Best Tent Camping near Shrewsbury, VT
Primitive tent camping options near Shrewsbury, Vermont include several backcountry shelters along the Appalachian Trail and dispersed sites within Green Mountain National Forest. Little Rock Pond Group Camp offers tent platforms and a three-walled cabin for hikers at $5 per person per night. Michigan Brook Road provides several free tent campsites along a forest access road with sites positioned near flowing water.
Most tent sites in the Shrewsbury area require proper preparation as amenities are minimal. The Michigan Brook Road camping area features established fire rings but no facilities, with several sites positioned directly alongside the brook. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing these forest road sites, particularly in spring when mud and ruts develop. Most Appalachian Trail shelters include pit toilets but have unreliable seasonal water sources. Fire restrictions vary by location, with fires prohibited at some AT shelters but permitted at dispersed sites. A review noted that "Michigan Road goes in pretty far. Some parts are muddy and very rough. Higher clearance would be advised!"
In early fall, tent campers find reduced crowds at both backcountry shelters and dispersed camping areas. The Appalachian Trail shelters provide strategic overnight points for section hikers, with Stony Brook Shelter offering larger tenting areas and swimming holes nearby. Tent sites along Michigan Brook provide easy access to fishing and wading opportunities. The area attracts visitors seeking solitude, though weekend traffic increases during summer months. Some locations like Last Light on Michigan Brook offer particularly secluded tent sites at the end of forest roads. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "Love this site! The very last spot on the right hand side. If you've reached the closed gate you've missed the site!"