Victory State Forest Primitive Camping

- Victory, VT 05858

Introduction / Overview

For Vermonters who believe that "camping" means true escape, solitude, and self-sufficiency, Victory State Forest Primitive Camping presents the ultimate Northeast Kingdom challenge. This is not your typical state park campground with fire pits, flush toilets, and a camp store; this is authentic Vermont backcountry. Spanning over 16,000 acres, Victory State Forest, often interwoven with the adjacent Victory Basin Wildlife Management Area (WMA), is primarily managed for timber and wildlife habitat. This is the place for those who are fond of rugged, deep-woods experiences, reminiscent of old logging days and childhood packing trips.

It is crucial for local users to understand the "primitive" designation here. It means exactly that: no developed facilities, no designated campsites with amenities, and often, challenging access. This is a place for seasoned campers, hikers, and off-road adventurers. The reward, however, is profound solitude, a high chance of spotting large wildlife like moose and bear, and access to a stunning, unique wetland ecosystem—the Victory Basin—which is one of the most remote and pristine areas in the state. If your goal is to set up a tent a safe distance from a road and hear nothing but the sounds of the forest, this is a rare opportunity. If you require level ground, water access, or cellular service, you should look elsewhere, as customer feedback confirms that finding a level, easily-accessible spot for a tent is a significant challenge.

Location and Accessibility

Victory State Forest is located in the small, remote town of Victory, VT 05858, USA, deep within Essex County in the Northeast Kingdom. The forest extends into the neighboring towns of Concord, Granby, and Lunenburg. This location is distinctly remote, which is part of its appeal, but it requires careful planning for access.

Access into and around the forest is typically via gravel or dirt roads, such as the one that bisects the Victory Basin WMA. The most common access point for the public is Damon Crossing, which is sometimes plowed in the winter, and often serves as a trailhead for the accessible wildlife viewing platform that leads into the basin. However, many internal roads, including old logging roads and snowmobile trails, can be extremely rough, muddy, or steep, often requiring a high-clearance vehicle, such as a four-wheel-drive truck or Jeep, for safe travel. Parking is generally limited to designated roadside or small trailhead areas like Damon Crossing. Users must be prepared to hike or pack gear for considerable distances from any main road, following state primitive camping guidelines that require camping to be at least 1,000 feet away from any traveled road and 100 feet from any water body. Users must be self-sufficient and prepared for the wilderness, as cellular service is highly unreliable or non-existent throughout much of the forest.

Services Offered

As a location designated for primitive camping within a State Forest, Victory State Forest offers virtually no developed services. This is a crucial distinction for planning your trip. The service provided is the allowance to camp in a natural, undeveloped environment, subject to strict regulations.

• Camping Access: Primitive camping is permitted in portions of the State Forest and the adjacent Victory Basin WMA, typically for purposes related to hunting, fishing, or trapping. The maximum stay is three consecutive nights.
• No Developed Facilities: There are no restrooms, showers, running water, refuse removal services, or electrical hookups provided by the state.
• Designated Parking: Limited, specific parking areas exist at trailheads, such as Damon Crossing, but parking is not always guaranteed or maintained.
• Leave No Trace: Campers must adhere strictly to Leave No Trace principles, meaning all trash, including human waste, must be packed out. There is no dump station.
• Water Sourcing: Campers must bring all necessary potable water or be prepared to filter and treat water sourced from the streams or the Moose River.
• Information and Regulations: The state provides a phone number for the Essex Junction district office for information and regulations, though park staff are only present sporadically.

Features / Highlights

The primary features of Victory State Forest are its unparalleled wilderness experience, challenging terrain, and unique natural resources.

• True Backcountry Solitude: The remote nature of the forest guarantees an experience free from crowds, noise, and light pollution, offering an unrivaled sense of wilderness.
• Victory Basin WMA: Access to the vast, unique wetland ecosystem of Victory Basin, known for its pristine bogs, Moose River floodplain, and excellent birding and wildlife viewing opportunities (including moose, bear, beaver, and fisher).
• Historical Exploration: The area contains remnants of an extensive logging history, including old logging roads, abandoned railway corridors (like the Victory Branch Railroad), and the foundations of old homesteads for those interested in local history.
• Unmanaged Recreation: Ideal for specialized, dispersed recreational activities such as backcountry hunting, trapping, wildlife photography, rugged hiking, and snowmobiling (on VAST trails).
• Multi-Use Trail Network: The forest contains VAST snowmobile trails and gravel roads open for horseback riding and biking, though the terrain is often challenging and unmaintained.
• Minimal Human Impact: The mandate for primitive camping ensures that the landscape remains in a natural, untarnished state, preserving its long-term ecological value.

Contact Information

Address: Victory, VT 05858, USA

Phone (District Office Contact): (802) 535-8410

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For Vermonters, particularly those living in the Northeast Kingdom or those who identify as serious outdoor enthusiasts, Victory State Forest Primitive Camping represents a vital, increasingly rare opportunity for a true wilderness experience. This area is suitable for locals who already possess the skills and equipment for "Leave No Trace" camping—the kind of self-reliant camping that is a long-standing tradition in the state. It is not for the casual visitor. Instead, it serves the local demand for a challenging, deeply rewarding escape into an environment where nature dictates the terms. Locals with robust vehicles and a desire to explore the remnants of old Vermont logging culture, follow Bog Brook, or simply disappear into a vast, silent forest for a few days will find this place perfectly suited to their needs. It is the ultimate antidote to the developed campground experience, offering a chance to reconnect with the landscape in its most raw and magnificent state, a truly unique ecological gem right in our backyard.

Victory State Forest Primitive Camping

Victory, VT 05858, USA