Best Tent Camping near Orleans, VT
Tent camping options in the Northeast Kingdom region surrounding Orleans, Vermont include boat-in and walk-in tent sites at Green River Reservoir State Park and primitive backcountry camping at Lyman Falls State Park along the Connecticut River. Most tent sites require a paddle or short hike to access, with Molly's Falls Pond State Park offering five remote hike-in tent campsites with first-come, first-served availability.
Surface details at tent campsites near Orleans vary significantly based on location and access type. Walk-in tent sites at Underhill State Park feature flat, well-maintained tent pads with wheelbarrows available to transport gear from parking areas. Most primitive tent sites include basic fire rings and access to vault toilets or composting privies shared between multiple campsites. Green River Reservoir's remote tent sites include fire pits and access to outhouses, though many lack tables or benches. Several backcountry tent areas operate seasonally, with Green River Reservoir open from May 19 through Columbus Day weekend and Molly's Falls available Memorial Day through Labor Day.
The remote location of many tent campsites creates opportunities for wildlife viewing and quiet camping experiences. Sites at Green River Reservoir provide paddlers with excellent wildlife observation points, particularly at Beaver Meadow where moose sightings are possible. The forested sites along the Connecticut River offer shade and privacy, though ticks can be problematic in grassy areas. A review mentioned that "each site has enough flat space to pitch a couple of tents (anywhere from 2 to 5 depending on which site)" at Lyman Falls. The shoreline tent sites at Maine Railroad Trestle along the Connecticut River Paddlers Trail feature convenient rocky beaches for loading and unloading boats, making these sites particularly appealing for canoe and kayak campers undertaking multi-day paddling trips through Vermont's waterways.
