Along the Appalachian Trail in Connecticut and Massachusetts

These general guidelines apply to all campsites and all lands immediately adjacent to the Appalachian Trail in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

• Keep groups small. Ideally 8 participants with two leaders. If you have a bigger group, break it up. Do a criss-cross, or do separate sections.
• Groups may camp only in designated Group Areas · Camping is allowed only at designated campsites and shelter areas.
• Do not camp where it would be necessary to do any digging up of rocks, soil, humus, or the ground cover that is present.
• Use sanitary and toilet facilities when available. If not available, the disposal of human waste should be in a 6” deep cat-hole, at least 200 feet away from the trail, shelters, tenting area, and water sources.
• Carry in – Carry Out. (This means whatever you bring into the woods, you must also carry it out, including toilet paper and firewood.)
• Do not wash or rinse your dishes in or near a water source. Dish washing must be done no less than 200 feet from a water source, or use wash pits and screens where provided.
• Purify all drinking and dishwater before consuming it.
• Overnight parking is allowed only in parking areas designated for such use. (A.T. segment maps mark these areas with a “P”)
• No fires are allowed anywhere along the Appalachian Trail in Connecticut, at Sages Ravine campsite at the Massachusetts-Connecticut border, and at the new Laurel Ridge campsite (replacing the old Bear Rock Falls Campsite) in Massachusetts.

Please be considerate of others: 

• Be aware that a large group makes noise and takes up space. Try not to dominate view points, lunch spots, and campsites.
• Respect quiet hours – AT guidelines suggest 10 pm – 7 am.
• Make sure the group is aware of all low-impact guidelines and follow them (see Leave No Trace information).

**Please remember that privies are not trash cans! Any garbage you throw in a privy, chum or outhouse will have to be fished out by a volunteer or Ridgerunner. Carry in, carry out!**

Designated Group Sites in Connecticut, North to South:

Ten Mile River Group Site, mile 2.9 – Group site is on north side of bridge. Water available at pump at campsite on south side of bridge.

Stony Brook Group Site, mile 19.3 – Can accommodate two groups of two, near St. John’s Ledges.

Ball Brook Group Site, mile 50.2.

Paradise Lane, on Paradise Lane Trail, 1.5 miles from Undermountain Trailhead.

Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation camping rules:

• Fires are allowed only in existing fire rings located at shelters or designated campsites. 
• Firewood can be obtained only from fallen wood. The cutting of trees, branches, or bushes for any reason is strictly prohibited.
• Camping in any one place is limited to two nights.