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Best Tent Camping near Waitsfield, VT

688 Reviews

Dispersed camping options abound within Green Mountain National Forest near Waitsfield, Vermont, particularly along Forest Road 25, where tent campers can find several established sites along a small stream. Located approximately 30 minutes from town, these primitive tent campsites offer varying levels of privacy with no facilities. Route 100 Dispersed Camping provides additional options, though reviews indicate confusing signage about camping legality, with some areas marked as day-use only despite visible camping activity.

Most tent camping sites require self-sufficiency as they lack basic amenities. The Patterson Brookside camp on West Hill Road features dirt pads along a river with established fire rings but no services of any kind. Campers must pack out all trash and human waste as there are no toilet facilities at many locations. Cell service is minimal or non-existent, particularly at the riverside locations. According to reviews, some areas face potential closure due to misuse, with Forest Service signs warning about proper waste disposal. One camper noted, "This area is being heavily used and some spots are being shut down from abuse."

Tent campers seeking more structured settings can find established sites at Camel's Hump State Park, which offers platform tent sites and designated primitive camping about 1.5 miles into the hiking trail. For those willing to paddle, Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites provide secluded tent camping accessible only by boat, featuring composting toilets but requiring all supplies be carried in. These sites offer exceptional privacy compared to roadside options. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, the remote reservoir sites provide a peaceful experience, though one camper advised, "Be sure to launch from Cotton Brook Road if your site is R11-27" to avoid an excessively long paddle with camping gear.

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Best Tent Sites Near Waitsfield, Vermont (46)

    1. Green Mountain National Forest FR25 - Dispersed Camping

    4 Reviews
    Warren, VT
    9 miles
    Website

    "All the sites were full when I visited (6 to 8 sites, approximately, but i didn't go down a couple little gravel paths to check each spot as you couldn't turn around easily) , so I didn't get to camp there"

    "Beautiful sites on the River but with the wet summer, we just couldn’t dry out. Make sure to lock you valuables. Our Jackery, Solar panels & toilet were stolen."

    2. Route 100 Dispersed Camping

    5 Reviews
    Warren, VT
    9 miles

    "Right off the road, a small handful of camp sites, some picnic tables, presumably some fire rings although with snow coverage I didn’t see any."

    "This is right next to Mad River with a area to walk down into a swimming hole. Great place."

    3. Camel's Hump State Park — Camels Hump State Park

    2 Reviews
    Bolton, VT
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 879-6565

    $10 / night

    "This is a short and sweet hike to one of the higher points in Vermont. It is a beautiful scenic (somewhat strenuous) hike to the summit. The views are pretty epic though."

    "Great tent site, site 1 can have 3 platform and fire pit"

    4. Mount Philo State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Charlotte, VT
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 425-2390

    $23 / night

    "apparently this is the first state park in Vermont. Only 8 campsites so try to book early. Nice trails that lead to scenic views of Lake Champlain. Bathrooms and showers were clean."

    "There are less than 20 sites total, and all sites are near walk-in paths to excellent views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks or the Green Mountains. The facility is small, but adequate."

    5. Patterson Brookside camp on West Hill Road

    2 Reviews
    Granville, VT
    14 miles

    "The dirt road along the river is an easy drive, though it is single lane in a few locations, so be aware of oncoming traffic. "

    "Be sure to camp at spots with established fire rings! There is no services of any sorts at this location. Mostly local traffic. Peaceful! Gorgeous rock river 💜"

    6. Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites — Waterbury Center State Park

    2 Reviews
    Waterbury Center, VT
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 585-4855

    "The bathroom is a composting toilet that you’ll share with fishing spiders the size of your hand, slam the lid before use!"

    "Little river st park wide flat camp sites no hookups limited gen. Use hours 8am/10am and 4pm/6pm. Rough road coming5th to campground. Very quite. cell phone t mobile works fine."

    7. Underhill State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Underhill Center, VT
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 899-3022

    "Camp spots were far enough away from one another, trees helped with privacy, and the tent site had a great area to setup the tent.
    Facilities were accessible and clean."

    "Very primitive and quiet campground. Great staff and campsites. No shower but one of the best weeks I had camping in a while. Will definitely go back this year."

    8. Bingo

    1 Review
    Hancock, VT
    22 miles
    Website

    "Beautiful stream close by."

    9. Michigan Brook Road Camping - Green Mtn Ntnl Forest

    4 Reviews
    Pittsfield, VT
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 747-6700

    "I stayed at this campsite located at the end of upper Michigan road. It is winter and there is a lot of snow. The main road to the parking lot is plowed and sanded."

    "Few nice ones near the creek. I stayed at one on top of a lots of space at mine."

    10. Indian Brook Reservoir

    2 Reviews
    Essex Junction, VT
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 878-1342

    $21 - $36 / night

    "There is an extensive trail system that is easy to navigate. Nestled in the woods are several tent platforms that you can access by foot or by boat. They are spacious but not too private."

    "I mistakenly assumed they had drive up campsites. They do not. It was a 15 minute hike to the site, so pack light. If you have a kayak, you can transport your stuff over."

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Waitsfield, VT

52 Photos of 46 Waitsfield Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Waitsfield, VT

688 Reviews of 46 Waitsfield Campgrounds

  • Beth R.
    Jun. 27, 2024

    Smugglers Notch State Park Campground

    Newly Developed … Work in Progress

    Pros: Full hookup (sewer, water, 50 AMP) 1.7 mile from #7 Ranked World's Best Disc Golf Course: Fox Run Meadows New fire ring New picnic table Gorgeous Mountain View

    Cons: Grass site No amenities No Wi-Fi Soft ground, sinked during setup

  • Amber A.
    Jul. 25, 2016

    Ausable Point Campground

    Ranger Review: Crazy Creek Air Chair Plus at Ausable Point Campground

    Campground Review: Lakeshore camping! Beautiful little peninsula where you can watch the sunrise/set. Lovely in autumn. Good birding, water activities, sunsets, geology/gorge, short easy forest hikes, beach walking, all the good stuff you expect from this part of New York. Most of the site is off limits because of wildlife preserve, still a lot to explore. Good as base camp for a few days in the area. Get the tents sites near the lake! Popular for day use area (picnics, birthday parties, etc). Stay here and you can say you camped in Peru! (Lots of upstate NY towns are named for countries.)

    Gear Review: As a The Dyrt Ranger I receive products to test and review. I won the Crazy Creek Air Chair Plus in a campground review contest in June 2016. I had been thinking of purchasing both a camp chair (for camping) and an air mattress (for camping & backpacking), as on my last few trips I got pretty sick of sitting on my closed-cell foam mat and a recent knee injury was making me rethink my open-cell foam ultralight sleeping pad. Well, this Crazy Creek Air Chair Plus does both and does them both well. It starts out as a camp chair (adjustable angle, typical back height) and flips open to a full size air pad made by Klymit. Sounds great right? I flew to NY for a whirlwind family/business/camping trip soon after receiving the chair and had ample opportunities to try it sleeping on friends’ floors and in tents. The chair portion was super comfortable, way better than any simple camp chairs I’d used. I was nervous about sitting on more rugged surfaces (I’m just paranoid about inflatables!) but so far so good. You can also flip open the bed part while you're sitting and have an extended leg rest to protect against hot sand or dirt. The conversion to the sleeping pad was simple. It inflates fairly easily, but at high altitude after a long day of hiking you might be a little annoyed puffing it all up. Sleeping on it was great: my knee and back were happier than with my open-cell foam mats (similar to the typical Thermarest). The one issue I had was that there’s a big dip/joint where the mattress flips out in the conversion from chair to bed---it’s not really that intrusive but I guess my side-sleeping and height (5’4”) conspired to annoy me a bit. Also the R value is very low (it’s not insulting) just like every other air pad but in the summer that’s fine with me. All the other aspects of sleeping on it were similar to other pads I’ve used (it’s kind of narrow, your bag will slide around a bit, etc). Doesn’t pack down too small & isn’t ultralight, but you could remove the chair aspect to help with that. In sleeping mode it’s 20” wide, 70” long, 2.5” thick, 2 lb 13 oz (according to packaging). So while this is my very first camp chair and air mattress, I’m really happy with it after 7 nights sleeping on it and many hours in the chair. It’s not gimmicky at all!

    PS: Can you tell I’m way more picky about gear than campsites? :)

  • Craig F.
    Jul. 23, 2018

    North Beach Campground

    Amazing Location!

    We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at North Beach Campground.

    We spent 4 days in a full hookup site. The site was spacious, tree covered, and hard packed grass/dirt. Overall the site was very level with good water pressure. The water/electric sites in the middle of the campground were a bit snug. The campground is a city operated campground and we were impressed with the upkeep, maintenance and friendly service during our stay. The camp office is small, but has information on area attractions, Ice, and fire wood. The bathhouse/restrooms were well kept during our stay even with the volume of campers at the site.

    Location, Location, Location is the main reason to stay at North Beach. The campground is literally along the Island Line bike/walking trail and had direct access to the beach on Lake Champlain (life guards, snack bar, and patio bar). The city center of Burlington is only 1.5 miles along the bike path from the campground. Most days we either walked or biked into town (which has ample bike racks to park your bike).

    While we stayed in our camper, as a former die-hard tent camper, I was impressed with the number of tent friendly sites, because most campgrounds see tenters as “second class”. The tent sites were spacious, level, and not located in some obscure location.  

    We loved North Beach and plan to camp here in the future!

  • Justin P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2022

    Velvet Rocks Shelter Backcountry Campground on the AT — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

    Standard AT back country shelter on the limited site of tent camping

    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.

    I tented along here for a night during a section hike of the AT from Lyme into Vermont.

    The shelter was the basic AT 3-sided wood structure and was generally in good shape.

    The water source here was dry during my trip which was expected during the drought (August 2022).

    The tent camping here was ok, with some slightly slanted spots around the main shelter area.

    There was no real view from the shelter.  There was also a basic privvy available.

    This was a decent shelter to stop at along the AT, but I would not consider it a weekend destination.

    There was no bear box onsite.

  • Justin P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2022

    Stony Brook Backcountry Shelter on the AT in Vermont — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

    Basic AT shelter with lots of tent camping and swimming hole nearby

    Note: This is a hike in back country shelter with unreliable water and a pit bathroom.

    I tented here on a section hike of the AT. The shelter was a fairly basic 8ish person shelter, but this stop stood out because of a brand new privvy, large tenting areas, and a swimming hole and consistent water just a bit further down the trail (when heading northbound).

    For camping, there were a few large tent areas where multiple tents could fit and which looked quite level.

    The privvy looked brand new and was more spacious than most on the trail.

    There was no water on the shelter, but there was plenty of water at Stony Brook / Mink Brook a bit further northbound. I only explored a bit offtrail down the brook but found a decent swimming hole (could just barely submerge myself) to clean off a bit.

    There was also a bear box here, which I hadn't seen at other shelters along the AT in Vermont (heading southbound).

    Although the shelter was fairly basic, I would keep this on my list as a go-to place to stop if I was planning to hike in the area.

  • Kate K.
    Aug. 1, 2019

    Camel's Hump State Park — Camels Hump State Park

    Amazing Hike! Great Campground

    This is a short and sweet hike to one of the higher points in Vermont. It is a beautiful scenic (somewhat strenuous) hike to the summit. The views are pretty epic though. The designated primitive camping area is about 1.5 miles into the hike. If I recall it had about 10-12 sites. The area had a host who was there 24/7 and a shared area for eating and food storage (I guess Bear’s are a problem there). We hiked all day, so we didn’t have a fire and to be honest I can’t remember if there was a shared spot for them or not. Either way, this hike was gorgeous and so was the camping. I would love to go back!

  • J
    Sep. 24, 2018

    Lazy Lions Campground

    Adults only, comfortable but lacking excursions

    Lazy Lions is a comfortable campground with an adults-only policy. Having spent time in plenty of campgrounds with screaming or unwinded children, I could see this as a positive draw for the RV'ing crowd. I think we were the only tent campers the night we stayed.

    Our tent site was level and on comfy plush grass, well maintained and either a beautiful addition of two (plastic) adirondack chairs at our fire pit with grill. This was especially welcome because we hadn't really planned on cooking but when we saw the great fire set up not only did we save time and energy by not having to take out (and put away!) our camping chairs, I was able to turn our chips and salsa into nachos using some amazing Vermont cheese we'd picked up earlier. My boyfriend has declared this was his favorite camping meal ever so thanks Lazy Lions for the unexpected awesomeness.

    Our check in was smoothe, there was plenty of room at this campground, perhaps due to the fact that there isn't too much to do other than set up and sleep. It did have a pool.

    On check in we found the front desk (owner?) to be less than warm, and at $7 to firewood a little pricey. We were warned to be careful with our food because of "critters" and when I asked what kind of critters the man responded, "all of them". Less than helpful. In hindsight we believe we found bear scat on our site.

    We slept well, bathroom facilities were clean and well stocked. Showers, which we did not use, we $0.25 for four minutes. There was a microwave and wash sink as well for dishes, we didn't use either.

    We met lovely people and had a fine night, there was just nothing particularly special about the place

  • Justin P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2022

    Gifford Woods State Park Campground

    Quiet and well maintained campground

    I tent camped here before doing a section hike of the Appalachian Trail and it was one of the best campgrounds I’ve stayed at before.

    The sites have some privacy and woods in between, though the tent sites vs. shelters and cabins were mostly closer to the access road. All sites were super clean and had a picnic table and fire ring. Most sites had a built in cooking fire structure (vs. a fire ring) they looked great for camp cooking, though my site (T01) seemed to be the only without it.

    The facilities were well-maintained, there were water spigots everywhere, and though I didn’t get a chance to enjoy, there were lots of activities right there (volleyball lawn, the AT running right through the campground, mountain bike trails).

    I didn’t stay in them, but the cabins and lean-tos looked great for group or family options.

    Kent Pond was also just across the road for water activities, and I saw at least one fly fisher out.

    Killington was also right nearby for restaurants and other needs.

    I will definitely be coming back to explore more!

  • Lauren S.
    Jul. 27, 2020

    Moosalamoo Campground

    Hidden Gem

    Tucked down a gravel road in the Green Mountain National Forest is this hidden treasure. Large sites, friendly campground host, the moosalamoo trailhead right next to campground. The trail connects to many others. You will pass several trailheads on your way up to the campground. Many of the sites are reservable, others are first come first serve. You will find a pay station as you enter the campsite. The camp host is at site 1. Surprisingly clean vault toilets. No showers. There are dumpsters on the way out for trash and recycling. I saw bear storage lockers but I did not use them as I had my bear keg with me. Behind the parking spur at the site there is gravel with picnic table and fire pit. Beyond that in the trees was a spot for the tent. I didn’t experience many bugs, no mosquitoes, what I saw the most of were caterpillars. But If you needed bug spray or forgot anything back in town a few miles Ripton grocery has you covered.

Guide to Waitsfield

Dispersed camping opportunities in the Green Mountain National Forest surrounding Waitsfield, Vermont extend beyond the popular Forest Road 25. The region sits at elevations ranging from 700 to over 4,000 feet, creating diverse microclimates for campers. Several lesser-known riverside and woodland sites accommodate tent camping throughout the May-October season, when nighttime temperatures can drop to the 40s even in summer.

What to do

Hiking and swimming: At Camel's Hump State Park, access a designated primitive camping area about 1.5 miles into the trail. "This is a short and sweet hike to one of the higher points in Vermont. It is a beautiful scenic (somewhat strenuous) hike to the summit. The views are pretty epic though," reports Kate K.

Fishing and boating: The Indian Brook Reservoir offers tent platforms accessible by foot or boat. "The Reservoir lends itself to peaceful boating, nature watching and great fishing," according to M.A.D. P. Note that sites require a 15-minute hike from parking: "If you have a kayak, you can transport your stuff over," advises Erin B.

Snowshoeing and winter camping: Michigan Brook Road provides winter access for hardy campers. "The main road to the parking lot is plowed and sanded. However if you would like to continue down the service road during winter months I would highly recommend snowshoes or a snowmobile," writes Keegz M. Winter campers should note there's no cell service at the campsite, but service is available at the end of upper Michigan Brook road.

What campers like

Privacy and nature sounds: Tent campers appreciate the seclusion at Patterson Brookside camp on West Hill Road, where "Mountain road lingers along the river. There's quite a few sites along the road... Peaceful! Gorgeous rock river," according to Thomas and James S. Sites feature established fire rings but no services.

Night sky viewing: Mount Philo State Park offers exceptional stargazing. "Totally beautiful, private spots, pit toilets and a night sky to die for!" raves Molly G. The park has only 8 campsites, creating a more intimate camping experience.

Swimming holes: The Route 100 area includes natural water features. "This site has 3-5 campsites right off of route 100. This is right next to Mad River with a area to walk down into a swimming hole. Great place," writes Margaret E. These sites are technically day-use areas, so check current regulations.

What you should know

Cell service limitations: Most dispersed camping areas lack reliable communications. At Michigan Brook Road camping, a reviewer notes: "THIS LOCATION DOES NOT PROVIDE CELL PHONE SERVICE OR WIFI CONNECTION. However, if you walk to the end of upper Michigan Brook road you will have cell phone service and a gas station along with a United States Post Office as well as a general store."

Waste management: Green Mountain National Forest FR25 posts warnings about proper sanitation. "There was a NFS sign along FR-25 posted asking people to clean up after themselves (litter and human waste) as there'd been complaints to the extent that they were considering closing the sites if people didn't do better," reports Helen P. All dispersed camping requires packing out waste.

Seasonal road conditions: Access varies by season. "Road goes in pretty far. Some parts are muddy and very rough. Higher clearance would be advised!!!" warns Thomas and James S. about Michigan Brook Road. Winter access requires different planning than summer visits.

Tips for camping with families

Platform tents: For families new to tent camping near Waitsfield, Vermont, consider Underhill State Park which offers lean-tos. "This is the best of car camping - you get the feel of really being out in the woods, with your car a short distance away. They provide wheelbarrows for easy moving of your stuff," explains Ali T.

Gear transport: Families should pack efficiently for hike-in sites. At Indian Brook Reservoir, one parent advises: "I mistakenly assumed they had drive up campsites. They do not. It was a 15 minute hike to the site, so pack light."

Stream access: Look for sites with safe water features. At Patterson Brookside camp, campers can enjoy the riverside setting where dirt sites line the water. Remember these sites lack facilities: "There is no electricity, no cell coverage, not outhouses in this area. Be prepared to pack out everything you bring in."

Tips for RVers

Size restrictions: RVers have limited options for dispersed camping. Green Mountain National Forest camping areas like Michigan Brook and FR25 can accommodate small trailers or campervans, but not large rigs. "I found most of the spots to be on the road before the GPS marker. Few nice ones near the creek," reports one camper at Michigan Brook Road.

Established alternatives: For larger RVs, Mount Philo State Park offers a structured option. "Nice trails that lead to scenic views of Lake Champlain. Bathrooms and showers were clean. Showers were quarter operated, 50 cents for 5 minutes. Firewood sold on site," notes Beau B., though the "steep and winding" road isn't suitable for large RVs.

Generator restrictions: Most dispersed camping areas prohibit generators. At Route 100, the proximity to other campers and day users requires quiet camping. Consider solar options for power needs at primitive sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Waitsfield, VT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Waitsfield, VT is Green Mountain National Forest FR25 - Dispersed Camping with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Waitsfield, VT?

TheDyrt.com has all 46 tent camping locations near Waitsfield, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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