It goes without saying that camping in winter is a much different experience than camping in summer.
While the winter cold means no bugs (yay!), being able to camp in freezing temperatures and deep snow requires an extra level of hardiness and skill. But the experience of camping in the quiet, snowy winter woods is definitely worth it.
If a winter camping trip is on your bucket list this year, many Vermont State Parks are currently open for winter camping.
Offseason camping is available at more than 30 Vermont parks from November 1 to March 30. Access in winter is free of charge, but you will need to get an offseason camping permit, which you can do here.
But camping in the winter means certain challenges when it comes to access and amenities.
Vermont’s offseason campsites can’t be accessed with vehicles or RVs; they are hike-in only. And services and facilities such as water supply and restrooms are closed or off for the season.
Campers are required to follow Leave No Trace principles, including “pack it in, pack it out.” This means pack out everything — even human waste.
Campers should also have a plan for dealing with snow. Vermont State Parks officials said plowing arrangements vary by location and campers should be prepared to dig themselves out in the event of inclement weather.
The maximum winter camping stay is three consecutive nights.
The following is a list of Vermont parks offering offseason camping. For more information, call Vermont State Parks at 802-289-0603 or visit the parks’ camping website.
Vermont State Parks offering off-season camping:
Northwest: Burton Island, Grand Isle, Knight Island, Lake Carmi, Underhill, and Woods Island. For more information, call 802-461-9652
Northeast: Big Deer, Brighton, Elmore, Green River Reservoir, Kettle Pond, Little River, Maidstone, Molly’s Falls Pond , New Discovery, Ricker Pond, Smugglers’ Notch, Stillwater, Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites. For more information, call 802-476-0171
Southwest: Bomoseen, Branbury, Button Bay, Emerald Lake, Lake Shaftsbury, Lake St. Catherine, Mt. Philo, and Woodford. For more information, call 802-786-0060
Southeast: Camp Plymouth, Coolidge, Fort Dummer, Jamaica, Molly Stark, Mt. Ascutney, Quechee, Silver Lake, and Wilgus. For more information, call 802-289-0603
