Campsites

The following is a list of campsites along the Connecticut River. Click on the name of the access point to learn more. While some require reservations, most are first-come, first serve . Campsite registration is encouraged for for these sites, to help others plan their trip.

Name	River Mile	Site Steward	Description
Stevenson Campsite		Vermont River Conservancy	Located on a shady river terrace on the New Hampshire side of the river, across from the north end of Stevens Island.
Wilgus State Park Campground		Vermont Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation	Just past the mouth of the Sugar River (NH) Beautiful and popular campsite
Selden Neck - Springledge Campsite		Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection	A popular and scenic campsite for boaters; reservations required.
Deer Mountain Campground		State of New Hampshire	Drive-in access from Route 3. Just south of the Canadian border, this 25-site primitive campground is located in Connecticut Lakes State Forest.
Fiddlehead Island		Vermont River Conservancy	A large but often overgrown campsite located on the third wooded island in reach between McIndoe Falls and Dodge Falls. Rope swing!
SCA Campsite		Student Conservation Association	Two miles below Hubbard Island. This site was built and formerly used by the Student Conservation Association. Access to the site is up a steep trail with timber steps. The site sits in an area with hemlocks overlooking the river and adjacent to a field. It includes three tent platforms, a composting toilet, and a small network of trails. Fires are not permitted - stoves only. Public access is permitted via the river only. Please stay within campsite boundaries.
Selden Neck State Park: Quarry Knob Campsite		Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection	Primitive campsite nestled beneath a scenic rock outcrop. Popular with boaters.��_��__Reservations required.
Lake Francis State Park		State of New Hampshire	Drive-in access from Route 3. In the Great North Woods this lakefront park offers 45 sites for tent camping as well as some two-way hookups. The park offers excellent base for fishing, wildlife viewing and kayaking.
Stephan's Island		Vermont River Conservancy	Peaceful island with sandy beach, towering pines, and rocky knoll
Lower Meadow Campsite		Great River Hydro	Designed for one-night stays by nonmotorized boaters with tent platforms and good swimming.
Chapman Pond Preserve Campsite		Appalachian Mountain Club	Maintained by the Appalachian Mountain Club, working in partnership with The Nature Conservancy. The campsite is a short paddle down from the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Connecticut. It features two tent platforms, which can accommodate up to 10 - 12 people or 4 tents. The campsite has a privy but not potable water. It is available to non-motorized boats and is paddle access only from the river, there is no land access. The campsite is first come first, first serve.
Hubbard Island		Upper Valley Land Trust	Forested campsite on an island gifted in 2000 by the family of Robert Zuckert to the Upper Valley Land Trust. Access is from the south end of the island. Suggested donation of $10 per tent per night
Holbrook Point		Vermont River Conservancy	Holbrook Point is situated under a canopy of silver maples on the edge of a floodplain forest, at a bend in the river, about 1.3 miles south of the Colebrook Bridge.
Dodge Falls Campsite			Small campsite at the portage of Ryegate Dam, about .5 miles north of Dodge Falls. Small shelter. Portable toilet near dam.
Cobb Brook (formerly Westminster Campsite)		Vermont River Conservancy	Small campsite at mouth of Cobb Brook, beneath a stand of silver maples.
Horse Meadow		Thetford Academy	One of the first campsites established on the Upper Connecticut River, and recently re-established with the help of the Thetford Academy. Access is via a set of removable stairs situated just past the southern tip of the adjacent island. (Note: this campsite is not on the 1st or 2nd Editions of the Paddlers' Trail map)
Columbia Meadows		Columbia Conservation Commission	Quiet campsite on edge of field. Picnic table and mouldering privy. Suitable for larger groups; please concentrate tents on the northern end of the meadow, to prevent damage to hay crops.
Howard Island North		Upper Valley Land Trust	About 2 miles below the Woodsville Bridge. The northern campsite is located at the northeast end of this island with access on a moderately-sloped cobblestone bank. The southern campsite is at the southwestern corner of the island. Suggested donation of $10 per tent per night
Windyhurst Campsite		Vermont River Conservancy	A primitive campsite open to the public, only for nonmotorized boats.
Capon Brook		Vermont Fish and Wildlife, Vermont River Conservancy	Located at mouth of Capon Brook on the Johnson Farm Wildlife Management Area.
William Schomburg Memorial Recreational Area at Lyman Falls		Columbia Conservation Commission	A campsite has been developed for paddlers' on an island immediately across the river from Lyman Falls State Park and just upstream of the breached dam at Lyman Falls. Land on the south-west side of the island, adjacent to the breached dam, and follow path to a large clearing with picnic table and fire ring. A box privy is located 100' up a path to the north. This site was revitalized in 2018, during a workday in honor of William Schomburg, a long-time Columbia resident who helped conserve this land.
Harkdale Farm Campsite		Upper Valley Land Trust	Access on Vermont side at second large oxbow downstream of Howard Island, across from high eroding sand bank that meets small brook with fallen trees.Suggested donation of $10 per tent per night
Wantastiquet Campsite		Great River Hydro	Primitive campsite that accomodates small groups of canoeists and kayakers.
Holyoke Rows Campsite		Appalachian Mountain Club	Located at the Holyoke Rows community rowing facility. Campers may set up tents on the lawn in front of the building. Building has bathrooms that can be used by campers. Chairs and picnic tables are located at the facility. No fires. https://holyokerows.org/
Lyman Falls State Park		Vermont Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation	Several campsites below breached dam. River and foot access only. Suitable for large groups.
Vaughan Meadow Campsite		Upper Valley Land Trust	Located on the Vermont side one mile below the old Bedell Bridge abutment. Located on a wooded bank after the river turns from SE to S, a few hundred yards north of the Bradford line.Suggested donation of $10 per tent per night
Stebbins Island Campsite		Great River Hydro	Spacious and primitive campsite on island located 0.8 mile downstream of Vernon Dam. Best landing is on river right.
Belknap Campsite		Northern Forest Canoe Trail	Small campsite, accessible by paddling or lining a boat slightly upstream on the Nulhegan River, just past the Rt 102 bridge. Foot access possible on a short trail behind a Northern Forest Canoe Trail kiosk off Route 102. Campsite situated on the river's north shore.
Bugbee Landing Campsite		Bradford Parks & Recreation Commission	The school allows camping in a mowed area adjacent to the boat launch. Paddlers planning to use the site are encouraged to contact the Bradford Conservation Commission in advance, so they can notify the town police that campers are using the site. Contact info: parks-recreation@bradford-vt.us 802-222-4727 ext. 210.
Munn's Ferry Campsite		FirstLight Power Resources	Small camping area for boaters and canoeists only. Tent sites are $22/night and the Adirondack shelter is $30/night.
Maine Central Railroad Trestle		Northern Forest Canoe Trail	Peaceful campsite maintained by the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, conserved by the Vermont River Conservancy through the efforts of Bruce and Mary Sloat. The site is immediately downstream of granite railroad trestle, on the Vermont side. Land on a beach and follow trail north to campsite on former railroad right of way. Look for picnic table and fire ring. A privy is located is located to the southwest.
Underhill Campsite		Piermont Conservation Commission	Past Bug's Island. Located at the mouth of Eastman Brook, before the river veers west.
Barton Cove Campground		FirstLight Power Resources	This campground is primarily for car camping. Campsites are at least a 1/4 mile from the take out on the CT River. There are no designated locations to secure boats.
Fannie Stebbin Campsite		Appalachian Mountain Club	Constructed in 2019 by the Appalachian Mountain Club, on land owned by the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge. Accommodates up 10 - 12 campers and four tents on tent platforms and has a privy as well. Stays are limited to two consecutive nights. Campers must bring their own water or means of water purification.
Samuel Benton Campsite		Northern Forest Canoe Trail	The campsite is situated in a grove of trees on a sandy bluff, at the edge of a field, on privately owned farmland.
Pastures Campground			Private campground with hot showers, dishwashing facilities, w-fi, and more. Learn more at��_��__www.thepastures.com.
Hatchery Brook Primitive Campsite		Appalachian Mountain Club	WARNING - The first landing of the second staircase has a large bees nest under it! Constructed in 2016 by the Appalachian Mountain Club, on land owned by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Accommodates up to 10 campers and four tents on tent platforms. Stays are limited to two consecutive nights. Registration is recommended at: https://goo.gl/kBtFZD. Campers must bring their own water or means of water purification.
Howard Island South		Upper Valley Land Trust	2 miles below the Woodsville Bridge. The southern campsite is now located at the southwestern corner of the island. Fire ring, table, box privy. Suggested donation of $10 per tent per night
Scott C. Devlin Memorial Campsite		Vermont River Conservancy	Situated in a shady stand of pines about two miles below the confluence of the Upper Ammonusooc, after the river makes a tight 180 degree turn near 102.
Birch Meadow Campsite		Upper Valley Land Trust	Two miles below the arch bridge, on a low wooded point just above the marshland at the outlet of Lake Morey. Suggested donation of $10 per tent per night
Whately Oaks Primitive Campsite		Appalachian Mountain Club	Constructed in 2016 by the Appalachian Mountain Club, on land owned by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Accommodates up 10 - 12 campers and four tents on tent platforms and has a privy as well. Stays are limited to two consecutive nights. Registration is recommended at: https://goo.gl/kBtFZD. Campers must bring their own water or means of water purification.
Johnson Farm North		Vermont Fish and Wildlife	Simple site at north end of field, tucked in a stand of Silver Maples, on the Johnson Farm Wildlife Management Area. Great, gravel beach at most water levels. Box privy.
South Guildhall Campsite		Vermont River Conservancy	Beautiful campsite situated in floodplain forest, with great views of the White Mountains.
Roaring Brook Campsite		Upper Valley Land Trust	Grassy site between two brooks. Suggested donation of $10 per tent per night
River Highlands State Park		Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection	State park with two campsites for paddlers on one-night stays. Reservations required.
Beaver Trails Campground		Beaver Trails Campground	Private riverside campground. Caters to RVs, but grassy meadow provided for tent camping. For reservations and info call 888-788-3815 or visitwww.beavertrailsnh.com
Patchen's Point		Vermont Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation	A pleasant and roomy camping spot nestled in a grove of White Pines north of Hanover. Warning - this can be a popular hang-out spot for local kids, especially on weekend nights.
Hurd State Park		Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection	A beautiful and quiet campsite offering primitive, riverside sites for individuals traveling on the river. Reservations required
Gilman Dam Portage Campsite		Ampersand Energy LLC	Camping allowed in grassy field along portage trai. No amenities.
Gilman Island		Vermont River Conservancy	Popular group campsite provided by Great River Hydro on the south tip of the island, managed through a partnership with LL Bean's Outdoor Discovery School in West Lebanon, NH.
Gillette Castle State Park Campground		Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection	A campsite for paddlers nestled within a popular state park, just upstream of a historic ferry. Reservations required.
Dalton Primitive Campsite		Great River Hydro	Located just north of high tension line that crosses the narrow, north arm of the reservoir, on the New Hampshire side.
Burnaps Island Campsite		Upper Valley Land Trust	Located about 3 miles below the mouth of the Mascoma River and the I-89 bridge at West Lebanon, and just above the mouth of the Ottauquechee River. Access is from the west side of the island, on the main channel.Suggested donation of $10 per tent per night
Selden Neck State Park - Cedars Camp Area		Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection	Nestled in a calm backwater on the north end of scenic Seldom Neck State Park.��_��__Reservations required��_��__.
Moore Primitive Campsite		Great River Hydro	Recently established campsite for paddlers only. Features include five tent platforms, picnic tables, and fire rings. No toilet facilities (yet) but one can walk about 1/4 mile downriver on the trail to the boatramp and use its porta potty.
Burnham Meadow Campsite		Upper Valley Land Trust	Located on the Vermont side four miles below Sumner Falls, 1 mile below Hart Island, and 3 miles above the Windsor-Cornish covered bridge. On an elevated bench just south of Bashan Brook, where the river bends to the east. Take out is about 50 yards south of Bashan Brook. Suggested donation of $10 per tent per night
Selden Neck - Hogback Camp Area		Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection	Popular primitive campsite for paddlers and boaters.��_��__Reservations required
Elwell Island	317.0	Appalachian Mountain Club	Features two tent pads. Constructed in 2019 by the Appalachian Mountain Club, on land owned by the City of Northampton. Accommodates up to 10 campers and four tents on tent pads. No potable water or privy. Stays are limited to two consecutive nights.
Kings Island	377.5	Appalachian Mountain Club	Constructed in 2018 by the Appalachian Mountain Club, on land owned by Eversource. Accommodates up 10 - 12 campers and four tents on tent platforms and has a privy as well. Stays are limited to two consecutive nights. Campers must bring their own water or means of water purification.

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Campsites