Tent camping near Lake Elmore, Vermont offers remote sites situated between 700 and 1,400 feet elevation in the northern Green Mountains. The region receives approximately 45 inches of annual precipitation, creating lush forests and abundant water features. Summer temperatures average 75-80°F during the day and can drop into the 50s at night, requiring campers to prepare for variable conditions.
What to do
Paddle to secluded sites: Green River Reservoir State Park offers remote campsites that require watercraft to access. A camper notes, "We try and make our way north to Green River Reservoir every summer. It's a primitive park, perfect for paddling, wild camping, swimming, and watching wildlife." Some sites require up to a 2-mile paddle from the boat launch.
Wildlife viewing: The region provides excellent opportunities to see native Vermont wildlife. "Be sure to paddle out to the Beaver Meadow - we have seen moose there several times," shares a Green River Reservoir State Park Campground reviewer. Morning and evening hours typically offer the best wildlife viewing conditions.
Hiking with summit views: Trails around the area provide access to scenic viewpoints. At Underhill State Park Campground, campers appreciate the proximity to hiking: "A .3 mile hike to the main trail to climb the mountain. The camp sites are nice but a little close together."
What campers like
Quiet waterfront locations: Campers particularly value the peaceful settings on local waterways. One visitor to the Waterbury Reservoir notes, "These remote sites are so peaceful. Be sure to launch from cotton brook road if your site r11-27... It was about 30 minutes from the cotton brook launch to the site."
Car-free camping experiences: Several parks offer a more remote feeling by restricting vehicle access. "This is the best of car camping - you get the feel of really being out in the woods, with your car a short distance away. They provide wheelbarrows for easy moving of your stuff," reports a camper at Underhill State Park.
Clean facilities: Despite the rustic settings, campers appreciate well-maintained amenities. A reviewer at Burton Island mentions, "Bathrooms are clean and have flush toilets," while another notes it's a "well maintained state campground, beautiful views, nice nature trails."
What you should know
Tent site terrain varies: Some sites have challenging terrain for setting up camp. A visitor to Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites comments, "The spot where you set up tent at this site was on a slope, others sites might be better."
Bathroom facilities: Amenities differ widely between locations. At Indian Brook Reservoir, "There is a shared privy among the sites." For Green River Reservoir, "Usually the outhouse is shared between 2 to 3 campsites, but there is plenty of space between each site."
Wildlife encounters: Local fauna sometimes share facilities with campers. One Waterbury Reservoir camper warns, "The bathroom is a composting toilet that you'll share with fishing spiders the size of your hand, slam the lid before use!"
Tips for camping with families
Pack light for walk-in sites: Many of the best tent camping areas near Lake Elmore require some hiking. A camper at Indian Brook Reservoir advises, "It was a 15 minute hike to the site, so pack light. If you have a kayak, you can transport your stuff over."
Consider weekday reservations: Popular areas can get crowded on weekends. For Green River Reservoir, a reviewer recommends, "Despite the fact that Green River Reservoir is only open to paddlers for primitive camping and limited day-use activities, it can still get pretty busy on the weekends. Definitely recommend trying to reserve for a weekday."
Look for family-friendly activities: Sites with swimming access are popular with families. At Burton Island State Park Campground, "The south tip of the island gets more wind, and therefore waves, which my children greatly enjoyed for swimming."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: Most primitive camping in the Lake Elmore region focuses on tent camping with few RV accommodations. At Molly's Falls Pond State Park, the five remote campsites are tent-only with no RV access.
Generator restrictions: Where RVs are permitted, generator usage may be limited. One RVer notes about a nearby state park, "Limited gen. use hours 8am/10am and 4pm/6pm. Very quite. Cell phone t mobile works fine."
Road conditions: Access roads to some camping areas can be challenging. A camper warns about "Rough road coming to campground" that might be difficult for larger vehicles to navigate.
