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Best Tent Camping near Montpelier, VT

795 Reviews

State parks and national forests surrounding Montpelier, Vermont provide diverse tent camping options ranging from established campgrounds to remote backcountry sites. Camel's Hump State Park offers hike-in tent sites about 1.5 miles along the trail to one of Vermont's highest peaks, with approximately 10-12 designated primitive camping areas. Underhill State Park Campground, located on the western slope of Mount Mansfield, features walk-in tent sites with more developed facilities. For water-based adventures, Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites and Green River Reservoir State Park provide boat-in tent camping with shoreline access and basic amenities.

Most tent campsites in the Montpelier region require preparation for primitive conditions. Campers should bring water filtration systems, as potable water is limited at many locations. Fire rings are common at established sites, though seasonal fire restrictions may apply during dry periods. Composting toilets or pit privies are available at state park locations, while dispersed camping in Green Mountain National Forest requires proper waste disposal techniques. The camping season typically runs from May through mid-October, with higher elevation sites often inaccessible until late spring due to mud and snow conditions.

Tent-only experiences in this region offer exceptional privacy and natural settings. According to a camper at Camel's Hump, "The designated primitive camping area is about 1.5 miles into the hike. The area had a host who was there 24/7 and a shared area for food storage because bears are a problem." At Underhill State Park, visitors appreciate the separation between sites, with one noting, "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." In early fall, many backcountry tent sites provide cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, making it an ideal time for primitive tent camping near Montpelier. The Appalachian Trail corridor also offers multiple backcountry shelters with adjacent tent camping areas for through-hikers and weekend backpackers.

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Best Tent Sites Near Montpelier, Vermont (47)

    1. Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites — Waterbury Center State Park

    2 Reviews
    Waterbury Center, VT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 585-4855

    "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."

    2. Camel's Hump State Park — Camels Hump State Park

    2 Reviews
    Bolton, VT
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 879-6565

    $10 / 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"

    3. Molly’s Falls Pond State Park Campground (Remote Hike In Sites)

    1 Review
    Marshfield, VT
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 476-0170

    "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. "

    4. Underhill State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Underhill Center, VT
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 899-3022

    "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."

    5. Green Mountain National Forest FR25 - Dispersed Camping

    4 Reviews
    Warren, VT
    20 miles
    Website

    "All the sites were full when I visited (6 to 8 sites, approximately, but i didn't go down a couple little gravel paths to check each spot as you couldn't turn around easily) , so I didn't get to camp there"

    "Beautiful sites on the River but with the wet summer, we just couldn’t dry out. Make sure to lock you valuables. Our Jackery, Solar panels & toilet were stolen."

    6. Route 100 Dispersed Camping

    5 Reviews
    Warren, VT
    20 miles

    "Right off the road, a small handful of camp sites, some picnic tables, presumably some fire rings although with snow coverage I didn’t see any."

    "This is right next to Mad River with a area to walk down into a swimming hole. Great place."

    7. Waterfall & Brook Camping

    Be the first to review!
    Plainfield, VT
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 426-3384

    $60 / night

    8. Green River Reservoir State Park Campground

    3 Reviews
    Hyde Park, VT
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 888-1349

    $20 - $50 / night

    "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."

    9. Patterson Brookside camp on West Hill Road

    2 Reviews
    Granville, VT
    24 miles

    "The dirt road along the river is an easy drive, though it is single lane in a few locations, so be aware of oncoming traffic. "

    "Be sure to camp at spots with established fire rings! There is no services of any sorts at this location. Mostly local traffic. Peaceful! Gorgeous rock river 💜"

    10. Mount Philo State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Charlotte, VT
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 425-2390

    $23 / night

    "apparently this is the first state park in Vermont. Only 8 campsites so try to book early. Nice trails that lead to scenic views of Lake Champlain. Bathrooms and showers were clean."

    "There are less than 20 sites total, and all sites are near walk-in paths to excellent views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks or the Green Mountains. The facility is small, but adequate."

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Montpelier, VT

61 Photos of 47 Montpelier Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Montpelier, VT

795 Reviews of 47 Montpelier Campgrounds

  • Beth R.
    Jun. 27, 2024

    Smugglers Notch State Park Campground

    Newly Developed … Work in Progress

    Pros: Full hookup (sewer, water, 50 AMP) 1.7 mile from #7 Ranked World's Best Disc Golf Course: Fox Run Meadows New fire ring New picnic table Gorgeous Mountain View

    Cons: Grass site No amenities No Wi-Fi Soft ground, sinked during setup

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2019

    White Mountain National Forest Wildwood Campground

    quiet, large sites

    I reviewed this campground last fall after visiting on the final day of the season, but I just had a chance to sty here during a peak summer weekend and have a few additional insights. Fees are now up to $20/night, still a bargain, but it comes with only the most basic amenities, i.e. vault toilets, running water at faucets, picnic tables and fire rings. Although the campground description indicates that the sites are first-come, first-served, this has changed and many of them are available online in advance. I didn't realize this and when i arrived late Friday afternoon I had 5 or 6 campsites to choose from that could accommodate my small teardrop camper; if I were tent camping, I'd have had a couple more sites available to me. The tent only sites require a short walk from the parking area.

    When you arrive, each site will be labelled either Reserved or _Open. _ If it is Reserved, the dates it is reserved will be listed and they may not be contiguous. All the sites filled up Friday night. 

    I had site 24 which I liked. it was very large and level, with ample space for today's large tents. The water spigot was near the site next door. I could see my neighbors, but they didn't bother me. Every host site always seems to look messy with tarp-covered items and wood piles and site 24 will give you a view of the host site, but it's far enough away that you can ignore it. 

    If I were in a tent, I'd try for site 22. It's a walk-in site that includes 7-8 steps down, but it opens into a large open area and just a bit beyond there is a small brook, too.

    The campground is just a few miles west of I-93 and the town of Woodstock. If you want to hike Mooselauke or the Kinsmans, the Appalachian Trail crosses 112 nearby. Lost River Gorge is nearby as are numerous tourist attractions/activities in Woodstock and Lincoln. Take some time to explore Cascade Park in Woodstock if you want to cool off in the river and lounge on the rocks (park on the street or in the lot that is north of 112 just before the traffic light at Rte 3 in Woodstock). While you're there, pick up ice cream at Coneheads; choose among numerous hard serve ice cream made on site (downstairs) or dozens of soft-serve flavors.

    This side of 112 seems quieter than the stretch east of Lincoln. Noise level was quite low. Cell coverage is non-existent for several miles around here; you'll start to get a signal closer to Lost River Gorge in the direction of Woodstock.

  • Beau B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 14, 2018

    Russell Pond Campground

    Russell Pond Campground (Walk in)

    Walk in sites at Russel Pond are nice. spacious sites with fire pits and a picnic table. Potable water is close by along with a bear box. Bathrooms are clean and the showers are $2.50 for 5 minutes. Genuinely nice staff a close proximity to several nice hikes.

  • Amber A.
    Jul. 25, 2016

    Ausable Point Campground

    Ranger Review: Crazy Creek Air Chair Plus at Ausable Point Campground

    Campground Review: Lakeshore camping! Beautiful little peninsula where you can watch the sunrise/set. Lovely in autumn. Good birding, water activities, sunsets, geology/gorge, short easy forest hikes, beach walking, all the good stuff you expect from this part of New York. Most of the site is off limits because of wildlife preserve, still a lot to explore. Good as base camp for a few days in the area. Get the tents sites near the lake! Popular for day use area (picnics, birthday parties, etc). Stay here and you can say you camped in Peru! (Lots of upstate NY towns are named for countries.)

    Gear Review: As a The Dyrt Ranger I receive products to test and review. I won the Crazy Creek Air Chair Plus in a campground review contest in June 2016. I had been thinking of purchasing both a camp chair (for camping) and an air mattress (for camping & backpacking), as on my last few trips I got pretty sick of sitting on my closed-cell foam mat and a recent knee injury was making me rethink my open-cell foam ultralight sleeping pad. Well, this Crazy Creek Air Chair Plus does both and does them both well. It starts out as a camp chair (adjustable angle, typical back height) and flips open to a full size air pad made by Klymit. Sounds great right? I flew to NY for a whirlwind family/business/camping trip soon after receiving the chair and had ample opportunities to try it sleeping on friends’ floors and in tents. The chair portion was super comfortable, way better than any simple camp chairs I’d used. I was nervous about sitting on more rugged surfaces (I’m just paranoid about inflatables!) but so far so good. You can also flip open the bed part while you're sitting and have an extended leg rest to protect against hot sand or dirt. The conversion to the sleeping pad was simple. It inflates fairly easily, but at high altitude after a long day of hiking you might be a little annoyed puffing it all up. Sleeping on it was great: my knee and back were happier than with my open-cell foam mats (similar to the typical Thermarest). The one issue I had was that there’s a big dip/joint where the mattress flips out in the conversion from chair to bed---it’s not really that intrusive but I guess my side-sleeping and height (5’4”) conspired to annoy me a bit. Also the R value is very low (it’s not insulting) just like every other air pad but in the summer that’s fine with me. All the other aspects of sleeping on it were similar to other pads I’ve used (it’s kind of narrow, your bag will slide around a bit, etc). Doesn’t pack down too small & isn’t ultralight, but you could remove the chair aspect to help with that. In sleeping mode it’s 20” wide, 70” long, 2.5” thick, 2 lb 13 oz (according to packaging). So while this is my very first camp chair and air mattress, I’m really happy with it after 7 nights sleeping on it and many hours in the chair. It’s not gimmicky at all!

    PS: Can you tell I’m way more picky about gear than campsites? :)

  • Justin P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2022

    Baker Rocks

    Great location and amazing facilities

    I tent camped here while doing some fishing in the area.

    Baker Rocks had a host of different camping options onsite including tent platforms, yurts, and cabins. I booked one of the tent platforms.

    The site had a large tent platform they could fit multiple tents, a brand new picnic table, a fire ring (with a free bundle of firewood), two chairs by the fire ring, and even a few strings of solar lights around the camp area.

    The tent sites are within the wooded area around the property and felt very secluded. There was a bit of road noise overnight.

    The facilities here were great. There is a full bathhouse with individual rooms for showers and sink/toilets, with running water.

    Around the campground there was a little beach along the Baker river. I only caught a few minnows when fishing but that may have been more to do with the angler. Along another bend of the river were two chairs for taking in the scenery.

    Check-in was super easy with the camp hosts who were very flexible with timing and wanted to make sure I had a great stay. The property and individual sites are deliberately designed with guests in mind.

    I would definitely stay here again if I’m in the area and might try some of the glamping options as well.

  • Craig F.
    Jul. 23, 2018

    North Beach Campground

    Amazing Location!

    We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at North Beach Campground.

    We spent 4 days in a full hookup site. The site was spacious, tree covered, and hard packed grass/dirt. Overall the site was very level with good water pressure. The water/electric sites in the middle of the campground were a bit snug. The campground is a city operated campground and we were impressed with the upkeep, maintenance and friendly service during our stay. The camp office is small, but has information on area attractions, Ice, and fire wood. The bathhouse/restrooms were well kept during our stay even with the volume of campers at the site.

    Location, Location, Location is the main reason to stay at North Beach. The campground is literally along the Island Line bike/walking trail and had direct access to the beach on Lake Champlain (life guards, snack bar, and patio bar). The city center of Burlington is only 1.5 miles along the bike path from the campground. Most days we either walked or biked into town (which has ample bike racks to park your bike).

    While we stayed in our camper, as a former die-hard tent camper, I was impressed with the number of tent friendly sites, because most campgrounds see tenters as “second class”. The tent sites were spacious, level, and not located in some obscure location.  

    We loved North Beach and plan to camp here in the future!

  • Justin P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2022

    Velvet Rocks Shelter Backcountry Campground on the AT — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

    Standard AT back country shelter on the limited site of tent camping

    Note this is a back country shelter along the Appalachian Trail, so it is 100% long hike in with no guaranteed water and a basic privvy.

    I tented along here for a night during a section hike of the AT from Lyme into Vermont.

    The shelter was the basic AT 3-sided wood structure and was generally in good shape.

    The water source here was dry during my trip which was expected during the drought (August 2022).

    The tent camping here was ok, with some slightly slanted spots around the main shelter area.

    There was no real view from the shelter.  There was also a basic privvy available.

    This was a decent shelter to stop at along the AT, but I would not consider it a weekend destination.

    There was no bear box onsite.

  • Justin P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2022

    Stony Brook Backcountry Shelter on the AT in Vermont — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

    Basic AT shelter with lots of tent camping and swimming hole nearby

    Note: This is a hike in back country shelter with unreliable water and a pit bathroom.

    I tented here on a section hike of the AT. The shelter was a fairly basic 8ish person shelter, but this stop stood out because of a brand new privvy, large tenting areas, and a swimming hole and consistent water just a bit further down the trail (when heading northbound).

    For camping, there were a few large tent areas where multiple tents could fit and which looked quite level.

    The privvy looked brand new and was more spacious than most on the trail.

    There was no water on the shelter, but there was plenty of water at Stony Brook / Mink Brook a bit further northbound. 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.

    There was also a bear box here, which I hadn't seen at other shelters along the AT in Vermont (heading southbound).

    Although the shelter was fairly basic, I would keep this on my list as a go-to place to stop if I was planning to hike in the area.

  • Kate K.
    Aug. 1, 2019

    Camel's Hump State Park — Camels Hump State Park

    Amazing Hike! Great Campground

    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. The designated primitive camping area is about 1.5 miles into the hike. If I recall it had about 10-12 sites. The area had a host who was there 24/7 and a shared area for eating and food storage (I guess Bear’s are a problem there). We hiked all day, so we didn’t have a fire and to be honest I can’t remember if there was a shared spot for them or not. Either way, this hike was gorgeous and so was the camping. I would love to go back!

Guide to Montpelier

Tent campsites near Montpelier, Vermont offer prime access to the state's central mountain regions at elevations ranging from 800 to over 4,000 feet. The camping season typically faces the "mud season" challenge in April and early May when many backcountry roads remain closed. Weather conditions can change rapidly, with summer temperatures averaging between 65-80°F during the day and dropping into the 40s overnight.

What to do

Swimming in mountain reservoirs: Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites provides excellent swimming opportunities directly from shoreline campsites. One camper noted, "These remote sites are so peaceful. Be sure to launch from cotton brook road if your site r11-27. We made the mistake of parking at little River rd the first time and the paddle to r14 from there was way too long."

Hiking Mount Mansfield: Underhill State Park Campground serves as an ideal base for climbing Vermont's highest peak. A visitor mentioned, "About a .3 mile hike to the main trail to climb the mountain. The camp sites are nice but a little close together. Bathrooms were clean and well stocked."

Wildlife watching: The Green River area offers excellent wildlife observation opportunities. "Be sure to paddle out to the Beaver Meadow - we have seen moose there several times," reports a visitor to Green River Reservoir State Park Campground.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: At Underhill State Park, campers appreciate the natural screening between sites. As one reviewer states, "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."

Riverfront camping: The Patterson Brookside camp offers waterside tent spots along a mountain stream. A camper shared, "Mountain road lingers along the river. There's quite a few sites along the road. Be sure to camp at spots with established fire rings! There is no services of any sorts at this location."

Ridgeline views: Mount Philo State Park Campground provides exceptional vantage points. "Only 8 campsites, dispersed in the trees. $23/night. Picnic table and fire pit. Moderate cell service. Nice hikes and cool views of the area!" reports one visitor.

What you should know

Bear safety requirements: Near Camel's Hump State Park, proper food storage is essential. A camper reported about the Hump Brook Tent Site, "Great tent site, site 1 can have 3 platform and fire pit."

Limited facilities: Most dispersed sites lack amenities. A visitor to Green Mountain National Forest FR25 warned, "There was a NFS sign along FR-25 posted asking people to clean up after themselves (litter and human waste) as there'd been complaints to the extent that they were considering closing the sites if people didn't do better."

Shower availability: Showers at established campgrounds typically require quarters. At Mount Philo, "Coin-op shower with hot water is 50 cents for 5 minutes, 75 cents for 7:30, etc."

Tips for camping with families

Paddling with kids: Molly's Falls Pond State Park Campground offers accessible water activities. A reviewer noted, "This 411-acre lake is largely undeveloped and is an excellent spot for swimming, boating and fishing. Anglers will find a variety of fish including rainbow trout, brown trout, northern pike, pickerel, smallmouth bass and yellow perch here."

Short hikes with views: Mount Philo provides easy hiking options. "The best part is getting up early and hiking the short trail to the top for a spectacular sunrise," shared a camper.

Swimming options: Look for gradual entry points along reservoir shorelines. At Waterbury Reservoir, "Swimming is allowed off the shoreline, but is restricted at the boat launch."

Tips from RVers

Small RV access: Route 100 Dispersed Camping can accommodate modest rigs in some areas. A reviewer cautioned, "Entrance and exit are a little steep and tricky in the winter, lot wasn't plowed so AWD/4x4 and good ground clearance are recommended."

Limited generator use: State parks restrict generator hours. At Little River State Park near Waterbury Reservoir, one RVer noted, "No hookups limited gen. Use hours 8am/10am and 4pm/6pm. Rough road coming to campground. Very quite."

Remote site limitations: Most primitive tent campsites near Montpelier cannot accommodate large RVs. Many have small parking areas with limited turnaround space, and roads may be challenging during spring mud season.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Montpelier, VT is Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites — Waterbury Center State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 47 tent camping locations near Montpelier, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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