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Best Tent Camping near White River Junction, VT

778 Reviews

The Appalachian Trail corridor near White River Junction, Vermont offers numerous backcountry tent camping options within a short drive. Several AT shelters with adjacent tent sites are located within 15 miles of town, including Winturri Backcountry Shelter, Happy Hill Shelter, and Thistle Hill Shelter on the Vermont side, plus Velvet Rocks and Trapper John shelters across the Connecticut River in New Hampshire. These primitive tent campsites typically feature level spots for tents surrounding three-sided shelters maintained by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Most backcountry tent sites in this region require preparation for minimal amenities. Tent camping areas generally feature dirt or forest duff surfaces with varying degrees of levelness. Water sources at these locations are seasonal and unreliable, particularly during late summer drought conditions. According to multiple reviews, water sources at Velvet Rocks, Trapper John, and Happy Hill shelters were completely dry during August visits. Basic privies are available at most sites but lack other facilities. Campers should bring water filters, food storage systems, and pack-out bags, as bear boxes are not consistently available at all locations.

Tent campers frequently use these sites as overnight stops during section hikes rather than destination camping. One visitor noted that while tent sites around Moose Mountain Shelter offered "large, flat tent sites," the area lacked views beyond "the beautiful surrounding forest." At Winturri Shelter, a camper reported "lots of tent camping spots as you worked up the hill perpendicular to the shelter" with "decent privacy" between sites. Stony Brook Shelter stands out with "a few large tent areas where multiple tents could fit" and access to a small swimming hole downstream. During peak summer weekends, these walk-in tent sites can fill quickly, especially those closest to road crossings, while more remote backcountry tent camping areas offer greater solitude.

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Best Tent Sites Near White River Junction, Vermont (37)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near White River Junction, VT

58 Photos of 37 White River Junction Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near White River Junction, VT

778 Reviews of 37 White River Junction Campgrounds

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2018

    Big Rock

    WMNF rustic campground on the Kanc

    There are 2 Big Rock Campgrounds in NH and they are very different! This is not the resort campground convenient to ATV trails, but a rustic campground offering large, level, wooded sites along the Kancamagus Highway just 2 miles east of the Lincoln Woods Visitor Center. It's a great location for exploring the sites and beautiful vistas along the Kancamagus, easy access to Franconia Notch and Lincoln, NH. Lincoln also offers a grocery store, restaurants, stores selling outdoor gear, moose tours, and adventure tours (zip/climbing).

    Some of the sites are tent only, with parking separated from the tent pad/fire ring/picnic table. Others are large and level with ample space for RVs. You'll get some traffic noise, but there's less here than at places along 3 & 93.

    There are no reservations; all sites are first-come, first serve and it's open from mid-May to mid-October. Bring cash or a check to pay for your campsite. It's self-service with an iron ranger. Fee (2018) is $22, an extra $5 for a second car.

    Water is available. There are vault toilets and no showers. No cell phone service.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2019

    White Mountain National Forest Wildwood Campground

    quiet, large sites

    I reviewed this campground last fall after visiting on the final day of the season, but I just had a chance to sty here during a peak summer weekend and have a few additional insights. Fees are now up to $20/night, still a bargain, but it comes with only the most basic amenities, i.e. vault toilets, running water at faucets, picnic tables and fire rings. Although the campground description indicates that the sites are first-come, first-served, this has changed and many of them are available online in advance. I didn't realize this and when i arrived late Friday afternoon I had 5 or 6 campsites to choose from that could accommodate my small teardrop camper; if I were tent camping, I'd have had a couple more sites available to me. The tent only sites require a short walk from the parking area.

    When you arrive, each site will be labelled either Reserved or _Open. _ If it is Reserved, the dates it is reserved will be listed and they may not be contiguous. All the sites filled up Friday night. 

    I had site 24 which I liked. it was very large and level, with ample space for today's large tents. The water spigot was near the site next door. I could see my neighbors, but they didn't bother me. Every host site always seems to look messy with tarp-covered items and wood piles and site 24 will give you a view of the host site, but it's far enough away that you can ignore it. 

    If I were in a tent, I'd try for site 22. It's a walk-in site that includes 7-8 steps down, but it opens into a large open area and just a bit beyond there is a small brook, too.

    The campground is just a few miles west of I-93 and the town of Woodstock. If you want to hike Mooselauke or the Kinsmans, the Appalachian Trail crosses 112 nearby. Lost River Gorge is nearby as are numerous tourist attractions/activities in Woodstock and Lincoln. Take some time to explore Cascade Park in Woodstock if you want to cool off in the river and lounge on the rocks (park on the street or in the lot that is north of 112 just before the traffic light at Rte 3 in Woodstock). While you're there, pick up ice cream at Coneheads; choose among numerous hard serve ice cream made on site (downstairs) or dozens of soft-serve flavors.

    This side of 112 seems quieter than the stretch east of Lincoln. Noise level was quite low. Cell coverage is non-existent for several miles around here; you'll start to get a signal closer to Lost River Gorge in the direction of Woodstock.

  • Beau B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 14, 2018

    Russell Pond Campground

    Russell Pond Campground (Walk in)

    Walk in sites at Russel Pond are nice. spacious sites with fire pits and a picnic table. Potable water is close by along with a bear box. Bathrooms are clean and the showers are $2.50 for 5 minutes. Genuinely nice staff a close proximity to several nice hikes.

  • Kate K.
    Aug. 22, 2019

    Hancock Campground

    The White Mountains Stole My Heart!

    We had a last minute change of plans to our hiking trip due to a delay. We wouldn’t have the time to hike into our pre planned area before dark, so decided to set up shop here. This place was actually pretty great. Each site was pretty large and most of them had access to the river. Which had nice areas for swimming and wading. Each site had its own bear box and it was only a short hike down from the car. The park connected directly to some beautiful AT trails that we took advantage of the next day. It was also pretty cheap! $12 or $15 if I remember correctly. All self registration.

  • d
    Jun. 18, 2018

    Osceola Vista Campground

    great for group camping

    i stayed here for one night with a large group (maybe 40ish people) prior to setting out on our backpacking weekend.

    This is a great campground, very clean. toilets available, and dumpster for trash were very convenient. There was potable water available also, and picnic tables. parking was tricky for our large group, and we had a bit of trouble fitting in all of the cars, but if you have a smaller group it should be no problem.

    campground was very quiet, no real road noise or anything could be heard. ground was soft and grassy, although i would still recommend using a sleeping pad, was not as hard as some other campgrounds I have stayed at. had a nice big grassy area for the large group.

  • Rachel L.
    Oct. 11, 2023

    Quechee State Park Campground

    Best campground I’ve been to

    This will be my fourth time camping and this is by far the best one! For starters everyone is friendly. They have very clean bathrooms and showers (.50¢ per minute). Firewood and Ice for sale. Electric plug ins if needed (bathroom and beside of ice and firewood with benches) The tent sites are so spacious and clean. There’s a hiking trail beside of 37 and it’s steep going down and up but well worth it. It takes you out to the gorge and to the visitors center. I recommend eating at the snack bar! Their food is so good and the gift shop has so many options. MAKE SURE YOU RESERVE A TABLE at the public house because they don’t allow walk ins after a certain hour. If you’re looking for different places to eat, go to white river junction. Lots of options! Overall an amazing campground!!

  • Justin P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2022

    Baker Rocks

    Great location and amazing facilities

    I tent camped here while doing some fishing in the area.

    Baker Rocks had a host of different camping options onsite including tent platforms, yurts, and cabins. I booked one of the tent platforms.

    The site had a large tent platform they could fit multiple tents, a brand new picnic table, a fire ring (with a free bundle of firewood), two chairs by the fire ring, and even a few strings of solar lights around the camp area.

    The tent sites are within the wooded area around the property and felt very secluded. There was a bit of road noise overnight.

    The facilities here were great. There is a full bathhouse with individual rooms for showers and sink/toilets, with running water.

    Around the campground there was a little beach along the Baker river. I only caught a few minnows when fishing but that may have been more to do with the angler. Along another bend of the river were two chairs for taking in the scenery.

    Check-in was super easy with the camp hosts who were very flexible with timing and wanted to make sure I had a great stay. The property and individual sites are deliberately designed with guests in mind.

    I would definitely stay here again if I’m in the area and might try some of the glamping options as well.

  • 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.

  • Tara S.
    Sep. 7, 2018

    Hancock Campground

    Loved the Walk-In Tent Sites!

    Hancock Campground is one of 6 national forest campgrounds along the Kancamagus Highway. Campsites can't be reserved and the campground does fill up on the weekends. We were lucky to score a walk-in tent site on a Saturday in August, and while it did feel a bit like a tent city, we loved that there were no cars at the campsites. It made the tenting area feel more like a community. This is a busy campground, but lovely all the same.

    We got site #19, which was one of the last sites available. It had a picnic table, fire pit, and bear box. There were awesome waterfront sites nearby, but they were taken, of course. Cost was reasonable - $22 per night. Pit toilets were near the parking area, but there was a real bathroom with a sink and a flush toilet in the car camping area. There is also a fabulous swimming hole. Clear, cold and deep just off the car camping area.

    Hancock Campground is a five-minute drive from Lincoln, NH, and very close to awesome hiking trails in the White Mountain National Forest and Franconia Notch State Park.

Guide to White River Junction

The Appalachian Trail corridor surrounding White River Junction offers primitive backcountry camping options at elevations ranging from 800 to 2,200 feet. The terrain consists primarily of northern hardwood forests with maple, beech, and birch trees dominating the landscape. Seasonal conditions vary significantly, with summer temperatures averaging 65-80°F during peak hiking months, though nighttime temperatures can drop to the 40s even in July.

What to do

Swimming options: At Stony Brook Shelter, campers can access a small swimming area downstream from the campsite. According to Justin P., there's "a decent swimming hole (could just barely submerge myself) to clean off a bit" located just off-trail down Stony Brook.

Viewpoint hikes: For those willing to continue past Trapper John Shelter, Holt's Ledge offers scenic vistas. As one camper noted, "There was no view or other point of interest here, though a bit further up the trail there were good views at Holt's Ledge."

Fire tower climbs: Mount Cardigan provides a challenging but rewarding day hike accessible from nearby camping areas. Madison G. reports, "The climb is challenging but shouldn't take too long. Great fire tower views at the top too!"

What campers like

Shelter amenities: Happy Hill Shelter features a unique two-level design that improves comfort for overnight hikers. One camper explained: "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."

Tent site positioning: Moose Mountain Shelter stands out for its thoughtful design incorporating both shelter space and scenic resting areas. Justin P. noted 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."

Bear storage options: Unlike many AT shelters in Vermont, Stony Brook Shelter provides dedicated food storage for backcountry campers. "There was also a bear box here, which I hadn't seen at other shelters along the AT in Vermont," reports one hiker, making this location more suitable for multi-night stays.

What you should know

Water availability: Seasonal drought significantly impacts water sources at tent camping locations near White River Junction. At Trapper John Shelter, a recent visitor reported, "There is a water source in the area but it did not have water when I visited (probably on account of the drought)."

Site privacy: Tent camping areas offer varying degrees of seclusion between sites. Winturri Shelter provides "lots of tent camping spots as you worked up the hill perpendicular to the shelter" with spaces having "decent privacy."

Site levelness: Terrain quality varies significantly between locations. While Moose Mountain offers "large, flat tent sites," Thistle Hill Shelter reportedly has "smaller spots for tent camping that were somewhat sloped."

Tips for camping with families

Privy conditions: Newer, well-maintained facilities improve comfort for younger campers. At Stony Brook, "The privy looked brand new and was more spacious than most on the trail," while Moose Mountain's facility was described as "new and very spacious."

Space requirements: For families needing multiple tents, prioritize shelters with larger designated camping areas. Stony Brook Shelter offers "a few large tent areas where multiple tents could fit and which looked quite level."

Staff interactions: When camping at established sites rather than backcountry locations, staff support can enhance family experiences. At Cardigan Campsites, visitors report "Staff is very friendly," making the location more accessible for less experienced campers.

Tips from RVers

Limited options: Traditional RV camping is severely restricted near the AT corridor around White River Junction. The primitive nature of tent camping sites means RV access is virtually nonexistent. Velvet Rocks Shelter and similar locations are "100% long hike in with no guaranteed water and a basic privy."

Planning alternatives: Visitors with RVs should investigate established campgrounds further from the trail corridor. North Hartland Lake Beach offers some electric hookups but lacks other RV amenities like sewage disposal or water connections common at full-service campgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near White River Junction, VT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near White River Junction, VT is Winturri Backcountry Shelter on the AT in Vermont — Appalachian National Scenic Trail with a 4-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near White River Junction, VT?

TheDyrt.com has all 37 tent camping locations near White River Junction, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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