Silver Lake Campground, Salisbury, VT

Introduction / Overview

For Vermonters seeking an authentic, rugged, and deeply immersive outdoor experience away from the noise of RV parks and car-side camping, Silver Lake Campground in Salisbury, VT, stands out as a pristine destination. Tucked within the sprawling 16,000 acres of the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area (NRA), this small, primitive campground offers a secluded retreat that feels miles away from civilization, yet remains accessible for local adventurers. It is essential to note upfront that this is a hike-in or bike-in only facility, setting it apart from drive-up campsites and immediately appealing to those who embrace the challenge of packing their gear to earn their solitude.

Silver Lake Campground features a limited number of tent-only sites—about 15 in total—spread along the wooded road near the picturesque 100-acre Silver Lake. This is not a facility designed for motorhomes or trailers; it is built for the purist camper. Guests will find beautiful, private tent sites, each equipped with the basics for a true wilderness experience. Reviews consistently highlight the peaceful, private nature of the campground. However, a key distinction to understand is the location of the lake itself. As one customer review noted, while the area is beautiful, "this Silver Lake is not the swimming lake. That is 1 hour away." Correction and clarification are critical here for local users: While another popular Silver Lake State Park exists elsewhere in Vermont (Barnard), the Silver Lake accessible directly from this campground is a gorgeous 100-acre body of water where swimming, fishing, and boating are, in fact, popular and encouraged activities. The confusion is common, but campers at this Salisbury location will find access to the water for a refreshing swim after a long hike.

The environment is unmanicured, offering raw nature at its finest. This means visitors must be prepared for true Vermont wilderness conditions, including carrying out all trash and being mindful of local wildlife, with bear-proof food storage provided at every site. For the Vermont local who finds peace in quiet effort and simple living, Silver Lake Campground is a truly essential destination.

Location and Accessibility

Silver Lake Campground’s location is both its greatest asset and its primary filter for visitors. It is officially located on Silver Lake Rd, Salisbury, VT 05769, USA, but the physical campsites are not accessible by vehicle.

Access Requirement: To reach the campground, visitors must first drive to the designated parking lot at the end of Forest Road 27 (Silver Lake Road). From this parking area, all gear and supplies must be hike-in or bike-in only to the site. The primary access routes are:

A relatively gentle 0.6-mile hike along the Goshen Trail.
A longer, approximately 1.5-mile bike ride in along the service road.

This requirement ensures a low-impact, quiet environment, naturally weeding out crowds and creating a peaceful atmosphere. For Vermont residents, this trail access is a bonus, placing them immediately on the extensive Moosalamoo NRA trail system, which boasts over 70 miles of multi-use trails perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and exploring vistas, waterfalls, and streams. The nearest communities for supplies, dining, or non-camping attractions are Brandon (about nine miles away) and Middlebury (approximately 17 miles away), offering convenient proximity for stocking up before embracing the remote nature of the campground.

Services Offered

As a primitive camping experience managed by the Green Mountain National Forest, the amenities at Silver Lake Campground are deliberately rustic and designed to keep the focus on nature. They provide the necessities for a safe and comfortable tent camping stay:

Private Tent Sites: Approximately 15 well-spaced, secluded campsites are available exclusively for tent camping. No motorhomes or trailers are permitted.
Picnic Facilities: Each campsite is equipped with a sturdy picnic table and a fire pit with a grill grate for cooking over an open fire.
Wildlife Protection: Bear-proof food storage lockers (bear boxes) are provided at every campsite, which is a crucial and highly valuable service in the Green Mountain National Forest where proper food storage is mandatory.
Restroom Facilities: Simple, clean pit-type restrooms (vault toilets) are available within the campground area, primarily during the main camping season.
Water Access: Water is available from a natural spring or hand-pump source, though it must be treated (boiled or chemically treated) before drinking, in line with responsible backcountry safety practices.
Reservations: A portion of the 15 sites are available for advance reservations, while the remaining sites are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, providing flexibility for local campers.

Features / Highlights

The appeal of Silver Lake Campground lies in its untouched natural setting and the range of outdoor recreation it enables right from the campsite:

True Primitive Experience: This is a genuine "pack-in, pack-out" campground, appealing to Vermont locals who prefer rustic, self-sufficient camping over commercial resort-style facilities. There is no garbage service, reinforcing the commitment to wilderness preservation.
Moosalamoo Trailhead Access: The campground acts as a central hub for the Moosalamoo NRA, with trailheads leading to the extensive 70+ miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, including the scenic Leicester Hollow / Chandler Ridge loop.
The Silver Lake Swimming Hole: Despite some public confusion about a similarly named lake, this 100-acre Silver Lake is a local gem for cooling off. Campers have access to the lake for swimming, with some areas offering a concrete dock for easy water entry.
Paddling and Fishing: The lake provides excellent opportunities for quiet water recreation, including fishing for species like trout, and is perfect for personal kayaks or canoes that can be carried in with gear.
Natural Beauty and History: Silver Lake is surrounded by National Forest and holds a strong sense of history, including the site of a former religious retreat, offering a beautiful and reflective natural setting.

Contact Information

For booking reservations or general inquiries about the campground, local Vermont users should consult the federal reservation website or the managing office for the Green Mountain National Forest.

Address: Silver Lake Rd, Salisbury, VT 05769, USA

Phone: For campground inquiries, please call the Rochester Ranger District of the Green Mountain National Forest: (802) 767-4261

Note: Reservations for select sites can be made online through Recreation.gov, while first-come, first-served sites require on-site payment.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For a Vermonter, Silver Lake Campground represents the pinnacle of accessible wilderness camping within the state's own backyard. It embodies the core values of the Green Mountain State: an appreciation for solitude, a respect for nature, and a willingness to put in the work to enjoy the rewards of a pristine environment. The mandatory hike-in ensures that the natural setting remains quiet, unspoiled, and free of the visual and auditory clutter of large RVs and generators, offering a genuinely peaceful experience that is increasingly rare.

Whether it's the dedicated access to over 70 miles of the Moosalamoo trail network, the refreshing swimming after a strenuous uphill hike, or the simple comfort of a private tent site with a bear box and fire pit, Silver Lake Campground serves as the perfect, primitive basecamp. It is a vital resource for local outdoor enthusiasts, connecting them directly with the rugged, authentic beauty of the Green Mountain National Forest and providing a much-needed, affordable escape to the heart of Vermont’s natural splendor. By embracing the pack-in, pack-out ethos, Vermonters can ensure this beloved, beautiful, and peaceful retreat remains preserved for generations to come.