Best Tent Camping near Marlboro, VT

Tent campers in the Marlboro region of southern Vermont have access to several established campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. Maple Ridge Farm offers private tent campsites with plenty of space between sites, while Stratton Pond Shelter provides backcountry camping along the Appalachian and Long Trails. The Seth Warner Shelter, accessible only by hiking, serves as another primitive option for tent campers seeking more remote experiences in the Green Mountain National Forest.

Many walk-in tent sites require campers to transport gear some distance from parking areas, particularly at Tully Lake Recreation Area in nearby Massachusetts. At this location, wooden carts are provided to haul equipment to tent camping areas, with sites ranging from a few yards to nearly a mile from the central parking area. Most tent campgrounds provide fire rings and picnic tables, though amenities vary significantly. A camper noted, "Sites have tent platforms, grill, fire pit and picnic tables. Porta potties and latrines were very clean." Water access is limited at many locations, so bringing containers for refilling at central water points is recommended.

The tent camping experience near Marlboro benefits from Vermont's heavily forested landscape, offering natural privacy at most sites. Areas with water access, such as Tully Lake, provide opportunities for swimming and paddling directly from some campsites. A recent review described Stratton Pond Shelter as having "2 tent platforms, 2 outhouses and at least 16 bunk spaces in the shelter," noting its location at "the intersection of AT, LT and Stratton Mountain trail." Seasonal considerations affect tent camping conditions significantly, with higher elevation backcountry sites sometimes inaccessible until late spring. Zoar Outdoor campground offers tent sites with river access but prohibits campfires at individual sites, making it better suited for campers focused on water activities than those seeking traditional fireside experiences.

Best Tent Sites Near Marlboro, Vermont (20)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Marlboro, VT

591 Reviews of 20 Marlboro Campgrounds


  • Sa R.
    Jul. 7, 2019

    Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake

    Beautiful lake

    First time staying there. Two tents allowed per site, no alcohol although no one checked. No water or electricity at the sites. You park & walk in but they provide carts. You have to buy firewood from them. Canoe, kayak & padddleboard rental available. Showers & bathrooms by the parking area. Lots of islands & places to explore on the lake. Buggy in June so bring your repellent. Dogs allowed...that’s all I got for now :)

  • Erin B.
    Sep. 11, 2019

    Clarksburg State Park Campground

    low key and beautiful fall getaway

    Keep in mind that this review is written after camping sept 8th (the week that school started for many) so it might not be relevant to peak camping season. We were pleasantly surprised with our weekend getaway to Clarksburg State Park. Nestled in the Berkshires and basically walking distance to Vermont, Clarksburg State Park provides a comfortable and semi-private tent site. Several spots (including ours 6) were very close to the rather large pond. While the trees obstruct the views, the site was waterfront and we were able to walk a few yards downhill to the waters edge where we launched our kayaks (there is a designated launching spot elsewhere). No electric and water hookups are provided but we were totally okay with that. Bear boxes were provided on each site so that you don’t have to keep stinky food or garbage in your car! Each site also had a fire pit with a grate so that you can cook right there on the fire. The bathrooms were some of the cleanest campground bathrooms and showers i’ve experienced (no bugs or webs also) and there was a dishwashing station on the side. The sites were large and well spaced but they had trees in between so that you felt privacy. The campground itself had plenty of sites, firewood for sale in the front and a pavilion and beach area on the day use side. There are plenty of trails you can hop on right outside your tent site and very little light pollution for optimal star gazing. We really enjoyed our time here and will definitely be back!

  • Ryan A.
    Jun. 12, 2024

    Mohawk Trail State Forest Campground

    Great Campground in Western Mass

    This is a great campground located off of highway 2 in western Mass. I stayed in site 51 and luckily the campground was mostly empty(it was on a Thursday though and was supposed to be full for the weekend.) Each campsite has a bear box and fire ring, there is easy access to hiking trails and flush-toilet bathrooms with sinks are located throughout. There is only one dumpster though and it’s a walk to get to – store your trash in your car or drive it each night, or enjoy the walk. 

    The campsites are very close together without much brush for privacy, so you should expect to see your neighbors up close and personal. Some of the sites are on Cold River(which is more like a creek). The bugs were awful, especially the gnats and I did see a large tick on my fire grill, so be prepared. The best sites are on the lower loop around the water. Avoid any site next to the bathroom as the lights stay on all night and will shine directly into your tent. 49 looked really nice and seemed dark. The hike-in sites were also close together, 22 is the most private. There are baskets with wheels provided. 

    The rangers are friendly and sell firewood in case you need any. You’ll need to check in before going to the campsite, they’ll give you a map and they take good care of the sites. Would definitely camp here again.

  • Nancy R.
    Jul. 31, 2018

    Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake

    Tully Lake Campground is perfect to enjoy traditional family camping!

    Tully Lake Campground is located in Royalston, MA, which is a northern part of Central Massachusetts, near the New Hampshire border. It is a State managed campground, and reservations must be made through Massachusetts Trustees of Reservations. There are some prime camp sites with direct access to the lake, but suggest you be prepared to call early in the morning of the first day State Campground reservations can be made, if you want one of these!

    This is a "Carry In" campground. You park at the entrance, register with Ranger. Large wooden wheelbarrows are provided to bring your gear to your camp site. (This means no noise or disturbances from cars entering your camp sites.) There are individual sites, and 2 group sites, if you are camping with a group. Canoes are available to rent to explore Tully Lake. Most parts of the lake are suitable for swimming, and some camp sites offer direct entry into the lake for swimming, canoeing, or kayaking. If you'd like to hike with children, there is an easy hike close to the entrance, along Doane's Falls, a series of 5 waterfalls along an ascending path through a wooded area. The views are beautiful, and it's not unusual to spot professional nature photographers at various points along the waterfalls. Bring your cameras or smart phones to capture some of these breathtaking views! And of course there are longer, more challenging trails for more experienced hikers. There are family oriented programs offered, and dogs are allowed, on leash only. Cell service is spotty to non-existent for some providers within the campground. But a short walk or drive away from the campground you can get connected again.

    The bathrooms are located near the entrance to the Park, and include flush toilets as well as coin operated, hot showers, open 24/7. There are sinks beside the building, where campers are asked to wash their dishes, rather than at the camp site. A fire ring and picnic table are provided at each camp site. If you've forgotten any gear or need groceries, there's a Walmart just a 15 minute drive away, open until 12 midnight.

    The staff are quite friendly, helpful and informative. If you enjoy "old fashioned" family tent camping, without the noise and presence of cars and RV's near your camp site, (or cell phones!) this is the place for you. Enjoy!

  • Dawn S.
    May. 30, 2020

    Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground

    Clean

    My pup and I spent two nights here and were very happy. While this campground is bare-bones (no pool) it is perfect for anyone who wants to just chill and do nothing or hit the mountains / local area and do some hiking. The entire campground was very clean, as were the bathrooms. At check-in they will give you maps of hiking routes. Firewood is for sale onsite as are a few necessities. They also had bear boxes, picnic tables and fire rings at each site. We will go back.

  • Jessica D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2023

    Molly Stark State Park Campground

    Quiet, secluded & nestled in the woods

    We stayed here as a stopover on our way home to NJ from Maine. It's 5 min down the road from Wilmington, one of our favorite towns to visit. There are no hookups at any Vermont state parks (Molly Stark included). We stayed at site T16. It's a pull through RV site with a fire ring & picnic table. T16 is right next to bathrooms- unfortunately the map shows showers there too (there are not). We boondocked- there's a spot up top near the other bathrooms where you can fill your fresh water tank. We had a slight issue with our fresh tank overflow valve & the park worker was INCREDIBLE, helpful and so kind. I think his name was Jerry?. He came right over and even rigged up a fix for it in his workshop. We got him a 12pack as a thanks before we left :). Campground is quiet & nestled in the woods. We didn't see any bear, but it is an active bear area. Some tent sites have lean to structures as well. There's a large pavilion at the top of the campground for eating etc. If we stayed longer we would have definitely done the Mt Olga Fire-tower trail. This is no frills, primitive & refreshing camping. And yes- we would stay again!!

  • Sara Q.
    Oct. 7, 2019

    Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground

    Small, loud, muddy

    Unfortunately, I was not a big fan of this small campground. Right from the start, upon checkin, I bought two $5 ea. bundles of wood after being assured they were "kiln dried".  The wood wouldn't catch no matter what I tried -- not even with the help of some fire starter.  The tent site itself was very small and barely fit my truck and tent.  It was made smaller still because of the mud and holes on the perimeter of the site. At night, there was a lot of traffic noise nearby and despite a posted quiet time, other campers were slamming car doors over and over and talking at the top of their lungs, making it difficult to sleep. The surrounding state forest was pretty and the trails were in decent shape.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 28, 2023

    Greenfield State Park Campground

    Loved it here

    We stayed here for a night in mid October, as they were getting ready to close for the season, so more than half of the campground was closed off. But the part that we did see was awesome. Each site was huge, separated from its neighbor, private, mostly flat, and beautiful. No hookups in the campground, and sites are hit or miss with tree coverage, some sites may have enough opening for solar or starlink, but I wouldn’t count on it. 

    There are hiking trails throughout the campground, but our dog got covered in ticks so watch for that. There are water spigots throughout the campground and a dump station. Showers were free and nice and clean, and you can control the temperature and let the water run (no button to push). 

    The dump truck driver was there picking up garbage and I asked him about recycling and he said they have their own transfer station where the waste is sorted, so all recycling and garbage goes into the dumpster. 

    We paid $23 for a site because it was primitive season, but I think normally it’s $25. No other taxes or fees were charged. There’s a little store in the ranger office with basic supplies and gifts, ice cream, fire starters, ice, etc. There’s also a little free library exchange behind the office. And to top it off, we had cell service here. Great stay, highly recommend! Beware of ticks!

  • Jessica N.
    Sep. 13, 2021

    Greenfield State Park Campground

    Great Park, big sites

    Stayed for a weekend (1 night). Easy access to a bathroom (which was very clean). Quiet neighbors, everyone around us observed the quiet hours (10p-7a) and even during the day no one was super loud. Very respectful drivers made biking feel fun and safe for kids. Campers beach was lovely. Sure the water was a little weedy, but we didn’t mind. The lake is a great spot for kayaking (although it is a little bit of a walk from the parking lot with a heavy boat) and the sunset on the lake definitely didn’t disappoint. Nice partially shaded and level site with good access for backing in our small trailer. Playground, camp store, convenient check-in at office, firewood available for $6, lots of trails and fairly level for easy biking. State park camping (no hookups) but there’s a dump station near the exit and water spigots dispersed around the campsites. Absolutely would go again.


Guide to Marlboro

Tent camping near Marlboro, Vermont typically occurs at elevations between 900-2,400 feet, with many sites situated within the southern Green Mountains. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during daytime hours, cooling significantly at night even in July and August. Walk-in tent sites predominate in this region, with varying degrees of privacy and distances from parking areas ranging from 50 yards to over a mile at certain locations.

What to do

Paddling adventures: At Tully Lake Recreation Area, campers can rent canoes and kayaks directly at the campground. "We take our canoe and spend the whole day at the lake. You can find lots of private areas to swim, pick blueberries and relax," notes camper Ben P. The lake offers numerous small islands to explore during day paddles.

Waterfall hikes: Several accessible waterfalls provide easy hiking opportunities within 5-15 miles of Marlboro. Doane's Falls near Tully Lake features "a series of 5 waterfalls along an ascending path through a wooded area," according to Nancy R., making it suitable for families with younger children.

Backcountry exploration: The Long Trail offers tent camping opportunities at Seth Warner Shelter, accessible only by hiking. A reviewer notes it "sleeps 6-7 people" with "many flat perfect spots" for tents or hammocks surrounding the shelter area, ideal for overnight or section hikers.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Many tent campers appreciate the natural separation between camping areas. At Maple Ridge Farm, a reviewer highlights the "very lush campground, plenty of space and privacy between sites," noting that owners "drive you in an ATV up to some of the sites that are further away from the parking lot."

Waterfront site options: Several campgrounds offer direct water access from campsites. At Tully Lake, camper Megan G. states, "We stayed at site 1, which was HUGE and extremely private. Sites closer to the water that we saw were less private, but still very peaceful and spread out."

Cart system for gear transport: The car-free camping environment at many locations creates a quieter experience. "Large wooden wheelbarrows are provided to bring your gear to your camp site. This means no noise or disturbances from cars entering your camp sites," explains a Tully Lake visitor.

What you should know

Limited cell service: Mobile coverage is unreliable throughout the camping areas near Marlboro. At Tully Lake, "Cell coverage is pretty close to absent or poor in most of the area, so download any maps you might want (driving, trail, geocaching) before you arrive," advises Jean C.

Campfire regulations vary: Not all campgrounds permit individual campfires. At Zoar Outdoor, "They don't allow fires at the campsites though which is annoying and their quiet hours are quite oppressive," reports Seth K., making this location better for those focused on water activities.

Reservation timing critical: For the best tent camping near Marlboro, Vermont, early booking is essential. One Tully Lake camper notes, "The sites fill up weeks out (and can completely fill the day registration opens, which is date-dependent each year...Booking for Memorial Day meant I booked in April)."

Tips for camping with families

Distance from facilities: When camping with children, consider bathroom proximity. Lauren A. from Tully Lake shares, "Our site was fairly far from services, long run with small kids in the middle of the night." Sites closer to central facilities may work better for families with young children.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Marlboro, VT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Marlboro, VT is Maple Ridge Farm with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Marlboro, VT?

TheDyrt.com has all 20 tent camping locations near Marlboro, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.