Green Mountain Club

Maintaining & Protecting Vermont's Long Trail Since 1910

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Overnight Sites

There are nearly six dozen Long Trail overnight sites spaced no more than a moderate day’s hike apart. These range from fully enclosed lodges to three-sided lean-tos and tenting areas. All sites, although primitive, have a water source nearby (purity and reliability cannot be guaranteed) and a privy (outhouse). Visitors must carry their own food, backpacking stove, and overnight gear.

Sites Along the Long Trail:

  • Tenting area: Wooden tent platforms.
  • Shelter: Usually three sided with a sloped roof. Fit 6-10 people.
  • Lodge: Usually four-sided with wooden bunks. Fit 10-24 people.
Jay Camp

Backcountry Campsites

  • How many sites on the Long Trail? Over 70!
  • Are there amenities? Established backcountry sites are all located by a primitive water source (untested) and a privy. There are no wood stoves.
  • Are they by reservation? No, all sites are first-come, first-served.
  • Is there a fee? A moderate fee ($5) is charged at overnight sites with GMC caretakers in the summer and fall. This fee funds a small portion of the Caretaker Program, which is an integral part of maintaining and protecting the Long Trail. The sites with caretakers require consistent maintenance of the site and the surrounding trails. (GMC members get to stay free!)
  • How long can I stay? We request you stay no more than two consecutive nights.
  • Do I still need to bring my tent if there is a shelter at the site I plan on spending the night? YES! Shelters are first come, first served, and during peak hiking season they are usually full. It is important to have your tent, tarp, or other shelter with you.

Primitive camping and fires

The LT passes through private, state, and federal land, so regulations for camping and campfires vary along the trail. When in doubt, please camp only in designated areas and avoid building fires.

  • Private Land: Camping is limited to designated areas on specific private lands only and not allowed on other private lands. Fires are limited to permanent fireplaces at each site. Use of this land is permitted through the generosity of the landowners. Please do not abuse the privilege.  Please familiarize yourself with land ownership prior to planning your outing.
  • State Land: In certain state forests, primitive camping is allowed, but your campsite must be 100’ from any water source, 200’ from any trail or property line, 1000’ from any traveled road, and below 2500’ in elevation. Groups larger than 10 require a state primitive camping permit and should contact GMC’s Group Outreach Specialist.
  • Federal Land: Camping between shelters is permitted along much of the LT in the Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF). Small wood fires are allowed if Leave No Trace principles are followed.  Large groups should contact GMC’s Group Outreach Specialist.

Note on Water

Although the Green Mountain Club makes every effort to locate shelters and campsites near water sources, the quality and quantity of water cannot be guaranteed. During dry weather, water sources may fail. Areas particularly prone to water shortages are noted in the trail description.

Contamination of water supplies is a problem, even in remote areas. Water may look and taste clean but still be unsafe to drink. Giardia, caused by the intestinal parasite Giardia lamblia, is just one of many illnesses caused by drinking contaminated water. Other bacteria and viruses may also be present in water sources. If giardiasis symptoms such as severe cramping and diarrhea occur, consult your physician.

Hikers and dogs are probably the main carriers of Giardia. Often, they carry the parasite and unknowingly contaminate water supplies through the careless disposal of waste. People can pass it on to others by failing to wash their hands after making a pit stop.

The best way to prevent illness is to treat all drinking water. To kill Giardia, water must be brought to a rolling boil, filtered with a water purifier guaranteed to remove the Giardia parasite (filters may not remove all contaminants, such as viruses), or treated with a chemical purifier (follow the directions on the bottle). To kill all viruses and bacteria, water must be chemically treated or brought to a rolling boil for one minute.

Karisa Dubuque and husband Derek on ski lift chair on Long Trail.

Hiking Companions: How the Outdoors has Enhanced my Relationships

April 15, 2021

My First Outdoor Companions: I’ve lived in New Hampshire for most of my 33 years. Growing up, my mom would take me and my two siblings to explore outdoor spaces, from playgrounds to museums. We’d visit the abandoned crystal mine, back in the woods of Route 4a. Bogs dotted the 20-minute path, and … Read more

COVID-19 Response Virtual Workshops & Events Doante to the Resilience Fund Hike Planning Digital Maps GMC Membership

Mission

The Green Mountain Club is the founder and maintainer of the Long Trail - the oldest long distance hiking trail in America. Established in 1910 to build this trail stretching the length of Vermont, the club now also maintains the Appalachian Trail in Vermont and trails in the Northeast Kingdom in its mission to "make the Vermont mountains play a larger part in the life of the people." Read more...

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Connect

4711 Waterbury-Stowe Road
Waterbury Center, Vermont 05677
802.244.7037 | Email GMC

The Visitor Center is closed until further notice. Please call or email with any hiking questions.

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