About the Upper Valley Land Trust of Vermont and New Hampshire

Maps: Wilder to Bradford & North of Bradford

UVLT and its partners currently manage the following campsites and cartop boat launches:

Howard Island (Haverhill, NH - river mile 260)
Campsite managed by UVLT. In Haverhill, about 2 miles below the Woodsville bridge. The campsite is located at the northwest end of this island with access on gently to moderately sloped cobblestone banks. The camp is located at the forested edge of the island's hayfields. Capacity: okay for large groups. Amenities: cleared tent site, box privy, fire ring.

Knoxland Farm Cartop Boat Launch (Newbury, VT - river mile 260)
Knoxland Farm provides a public boat launch site for muscle powered cartop boats such as canoes and kayaks. The surrounding 280 acres of farmland has a historic round barn and currently operates as a dairy farm. The fields around the farm buildings are used to grow forage (livestock food) so it is important to minimize any damage to these crops when you are looking for the launch site. Please park in the designated parking area located back at the edge of the farmstead. Overnight camping is not allowed at this site.
Directions: From the Town of Newbury continue north on Route 5 for approximately 4 miles. Turn right onto Round Barn Road (formerly Leete Rd.) and continue to the farmstead where you will see a cartop boat launch directional sign. Turn right at the “T” and you should see a sign at the field edge for the designated parking area. This is where all vehicles should be left after launching your cartop boats. To launch a boat continue past this parking location and over a concrete pad, turn right onto the farm road which travels through the field. Looking to the left, keep your eyes open while driving along this road for a boat launch sign located near the top of the river bank. There is often irrigation pump equipment at this same spot. Drive to the sign taking care to minimize any crop damage (use the same route previous visitors have used), prepare your boat for launching, and return your vehicle to the parking area before heading out on the river.

Harkdale Farm (Newbury, VT - river mile 254)
Campsite managed by UVLT. This campsite is on the Vermont side of the river between North Haverhill and Newbury and is located on the second large river meander (oxbow) downstream of Howard Island. At the beginning of this second meander, the river takes a sharp turn to the east, producing a large sandbar on the NH bank. A quarter mile downstream there is a high sand cut bank on the NH side. The bank dwindles away as it meets a small brook which flows into the Connecticut There is also a small landslide where trees have fallen into this section of the river. The Harkdale campsite is located directly across from this brook on the VT side of the river, amongst the large willows and silver maples. In low water conditions you'll see the campsite sign at the edge of the brush above a large sandy beach. Amenities: cleared tent site, box privy, fire ring, picnic table.

Vaughan Meadow (Newbury, VT - river mile 248)
Campsite managed by UVLT. In South Newbury, about 1 mile below the old Bedell Bridge abutment. Located on a wooded bank after the river turns from SE to S, a few hundred yards north of the Bradford line. Capacity: 12 campers. Amenities: cleared tent site, box privy, fire ring, picnic table.

Birch Meadow (Fairlee, VT - river mile 233)
Campsite managed by UVLT. Two miles below the arch bridge. On the low wooded point just above the marshland at the outlet of Lake Morey. The Hulbert Outdoor Center are stewards of this site. Capacity: 12 campers. Amenities: cleared tent site, box privy, fire ring, picnic table with shelter/lantern supports.

Roaring Brook (Thetford, VT - river mile 230)
Campsite managed by UVLT. In Thetford, about a mile below Clay Brook a grassy campsite is located between two streams, one of them being Roaring Brook. The landing is located a few canoe lengths up the lower stream. Capacity: 12 campers. Amenities: cleared tent site, box privy, fire ring, picnic table with shelter/lantern supports.

Hewes Brook Cartop Boat Launch (Lyme, NH - river mile 224)
Located on River Rd. in Lyme, this 1.1 acre property provides access to the Connecticut River at the mouth of Hewes Brook. No overnight camping is allowed at this site. This site is managed by the Lyme Conservation Commission.
Directions: From the Thetford/Lyme Bridge in Lyme, head south along River Road for 4.2 miles. On your right you will see a light blue and white Hewes Brook Cartop Boat Launch sign. Leave your vehicle on the gravel parking area. Please walk your boats along the designated path that leads to the brook. In low flow conditions you will need to launch at the second access point along the brook.

Burnaps Island (Plainfield, NH - river mile 207)
Campsite managed by UVLT. Located about 3 miles below the mouth of the Mascoma River and the I-89 bridge at West Lebanon, and just above the mouth of the Ottauquechee River. Access is from the west side of the island, on the main channel. The island is owned by the Town of Plainfield and the campsite is maintained by members of the Plainfield Conservation Commission. Capacity: 8 campers. Amenities: cleared tent site, box privy, fire ring.

Burnham Meadow (Windsor, VT - river mile 200)
Campsite managed by UVLT. Four miles below Sumner’s Falls, 1 mile below Hart Island, and 3 miles above the Windsor-Cornish covered bridge. On an elevated bench just below Bashan Brook, where the river bends to the east. Capacity: okay for large groups. Amenities: cleared tent site, box privy, fire ring, picnic table.

While there is no charge for the use of UVLT campsites, their maintenance depends on the good stewardship and financial support of users.