Best Tent Camping near Rutland, VT

Note: This is a back country shelter site that is hike-in only on the Appalachian Trail. There can be seasonal water sources but water is not guaranteed.

I had a great night here tent camping while doing a week-long section hike of the AT.

The shelter is a standard three-sided shelter. There were a host of large, flat tent sites around the shelter, and I tented in one of these.

The shelter did stand out with a bench overlooking a clearing in the brush with a view (see photos) which was a great place to enjoy my freeze dried dinner.

The privvy was also new and very spacious.

All-in this was a great place to stop along the Appalachian Trail but I wouldn't consider it worthy of a destination hike.

Note this is a back country campsite that is 100% hike in, with no guaranteed water. I tent camped here in August while doing a section hike of the Appalachian Trail. 

The shelter had a ground floor and a loft but each floor could maybe fit 4-5 people comfortably, but I decided to tent camp. There were a bunch of level tent camp sites around the shelter. The loft was nice since folks could decide to sleep up there while others were down below, either cooking, arriving, or departing. 

The privvy was relatively new and in great shape. 

There wasn't any water at the source while I was staying here and it looks like a seasonal source. 

There were no views here except for the beautiful surrounding forest.

This was a great place to stop along the Appalachian Trail but I would not consider it a destination shelter.

Tent camped here with my dog for two nights. Was sold absolutely green wood that would not burn (why do campgrounds always do this??).  First site I was given was out of view of the river, which was entire reason for visiting.  Campground owner was accommodating and found me a spot that overlooked the river (why not do that from the start?).  There is no privacy whatsoever to the sites, and sites are one on top of the other (my tent was basically uncomfortably close to neighbor's fire pit, but there was no other option for pitching elsewhere).  The nights were very loud with kids screaming and people partying.  It's a mishmash of sites too -- my tent was squished in between a permanent trailer and a weekend fifth wheeler.  But the river was magnificent and I could hear it babble by all night; very relaxing once the place quieted down.  Very close to Townsend State Forest and a beautiful hike up Bald Mountain, which looks to have really nice, spacious and quiet tent sites (already booked for next year).

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!

family camping Kabins, rv, and tent sites, arcade, store, ice cream, and Lake Bomoseen. Easy to get to, close to Castleton, Rutland, and Hubbarton Battlefield. Great spot for a family get-a-way.

I tent camped here during a section hike of the AT. The shelter was a one-story standard AT shelter with a fire ring and a bench for seating.

I got to the shelter late in the day so my view on the tent camping might be biased, but it seemed to have smaller spots for tent camping that were somewhat sloped.

There was a decent privvy (see photos) and water during my stay, though it was right after a smaller storm the previous evening.

There aren't any views from this shelter, but it was a peaceful place to stop in the woods!

Note: This is a back country shelter on the Appalachian trail that doesn't have consistent water.

I stopped here on a section hike of the Appalachian trail. The shelter is on the larger side and could fit maybe 6-8 folks. There were lots of tent camping spots as you worked up the hill perpendicular to the shelter.

Water was running when I was there in mid-August from a spring close to the shelter.

There was a decent privvy onsite.

The shelter was fairly standard but this stop had a great amount of tent camping around in spaces with decent privacy.

Great tent site, site 1 can have 3 platform and fire pit

Wilgus State Park is the first Vermont state park to open each spring, well before Memorial Day each year. While it's still pretty cold for camping in Vermont in early May, you can get a jump start on the season by renting one of the four camping cabins. I'll admit that I haven't stayed in one of the Wilgus cabins, but they are pretty much the same all over Vermont - nothing fancy - just four solid walls, bunk beds, and a small table.

Usually when we stay at Wilgus State Park, we rent a lean-to or stay in site #16, which is the very last tent site, and the most private. All sites have a great view of the river, but I won't go so far as to call them waterfront as there is a bank covered with lush foliage between the sites and the water. There is also a short trail that runs between the campsites and the water - a great place to watch the sunrise!

The best part about camping here is getting out on the water. You can rent kayaks and canoes, and the river moves slowly enough to paddle up stream. There is also a shuttle service run by Great River Outfitters upstream in Windsor. If you make reservations, the come to the park (I think on Wednesdays and Fridays), and they will pick you up in the morning, drive you up river to Windsor, outfit you with a canoe or kayak, and let you paddle back to the park. Later in the evening they will come back and pick up the boats. If you choose this option, be sure to stop at Artisan Park, right on the river and have lunch at Harpoon Brewery.

The campground is really small (under 25 sites) and super quiet. Restrooms are clean. There is a short hiking trail, which is just okay - no views or anything. The ranger has been there for years and is an expert fisherman. He's got lots of tips if you ask. For good hiking, be sure to check out Mt. Ascutney, which is just a few miles away.

Great tent camping area with good privacy at sites. Would be tough for any but the tiniest RV. No water. Well maintained, and nice access to trails right from the campground.

Awesome owners with a small campground! Swimming pond and pool. Small Playground. Pull through, back in, tent sites.. we go here every memorial day for their 1 set of awning to awning sites with our camping buddies!

I only got to stay two nights here but it was veey nice. only seven tent sites and three Leanto so pretty secluded. the best part is every night its only a ten minute hike to the summit from where the sites are and you get to watch the sunset over Vermont and lake champlain as the sun falls behind the adirondack mountains, its quite an amazing site. very highly recommended if y oi u want piece and quiet and that mountain feel with a stunning view.

Beautiful views over the lake with sunset views. Canoe rentals on site. Very clean, truly hot showers, large tent sites, shady & wooded campground. Try to book the site on the little island, but the others are all nice too.

Adirondacks scenery, camping along the lake. Trail access from campground. Swim & boat on site. Modern but basic state park. Some tent sites nicely private. Close to rt 87, convenient stop on the way to or from Canada from NYC.

Small and quite place to camp and relax not far from home! They have added more every sites so there are less tent sites but the ones they have are on the water so it’s is nice! Everyone is very friendly!

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.

If you like history this is a great spot to camp, when exploring.  Just don't expect privacy. That said the views are wonderful.  The sites all have fire rings, tent sites don't have anything else.  RV sites do offer full hookups.  The access into the site is paved.  There is a trash house and bathhouse on the grounds.

It was a very quiet location.  There was plenty of room between sites. The roads going in and leaving were well maintained. I accidently booked a tent site, and my popup camper and truck almost didn't fit.  We will have to go back and get a shelter site. This way we can get the beautiful views of the mountains. We both enjoyed the Coolidge State Park