Remote Camping at Green River Reservoir State Park

Hidden in Vermont’s northern woods, Green River Reservoir is located just north of Morrisville. Green River is only minutes from town, yet is our most secluded park.  This 653-acre Reservoir includes about 19 miles of shoreline, one of the longest stretches of undeveloped shorelines in Vermont.  The 28 campsites scattered along its banks disappear in the abundant undergrowth.  These sites can only be reached by paddling; some of them are more than a mile from the boat launch.  All campsites have limited facilities including a fire ring with a cooking grate and an outhouse nearby.  Carry-in/carry-out and Leave No Trace camping is the rule of the road here.  Even on “crowded” holiday weekends, the lake and shoreline seem to “gobble up” boats and visitors, making for a serene paddling experience at most any time of year.  However, once the parking lot is full, no further visitors are permitted into the park.  Reservations are accepted beginning May 1st of each year by calling the park directly at 802-888-1349. Groups consisting of 8 people or more must apply for a special permit.  Firewood is available at the park’s contact station.  In order to maintain the special personality of this park, groups of 8 people or more can only camp with special permit, park staff limits the number of visitors, and rotates open sites each season. 

Remote Camping at Kettle Pond

Tucked away in the Groton State Forest, Kettle Pond State Park is an interesting mix of group and remote camping.  On the southern end of the lake is a group camping area consisting of five clusters of five lean-to’s (25 total) along with composting toilets and a play area.  This location is perfect for scout and school  groups or just of bunch of families who want to camp together.  Across the lake are five remote lean-to’s and one remote tent site.  The only way to these sites is by paddling or hiking in.  Paddlers must portage from the parking area approximately a quarter mile on a trail to reach the put-in at water’s edge.   Since the group area is not frequently used, and the quarter mile portage discourages casual paddlers, it is not unusual to find yourself alone on Kettle Pond; just you and the loons, gorgeous views and quiet woods.  If you’d rather hike into your lean-to a 3-mile trail surrounds the pond and offers campers and hikers a relaxing stroll with numerous excursions to the water. This 104-acre pond is home to an array of fish including rainbow trout, yellow perch and small mouth bass, so make sure to bring along your fishing pole.   Reservations can be made up to eleven months in advance by calling the Vermont State Parks central reservation line at 1-888-409-7579 Monday – Friday 9 am – 4 pm.

Remote Camping at Osmore Pond

Accessible through New Discovery State Park, in Groton Forest, Osmore Pond, is a 48-acre undeveloped, no motors permitted pond.  The pond is off in a quiet corner of New Discovery State Park.  Back in the 1930’s the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) built a stone and log picnic pavilion along the shore as well as several charming and secluded “picnic bowers”, each with their own stone fireplaces built in the same era.   On the opposite side of the pond there are 4 remote lean-to sites, each with a fireplace and picnic table. They are accessible by hiking or boating, and for those without a boat, rowboats or canoes are available by the hour or with a “boat to a remote” package deal.  Since the pond is a little off the beaten track the experience is serene yet accessible enough to make a great first remote camping experience, especially for families with children.  Hiking trails through Groton Forest are right outside your “door”, and include trails to Big Deer, Little Deer, Hosmore Brook and Coldwater Brook.  Access to the other Groton Forest for no extra charge comes with your stay.

Remote Camping at Woods Island

Accessible only by boat and located 2 ½ miles from the launch at Kill Kare State Park, Woods Island is located in St. Albans Bay in the northern reaches of Lake Champlain.  A mile long by a quarter-mile wide, 125-acre Woods Island is provides unique habitat for a rich variety of plant life including many species that are rare or threatened in Vermont.  This isolated island was once intended to be a corporate retreat location and the remnants of an abandoned air-strip can still be seen on the quarter mile long trail which bisects the park.  The island’s five campsites are situated approximately equidistant around the two-mile shoreline, and are connected by a trail system.  There are no docks, so you’ll have to either beach your boat or anchor off. The beach tends to be fairly rocky, except for a point along the east shore, from which the walk to campsites is between one quarter and three quarters of a mile.  This gives you great privacy, but it also means you’re going to have to walk and carry your own gear from wherever you come ashore.  You shouldn’t bring anything you’re not prepared to carry in and carry out.  Sanitary facilities are minimal, and there is no potable water supply. Each campsite does have a picnic bench, fire ring and nearby privy.  The reward is a private island getaway in Lake Champlain with great swimming, fishing, boating and unparalleled sunsets.

Remote Camping at Knight Island

Another remote camping option in Lake Champlain is Knight Island.  This 185-acre island is a mile long and nearly a half mile wide.  The park includes all but 10+ acres of private land on the island’s southern tip.  When on Knight Island, please respect the rights of the park neighbor and keep off the southern end.  Knight Island can be accessed by a demanding eight-mile, open water paddle from North Hero State Park, or a six-mile open water crossing from Kill Kare State Park.  Alternatively, Knight Island can be reached by ferry with prior reservations by calling Burton Island State Park at 802-524-6353.  The island’s seven campsites, six of them with rustic log lean-tos, are situated approximately equidistant around the 2 ½- mile shoreline, and are connected by a trail system.  If you arrive by ferry, it’s anywhere from 1/3 of mile to a mile to the campsite from the dock at the ranger’s residence.  Sanitary facilities are minimal, and there is no potable water supply. Each campsite does have a picnic bench, fire ring and nearby privy.