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Best Tent Camping near Reading, VT

654 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Reading, Vermont offers tent camping options primarily along the Appalachian Trail corridor, with several established backcountry shelters and tent sites available to hikers. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail features multiple tent camping locations including Winturri Backcountry Shelter, Stony Brook Shelter, and Thistle Hill Shelter, all requiring hike-in access. Green Mountain National Forest provides additional primitive tent camping opportunities near Michigan Brook Road.

Most tent sites in this region are primitive with minimal amenities. Backcountry shelters along the Appalachian Trail typically include a three-sided wooden structure with nearby tent platforms or designated tent camping areas. Basic pit toilets or privies are available at most shelters, but drinking water is inconsistent and seasonal. Many sites along the AT have unreliable water sources, particularly during dry summer months. Michigan Brook Road in the Green Mountain National Forest offers drive-in access to primitive tent campsites with established fire rings but no other facilities. The forest service road may become rutted and muddy during spring, requiring higher clearance vehicles.

The tent camping experience near Reading emphasizes solitude and natural settings over conveniences. Appalachian Trail shelters provide strategic overnight stops for section hikers with varying tent site quality. One camper noted that Stony Brook Shelter "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." Michigan Brook dispersed camping areas feature several riverside sites that provide peaceful tent camping opportunities. According to visitor reviews, "There are a handful of sites to camp at along the river here, each offering a slightly different experience." Campers should practice Leave No Trace principles, as several reviewers mentioned finding trash at some of the dispersed camping areas.

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Best Tent Sites Near Reading, Vermont (36)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Reading, VT

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Tent Camping Reviews near Reading, VT

654 Reviews of 36 Reading Campgrounds

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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!!

  • J
    Sep. 24, 2018

    Lazy Lions Campground

    Adults only, comfortable but lacking excursions

    Lazy Lions is a comfortable campground with an adults-only policy. Having spent time in plenty of campgrounds with screaming or unwinded children, I could see this as a positive draw for the RV'ing crowd. I think we were the only tent campers the night we stayed.

    Our tent site was level and on comfy plush grass, well maintained and either a beautiful addition of two (plastic) adirondack chairs at our fire pit with grill. This was especially welcome because we hadn't really planned on cooking but when we saw the great fire set up not only did we save time and energy by not having to take out (and put away!) our camping chairs, I was able to turn our chips and salsa into nachos using some amazing Vermont cheese we'd picked up earlier. My boyfriend has declared this was his favorite camping meal ever so thanks Lazy Lions for the unexpected awesomeness.

    Our check in was smoothe, there was plenty of room at this campground, perhaps due to the fact that there isn't too much to do other than set up and sleep. It did have a pool.

    On check in we found the front desk (owner?) to be less than warm, and at $7 to firewood a little pricey. We were warned to be careful with our food because of "critters" and when I asked what kind of critters the man responded, "all of them". Less than helpful. In hindsight we believe we found bear scat on our site.

    We slept well, bathroom facilities were clean and well stocked. Showers, which we did not use, we $0.25 for four minutes. There was a microwave and wash sink as well for dishes, we didn't use either.

    We met lovely people and had a fine night, there was just nothing particularly special about the place

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

    Gifford Woods State Park Campground

    Quiet and well maintained campground

    I tent camped here before doing a section hike of the Appalachian Trail and it was one of the best campgrounds I’ve stayed at before.

    The sites have some privacy and woods in between, though the tent sites vs. shelters and cabins were mostly closer to the access road. All sites were super clean and had a picnic table and fire ring. Most sites had a built in cooking fire structure (vs. a fire ring) they looked great for camp cooking, though my site (T01) seemed to be the only without it.

    The facilities were well-maintained, there were water spigots everywhere, and though I didn’t get a chance to enjoy, there were lots of activities right there (volleyball lawn, the AT running right through the campground, mountain bike trails).

    I didn’t stay in them, but the cabins and lean-tos looked great for group or family options.

    Kent Pond was also just across the road for water activities, and I saw at least one fly fisher out.

    Killington was also right nearby for restaurants and other needs.

    I will definitely be coming back to explore more!

  • Lauren S.
    Jul. 27, 2020

    Moosalamoo Campground

    Hidden Gem

    Tucked down a gravel road in the Green Mountain National Forest is this hidden treasure. Large sites, friendly campground host, the moosalamoo trailhead right next to campground. The trail connects to many others. You will pass several trailheads on your way up to the campground. Many of the sites are reservable, others are first come first serve. You will find a pay station as you enter the campsite. The camp host is at site 1. Surprisingly clean vault toilets. No showers. There are dumpsters on the way out for trash and recycling. I saw bear storage lockers but I did not use them as I had my bear keg with me. Behind the parking spur at the site there is gravel with picnic table and fire pit. Beyond that in the trees was a spot for the tent. I didn’t experience many bugs, no mosquitoes, what I saw the most of were caterpillars. But If you needed bug spray or forgot anything back in town a few miles Ripton grocery has you covered.

  • M.A.D. P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 3, 2022

    Greendale Campground

    Greendale campground, Weston Vt.

    Greendale Campground is a small remote campground located along Greendale Brook in Weston, VT.

    There are 11 campsites available in a wooded setting. Each site has a picnic table, a fire ring with a grill, and a parking spur. Most sites can accommodate small campers as well as tents. There is also a vault toilet.

    The campground offers easy access to the Greendale Loop, a 4.0 mile hike through a mixed forest of northern hardwood and conifer trees with long stretches bordering scenic streams. This loop includes approximately 2 miles of walking along town maintained roads open to vehicular traffic.

    This site is not maintained for winter use. Deep snow often covers amenities at this site December – mid April. The nearest plowed parking area to the campground in the winter is approximately one mile away and access is via skis or snowshoes. My wife and I car camped in July and there were very few campers. Many sites are beside Greendale Brook. The water is clean, refreshing and soothing. Especially soothing while sitting by the campfire.

  • Rae-Ann W.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 25, 2024

    Ashuelot River Campground

    Nice quiet weekend

    We took our new to us hybrid camper out for its inaugural trip.

    We chose to stay in the wooded loop of the campground and we were very happy with our site, #66. That section has about 12 sites, some big and some on the smaller side. Our site was easy to back into, even more so since no one was in the site across from us. Our site was very spacious, level and included a picnic table, fire ring, and nicely placed hookups for water and electric. We had easy access to trails that went along the river behind some of the sites with a few paths down to the river.

    Everyone we encountered was friendly and respectful. There are quiet hours from 10pm-8am that are enforced. We were grateful to not have to hear loud partying going on into the night. There was car noise from nearby Rt 10 on the other side of the river, but nothing you can do about that.

    We asked for assistance at the office with our first time using a pumping station at the end of the trip. We were given friendly helpful assistance and some great tips and advice for the future.

    This was a nice enjoyable first visit for us. We will definitely be adding it to our list of places to visit again, but likely later in the year when we can enjoy the river and activities a bit more. We did not explore the options for bike, kayak, and canoe rentals but would like to in the future.

Guide to Reading

Tent camping options near Reading, Vermont concentrate on the region's forest service roads and Appalachian Trail corridors. Michigan Brook Road provides access to multiple primitive campsites within Green Mountain National Forest with varying levels of seclusion. The area experiences typical New England seasonal conditions with muddy spring thaws that can limit road access, summer highs rarely exceeding 80°F, and early fall color starting in mid-September.

What to do

River exploration: Michigan Brook features several riverside camping areas where tent campers can enjoy natural swimming spots. According to a camper at Michigan Brook Road Camping, "I found most of the spots to be on the road before the GPS marker. Few nice ones near the creek. I stayed at one on top of a hill and lots of space at mine."

Hiking access: The Last Light campsite serves as a gateway to forest hiking trails. As one visitor noted, "Love this site! The very last spot on the right hand side. If you've reached the closed gate you've missed the site! Keep it clean!" This campsite at Last Light on Michigan Brook offers both privacy and trail access.

Swimming opportunities: Natural swimming holes complement the camping experience, particularly during summer months. The Little Rock Pond area features "a huge jumping rock on the far side of the pond" and water that's "surprisingly warm for its altitude," according to visitor reviews at Little Rock Pond Group Camp & Shelters.

What campers like

Accessibility to amenities: Some dispersed sites provide surprising convenience despite their remote feel. At Michigan Brook, one camper noted, "If you walk to the end of upper Michigan Brook road you will have cell phone service and a gas station along with a United States Post Office as well as a general store which also serves as a restaurant. There you can find just about anything."

Natural privacy: Tent campers appreciate the isolated feel of many sites. At Happy Hill Backcountry Shelter, a hiker observed "There were a bunch of level tent camp sites around the shelter... There weren't any views here except for the beautiful surrounding forest."

Wildlife viewing: The natural setting offers opportunities to observe local wildlife. Little Rock Pond is "home to two Common Loons" according to camper reports, adding a memorable element to the camping experience beyond the typical forest setting.

What you should know

Road conditions: Access to Michigan Brook dispersed sites varies with seasons and vehicle type. One visitor warned, "Road goes in pretty far. Some parts are muddy and very rough. Higher clearance would be advised!!!"

Winter access limitations: Seasonal road closures affect camping possibilities. A winter visitor at Michigan Brook Road shared, "The main road to the parking lot is plowed and sanded. However if you would like to continue down the service road during winter months I would highly recommend snowshoes or a snowmobile."

Water reliability: Water sources along the Appalachian Trail fluctuate seasonally. At Velvet Rocks Shelter, a hiker reported "The water source here was dry during my trip which was expected during the drought (August 2022)." Tent campers should carry water or confirm source reliability before depending on natural springs.

Tips for camping with families

Swimming spots for children: Little Rock Pond offers family-friendly swimming. A visitor mentioned, "The pond is surprisingly warm for its altitude" making it comfortable for younger swimmers during summer months.

Accessible sites: Families should target the closer riverside sites at Michigan Brook. According to a camper, "There's 3 camping spots. 1 before the bridge and 2 after the bridge! The one before the bridge that's right next to the river is the best one!!"

Proximity to services: When camping with children, consider sites with nearby amenities. At Velvet Rocks Shelter, a hiker reported tent camping spots were "slightly slanted" but the location provides relatively easy access to services compared to deeper backcountry sites.

Tips from RVers

Clearance requirements: RV camping options are limited by road conditions. A Michigan Brook visitor advised, "I attempted to bring my car and was stuck overnight but was able to dig myself out the next morning." High-clearance vehicles or smaller camper vans are recommended for forest service roads.

Alternative parking arrangements: Some RV campers park at the main road and set up tent sites. One visitor noted, "We camped near the beginning of the road but would recommend driving down if you can because you can camp next to the river after you cross the bridge. The area is big enough to bring an RV if you can get it down the dirt road."

Seasonal timing: Spring mud season (April-May) makes Michigan Brook roads particularly challenging for RVs. Wait until June for improved conditions when selecting tent camping near Reading for larger vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Reading, VT is Winturri Backcountry Shelter on the AT in Vermont — Appalachian National Scenic Trail with a 4-star rating from 3 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 36 tent camping locations near Reading, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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