The Best Campsites for Vermont Survival Preppers: Top 30 Hidden Gems to Know

As a Vermont survival prepper, it’s essential to have a keen eye for locations that not only provide peace and solitude but also offer a wealth of resources for self-sufficiency. Whether you’re planning for an extended off-grid stay or just want to get away from it all, Vermont has some of the best campsites that offer everything from dense forests and flowing rivers to mountains that promise strategic vantage points. These sites are perfect for preppers who want to practice essential skills like fire starting, water purification, trapping, and navigation, all while keeping an eye on their preparedness plans.

Vermont is a state that’s ripe for prepping, with its rugged terrain and abundance of natural resources. The state offers an ideal blend of beautiful landscapes, safety, and isolation. If you’re ready to tap into Vermont’s survival potential, here are 30 of the best campsites for preppers, along with some key tips on why these sites should be your go-to for both training and relaxation.

1. Green Mountain National Forest

Let’s start with the crown jewel of Vermont’s outdoor experience. Green Mountain National Forest stretches across a vast area, filled with dense woods, hidden trails, and pristine lakes. Perfect for bugging out, it’s one of the best locations to practice wilderness survival skills. The area has countless campsites, ranging from established to primitive sites, where you can practice everything from bushcraft to long-term camping strategies.

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2. Smuggler’s Notch State Park

This one is perfect for learning about terrain navigation and survival in mountainous regions. Smuggler’s Notch is known for its steep cliffs and dense forest, making it a challenge for anyone who wants to test their skills in tough conditions. The park has a number of campgrounds that cater to preppers looking to escape and practice their off-grid living techniques.

3. Mount Mansfield State Forest

For those wanting a higher elevation experience, Mount Mansfield offers breathtaking views and tough terrain. It’s Vermont’s highest peak, so it’s a prime spot for honing navigation and shelter-building skills while you take in the incredible vistas.

4. Lake Willoughby

This hidden gem in the Northeast Kingdom provides some of the clearest water in the state, making it perfect for fishing, water purification training, and even just enjoying some fresh water in the wild. The surrounding forests and hiking trails offer ample opportunities to learn primitive skills, and the area is isolated enough for a peaceful retreat.

5. Silver Lake State Park

Silver Lake offers opportunities for water-based survival skills. From fishing and boating to learning how to purify water, you’ll find plenty of natural resources here. Plus, the surrounding woods are home to an array of edible plants and wildlife to practice foraging.

6. Camel’s Hump State Park

A prime spot for a rugged, survivalist experience, Camel’s Hump State Park offers rugged, rocky terrain and thick woods. You can practice tracking, shelter-building, and identifying edible plants and animals. It’s also great for honing your ability to move stealthily through the wilderness.

7. Lake Champlain Islands

Situated along Vermont’s border with New York, the Lake Champlain Islands offer access to both water and land resources. Perfect for preppers who want to practice fishing, trapping, and wilderness navigation, this area is an ideal spot for a long-term survival test.

8. Elmore State Park

A peaceful and quiet location, Elmore State Park offers an opportunity for preppers to practice stealth camping. The wooded areas and lake offer various ways to learn about living off the land, and its isolation ensures a less crowded environment for prepper-style camping.

9. Underhill State Park

Underhill is one of the more rugged parks in Vermont. This park is perfect for climbing, survival skills training, and tactical movements. Its mountainous terrain and dense forest make it an excellent location to practice bushcraft and self-sufficiency.

10. The Long Trail

Stretching from Massachusetts to Canada, the Long Trail is a famed hiking route, but it also offers plenty of remote areas to practice wilderness survival. With primitive campsites scattered along the way, it’s ideal for those looking to hone their skills in a more isolated environment.

11. Moscow Woods

Moscow Woods offers a more isolated experience for those wanting to learn skills like hunting, foraging, and building shelters. The dense forest provides cover, and its proximity to the Lamoille River means water access is easily within reach.

12. Gifford Woods State Park

Gifford Woods is a great place for preppers to get back to basics. The park is dense with trees and wildlife, offering plenty of foraging and hunting opportunities. It’s also a great spot for practicing shelter-building and learning how to make use of the natural resources around you.

13. State Forests Near Brandon

Brandon’s state forests are rich in flora and fauna, making it an ideal environment for preppers who want to practice gathering wild food. It also has streams and ponds that offer water purification opportunities.

14. Niquette Bay State Park

This park offers easy access to Lake Champlain and is perfect for preppers who want to practice water-based survival tactics. It also offers plenty of land resources, such as berries and game, and is close to Burlington for any supplies you may need.

15. Big Basin Campground

Located in the heart of Vermont, Big Basin Campground offers a secluded environment perfect for learning all the aspects of wilderness living, from fire-starting techniques to food preservation. It’s ideal for those wishing to train with minimal distractions.

16. Quechee State Park

Situated along the Ottauquechee River, Quechee offers a more tranquil camping experience. It’s a fantastic place for practicing navigation and finding shelter in a mixed forest and riverine landscape. The proximity to water makes it an ideal location for testing your water purification and fishing skills.

17. Brighton State Park

Brighton’s remote location in the Northeast Kingdom provides ample space for camping and practicing wilderness survival. It’s an excellent spot for fishing, wildlife tracking, and learning how to forage for wild food in Vermont’s northern woods.

18. Woodford State Park

Located near the Green Mountains, this park offers opportunities for both water and woodland survival techniques. Its remote location makes it great for secluded training, and it’s known for its wildlife, including deer and wild turkey.

19. Lye Brook Falls Wilderness Area

For the more advanced prepper, Lye Brook Falls offers challenging terrain, waterfalls, and a variety of wildlife. It’s perfect for survivalists looking for tough conditions to train in and develop a variety of outdoor skills.

20. North Beach Campground

Located near Burlington, North Beach offers a unique blend of lakefront camping and wooded areas. This is a great place for water survivalists looking to practice kayaking or canoeing in Vermont’s waterways.

21. Kettle Pond State Park

This park offers a mix of woodland and water-based survival opportunities, including fishing, water purification, and boat-building. It’s a peaceful and secluded place to practice these skills without interference.

22. Harriman Reservoir

Harriman Reservoir offers a fantastic location for preppers who want to combine survival skills with water-based activities. It’s remote enough to provide the necessary privacy for long-term camping and practicing your wilderness survival skills.

23. Woods Hill State Forest

For those looking for complete isolation, Woods Hill State Forest offers a rare opportunity to practice being completely off-grid. The forest is dense with vegetation, and its steep terrain offers unique challenges for preppers to overcome.

24. Moose Bog

Moose Bog offers a unique combination of marshland and forest, providing a variety of skills for the survivalist to learn, from navigating wetlands to building natural shelters. It’s also a good spot for tracking and observing wildlife.

25. New Discovery State Park

Known for its pristine forests and proximity to nearby mountain ranges, New Discovery offers many opportunities for backwoods survival training. The park’s isolation makes it an ideal spot for preppers to test their skills in true wilderness conditions.

26. Pine Hill Park

This park is located near Middlebury and offers both wooded areas and access to the Otter Creek, a great resource for preppers to practice water purification and fishing techniques.

27. Mount Philo State Park

With its panoramic views and wooded terrain, Mount Philo offers an ideal spot for learning shelter-building, fire-making, and map reading. It’s a perfect training ground for beginners and experienced preppers alike.

28. Warren Falls

Known for its scenic beauty, Warren Falls is a great place to practice water-based survival skills. The falls are surrounded by dense woods, providing an opportunity for stealthy camping and survival skill practice.

29. Bolton Valley Resort

For the more adventurous prepper, Bolton Valley Resort provides a great mixture of alpine terrain and deep woods, perfect for building winter survival skills. It’s a great place to practice shelter-building in harsh conditions.

30. Stowe Mountain Resort

Not only is it a popular tourist destination, but Stowe offers incredible opportunities for those looking to practice winter survival techniques. Its mountainous environment is ideal for testing cold-weather gear and practicing emergency winter survival tactics.

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Conclusion:

Vermont is home to countless beautiful and remote campsites that cater to preppers looking to practice their survival skills. Whether you’re focused on water purification, shelter building, hunting, or foraging, these locations offer unparalleled opportunities for both beginners and seasoned survivalists alike.

By choosing the right spot, you can sharpen your skills, learn new techniques, and immerse yourself in the wild. Remember, always prioritize safety, carry the right equipment, and respect the environment while you prepare for the challenges ahead.