Best Tent Camping near Pownal, VT
The Green Mountain National Forest surrounding Pownal, Vermont offers several tent-only camping options for those seeking a more primitive outdoor experience. Seth Warner Shelter, located just north of Pownal along the Long Trail/Appalachian Trail, provides dedicated tent sites with basic amenities. Maple Ridge Farm in nearby Vermont offers walk-in tent camping with more privacy between sites. For those willing to travel slightly farther, Cherry Plain Sanctuary Farm in neighboring New York state provides hike-in and walk-in tent sites with drinking water and toilet facilities.
Tent campsites in this region typically feature minimal improvements, with most offering fire rings but limited other amenities. Seth Warner Shelter includes tent platforms and hammock spots about 0.2 miles off the main trail, with a fire pit available for cooking. Campers should be prepared for variable conditions, particularly on the Long Trail which can be wet in places. Food storage precautions are essential, as bears and raccoons are active in the area. Most backcountry tent sites require visitors to pack out all trash and follow Leave No Trace principles, with some locations providing bear boxes for secure food storage.
Primitive tent camping experiences vary across locations near Pownal. According to one camper at Seth Warner Shelter, "If you arrive late and there is no more room in the shelter, use your tent in one of the many flat perfect spots." The shelter area accommodates 6-7 people with additional tent spaces nearby. At Maple Ridge Farm, a visitor noted the "lush campground with plenty of space and privacy between sites," mentioning that staff will transport campers via ATV to more remote tent sites. Tent campers frequently use these areas as bases for hiking sections of the Long Trail or exploring the surrounding Green Mountain National Forest trail system.
