Primitive tent camping options around North Bennington, Vermont include multiple locations in the surrounding Green Mountain National Forest. These sites sit in dense northern hardwood forest regions at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 feet, with seasonal temperature variations causing snow to linger at higher elevations until May. Most locations lack maintained access roads and require hikers to navigate established trail systems with proper navigation equipment.
What to do
Water activities during summer months: Several campsites near North Bennington provide access to small lakes and ponds. At Stratton Pond Shelter, campers can enjoy one of the largest bodies of water along the Long Trail system. "The lake looks great and is one of the largest bodies of water on the Long Trail," notes one camper at Stratton Pond.
Mountain biking from forest access points: Ushers Road State Forest offers trail access suitable for mountain biking. "This trailhead provides access to bicycle-friendly nature trails. I explored both directions on my bike, riding approximately half a mile down each side," reports one visitor to Ushers Road State Forest.
Whitewater adventures on nearby rivers: For campers willing to travel slightly farther, water sports become available. At Zoar Outdoor, "The campground is connected to an adventure/outing company that provides white water rafting, tubing and other water activities on a nearby river. It's close to where locals jump off outcrops into the lazy river and hang out on the river side."
What campers like
Farm-fresh provisions: Some private camping operations provide access to local produce. Maple Ridge Farm offers a community space with local goods available. "They have a common room that has games and eggs for sale. Toilet and shower were very clean," notes a recent visitor.
Winter solitude and clear night skies: Winter camping provides a completely different experience at higher elevations. One Stratton Pond visitor reports, "Spent the weekend here on the last weekend of Feb. 2024. Cold, Snow, Wind, full moon in the middle of the woods with only the people I hiked in with. It was great!"
Transport assistance at private campgrounds: Some privately operated tent campsites near North Bennington provide site access support. According to a Maple Ridge Farm camper, "They'll drive you in an ATV up to some of the sites that are further away from the parking lot."
What you should know
Winter access challenges: Winter camping requires additional preparation and equipment. Stratton Pond Shelter requires significant effort to reach in winter conditions, as one visitor notes: "The shelter is a 3.75mi hike from the nearest parking lot in winter."
Variable firewood policies: Fire regulations differ significantly between locations. While fires are permitted at many sites, campers should verify current restrictions. At Seth Warner Shelter, a hiker advises, "The Long Trail is a very wet nasty trail but it can be dry so be careful having a fire."
Wildlife precautions required: Bears and smaller animals frequent camping areas near North Bennington. A Seth Warner Shelter camper warns, "Hang your food! Watch for bears and coons."
Tips for camping with families
Select sites with hygiene facilities: For family camping, prioritize locations with maintained toilets. Some shelters provide basic facilities as noted in visitor reports. "They have 2 tent platforms, 2 outhouses and at least 16 bunk spaces in the shelter," mentions a Stratton Pond visitor.
Consider noise levels at developed sites: Some established campgrounds enforce strict quiet hours that may benefit families with young children. One Zoar Outdoor camper noted, "Their quiet hours are quite oppressive," which some families might appreciate.
Look for campgrounds with group activities: When camping with children, sites offering structured activities can enhance the experience. A Zoar Outdoor visitor commented, "Staff was awesome, went out of their way to take care of our group from camping to rafting. Highly recommend the site."
Tips from RVers
Limited true RV options near North Bennington: Most camping in this region caters to tent campers or hikers. For RV camping, options become extremely limited with most sites requiring significant driving distance from North Bennington.
Dispersed options for small rigs: While not ideal for larger vehicles, some forest access points accommodate small RVs. The dispersed camping areas at Cherry Plain Sanctuary Farm may accommodate very small camper vans but require advance permission and have minimal services.
Check road conditions seasonally: Forest service roads deteriorate significantly during spring thaw and after heavy rainfall. Small RVs accessing more remote tent campsites near North Bennington should verify road status with forest service offices before travel.
