Tent camping near Hyde Park, Vermont offers opportunities to experience the northern Green Mountains at elevations ranging from 700 to 4,000 feet. The region experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 65-80°F during the day and 45-60°F at night. Fall camping season typically extends into mid-October when nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing, requiring proper cold-weather gear for overnight stays.
What to do
Paddling exploration: Green River Reservoir State Park provides access to a 653-acre reservoir with 19 miles of shoreline. A camper noted, "I love this location because you have to paddle out to a site for camping. There is a lot of beautiful wildlife, and they do an amazing job at preserving the sites."
Wildlife observation: Visit the Beaver Meadow area at Green River Reservoir State Park for potential moose sightings. "Be sure to paddle out to the Beaver Meadow - we have seen moose there several times," shares one regular visitor who camps at the park annually.
Mountain summit hikes: Access trails to Mount Mansfield from Underhill State Park. "About a .3 mile hike to the main trail to climb the mountain," notes a camper who found the campground location ideal for tackling Vermont's highest peak.
Island exploration: At Burton Island State Park, you can enjoy multiple activities on a car-free island. "There are beautiful trails that cover the island. The south tip of the island gets more wind, and therefore waves, which my children greatly enjoyed for swimming," reports a visitor who explored the various environments on this Lake Champlain island.
What campers like
Secluded campsites: At Underhill State Park, tent sites are set apart from each other. A recent visitor mentioned, "Camp spots were far enough away from one another, trees helped with privacy, and the tent site had a great area to setup the tent."
Sunrise viewing: Mount Philo State Park offers exceptional morning views. One camper shared, "My favorite part about camping here is getting up early and hiking the short trail to the top for a spectacular sunrise."
Remote water access: Primitive tent sites at Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites offer peaceful lakeside camping. A visitor advised, "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."
Small, quiet campgrounds: Mount Philo State Park maintains a limited number of sites. "Only 8 campsites, dispersed in the trees. $23/night. Picnic table and fire pit. Moderate cell service. Nice hikes and cool views of the area!" notes a camper who appreciated the compact size.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Burton Island State Park books quickly. "Campsites at Burton Island book far in advance. When we booked our Labor Day weekend tent site back in March, there were only 2 leantos (out of 26) left and a handful of tent sites (out of 14)," warns a visitor.
Transportation logistics: Access to Black Creek Maple's Nature Escape requires planning. "We spent the night at this beautiful campsite with a magnificent view of Mount Mansfield. The small amount of camping space made the experience quite unique and private," notes a camper who appreciated the limited capacity.
Site selection: At Green River Reservoir, some sites are better than others. One experienced camper advised, "We have camped is several different sites - most recently, #12. This was definitely not our favorite. It was difficult to find a flat tent spot, and the site seemed very overused. Our favorite spots are # 13, 24, and 30."
Paddling distance: Remote sites at Green River Reservoir require varying travel times. A reviewer explained, "Most sites are within a mile of the boat launch, a few require closer to a 2-mile paddle." This information helps visitors gauge the effort required to reach their chosen site.
Tips for camping with families
Car-free island environment: Indian Brook Reservoir offers family-friendly access to nature. "We have explored this park in the winter as well as the summer. There is an extensive trail system that is easy to navigate. Nestled in the woods are several tent platforms that you can access by foot or by boat," notes a regular visitor.
Equipment transportation: At Burton Island, consider using available services. A family camper shared, "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."
Site access awareness: Some locations require more effort than expected. A parent camping at Indian Brook Reservoir reported, "I mistakenly assumed they had drive up campsites. They do not. It was a 15 minute hike to the site, so pack light. If you have a kayak, you can transport your stuff over."
Activity planning: Camel's Hump State Park offers accessible backcountry for families. A visitor noted, "The designated primitive camping area is about 1.5 miles into the hike. If I recall it had about 10-12 sites. The area had a host who was there 24/7 and a shared area for eating and food storage."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: The region primarily caters to tent camping with few dedicated RV sites. At Mount Philo State Park, "The park itself is busy during the day, in part because the views from the top of Mt. Philo are incredible, and you can drive your car right to the top for an impromptu picnic... because the road is steep and winding, it's not suitable for RVs."
