Best Tent Camping near West Dover, VT
The Green Mountains surrounding West Dover, Vermont offer several tent camping options within a 20-30 mile radius, including primitive backcountry sites and established campgrounds. Notable locations include Stratton Pond Shelter, approximately 10 miles northwest of West Dover in the Green Mountain National Forest, which offers both tent sites and a three-walled shelter structure. Seth Warner Shelter, situated about 20 miles southwest, provides additional backcountry tent camping opportunities along the Long Trail/Appalachian Trail corridor.
Sites often feature minimal amenities, with most backcountry tent areas requiring campers to pack in all supplies including water. Many locations like Stratton Pond Shelter offer composting toilets but lack drinking water sources, requiring filtration from nearby streams or ponds. Access typically involves walk-in or hike-in approaches ranging from 0.2 miles to nearly 4 miles depending on the location. Fire regulations vary by site - while fires are permitted at Stratton Pond, some other areas maintain fire bans. Most backcountry tent sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis rather than reservation systems, though some charge nominal fees of $5 per person.
The terrain at many tent sites features forest duff with varying degrees of shade and protection from elements. Tent platforms are available at select locations, including Little Rock Pond Group Camp, offering more stable surfaces for setup. In early summer, bugs can be prevalent at backcountry tent sites, particularly near water sources. According to one visitor at Stratton Pond Shelter, "The shelter is a 3.75-mile hike from the nearest parking lot in winter. There are 2 tent platforms, 2 outhouses and at least 16 bunk spaces in the shelter." Another camper noted that Little Rock Pond "costs only $5 per person per night" and features "several tent platforms" with access to swimming and nearby spring water. Most tent campsites provide excellent access to interconnected trail systems, making them popular with hikers seeking multi-day adventures.