Backpacking in Vermont

Vermont is unusually good for multi-day backpacking for its size. The Long Trail runs 272 miles down the spine of the Green Mountains with a shelter roughly every day's walk, which means you can plan a three-to-seven day trip without ever carrying a tent site reservation or entering a permit lottery.

Permits and camping rules

No permit is needed for day hiking. Backcountry camping is generally allowed on state land below 2,500 ft at least 200 ft from water and trails, and Long Trail shelters are first-come, first-served, with a caretaker fee at some sites in season.

• Vermont asks hikers to stay off trails above 2,500 ft during mud season (roughly mid-April to Memorial Day) — this is a request, not a closure, and it is widely respected
• Dispersed camping on state land is generally legal below 2,500 ft, at least 200 ft from water and trails; the Green Mountain National Forest has its own rules and some areas are posted
• Campfires are prohibited at many Long Trail and Appalachian Trail sites — carry a stove and check the site before planning around a fire
• Dogs are allowed on most Vermont trails but must be under control; some summits with fragile alpine vegetation ask that dogs stay leashed
• Pack out everything, including food scraps and toilet paper — Vermont soil is thin and slow to break anything down

Shelters and where to sleep

Shelters and lodges are spaced at practical daily intervals and are free and first-come, first-served on most of the trail, with a caretaker fee at the busiest high-elevation sites in season.

Resupply and logistics

Road crossings are frequent enough that resupply is rarely more than two or three days apart, and trail towns like Manchester, Rutland, Waterbury and Johnson sit within a few miles of the footpath.

Longest day routes

The natural building blocks of a multi-day trip — any of these can be a full day with a pack on.

Frequently asked questions

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