Backcountry tent camping near Union Village Dam offers primitive overnight options primarily along the Appalachian Trail corridor that runs through eastern Vermont and neighboring New Hampshire. The area sits within the Upper Connecticut River Valley at elevations ranging from 400-1,500 feet, creating varied terrain for hikers seeking tent sites. Seasonal water availability fluctuates dramatically throughout the year, with reliable sources primarily in spring and after significant rainfall events.
What to do
Hike to elevated viewpoints: The trail from Moose Mountain Backcountry Shelter provides access to scenic overlooks. "The shelter did stand out with a bench overlooking a clearing in the brush with a view which was a great place to enjoy my freeze dried dinner," notes one AT section hiker.
Fish the Baker River: Tent campers can try fishing the local waterways when taking breaks from hiking. One camper at Baker Rocks reported: "Around the campground there was a little beach along the Baker river. I only caught a few minnows when fishing but that may have been more to do with the angler."
Rock climbing access: Climbers seeking tent camping near Union Village Dam can base themselves at facilities serving the popular Rumney climbing area. As one visitor noted about AAC Rattlesnake Campground: "I started climbing at Rumney about a decade before this campground was developed, and man, were we overdue for one! Maintained by the American Alpine Club, pretty much all the campers here are rock climbers."
What campers like
Multi-level shelter designs: Some AT shelters offer unique construction features. At Thistle Hill Backcountry Shelter, "The shelter was a one-story standard AT shelter with a fire ring and a bench for seating," while another shelter offers vertical versatility: "The shelter had a ground floor and a loft but each floor could maybe fit 4-5 people comfortably... The loft was nice since folks could decide to sleep up there while others were down below, either cooking, arriving, or departing."
Well-maintained privies: Recent improvements to backcountry facilities have been noted. One camper mentioned: "The privvy was relatively new and in great shape," while another AT hiker specifically noted: "The privvy was also new and very spacious."
Site privacy at some locations: While many backcountry tent sites cluster around shelters, some offer better seclusion. A camper observed: "There were lots of tent camping spots as you worked up the hill perpendicular to the shelter... this stop had a great amount of tent camping around in spaces with decent privacy."
What you should know
Seasonal water challenges: Water access is inconsistent across all tent camping areas near Union Village Dam. A hiker at Velvet Rocks Shelter reported: "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."
Limited flat tent sites: Some locations offer better tent platform options than others. One camper noted: "It seemed to have smaller spots for tent camping that were somewhat sloped," while others specifically seek out level ground: "I set up my tent in one of the tent areas outside the shelter. There were a few spots for tenting but not a lot."
Access limitations: Nearly all tent camping options require hiking in. A typical backcountry shelter is described as "entirely hike in" with no road access. For those unwilling to backpack, options like Cardigan Campsites provide drive-up tent sites but with limited facilities: "Great spot to spend the night before a climb of Mt. Cardigan!"
Tips for camping with families
Consider glamping alternatives: For families not ready for primitive tent camping, Cardigan Campsites offers more accessible options near Union Village Dam. "Staff is very friendly," notes one camper, making it more approachable for those with children.
Animal encounters: Some campgrounds incorporate farm animals that appeal to children. A family that visited Baker Rocks mentioned: "They even have animals to visit like bunnies and goats (far away from the campsites)."
Bug protection essential: Insects can be problematic, especially for children. One family warned: "Do bring bug spray, the mosquitoes at certain times of day were aggressive, as to be expected."
Tips from RVers
No true RV facilities: The tent camping areas near Union Village Dam lack RV accommodations. Most shelters explicitly note "NO electric-hookups," "NO water-hookups," and "NO sewer-hookups" in their amenities lists.
Some platform options: While not suitable for RVs, some locations offer elevated tent platforms that provide more comfort than ground camping. One visitor described: "The site had a large tent platform they could fit multiple tents, a brand new picnic table, a fire ring (with a free bundle of firewood), two chairs by the fire ring, and even a few strings of solar lights around the camp area."
