravel paths to check each spot as you couldn't turn around easily) , so I didn't get to camp there. There was a NFS sign along FR-25 posted asking people to clean up after themselves (litter and human waste) as there'd been complaints to the extent that they were considering closing the sites if people didn't do better. There were some fire ring sites along Vermont 100 where FR-25 intersects it, but those are marked as No Camping (though one tent had been there at least a week). That area along 100 is supposed to be a day-use picnic area.
The sites looked lovely though. Some people were really entrenched with string lights etc.
Russell Pond is a really nice find. Unlike most campgrounds there is a good amount of low vegetation between sites for privacy. We also loved that our firepit faced the woods rather than the road or another campsite, which is often how the sites are set up. The pond is small but very pretty and very shallow and sandy. We took our dogs on a romp to swim and wade in the water. The bathrooms are tired, the bathhouse I was closest to had one of three stalls functioning and one of two sinks were operational. However, they were perfectly clean. I didn't check out the shower. I chatted a bit with the camp manager, and she mentioned the bathrooms are slated for updates in the spring. All around the campground is peaceful, well maintained, and you really feel like you are fully in nature!
Great campground with a mix of full hookup and tent sites! Many sites along the river and nice grassy sites near the front. Sites were spacious and well maintained. The campground is perfectly located for access to Franconia Notch. Highly recommend. The only negative was a mini-golf course that was falling apart but they still charged for to use.
Road goes in pretty far. Some parts are muddy and very rough. Higher clearance would be advised!!!
Love this site! The very last spot on the right hand side. If you’ve reached the closed gate you’ve missed the site! Keep it clean!
Personal Connection
Baker River Campground will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s where I was first introduced to camping as a child. My first visit was in 1969 when I was eight years old. Last year, I returned for the first time in over 50 years. While much has changed, the basic layout of the camp remains the same, and it’s still family-owned, which is wonderful.
Current Stay
I stayed on site#20 with my class B van. Here are some highlights and details of my experience: Site Location: Conveniently near the road going out and to the beach. Amenities: Electrical and water hookup, a well-placed fire pit, and a bathroom/shower house right across from my site. The facilities were very clean, thanks to regular cleaning. Campground Condition: Maintained excellently, largely due to Reno, the full-time staff member who oversees the place. He was outstanding. The only reason I gave it a 5 was because of him. Environment: Located on the Baker River with a cozy beach. Limited amenities(horseshoe pit and a small playground), but both were in excellent condition. The campground is perfect for those who prefer a traditional camping experience without additional frills. During the week, the campground was quiet, but it got crowded on the weekends with seasonal campers and tent setups closer to the river. I appreciate the layout and the ambiance of the campground.
Negative Aspects
Unfortunately, a recent change in ownership to a corporation has brought noticeable changes: Loss of Personal Touch: The campground has lost its personal feel. Reno is still a lifesaver, but he’s the only one maintaining the old charm. Neglect by Management: The focus has shifted to another campground, Riverbrook, which is evident from their social media presence and activities. Baker River is largely neglected, and even basic acknowledgments from the management are lacking. Lack of Engagement: The director of both campgrounds visited but did not engage with campers. When Reno was on vacation, there was no other staff available to assist. Seasonal Campers' Discontent: Long-term campers have noticed the decline and are considering not returning next year. Corporate Focus: The corporation seems more interested in raising prices and saving money rather than maintaining and improving Baker River Campground.
Final Thoughts
I write this review out of a deep passion for Baker River Campground. It’s painful to see the decline in care and attention. I believe each campground should be treated as a separate entity with full-time events and dedicated management. The current corporate approach appears to prioritize profit over the well-being of the campground and its community. It’s a shame to see such a beloved place being neglected. I hope the management will take these concerns seriously and work towards restoring the charm and personal touch that made Baker River Campground special.
Mike Weild
Weild on Wheels
Branch Brook Campground is a true haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Nestled in a serene forest setting, it offers a perfect blend of tranquility and adventure. The campsites are well-spaced, providing privacy while still feeling part of a community of fellow campers. The amenities are superb, with clean and modern facilities that make camping comfortable and convenient. Hot showers and well-maintained restrooms were a pleasant surprise, ensuring that every aspect of the stay was enjoyable. The campground's natural beauty is enhanced by the peaceful sounds of the Pemi River and the gentle rustling of leaves, creating a soothing ambiance that is perfect for relaxation. The staff at Branch Brook Campground are incredibly welcoming and helpful, adding a personal touch that makes you feel right at home. Whether you're hiking the scenic trails, tubing on the Pemi River, or simply lounging by your campfire under the starry sky, every moment spent here feels like a cherished memory in the making. Overall, Branch Brook Campground is a hidden gem that deserves recognition for its exceptional service, beautiful surroundings, and commitment to providing a memorable camping experience. It's a place where you can truly unwind, recharge, and reconnect with nature. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a peaceful and rejuvenating retreat!
Beautiful location with clean amenities in the perfect spot.
This campground was perfect for our group that had 5 small children. The kids were able to safely ride bikes on the camp roads, sites were large and well spaced out from each other, great playground and fun playing in the river. Amazing programming options from the ranger staff each day
Lafayette Place is a beautiful campground. Restrooms are clean and the camp store is well stocked. Helpful staff.
We enjoyed this campground! The staff upon arrival was so nice. It was so quiet at night! Got to walk to hike Gunstock. Wished there was a restaurant within walking distance. But not a show stopper. We will be back!
From the time we arrived to when we left, we enjoyed Maple Haven. Nice location! You can walk to shops and breweries. We will be back!
Campground is small and clean. We only stayed 2 nights and felt like we saw and did all it had to offer. Nice hike up Slack Hill!
We had a wonderful couple of nights here. I highly recommend the lean-to’s. The bathrooms were clean and the coin-operated showers were great. Each site was neatly maintained. Above all else, the staff here was phenomenal.
Gravel road is well maintained, made it here in a prius easily. Less of established camping and more dispersed, but sites are clear and many have rock fire rings. Right on the river, super chill, nobody drove by our site the entire night on a weeknight in July.
Great campground! Awsome staff and fellow campers. Amazing rates! Will be back for sure! Ty getaway campground!
Camping near Hartford, Vermont, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to explore.
Camping around Hartford, VT, has its ups and downs, but with the right preparation, you can enjoy a great outdoor experience. Whether you're at Lafayette Place Campground — Franconia Notch State Park, Dry River — Crawford Notch State Park, or Lost River Valley Campground, there's something for everyone.
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 Happy Hill Backcountry Shelter on the AT in Vermont — Appalachian National Scenic Trail with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Hartford, VT?
TheDyrt.com has all 38 tent camping locations near Hartford, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
