Looking for a way to build a memory this summer? One of the surest ways is to pull out the tent and sleeping bags from the attic and find yourself a campsite to call home for a night or two.
Whether you’re an outdoor buff who wants to trek for miles and find a secluded site deep in the woods or on a quiet pond, or someone less keen to give up the comforts of running water or electricity, there are campsites with a wide variety of amenities and peaceful escapes to choose from right here in Addison County. Some offer electrical hookups for RVs, pools, lawn games and concession stands, as well as ample opportunities to meet other nearby campers or seasonal dwellers who call these sites home for months on end. Other sites are private and primitive, tucked at the end of a rough mountain road or nestled into the bend of a valley creek.
Test them out and learn your style; practice your backcountry skills and sleep under the stars. Rig a hammock and build a campfire (provided it’s allowed and safe, of course). Roast s’mores.
Oh, and don’t forget to pack the bug repellent and make sure to check for ticks frequently. Don’t worry if you jump at every rustle in the woods or mistakenly pitch your tent atop a root that’s right under your rump. There’s nothing like sleeping on the ground for a night or two to make you appreciate your bed when you return home. Nothing like eating camp food that’s both a little burnt and a little bland to make you appreciate the spices in your cupboard and precision of your stove. You won’t remember that root or the sleepless nights. You might remember the bug bites that stuck around for weeks after, but you’ll remember them with some kind of nostalgic fondness that blends with the rest of the memory.
Go ahead and embrace the layers of bug spray and sunscreen, sweat and lake water, s’mores-covered fingers with dirt under your nails and a protective brown pad on the bottoms of your feet. The more layers you collect, the better that shower will feel upon your return and the more that memory will take root in your heart.
Turn off the cell phones and leave your watch at home. Or better yet, find yourself somewhere that’s out of range. Disconnect from the digital community and embrace the company of the natural world. Slow yourself down and follow the cues of your surroundings — the sunlight and moonlight, the noises of animals and the demands of the weather. Explore and play wherever you are, discovering plants and animals, views and trails and moments that you can take your time to embrace.
Make a habit of the summertime camping trip and use it as a reprieve from the hectic and over-scheduled nature of modern living. You won’t regret it.
CAMPGROUNDS OF ADDISON COUNTY
10 Acres Campground, Addison
Branbury State Park, Salisbury
Button Bay State Park, Ferrisburgh
Country Village Campground, Leicester
D.A.R. State Park, Addison
Green Mountain Family Campground, Bristol
Kampersville at Lake Dunmore, Salisbury
Maple Hill Campsites, Bristol
Smoke Rise Campground, Brandon
Waterhouses Campground & Marina, Salisbury
BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING NEARBY
Moosalamoo Campground, Goshen-Ripton Road
Silver Lake Campground, Salisbury
Chittenden Brook Campground, Rochester
Breadloaf Wilderness area (disperse camping throughout National Forest Lands), Ripton/Middlebury
Long Trail, Breadloaf Wilderness Area – Emily Proctor Shelter, Ripton/South Lincoln
Long Trail, Breadloaf Wilderness Area – Cooley Glen Shelter, Ripton/South Lincoln
Long Trail, Monroe Skyline Trail – Battell Shelter, Lincoln