Best Tent Camping near St. Johnsbury, VT
The forests surrounding St. Johnsbury, Vermont offer several tent-only camping options within a short drive. Serenity Field provides both drive-in and walk-in tent sites with amenities including drinking water, toilets, and shower facilities. Just 25 miles southwest in Marshfield, Molly's Falls Pond State Park features remote hike-in tent sites available from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend. For those seeking riverside camping, Harvey's Lake Campground in nearby Barnet (7 miles south) accommodates tent campers from mid-May through mid-October. Socks Family Farm, located west of St. Johnsbury, offers a more intimate tent camping experience with just two sites.
Most primitive tent campgrounds in the region provide basic amenities with varying levels of accessibility. Walk-in tent sites typically require campers to park and carry gear a short distance to their campsite. Fire rings are common at established sites, though fire bans may be in effect during dry periods. Vault toilets or composting privies are available at most locations, but potable water is limited at primitive sites. Bear activity is common throughout the region, so proper food storage is essential. Campers should bring water filtration equipment when staying at backcountry tent sites. The camping season generally runs from late May through mid-October, with higher elevation sites opening later due to spring conditions.
Tent campers frequently use these areas as bases for hiking, fishing, and paddling adventures. According to reviews of similar sites in the region, tent platforms at backcountry locations "have amazing views" and typically include bear boxes for food storage. One visitor noted that even at established campgrounds, "tent sites are within wooded areas and feel very secluded" despite occasional road noise. Riverside tent camping is particularly popular, with multiple sites offering access to swimming and fishing opportunities. Early fall brings fewer crowds to tent-only camping areas, while summer weekends can fill quickly. For the most secluded backcountry tent camping experience, consider sites that require at least a short hike from parking areas.