Tent camping near Westfield, Vermont places visitors in the heart of Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, where elevations range from 750 to 1,200 feet. The region experiences cool summer nights with temperatures often dropping into the 50s even in July and August. Most tent sites in this area are positioned to minimize wind exposure, with northwestern facing sites encountering stronger evening breezes during summer months.
What to do
Paddle to remote sites: Green River Reservoir State Park requires a paddle of up to 2 miles to reach certain campsites. "We try and make our way north to Green River Reservoir every summer. It's a primitive park, perfect for paddling, wild camping, swimming, and watching wildlife. The reservoir is 653 acres with 19 miles of shoreline," writes Tara S., who recommends paddling to the Beaver Meadow area for wildlife viewing.
Hike from your tent: Underhill State Park offers immediate trail access from the campground. Sam T. notes, "The campground is in a perfect spot. About a .3 mile hike to the main trail to climb the mountain." Several campsites are positioned specifically for hikers seeking early morning trail access.
Swim in Lake Champlain: Knight Island State Park Campground offers waterside campsites with excellent swimming access. "Every remote campsite is waterside, with fabulous access to amazing swimming, gorgeous sunsets, and fantastic hikes across the island," according to Ruby L., though she warns that "mosquitoes and black flies in the middle of the island can be nasty."
What campers like
Primitive seclusion: Many campers value the privacy found at Green River Reservoir State Park Campground. "I love this location because you have to paddle out to a site for camping. It's private, quiet, and really gives you that 'forest bathing' escape," says Mackenzie B.
Vehicle-free environments: Burton Island State Park offers a car-free experience that transforms the camping atmosphere. Rita M. explains, "It is a car free paradise that requires a boat or ferry to get to but yields the rewards of peace, nature, and gorgeous shoreline."
Mountain views: Black Creek Maple's Nature Escape and Tent Haven provides impressive vistas. "We spent the night at this beautiful campsite with a magnificent view of Mount Mansfield. The small amount of camping space made the experience quite unique and private," reports Émylie B.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Burton Island's waterfront sites book nearly a year in advance. Tara S. notes, "Waterfront sites book very quickly (like 11 months in advance), but if you don't mind being farther from the main campground and running water, you can almost always rent one of the four primitive sites."
Site selection matters: At Green River Reservoir, some sites are more developed than others. "We have camped in several different sites - most recently, #12. This was definitely not our favorite. It was difficult to find a flat tent spot, and the site seemed very overused. Our favorite spots are #13, 24, and 30," advises Tara S.
Transportation logistics: For Burton Island State Park Campground, plan your arrival method carefully. "The ferry is $8 per person, with no extra charge for gear. They do charge $2 for bikes. If you want to use the ferry, but still want a kayak or canoe at the island, you have to paddle it across separately," explains Rita M.