The Green Mountain National Forest provides primitive tent camping opportunities within 30 miles of Landgrove, Vermont. Most campsites require preparation for self-sufficient stays with varying levels of amenities and accessibility. Winter access becomes limited as roads remain unplowed, requiring specialized equipment for reaching remote sites.
What to do
Swim in natural water features: Stony Brook offers a swimming hole near its backcountry shelter where hikers can submerge to rinse off trail dust. According to one camper, "I only explored a bit offtrail down the brook but found a decent swimming hole (could just barely submerge myself) to clean off a bit."
Explore extensive trail networks: Stratton Pond Shelter sits at the intersection of multiple major trails, providing access to Vermont's premier hiking routes. A winter visitor noted, "The shelter is a 3.75mi hike from the nearest parking lot in winter. There are 2 tent platforms, 2 outhouses and at least 16 bunk spaces in the shelter."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The ponds and lakes in the region support diverse wildlife. Stratton Pond is particularly notable as "one of the largest bodies of water on the Long Trail," making it an excellent location for observing aquatic ecosystems.
What campers like
Secluded riverside sites: The camping areas along Michigan Brook offer peaceful waterfront locations. One camper advised, "Drive in about a mile after the parking lot!! Can use car to get in! There's 3 camping spots. 1 before the bridge and 2 after the bridge! The one before the bridge that's right next to the river is the best one!!"
Shelter infrastructure: The backcountry shelters provide reliable protection from elements with varying capacities and designs. At Winturri Backcountry Shelter, "The shelter is on the larger side and could fit maybe 6-8 folks. There were lots of tent camping spots as you worked up the hill perpendicular to the shelter."
Water accessibility: Despite seasonal variations, many sites offer nearby water sources. One visitor to Winturri noted, "Water was running when I was there in mid-August from a spring close to the shelter," though reliability varies throughout the year.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: For the best tent camping near Landgrove, Vermont, vehicle access can be challenging on forest roads. A visitor to Michigan Brook Road Camping warned, "Road goes in pretty far. Some parts are muddy and very rough. Higher clearance would be advised!!!"
Limited cell service: Communication capabilities diminish in remote areas. One camper explicitly stated, "THIS LOCATION DOES NOT PROVIDE CELL PHONE SERVICE OR WIFI CONNECTION," referring to Michigan Brook Road camping areas, though noted that service was available at the end of upper Michigan Brook road.
Seasonal water reliability: Water sources may require filtering and can be inconsistent. A visitor to Stony Brook Shelter explained it was "a hike in back country shelter with unreliable water and a pit bathroom," indicating preparation is necessary.
Tips for camping with families
Look for established shelter systems: Stony Brook Backcountry Shelter provides family-friendly infrastructure including "a brand new privvy, large tenting areas, and a swimming hole and consistent water just a bit further down the trail."
Consider proximity to supply points: When camping with children, nearby resources matter. Michigan Brook Road camps offer accessibility to services as "if you walk to the end of upper Michigan Brook road you will have cell phone service and a gas station along with a United States Post Office as well as a general store which also serves as a restaurant."
Select sites with ample flat areas: Family camping requires space for multiple tents. Stony Brook offers "a few large tent areas where multiple tents could fit and which looked quite level," making it suitable for groups with children.
Tips from RVers
Assess road access carefully: For RV tent camping near Landgrove, Vermont, forest road conditions often determine accessibility. One visitor to Michigan Brook Road noted the area "is big enough to bring an RV if you can get it down the dirt road," suggesting careful vehicle assessment before attempting access.
Winter access limitations: RVs face significant seasonal constraints. A winter visitor explained, "The main road to the parking lot is plowed and sanded. However if you would like to continue down the service road during winter months I would highly recommend snowshoes or a snowmobile."
Consider size limitations: Larger RVs face challenges on forest roads. While Michigan Brook camping areas can accommodate some recreational vehicles, one camper characterized it as "back woods camping," indicating primitive conditions unsuitable for larger rigs without significant clearance and off-road capability.
