A photograph of a roaring campfire inside a ring of large stones in the woods

A Green Mountain Morning

A photograph of a blue mug of hot steaming coffee by a campfire
A cup of coffee waiting for you by the campfire

Imagine waking to the sound of birdsong. It’s early and not quite light out yet. Maybe it’s earlier than you would normally get up. You step through the opening of your tent or out the door and down the steps of your RV, stretch, and take in a deep breath of fresh forest air. The scent of pine needles and dew-kissed earth fills your lungs. 

You get a fire going and set your coffee next to it, tending the fire as the water comes to a boil. You enjoy your first cup as the sun crests over the mountaintops and spills its light down into the valley or out over the lake. Fingers of morning sunlight filter through the forest canopy above you. You savor this sunrise, drinking it in with your coffee. 

A photograph of a green tent on a raised platform in the woods near Indian Brook Reservoir in Essex, VT
Campsite near Indian Brook Reservoir, Essex, VT

After some time, you start preparing breakfast. Maybe you need to pack up and hike to the next shelter miles down the trail, so it’s a light bowl of granola. Or maybe you have a day on the lake planned, fishing from your kayak and lounging on the shore. So you prepare a hearty stack of pancakes with plenty of pure Vermont maple syrup. How you spend your day is up to you. You’ve “unplugged,” trading the hustle and bustle for the peace and tranquility of the Green Mountains.   

 This is just a glimpse of what awaits you when you go camping in Vermont. Whatever your preference, from tents, cabins, and campsites with hookups for RVs and well-maintained facilities, to shelters and lean-tos for experienced hikers and backpackers along our extensive network of trails, we have accessible accommodations for all ages. Some of our campsites are even open year-round, offering insulated or heated cabins, which you can reach by hiking, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing, so you can camp in the fall and winter months.  

The Path Less Traveled

In nature, like on a hiking trail, there exist two paths: the one we’ve already traveled and the one we’ve yet to travel. These paths connect us to our past, and to our ancestors who lived and spent far more of their time outdoors. Looking forward we can also gain insight into who we are and where we’re going in the future. Spending time in nature helps us forge deep bonds and strengthen those that already exist, whether they’re with ourselves, our friends and family, or the world around us.

There’s something magical about stepping out onto a sweeping vista after hiking for miles. Witnessing the natural splendor of our world can be a powerful, overwhelming, and awe-inspiring experience. It’s profound and humbling, not unlike a spiritual experience. When we stay indoors and close ourselves off from nature, we miss out on these experiences

A photograph of a sign marking one of the Long Trail/Appalachian Trail intersections
A sign marking one of the Long Trail/Appalachian Trail intersections

For the Experienced Hiker

There are over 1,000 trails crisscrossing their way through our beautiful state. They range from short scenic walks to more intense routes that can take up to a month to complete. We also have great trail running, mountain biking, rock climbing, and mountaineering spots. 

The longest trail in Vermont is the aptly-named Long Trail, which traverses the state lengthwise for 272 miles from start to finish. To put that in perspective, Vermont is only a little over 157 miles long from its southernmost tip to its northern border. Vermont’s Long Trail is the oldest long-distance trail in the United States. It offers almost six dozen overnight campsites and takes an average backpacker about 20-30 days to complete.

With many trailheads across the state, It’s also great for casual day hikers. At Vermont’s Massachusetts border, the Long Trail intersects with the Appalachian Trail, the longest trail in the Northeastern United States. The two trails run together for 100 miles until splitting apart; the Appalachian Trail continues on another 50 miles before heading across Vermont’s New Hampshire border. Hiking Vermont offers a unique way to experience the state’s natural beauty and allows hikers to see places you can’t access any other way.

 For Those New to Camping

A photograph of a camper trailer at a campsite in the woods
A travel trailer camper at a campsite

We know camping isn’t for everyone. If the idea of “roughing it,” and sleeping outside on the ground doesn’t appeal to you, or you need more accessible accommodations but still want to enjoy all that nature has to offer, there are plenty of campsites with private cabins. You can also rent an RV or camper and take your “cabin” with you as you explore our beautiful state. And when you aren’t camping, Vermont has some beautiful inns.  

If you decide you want to go tent camping or backpacking, we recommend renting the gear you need so you can try it before spending your money on an activity you might discover you don’t enjoy. We also encourage going with an experienced  friend or family member who can show you the ropes and share the joy camping brings them. If you are going it alone, you might try a  hiking club or group backpacking trip led by experienced guides. What matters most is your comfort level, though you might be surprised how much you enjoy hiking and camping when you step out of your comfort zone. However you choose to explore Vermont, we have an abundance of gorgeous places to stay. We’ll see you around the campfire—don’t forget the marshmallows!

A photograph of marshmallows on sticks being roasted over a campfire
Roasting marshmallows over a campfire

Some of Vermont’s Campsites:

RV and Camper Campsites:

Horseshoe Acres Campground, Andover, VT – 4.1 miles from our Weston, VT store

Dorset RV Park, Dorset, VT – 23 miles from our Weston, VT store

West River Camperama, Townshend, VT – 25 miles from our Weston, VT store

Emerald Lake State Park, East Dorset, VT – 27 miles from our Weston, VT store

Camping on the Battenkill, Arlington, VT – 29 miles from our Weston, VT store

Tent Campsites:

Jamaica State Park, Jamaica, VT – 17 miles from our Weston, VT store

Coolidge State Park, Plymouth, VT – 24 miles from our Weston, VT store

Mount Ascutney State Park, Windsor, VT – 32 miles from our Weston, VT store

Quechee State Park, Hartford, VT – 44 miles from our Weston, VT and Rockingham, VT stores

Half Moon Pond State Park, Fair Haven, VT – 49 miles from our Weston, VT store

Hike-In Campsites:

The Long Trail, Manchester Center, VT – 20 miles from our Weston, VT store

The Appalachian Trail, Manchester Center, VT – 20 miles from our Weston, VT store

Glastenbury Mountain, Glastenbury, VT – 59 miles from our Weston, VT store

Camel’s Hump State Park, Duxbury, VT – 106 miles from our Weston, VT store

Underhill State Park, Underhill, VT – 108 miles from our Weston, VT store

When you go camping in Vermont, please remember to obey all state park and forest laws and regulations, stay on trails, pack your trash, practice leave-no-trace ethics, and only camp in designated areas. Take precautions against ticks, be bear aware, and always let someone know where you’ll be, for how long, and when you are planning to return.