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Best Tent Camping near West Dover, VT

620 Reviews

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.

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Best Tent Sites Near West Dover, Vermont (21)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near West Dover, VT

22 Photos of 21 West Dover Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near West Dover, VT

620 Reviews of 21 West Dover Campgrounds

  • Sa R.
    Jul. 7, 2019

    Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake

    Beautiful lake

    First time staying there. Two tents allowed per site, no alcohol although no one checked. No water or electricity at the sites. You park & walk in but they provide carts. You have to buy firewood from them. Canoe, kayak & padddleboard rental available. Showers & bathrooms by the parking area. Lots of islands & places to explore on the lake. Buggy in June so bring your repellent. Dogs allowed...that’s all I got for now :)

  • Erin B.
    Sep. 11, 2019

    Clarksburg State Park Campground

    low key and beautiful fall getaway

    Keep in mind that this review is written after camping sept 8th (the week that school started for many) so it might not be relevant to peak camping season. We were pleasantly surprised with our weekend getaway to Clarksburg State Park. Nestled in the Berkshires and basically walking distance to Vermont, Clarksburg State Park provides a comfortable and semi-private tent site. Several spots (including ours 6) were very close to the rather large pond. While the trees obstruct the views, the site was waterfront and we were able to walk a few yards downhill to the waters edge where we launched our kayaks (there is a designated launching spot elsewhere). No electric and water hookups are provided but we were totally okay with that. Bear boxes were provided on each site so that you don’t have to keep stinky food or garbage in your car! Each site also had a fire pit with a grate so that you can cook right there on the fire. The bathrooms were some of the cleanest campground bathrooms and showers i’ve experienced (no bugs or webs also) and there was a dishwashing station on the side. The sites were large and well spaced but they had trees in between so that you felt privacy. The campground itself had plenty of sites, firewood for sale in the front and a pavilion and beach area on the day use side. There are plenty of trails you can hop on right outside your tent site and very little light pollution for optimal star gazing. We really enjoyed our time here and will definitely be back!

  • Ryan A.
    Jun. 12, 2024

    Mohawk Trail State Forest Campground

    Great Campground in Western Mass

    This is a great campground located off of highway 2 in western Mass. I stayed in site 51 and luckily the campground was mostly empty(it was on a Thursday though and was supposed to be full for the weekend.) Each campsite has a bear box and fire ring, there is easy access to hiking trails and flush-toilet bathrooms with sinks are located throughout. There is only one dumpster though and it’s a walk to get to – store your trash in your car or drive it each night, or enjoy the walk. 

    The campsites are very close together without much brush for privacy, so you should expect to see your neighbors up close and personal. Some of the sites are on Cold River(which is more like a creek). The bugs were awful, especially the gnats and I did see a large tick on my fire grill, so be prepared. The best sites are on the lower loop around the water. Avoid any site next to the bathroom as the lights stay on all night and will shine directly into your tent. 49 looked really nice and seemed dark. The hike-in sites were also close together, 22 is the most private. There are baskets with wheels provided. 

    The rangers are friendly and sell firewood in case you need any. You’ll need to check in before going to the campsite, they’ll give you a map and they take good care of the sites. Would definitely camp here again.

  • Nancy R.
    Jul. 31, 2018

    Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake

    Tully Lake Campground is perfect to enjoy traditional family camping!

    Tully Lake Campground is located in Royalston, MA, which is a northern part of Central Massachusetts, near the New Hampshire border. It is a State managed campground, and reservations must be made through Massachusetts Trustees of Reservations. There are some prime camp sites with direct access to the lake, but suggest you be prepared to call early in the morning of the first day State Campground reservations can be made, if you want one of these!

    This is a "Carry In" campground. You park at the entrance, register with Ranger. Large wooden wheelbarrows are provided to bring your gear to your camp site. (This means no noise or disturbances from cars entering your camp sites.) There are individual sites, and 2 group sites, if you are camping with a group. Canoes are available to rent to explore Tully Lake. Most parts of the lake are suitable for swimming, and some camp sites offer direct entry into the lake for swimming, canoeing, or kayaking. If you'd like to hike with children, there is an easy hike close to the entrance, along Doane's Falls, a series of 5 waterfalls along an ascending path through a wooded area. The views are beautiful, and it's not unusual to spot professional nature photographers at various points along the waterfalls. Bring your cameras or smart phones to capture some of these breathtaking views! And of course there are longer, more challenging trails for more experienced hikers. There are family oriented programs offered, and dogs are allowed, on leash only. Cell service is spotty to non-existent for some providers within the campground. But a short walk or drive away from the campground you can get connected again.

    The bathrooms are located near the entrance to the Park, and include flush toilets as well as coin operated, hot showers, open 24/7. There are sinks beside the building, where campers are asked to wash their dishes, rather than at the camp site. A fire ring and picnic table are provided at each camp site. If you've forgotten any gear or need groceries, there's a Walmart just a 15 minute drive away, open until 12 midnight.

    The staff are quite friendly, helpful and informative. If you enjoy "old fashioned" family tent camping, without the noise and presence of cars and RV's near your camp site, (or cell phones!) this is the place for you. Enjoy!

  • Dawn S.
    May. 30, 2020

    Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground

    Clean

    My pup and I spent two nights here and were very happy. While this campground is bare-bones (no pool) it is perfect for anyone who wants to just chill and do nothing or hit the mountains / local area and do some hiking. The entire campground was very clean, as were the bathrooms. At check-in they will give you maps of hiking routes. Firewood is for sale onsite as are a few necessities. They also had bear boxes, picnic tables and fire rings at each site. We will go back.

  • Jessica D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2023

    Molly Stark State Park Campground

    Quiet, secluded & nestled in the woods

    We stayed here as a stopover on our way home to NJ from Maine. It's 5 min down the road from Wilmington, one of our favorite towns to visit. There are no hookups at any Vermont state parks (Molly Stark included). We stayed at site T16. It's a pull through RV site with a fire ring & picnic table. T16 is right next to bathrooms- unfortunately the map shows showers there too (there are not). We boondocked- there's a spot up top near the other bathrooms where you can fill your fresh water tank. We had a slight issue with our fresh tank overflow valve & the park worker was INCREDIBLE, helpful and so kind. I think his name was Jerry?. He came right over and even rigged up a fix for it in his workshop. We got him a 12pack as a thanks before we left :). Campground is quiet & nestled in the woods. We didn't see any bear, but it is an active bear area. Some tent sites have lean to structures as well. There's a large pavilion at the top of the campground for eating etc. If we stayed longer we would have definitely done the Mt Olga Fire-tower trail. This is no frills, primitive & refreshing camping. And yes- we would stay again!!

  • Sara Q.
    Oct. 7, 2019

    Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground

    Small, loud, muddy

    Unfortunately, I was not a big fan of this small campground. Right from the start, upon checkin, I bought two $5 ea. bundles of wood after being assured they were "kiln dried".  The wood wouldn't catch no matter what I tried -- not even with the help of some fire starter.  The tent site itself was very small and barely fit my truck and tent.  It was made smaller still because of the mud and holes on the perimeter of the site. At night, there was a lot of traffic noise nearby and despite a posted quiet time, other campers were slamming car doors over and over and talking at the top of their lungs, making it difficult to sleep. The surrounding state forest was pretty and the trails were in decent shape.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 28, 2023

    Greenfield State Park Campground

    Loved it here

    We stayed here for a night in mid October, as they were getting ready to close for the season, so more than half of the campground was closed off. But the part that we did see was awesome. Each site was huge, separated from its neighbor, private, mostly flat, and beautiful. No hookups in the campground, and sites are hit or miss with tree coverage, some sites may have enough opening for solar or starlink, but I wouldn’t count on it. 

    There are hiking trails throughout the campground, but our dog got covered in ticks so watch for that. There are water spigots throughout the campground and a dump station. Showers were free and nice and clean, and you can control the temperature and let the water run (no button to push). 

    The dump truck driver was there picking up garbage and I asked him about recycling and he said they have their own transfer station where the waste is sorted, so all recycling and garbage goes into the dumpster. 

    We paid $23 for a site because it was primitive season, but I think normally it’s $25. No other taxes or fees were charged. There’s a little store in the ranger office with basic supplies and gifts, ice cream, fire starters, ice, etc. There’s also a little free library exchange behind the office. And to top it off, we had cell service here. Great stay, highly recommend! Beware of ticks!

  • Jessica N.
    Sep. 13, 2021

    Greenfield State Park Campground

    Great Park, big sites

    Stayed for a weekend (1 night). Easy access to a bathroom (which was very clean). Quiet neighbors, everyone around us observed the quiet hours (10p-7a) and even during the day no one was super loud. Very respectful drivers made biking feel fun and safe for kids. Campers beach was lovely. Sure the water was a little weedy, but we didn’t mind. The lake is a great spot for kayaking (although it is a little bit of a walk from the parking lot with a heavy boat) and the sunset on the lake definitely didn’t disappoint. Nice partially shaded and level site with good access for backing in our small trailer. Playground, camp store, convenient check-in at office, firewood available for $6, lots of trails and fairly level for easy biking. State park camping (no hookups) but there’s a dump station near the exit and water spigots dispersed around the campsites. Absolutely would go again.

Guide to West Dover

Tent campsites near West Dover, Vermont are typically accessible from late May through October, depending on seasonal snow conditions. The region sits at elevations ranging from 1,700 to 2,500 feet, creating cool nights even during summer months when temperatures can drop into the 40s. Most primitive sites require visitors to pack out all trash as there are no collection facilities.

What to do

Paddle on Tully Lake: The Tully Lake Recreation Area offers canoe and kayak rentals for exploring the lake. "We rented kayaks right at the campground for a paddle around Tully Lake. Great trip!" notes camper Megan G. The lake contains several small islands and inlets to explore.

Swim in natural waters: During summer months, Little Rock Pond maintains surprisingly warm water temperatures despite its elevation. "The pond is surprisingly warm for its altitude and it's home to two Common Loons," reports Meredith C., who camped at Little Rock Pond Group Camp & Shelters.

Explore trail networks: The Seth Warner Shelter connects to both the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail systems. According to Daniel S. who stayed at Seth Warner Shelter: "While hiking the Long trail I stopped at the Seth Warner shelter for one night. Its .2 miles off the Lt/At and sleeps 6-7 people."

What campers like

Site privacy: The walk-in setup at many local campgrounds creates more secluded camping experiences. At Maple Ridge Farm, one camper notes: "Very lush campground, plenty of space and privacy between sites. They'll drive you in an ATV up to some of the sites that are further away from the parking lot."

Winter camping options: For winter enthusiasts, Stratton Pond Shelter provides year-round access. Miccal M. reports: "Spent the weekend here on the last weekend of Feb. 2024. Cold, Snow, Wind, full moon in the middle of the woods with only the people I hiked in with. It was great!"

Affordability: Many primitive sites in the Green Mountains charge minimal fees. Little Rock Pond Group Camp keeps camping accessible at just $5 per person per night, with amenities including tent platforms and a composting toilet facility.

What you should know

Cart requirements: At Barton Cove Campground, accessing sites requires a specific procedure. Camper Brie B. explains: "You check in at the office, grab a key to unlock the gate, drive to the campground, unlock gate, drive through gate, lock gate, unload your stuff, drive to gate, unlock gate, drive through gate, lock gate, return key."

Limited cell service: Throughout the Green Mountain region, connectivity is minimal. Campers at Tully Lake note "Cell coverage is pretty close to absent or poor in most of the area, so download any maps you might want (driving, trail, geocaching) before you arrive."

Water filtration needed: Most backcountry sites require water treatment. Streams and ponds serve as primary water sources, and campers should bring filtration systems or purification tablets for drinking water.

Tips for camping with families

Pack light for walk-in sites: Many campgrounds near West Dover require carrying gear from parking areas. At Tully Lake Recreation Area, Kris M. advises: "The sites here are great, if you aren't bringing too much with you or are staying long enough you don't mind the multiple treks to and from the car."

Consider site distance from facilities: When camping with children, bathroom proximity matters. Lauren A. shares about Tully Lake: "Our site was fairly far from services, long run with small kids in the middle of the night."

Look for car-free environments: Campsites without vehicle access can provide safer environments for children. One camper at Tully Lake noted: "No cars at all at the campsites, which was great for peace of mind as our toddler roamed around. It also made for a super quiet stay."

Tips for RVers

Limited RV options: Most tent campsites near West Dover are primitive and inaccessible to RVs. However, Zoar Outdoor in nearby Massachusetts offers amenities like water, showers, and toilets while maintaining a natural setting. "Amenities are well maintained. Could use a refresh but overall great experience," reports Dominick V.

Consider cabin alternatives: For those wanting RV comforts without the vehicle, several campgrounds offer cabin accommodations. Zoar Outdoor provides cabins, yurts and glamping options as alternatives to traditional RV camping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near West Dover, VT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near West Dover, VT is Stratton Pond Shelter with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 21 tent camping locations near West Dover, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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