Sugar Mountain Farm & Forest

75%

· Orange, Orange, Vermont · 800 acres

Hosted by Walter J.

50 RV/tent sites

Nomadic camping

Best for self-contained campers. There are no toilets, showers, or potable water at this Hipcamp.

My family has been doing sustainable forestry and pasture based farming here since the 1980's. We raise pigs, chickens, ducks, geese and sometimes sheep on pasture delivering to local individuals, restaurants and stores year round. We have our own on-farm USDA butcher shop where we cut meat, make sausage, bacon, salt pork and other delicious meats. Learn more about this land: Roughly 1,000 acres of mountains, forest, marshland, beaver ponds and miles of trails. Grab a map from the pictures section of this listing or at SugarMtnFarm.com/HCMap on my web site. This is back country camping with logging roads, log landings and old country roads. There are many options for camp sites including just off road to deep in woods on logging roads & landings. Sites are not fixed - pick one you like in the non-farm zone, respecting other campers, and enjoy your visit. Note: This is real country - not a hotel, motel or groomed camp ground nor groomed trails. It is a working farm and forest. There is no front desk, no 24/7 service. Be attentive about clearance on your vehicles on side roads, logging trails and log landings. Logging & Side Roads & Landings are dirt/gravel. Some lower vehicles may have difficulty with clearance expecially in wet and muddy weather. There are many camping sites that are accessible near the main roads and better landings where you can park. Occasionally there is logging activity to stay clear of - it will be obvious as there is big equipment and log piles then. Please stay outside of the fenced Farm Zone areas. Fences are electricified for the livestock and there are big livestock guardian herding dogs in the farm zone. There are acres and acres (>100?) of wild raspberries and blackberries all over the mountains and valley - a delight for the tongue in their seasons roughly July to September. Dozens of wild apple trees abound as well. In the past people have grown marijuana on my land without permission - if you find any, go ahead and take it. A plethora and diversity of wildlife. Bring your cameras and binoculars but no guns, bows or traps. General store and Post Office 1.5 miles south of farm on Route-25. Barre town 9.5 miles north on Route-302 with Montpelier just a little further, each having a wide range of dining & shopping as well as local sights. There are many local lakes and rivers with great swiming. Groton Lake with it's Boulder Beach is just up Rt-302 a few miles to our east. A little further you'll find Lake Champlain, Lake Fairlee, Lake Morey and the Connecticut River as well as many other lakes and rivers in Vermont. PORK, both fresh and smoked, available most times from farm by appointment. Currently I have bacon, smoked jowl, smoked ham, smoked trotters and smoked hocks in stock. FIREWOOD - Vermont bans bringing firewood in from other states because of pest and disease risks so get the wood locally. You may use downed wood laying on the ground for your grill but please do not cut down trees. Dead lower branches of spruce and pine may be trimmed and they make excellent kindling. Cut close to the trunk to leave it safe for others. I also usually have dry firewood you can purchase for $10 per bundle. Much of the year fires are allowed such as when snow is on the ground. Check the Vermont State web site here: https://fpr.vermont.gov/forest/wildland-fire/monitoring-fire-danger Please leave farm gates closed, stay out of fenced (electric!) farm fields, do not feed farm animals, keep roads open for others and be respectful of other campers, neighbors & locals. Fences in the farm area are typically electrified - no touch. Please note that I have big farm dogs who guard and herd our livestock. Please do not bring your dogs into the farm area (shown on map) as my dogs will see your dogs as possible threats to their livestock. Well behaved dogs, children and adults are welcome in the forest land. A leash is recommended if you do not have good voice control of dogs and children. Remember I farm so I may not always reply to texts quickly and I'm rarely near the front gate. My house is over 500' higher up the mountain from the front gate and road so I may not hear you even if you honk, especially at night. You can email me at walterj at SugarMtnFarm.com or text me at 802-735-4521 to arrange an appointment to pickup meat. Cash or paypal to my email address walterj@sugarmtnfarm.com both work for payment. I am not available at night - I farm so I must sleep. If you arrive late I will probably not be available. This is back country, not a hotel with a 24/7 front desk. Just find a camp site to your liking and enjoy the beautiful country side. Cheers, Walter Jeffries Sugar Mountain FarmRoughly 1,000 acres of mountains, forest, marshland, beaver ponds and miles of trails. Grab a map from the pictures section of this listing or at SugarMtnFarm.com/HCMap on my web site. This is back country camping with logging roads, log landings and old country roads. There are many options for camp sites including just off road to deep in woods on logging roads & landings. Sites are not fixed - pick one you like in the non-farm zone, respecting other campers, and enjoy your visit. Note: This is real country - not a hotel, motel or groomed camp ground nor groomed trails. It is a working farm and forest. There is no front desk, no 24/7 service. Be attentive about clearance on your vehicles on side roads, logging trails and log landings. Logging & Side Roads & Landings are dirt/gravel. Some lower vehicles may have difficulty with clearance expecially in wet and muddy weather. There are many camping sites that are accessible near the main roads and better landings where you can park. Occasionally there is logging activity to stay clear of - it will be obvious as there is big equipment and log piles then. Please stay outside of the fenced Farm Zone areas. Fences are electricified for the livestock and there are big livestock guardian herding dogs in the farm zone. There are acres and acres (>100?) of wild raspberries and blackberries all over the mountains and valley - a delight for the tongue in their seasons roughly July to September. Dozens of wild apple trees abound as well. In the past people have grown marijuana on my land without permission - if you find any, go ahead and take it. A plethora and diversity of wildlife. Bring your cameras and binoculars but no guns, bows or traps. General store and Post Office 1.5 miles south of farm on Route-25. Barre town 9.5 miles north on Route-302 with Montpelier just a little further, each having a wide range of dining & shopping as well as local sights. There are many local lakes and rivers with great swiming. Groton Lake with it's Boulder Beach is just up Rt-302 a few miles to our east. A little further you'll find Lake Champlain, Lake Fairlee, Lake Morey and the Connecticut River as well as many other lakes and rivers in Vermont. PORK, both fresh and smoked, available most times from farm by appointment. Currently I have bacon, smoked jowl, smoked ham, smoked trotters and smoked hocks in stock. FIREWOOD - You may use downed wood laying on the ground but please do not cut down trees. I also have dry firewood you can purchase for $10 per bundle. Please leave farm gates closed, stay out of fenced (electric!) farm fields, do not feed farm animals, keep roads open for others and be respectful of other campers, neighbors & locals. Fences in the farm area are typically electrified - no touch. Please note that I have big farm dogs who guard and herd our livestock. Please do not bring your dogs into the farm area (shown on map) as my dogs will see your dogs as possible threats to their livestock. Well behaved dogs, children and adults are welcome in the forest land. A leash is recommended if you do not have good voice control of dogs and children. Remember I farm so I may not always reply to texts quickly and I'm rarely near the front gate. My house is over 500' higher up the mountain from the front gate and road so I may not hear you even if you honk, especially at night. You can email me at walterj at SugarMtnFarm.com or text me at 802735 4521 to arrange an appointment to pickup meat. Cash or paypal to my email address both work for payment. I am not available at night - I farm so I must sleep. If you arrive late I will probably not be available. This is back country, not a hotel with a 24/7 front desk. Just find a camp site to your liking and enjoy the beautiful country side. Cheers, Walter Jeffries Sugar Mountain Farm

RV details

Caravans, Fifth wheels, Toy haulers, Trailer tents, Motorhome, Campervan, Class C (larger motorhome with overcab space), Campervans, and Cars allowed

Vehicles under 30 meters allowed

This is real wild back country with log landings, log trails, country roads and mountains. Note that some low riding vehicles may have difficulty on some roads and landings on some weather - know your ride. There are many camping areas accessible right off the main road.

Pull-in unit

Accommodates slideouts

Surface type: Grass or field

Surfaces are gravel, dirt, field and forest - a lot of variety. Pick areas your vehicles can navigate as some roads and landings may be too rough for some low riding vehicles.

Surface levelness: Requires levelling

Surfaces are gravel, dirt, field and forest - a lot of variety. Pick areas your vehicles can navigate as some roads and landings may be too rough for some low riding vehicles.

Generators allowed

Please keep them quiet and don't run them excessively so that others can enjoy their vacations too. The new solar powered "generators" are great.

No electrical hookup

No water hookup

No sewage hookup

No TV hookup

What to expect

RV/tent site

Camping area selected or assigned upon arrival.

11 guests max per site

Campfires allowed

Please be careful. At some times the town bans fires due to dry weather. To check town go to: https://orangevt.org

Pets allowed

On leash. Please do not bring dogs into the farm area even on a leash. I have large livestock guardian and herding dogs as well as large livestock. This is a working farm, electric fences and all that sort of sharp edges stuff. Dogs are welcome in the non-Farm Zone. This provides a buffer to keep your pets safe.

No toilet; campers must bring camp toilets

Wifi available

As of when I'm writing this WiFi isn't yet available but WiFi and cellular may be available soon. Vermont providers are laying fiber optic cable along the road and putting in a new tower on the north end of my land. In the mean time, enjoy not being connected!

Laundry present

There is in Barre, Vermont where you'll find several good laundromats.

No drinking water

Bring your own water, purify from river or stream, purify from lake or pond. I drink the water from the springs on my land however you should do standard camping treatment (Chlorine, boil, etc) because I may have built up over the long term tolerance for anything in my water and you never know what some animal did upstream from you. SOP.

No showers

Bathe in river or stream

Pack it out

I do have both recycling and trash dumpsters. You may deposit in them - please leave $5 per small bag and $10 per large bag in the tipping box by the dumpsters. No plastic bags are allowed in the recycling - this is an issue for the sorting machinery. This option of the dumpsters will be available as long as people are respectful and don't abuse it. If you pickup trash from the side of the road you get a free equal amount of trash deposits and a hearty thank you. Together we can keep the land beautiful.

Cooking equipment absent

Picnic table absent

Things to know

Getting there

Check in: After 2:00 PM

Check out: Before 12:00 PM

On arrival: Head straight to site

Cancellation policy: Flexible

Minimum nights: 1 night

Accepts bookings: 12 months out

Park at listing

No wheelchair access

Max 1 vehicle

During your trip

Follow the

Leave it better

Inclusion policyWe have a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination at Hipcamp. We are committed to helping our Host and Hipcamper communities be inclusive.

Reviews

75% Recommend6 ratings · 6 reviews

Walker M.

2 reviews

Recommends

· September 2024

10 m travel trailer

Walter was very nice! Thanks for the camp spot. Walter communicated very well.

Lucas H.

2 reviews

Recommends

· October 2022

VTXL Camping

Tent · Group trip

This place was fine for the price. Walter is super friendly, but don't expect much from this campsite. If you are doing the VTXL, it's right off the route which is convenient, but you may also be able to keep going a bit and camp in the woods or ask a friendly neighbor.

Ashley R.

2 reviews

Not recommend

· September 2022

Tent · Group trip

Very confusing to figure out where to set up camp especially coming in later by bike. The ground was very lumpy and hard to find solid ground to set up a tent. There were ground bees that stung one of us a few times in the morning. Might be better suited for car camping.

Daniel K.

2 reviews

Recommends

· July 2022

8 m RV · With pets

Private

Falco R.

3 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· November 2021

Great spot!

Group trip

Great area! Lots of spots for off road vehicles, a little bush waking would be needed to setup the site.

Jacob S.

3 years on Hipcamp

Mixed feelings

· August 2021

We were bike touring in the area and needed a place to camp. We ended up staying in a pretty meadow on Walters property down a rough road, but it definitely did not feel worth $25. My expectation was that there'd be something - a mowed field, a platform, or a view. But it was just an overgrown meadow about a mile down a class IV road. It did not help that there was no map at the front entrance, as described. Nor was it even clear what the front entrance was. So we had to bike up and down the road for a while until Walter called us back to let us know where we could go. In short, camping experience itself was fine, since we were prepared to primitive camp, but it was very confusing to find and did not feel worth paying for.

Location

Orange, Orange, Vermont, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) and N’dakina (Abenaki / Abénaquis) First Nations according to

Native Land Digital.

To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking