Best Tent Camping near Killington, VT
Tent campsites in the Green Mountain National Forest surround Killington, Vermont, providing access to primitive camping opportunities with varying levels of accessibility. Michigan Brook Road Camping offers free tent sites in a forested setting, while dispersed camping areas like Patterson Brookside Camp on West Hill Road provide streamside options. The Appalachian Trail corridor also features several backcountry shelters with tent platforms, including Stony Brook and Winturri shelters, which serve both through-hikers and weekend backpackers.
Most primitive tent sites lack basic amenities, requiring campers to be self-sufficient with water and waste management. Dirt roads accessing many tent camping areas become rutted and muddy during spring months, with some visitors noting high-clearance vehicles are recommended. According to one visitor, "This area is open for camping year-round but probably only accessible in Spring through early Fall because the dirt road is not plowed." Established fire rings exist at most sites, but vault toilets are rare except at designated AT shelters. Pack-in, pack-out principles apply throughout the region, with some areas implementing 14-day stay limits.
Walk-in tent sites often provide greater seclusion than drive-up options, particularly at locations along streams and brooks. A camper reported that "There are a handful of sites to camp at along the river here, each offering a slightly different experience." Michigan Brook Road sites allow tent camping near the river after crossing a bridge, while more remote options require short hikes. Tent platforms at backcountry shelters provide level sleeping surfaces, though availability depends on shelter occupancy. Many tent-only areas serve as convenient bases for hiking Mt. Killington or exploring sections of the Appalachian Trail, with the best tent camping typically found farther from main roads where noise levels decrease significantly.
