Tent camping options around Woodstock, Vermont center primarily on backcountry experiences within Green Mountain National Forest and along the Appalachian Trail. The region sits within Vermont's central highlands where elevations range between 700-2,000 feet, creating varied camping conditions with cooler nighttime temperatures even in summer. Fall camping brings dramatic temperature swings with overnight lows frequently dropping below 40°F by late September.
What to do
Seasonal swimming: Stony Brook Backcountry Shelter offers access to natural swimming opportunities during warmer months. One camper noted: "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."
Winter camping: Michigan Brook Road Camping remains accessible for cold-weather camping despite challenging conditions. A winter camper explained: "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."
View sunset meals: Moose Mountain Backcountry Shelter provides elevated dining spots with scenic vistas. One visitor shared: "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."
What campers like
Multi-level shelters: Happy Hill Backcountry Shelter offers unique sleeping arrangements. A hiker noted: "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."
Bear-resistant storage: Some Woodstock area shelters provide secured food storage. A camper at Stony Brook mentioned: "There was also a bear box here, which I hadn't seen at other shelters along the AT in Vermont (heading southbound)."
Multiple tent platforms: Many AT shelters feature varied tent camping options. At Happy Hill, one camper reported: "There were a bunch of level tent camp sites around the shelter," while another found Michigan Brook Road Camping offered "lots of spots" with "few nice ones near the creek."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Tent camping near Woodstock often means disconnecting completely. At Michigan Brook Road, a camper cautioned: "PLEASE NOTE: 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."
Vehicle clearance requirements: Access to Michigan Brook dispersed sites requires appropriate vehicles. A camper warned: "Beware that in Spring the road gets muddy and quite rutted, I would not recommend driving down there with a car that is low to the ground."
Water availability varies: Most backcountry sites have unreliable water sources. At Moose Mountain, a camper explained: "There can be seasonal water sources but water is not guaranteed," while another noted that at Velvet Rocks "The water source here was dry during my trip which was expected during the drought (August 2022)."
Tips for camping with families
Navigation markers: Finding specific sites requires attention to landmarks. At Last Light on Michigan Brook, a camper advised: "The very last spot on the right hand side. If you've reached the closed gate you've missed the site!"
Shelter proximity: When tent camping with children, consider sites near amenities. At Happy Hill, "The privvy was relatively new and in great shape," while Michigan Brook offers sites "before the bridge and 2 after the bridge!"
Emergency preparations: Tent camping near Woodstock requires self-sufficiency. One Michigan Brook Road camper shared their winter experience: "I attempted to bring my car and was stuck overnight but was able to dig myself out the next morning."
Tips from RVers
Road conditions: Michigan Brook Road camping areas can accommodate small RVs but require caution. One visitor observed: "Road goes in pretty far. Some parts are muddy and very rough. Higher clearance would be advised!!!"
Site selection: Larger camping units should carefully choose sites. One Michigan Brook camper reported: "I found most of the spots to be on the road before the GPS marker. Few nice ones near the creek. I stayed at one on top of a hill with lots of space at mine."
Seasonal access: RV access to tent camping areas around Woodstock varies by season. A visitor noted Michigan Brook is "open for camping year-round but probably only accessible in Spring through early Fall because the dirt road is not plowed."