Best Tent Camping near Union Village Dam
The Appalachian Trail corridor provides several backcountry tent camping opportunities near Union Village Dam, Vermont, with shelters and designated tent sites available for hikers. Happy Hill Backcountry Shelter and Winturri Backcountry Shelter offer tent camping options along the AT in Vermont, while several additional shelters can be found across the border in New Hampshire. These primitive tent camping areas typically require hiking in with all necessary supplies and following Leave No Trace principles.
Most backcountry tent sites feature minimal amenities, with level areas for setting up tents around the shelters. Privies are available at several locations, though their condition varies from basic to newly constructed. Water sources are unreliable, particularly during dry summer months. One camper noted that "the water source was dry during my trip which was expected during the drought." Tent campers should plan to carry sufficient water or be prepared to treat water from seasonal sources. Fire restrictions are common at these backcountry tent sites, with many prohibiting open flames entirely.
The tent camping experience along the AT provides seclusion and natural surroundings but requires proper preparation. Areas around Happy Hill and Winturri shelters offer multiple tent sites with varying degrees of privacy and levelness. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "There were a bunch of level tent camp sites around the shelter" at Happy Hill. Tent sites are typically situated in wooded areas with forest floor surfaces. For those seeking drive-in tent camping, options are more limited near Union Village Dam itself. Cardigan Campsites in nearby New Hampshire offers tent-only sites with drinking water and toilet facilities but no showers. Backcountry tent camping in this region best serves hikers traversing the AT rather than weekend destination campers, though the peaceful forest settings provide authentic wilderness immersion.












