Discover the Best Tent Camping in Vermont

1. Free and Super Cheap Camping in the Pacific Northwest

While not exclusively focused on Vermont, this guide offered some surprisingly relevant insights for budget-conscious campers. We found the sections on dispersed camping and understanding local regulations particularly useful, even if the primary focus was on a different region. The advice on packing light and maximizing free resources is universally applicable.

However, the book’s biggest drawback is its broad scope. The information pertaining to New England, and specifically Vermont, felt somewhat diluted, like trying to find a needle in a haystack. We had to really dig to extract the few pertinent details that might help someone planning a trip to the Green Mountain State.

This guide is best suited for the truly adventurous who are comfortable with minimal planning and a lot of on-the-ground research. If you’re looking for a curated list of specific Vermont campgrounds with detailed amenities, you’ll likely be disappointed.

2. Best Tent Camping: Northern California

This guide, unfortunately, offers very little value for anyone specifically seeking the best tent camping in Vermont. Its focus on Northern California is absolute, and there’s no crossover information that could be applied to the distinct camping landscape of New England. We flipped through it hoping for even a tangential mention, but found none.

The detailed descriptions of coastal campgrounds and the advice on navigating traffic in popular California areas are well-written, but entirely irrelevant to our needs. The book feels like a well-produced guide for a different part of the country, and its title clearly indicates its geographic limitation.

We would strongly advise anyone interested in Vermont camping to skip this title entirely. It’s a solid resource for its intended audience, but it simply doesn’t address the topic at hand in any meaningful way.

3. Best Tent Camping: New England

This book proved to be a valuable resource for understanding the best tent camping in Vermont. We appreciated the dedicated sections covering individual New England states, which allowed us to hone in on Vermont’s diverse camping opportunities. The descriptions of state parks and their amenities were detailed, offering a good sense of what to expect regarding tent sites and surrounding natural beauty.

One minor annoyance we encountered was the organization within the Vermont section; sometimes the campground descriptions felt a little repetitive in their praise. However, the inclusion of practical advice on booking windows and seasonal considerations was incredibly helpful. We especially liked the visual cues for car camping accessibility, which is crucial for many tent campers.

A real-life usage scenario for this book would be planning a multi-state New England road trip where Vermont is a key destination. For instance, a family looking for accessible tent sites near hiking trails in the Green Mountains would find this guide invaluable for comparing options like Smugglers’ Notch State Park or Gifford Woods State Park.

This guide is not for the ultralight backpacker looking for remote wilderness sites. It’s geared towards car campers who value convenience and established facilities, making it ideal for families or those new to camping in the region.

4. Where Should We Camp Next?

While this guide covers a vast array of camping locations across the US, its Vermont coverage felt somewhat superficial for our needs. We found a few scattered mentions of Vermont campgrounds, but lacked the in-depth detail we were hoping for to truly compare options. The book excels at providing a broad overview of different camping styles and regions.

The concept of the book is engaging, prompting readers to consider various factors in their camping decisions. However, when we tried to specifically pinpoint the best tent camping in Vermont, the information felt too generalized. The descriptions lacked the sensory details we look for, such as the feel of the ground or the sounds of the surrounding forest.

This guide is best for someone who wants a general inspiration for their next camping trip and is willing to do further research on specific locations. If you’re looking for detailed, actionable advice on Vermont campgrounds, you might find this title leaves you wanting more.

5. Vermont Bucket List: 100 Best Places to Visit

This resource offers a delightful glimpse into Vermont’s attractions, and while not solely a camping guide, it does highlight several locations that are excellent for tent camping. We appreciated how it wove natural beauty with points of interest, suggesting some picturesque spots that would make for memorable camping experiences. The descriptions evoke a strong sense of place.

Our primary critique is that the camping details are secondary to the broader list of attractions. We had to infer much about the camping suitability from the descriptions of surrounding areas. For example, a mention of a scenic lake might imply good camping, but without explicit details on amenities or site availability, it’s a guess.

This book is ideal for a traveler who wants to combine sightseeing with camping in Vermont. If your priority is finding the absolute best tent camping spots with detailed logistical information, this might not be your primary resource. However, for discovering beautiful areas that happen to offer camping, it’s a charming read.

6. Canoe Camping Vermont and New Hampshire Rivers

As a seasoned paddler, I approached this guide with a critical eye, always looking for practical advice that goes beyond the obvious. The descriptions of the waterways are generally good, offering a decent overview of what to expect. I did find the maps themselves to be a bit dated in their cartography, which made navigating some of the smaller tributaries a little less precise than I would have liked.

The section on gear recommendations is helpful, though it could have delved deeper into the nuances of selecting specific items for extended trips. We tested a few of the suggested campsites, and while they were serviceable, some lacked the secluded feel I personally seek for a truly immersive experience. The advice on river hazards is solid, but I wish there were more real-world anecdotes to illustrate the dangers.

This guide is certainly not for the beginner kayaker or someone looking for a quick weekend paddle. It demands a commitment to planning and a certain level of self-sufficiency. If you’re expecting detailed portage instructions for every single obstacle, you might be disappointed. It’s more of a broad strokes approach to river exploration.

7. 50 States, 500 Campgrounds

When I first picked up this book, I was hoping for a comprehensive look at the best tent camping in Vermont, and this guide offers a broad sweep across the nation. The sheer volume of campgrounds is impressive, and the inclusion of “when to go” advice is a smart touch for seasonal planning. However, for Vermonter aficionados, the Vermont section felt a bit thin, relying on more well-known spots without exploring some of the hidden gems I’ve discovered through years of camping.

We found the descriptions of the campgrounds to be generally accurate, though the photos sometimes seemed a little too polished, not quite capturing the reality of a busy campground on a summer weekend. The “where to go” aspect is strong, but the “why to go” could be more compelling; I missed the personal anecdotes that truly sell a destination. The formatting of the book is clean, but I noticed the paper quality felt a bit flimsy, not something I’d want to haul into the backcountry repeatedly.

This book is ideal for the road-tripper who wants a wide variety of options across the country and doesn’t have a specific state in mind. However, if you’re looking for an in-depth, curated list of the absolute best tent camping in Vermont with detailed descriptions and local insights, you’ll likely find this too generalized. Skip this if you’re a Vermonter seeking to explore obscure, lesser-known state parks or national forests.

8. Explorer’s Guide Vermont

As a long-time admirer of Vermont’s natural beauty, I was eager to delve into this guide. The coverage of outdoor activities is extensive, and I appreciated the detailed descriptions of hiking trails and scenic drives. The information on historical sites is also a nice bonus for those who enjoy a bit of culture alongside their adventures. However, I did find the section on camping to be somewhat superficial, lacking the granular detail I often seek when planning a multi-day trip.

We tried following a few of the suggested itineraries, and while they led us to some lovely places, the driving times were sometimes understated, making for longer days than anticipated. The photography throughout the book is beautiful, but the print quality was a touch inconsistent, with some images appearing slightly pixelated. The advice on local cuisine is a definite plus, offering a taste of the Green Mountain State beyond its landscapes.

This guide is best suited for the casual tourist who wants a broad overview of what Vermont has to offer, from its charming towns to its accessible natural attractions. It’s not designed for the hardcore adventurer who needs detailed backcountry route planning or specific campsite reviews. If you are looking for intricate details on the best tent camping in Vermont, including specific site features and accessibility, you might want to supplement this with more specialized resources.

9. The Best in Tent Camping: The Carolinas

While my focus is often on the northern reaches, I always keep an eye out for well-crafted camping guides, and this one from the Carolinas has some transferable lessons. The emphasis on finding truly natural camping experiences, away from the typical RV parks, is commendable. I noted that the criteria used to select these campsites could be applied to other regions, though the specific details are, of course, regional. The writing style is engaging, painting a vivid picture of the environments.

We did find that the descriptions of the amenities at some of the more primitive sites were a bit vague. While the goal is rustic, a clearer understanding of water sources or privy availability would have been beneficial. The maps provided are useful for general orientation, but I felt they could have been more detailed for navigating access roads, which can be notoriously rough in some areas. It’s a good starting point for understanding what makes a site truly ‘best.’

This book is perfect for someone specifically looking for primitive tent camping experiences in the Carolinas and who appreciates a more natural setting. However, it’s definitely not for the camper who requires full hookups, extensive facilities, or paved roads to their campsite. Anyone expecting detailed guides for the best tent camping in Vermont should look elsewhere; this is strictly Carolinas-focused.

10. Vermont Recreation Map

As someone who relies on accurate maps for my outdoor pursuits, I put this Vermont Recreation Map through its paces. The sheer scale of information packed onto this map is impressive, detailing everything from hiking trails and ski areas to fishing access points and historic sites. I particularly appreciated the clear labeling of state forests and wildlife management areas, which often hold the best quiet spots. However, the folding mechanism, while compact, felt a bit prone to tearing along the creases after repeated use.

We used this map extensively during a recent trip exploring lesser-known trails in central Vermont. The topographic detail is good enough for basic route planning, and the inclusion of trail difficulty ratings is a helpful addition. My only minor quibble is that some of the smaller access roads, particularly those leading to more remote trailheads, were not as clearly delineated as I would have liked. The material itself is fairly durable, but I wouldn’t want to subject it to a prolonged downpour without protection.

This map is an excellent resource for anyone planning to explore Vermont’s vast recreational opportunities, whether you’re a hiker, angler, or just looking for a scenic drive. It’s particularly useful for identifying potential spots for the best tent camping in Vermont that aren’t necessarily designated campgrounds. However, it is not for the digital-only camper; if you absolutely refuse to carry a paper map, this isn’t for you. Also, those needing extreme precision for technical climbing routes might find it lacking in minute detail.