Primitive tent camping near Lake Elmore, Vermont spans remote lakeside sites and quiet forest settings across several state parks, with options ranging from canoe-in sites to first-come tent campsites along undeveloped ponds. Green River Reservoir State Park, approximately 10 miles northwest of Lake Elmore, offers 27 remote tent sites accessible only by canoe or kayak, each with a fire pit and access to an outhouse. Molly's Falls Pond State Park features five first-come, first-served remote tent sites along its 411-acre undeveloped lake, providing anglers and paddlers with serene backcountry camping options.
Most tent campsites in the Lake Elmore region require campers to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste, as facilities are minimal. At Green River Reservoir, campsites are situated within a mile of the boat launch, though some require a paddle of nearly two miles. Sites typically feature flat tent pads of varying quality, with fire rings provided at most locations. Composting toilets or outhouses are shared between multiple sites. The camping season generally runs from Memorial Day weekend through mid-October, though some parks like Molly's Falls close after Labor Day. Advance reservations are essential for Green River Reservoir, while other areas operate on a first-come basis.
Sites farther from main access points offer greater seclusion and wildlife viewing opportunities. Many tent campgrounds provide direct water access, making them ideal for swimming, fishing, and paddling. Campers should expect to share outhouses with neighboring sites, though the distance between campsites typically ensures privacy. At Green River Reservoir, one visitor noted, "It's private, quiet, and really gives you that forest bathing escape. There is beautiful wildlife, and they do an amazing job at preserving the sites." Similarly, tent platforms at Indian Brook Reservoir are described as "spacious but not too private" with "a shared privy among the sites." Many primitive tent campsites have limited or no cell service, adding to the wilderness experience sought by tent campers exploring this region.
"It’s a primitive park, perfect for paddling, wild camping, swimming, and watching wildlife. The reservoir is 653 acres with 19 miles of shoreline. There are 27 campsites and two group camspites."
"I love this location because you have to paddle out to a site for camping. It‘s private, quiet, and really gives you that “forest bathing” escape."
from $20 - $50 / night
"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.
Facilities were accessible and clean.""Very primitive and quiet campground. Great staff and campsites. No shower but one of the best weeks I had camping in a while. Will definitely go back this year."
"The bathroom is a composting toilet that you’ll share with fishing spiders the size of your hand, slam the lid before use!"
"Little river st park wide flat camp sites no hookups limited gen. Use hours 8am/10am and 4pm/6pm. Rough road coming5th to campground. Very quite. cell phone t mobile works fine."
"Route 2 traverses the northern edge of the property and there is a dam at the western end of the reservoir that is owned by Green Mountain Power Company. "
"Weather was not cooperative and my fiancé and I were able to rent one of the cabins for our second night. We will definitely recommend it to others and we will be back again."
"The small amount of camping space made the experience quite unique and private. The host, Dianne, was really friendly. Many amenities such as wood, water and outhouse nearby. Very nice experience."
from $35 - $45 / night
"This is a short and sweet hike to one of the higher points in Vermont. It is a beautiful scenic (somewhat strenuous) hike to the summit. The views are pretty epic though."
"Great tent site, site 1 can have 3 platform and fire pit"
from $10 / night
from $30 / night
"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. They are spacious but not too private."
"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."
from $21 - $36 / night
from $60 / night
"Spacious sites with fire rings. Shade is limited at certain times of the day. Nice hiking trails nearbye."
"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)."
ScoutFirst trip with our new RV and we were a little nervous about getting everything set up. Having full hookups made it way less complicated than we expected. Once we were settled, we just enjoyed the area and took a few day trips. Would definatly come back for another Adirondack trip.
ScoutWe came up for a quick Adirondack getaway and ended up spending most of our time outside. A little disc golf, some time by the pool, dinner at the site and plenty of walks with the dog. Pretty much everything we wanted out of the trip.
ScoutOne of the best parts for us was not having to pack up the RV every time we wanted to go somewhere. We stayed put and explored the Adirondacks from here. Lake Champlain, Ausable Chasm and a bunch of other spots were all easy to get to.
ScoutHaving the river and Adirondacks nearby made for a really nice change of scenery. We spent our days exploring and came back to the campground for dinner and a fire.
GuideThere was a few sites 5-6 we didn’t get to the eastern loop. But the sites we saw were very secluded. All had fire pits ours had a picnic table. And was right next to the creek. Would highly recommend if you want to get away from city lights. All sites are not maintained. We had a small off road camper it was easy In and out some sites could be hard with larger pull behinds. Some sites might need 4wd to get in and out we had lots of mud after a lot of rain.
GuideMost sites are secluded. There is a creepy old cemetery in walking distance. Nice showers on site !!
GuideWe had the upper sites all drive in or small camper. And or Tent. Amazing rolling brook beautiful sites we had site 32. The lower ones are rv. The owner gave us free wood as it was end of season. We were there Oct 10 I’m not sure but think they close the 13
ScoutWe were looking for somewhere to stay while checking out Ausable Chasm and this worked out really well. Easy drive over, then back to the camper in the afternoon. Made the whole trip alot easier.
ScoutWe only planned on staying a few nights but ended up adding another week. Once we got settled in, it was hard to leave.
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.
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."
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."
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!"
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."
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Lake Elmore, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lake Elmore, VT is Green River Reservoir State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Lake Elmore, VT?
TheDyrt.com has all 37 tent camping locations near Lake Elmore, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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