Best Tent Camping near South Burlington, VT
Several tent campgrounds are scattered across the countryside within a short drive from South Burlington, Vermont. Mount Philo State Park Campground, about 15 miles south, offers 7 tent sites and 3 lean-tos with well-groomed campsites that include fire pits and picnic tables. Underhill State Park Campground, situated on the western slope of Mount Mansfield, provides walk-in tent sites with more primitive amenities. For those seeking backcountry experiences, Camel's Hump State Park features remote tent sites accessible only by hiking trails.
Most tent campgrounds in the region have basic amenities but limited services. Mount Philo provides clean bathrooms with hot showers that operate on quarters (50 cents for 5 minutes), while more primitive sites like those at Underhill have only pit toilets and no shower facilities. Fire regulations vary by location, with fires permitted only in designated fire rings at established sites. During summer weekends, popular tent campgrounds fill quickly, especially at smaller parks like Mount Philo where privacy between sites is valued. A recent review noted that "sites are far enough away from one another, trees helped with privacy, and the tent site had a great area to setup the tent."
Backcountry tent camping opportunities abound for those willing to hike to more remote locations. Camel's Hump State Park offers primitive tent sites approximately 1.5 miles into the hiking trail with designated areas for food storage due to bear activity. Walk-in tent sites at Underhill State Park provide quieter camping experiences with less vehicle traffic and noise. Most primitive sites require campers to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. Sites at Burton Island State Park are accessible only by boat, offering exceptional privacy and shoreline access for tent campers. According to one visitor, "We watched a sunset on the South tip, caught frogs at our shoreline, rented a paddleboard, played in the waves, and enjoyed the island."