- Waterbury
Nomadic camping
Best for self-contained campers. There are no toilets, showers, or potable water at this Hipcamp.
Staff verified
Accuracy verified by Hipcamp's on-the-ground team.
What to expect
Short walk to site
Tent site
4 guests max
Campfires allowed
Pets allowed
No toilet; campers must bring camp toilets
No potable water
No showers
Pack it out
Cooking equipment absent
Picnic table absent
No wifi
Things to know
Getting there
Check in: 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Early or late check-in may be availableCheck out: Before 11:00 AM
On arrival: Meet with Host
Cancellation policy: Moderate
Minimum nights: 1 night
Accepts bookings: 3 months out
Short walk
No wheelchair access
Max 1 vehicle
2WD accessible
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.
Tent-only sites
1 site
Instant book
Site 1 - Brookside campsite
85%
(37)Short walk to site
Campfires allowed
Pets allowed
Reviews
81% Recommend105 ratings · 42 reviews
Recommends
· August 2026
Tent ·
Site 1 - Brookside campsite
Very nice views of the river. Clean site and gracious hosts.
Recommends
· July 2026
Tent ·
Site 1 - Brookside campsite
Great plot of land with some nice camping spots. Did end up seeing some bears though so be careful
Recommends
· October 2025
Tent ·
Site 1 - Brookside campsite
Friendly family! Lots of road noise but the set up was great!
Exactly as advertised. Road noise but not a problem. Small stream access and privacy. I’m giving it’s a “maybe” bc it could use a porta john or some facility for the price.
Owner was attentive.
Recommends
· July 2025
Tent ·
Site 1 - Brookside campsite
Dan’s spot was a great place to stay close to Waterbury on our 6 day bike tour through Vermont!
Mixed feelings
· October 2021
Convenient place to camp for 1 nite
Group trip ·
Thatcher Brook in Waterbury
I stayed at site #2. The clearing up top is hard to spot as it is barely big enough for a full sized car. Do NOT try to bring your vehicle down the path unless you have some SERIOUS ground clearance. Site #2 was a pretty cozy spot and fairly easy to find - in the daytime. Route 100 was a stones throw away and the traffic was pretty steady and loud (even with earplugs) until the middle of the night. Overall, a convenient place to crash for the night.
Recommends
· October 2021
We had a great stay at Thatcher Brook. We were in the area to do a modified Green Mountain Gravel Growler ride and Dan’s place is very close to the Waterbury Park & Ride so it was a super convenient stay for us. We weren’t bothered by the proximity to the road since we knew ahead of time. Site 2 was nice and flat and fit two tents easily, and we were able to purchase firewood which Dan had available at his driveway.
Nice private setting
Unfortunately heavy traffic noise all night
Paid for firewood bundle did not receive
We had to find a place to stay last minute at 5pm and we were pumped to find a place close to Ben and Jerry’s. Dan is easy going and has a perfect little set up for camping. It was easy for us to get in and out in our 4Runner. Our dog we in heaven, as were we :) We plan to come back the next time we visit Stowe. The wood was dry and he left us alone, so it was a perfect quiet little stay!
Mixed feelings
· August 2021
Group trip ·
Thatcher Brook in Waterbury
This hipcamp wasn’t our best situation, and wasn’t really what we were expecting based on the description. The positives, it’s low cost and right in the middle of town so lots of stuff is pretty accessible. However, it’s right off a very busy road and you’ll be able to identify each type of car all night long. Also, it says you can access the sites with a 4wd vehicle. This is not true. You need a tall vehicle, and even then, if it’s been raining or something, you’re probably not making it. Our 4wd bottomed out trying to get to the sites and we had to park in the driveway, which was just an inconvenient steep walk from the site 1 and pretty far from site 2. This is also where you get your firewood.
I think the most frustrating part of this experience was that we had messaged with the landowner before and he mentioned showing us the options as we were the only ones there that evening and could change our choice (which was great!) but he didn’t say that he wouldn’t be there for a while that evening. We were planning on finishing our hike and heading there to drop stuff off, and then one of us pitching the tent while the other gets food. If we’d have known, we would have altered our plans to better make use of the light. Instead, it lead to a really rushed pitching of the tent because he wasn’t back until less than an hour before sunset (around 8 pm) and we spent awhile trying to figure out where the sites were and how we could access them. We had paid for firewood but only half heartedly tried to use it because it was getting so late and we were tired. We just gave up.
Lastly, it’s right near a river/ stream and they’re are tons of mosquitos. Don’t forget the bug spray!
There are also chickens and a dog who will visit you, so keep that in mind with your animals.
Recommends
· July 2021
This site was convenient for us as we wanted to head into Waterbury after a long day of biking. Because it had been raining so much, we didn’t actually stay at the site we booked, but rather in his side yard. It definitely felt like backyard camping but was secluded enough and was a welcome place to rest. Close enough to town to bike in for dinner. Also close to Cold Hollow Cider Mill for breakfast and treats.
Mixed feelings
· June 2021
Group trip ·
Thatcher Brook in Waterbury
Thatcher Brook was exactly what we needed, a homebase near Stowe for a local event - was awesome having Ben & Jerrys right across the street too
The camping site is very cozy on the bank of a river, easy access from your car but tucked away. Location is great -- right next to Smugglers Notch (bouldering), Waterbury Reservoir, Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea. The only downside is the noise coming from the road, it's not that loud, but you can hear it.
Recommends
· October 2020
Dan was a great host and always responded quickly via text. There was a little road noise but we knew that coming in - not loud enough to wake either of us up overnight. Location and price are unbeatable. A stone's throw away from Ben & Jerry's, and 2-3 minute drive to the heart of Waterbury and Stowe. Would definitely stay again!
Recommends
· October 2020
Had a nice stay at this campsite! Right next to a cute brook. Also pretty close to main road, but I did not find that to be a problem.
Recommends
· September 2020
Group trip ·
Thatcher Brook in Waterbury
Such a beautiful site and stellar location.
Recommends
· September 2020
This was my first Hipcamp, and I was there with two others to play disc golf at Smuggler's Notch (one of the top-10 rated courses in the world). All the other campgrounds were full. We could have stayed in a hotel, but we much prefer to be outside.
I was worried about the lack of bathrooms, but it worked out fine. We were mostly gone all day and used the facilities of local businesses.
We stayed on site 3 for three nights and loved staying along the brook, which was quite secluded. We had a fire every night, which was helpful because the overnight temps dropped into the low 30's.
Overall it was fun and memorable, and I'm so appreciative that Dan and others on Hipcamp are willing to share their properties. Without him we would have missed the joys of being outdoors in such a beautiful area. I would definitely recommend that you stay at Thatcher Brook !
There are lovely water flowers and a cute stream next to site 3. It cannot be viewed from the road but your vehicle can and you will certainly hear a lot of traffic along the main road but the beautiful stars and quick access to amazing trails make up for it. A gem and wonderful camping experience!
Mixed feelings
· August 2020
The campsite was beautiful, well-maintained, and felt very safe, however it was very close to a highly-travelled road and the road noise was disturbing at night and in the early morning.
Recommends
· August 2020
Group trip ·
Thatcher Brook in Waterbury
Good central location in Waterbury. Ben and Jerry's withing ideal distance. A bit tough to spot from the road, but managable. Definitely need a car with enough clearance to park closer to the site.
Mixed feelings
· August 2020
Overall, good place for a night. Parking and finding the site can be a bit confusing as there are a few options listed. Some small signs may be helpful. However, Dan was extremely hospitable, helpful and responsive to my messages once we got in. As other reviewers noted the road noise is SIGNIFICANT as the sites and house are alongside a very busy road. I am a heavy sleeper so once I fell asleep it was fine, but I’m not sure I would have lasted the night if I was a light sleeper. Our site itself was nice and tucked back and secluded with mowed grass paths to get there. Dan makes it very clear that this is primitive camping and that’s what it is. Bathing in the stream was refreshing and easy as there was a nice rocky beach area. Just pack your Dr. Bronner’s and you’re good to go.
Recommends
· August 2020
Dan was a friendly host. Great location, right in between Waterbury and Stowe.
Recommends
· August 2020
Loved our stay here. The sites are very private and hidden by bushes from the house and other campsites. There is a little creek you can visit with a beautiful view of mountains in the background. There are blueberry bushes around the campsite and Dan offers some fresh vegetables from his garden by the house. Would definitely stay here again.
Not to be disparaging of Dan, but our site was 20 yards off a very busy road, there was no comfortable place to pitch a tent, and the access road to it would be impossible to navigate without a 4-wheel drive vehicle (we barely made it back out with a CRV). Perhaps I missed something in the description, but it was not at all what I had imagined and we actually chose not to stay there.
Ben and Jerry’s is right across the street. I think that is all you need to know.
You can sleep right across the street from the best ice cream ever.
Also the stream next to the camp site is super chill to skip rocks and go mucking, and there are little crawfish and little fish that can nibble on your toes, the fit pit was massive and our host Dan had set it up for us with tons of tinder and kinling and our logs went right up, beautiful gardens, and when we arrived we were first greeted by a super cute, friendly kitty.
Getting there and getting around is perfect. Excellent coffee lab up the road, Cabot cheese, 25 minutes to smuggler bitch rock climbing.
Perfect experience.
Recommends
· July 2020
Site 2 was perfectly secluded from the house and site 1. It wasn’t a far walk from the driveway. It was very loud next to the road so I wish I remembered my ear plugs but overall for the price and convenience I would stay there again.
Another great weekend stay in a phenomenal location, One minute from the best barbecue you’ve ever had and 20 minutes in between Warren Falls and stowe mountain ⛰
Recommends
· July 2020
Dan was very responsive and helpful during our stay. Perfect place to stay when hiking Camel's Hump, Mount Mansfield, or other Mts near Waterbury or Stowe. Being able to walk to Been and Jerry's is nice too. We didn't have a 4x4 vehicle so it was a little walk to set up camp, other than that everything was great.
Not recommend
· July 2020
Dan doesn’t explicitly tell you you’re camping in his backyard with his kids toys. He has a lot of photos that dress the possibilities of the property up, but you give that experience up if you expect standard camping amenities like a fire ring. This is a very great stopover spot, but I’d never call it a campground.
Recommends
· June 2020
Fantastic location great clean flat space for tents with a fire pit and metal tables and chairs. Perfect weekend away in Waterbury!
Location
Waterbury, Washington, Vermont, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Dan R.
Joined in July 2017Response rate: 50%Response time: Within 12 hours
Things to do nearby
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