Gifford Woods State Park Campground

When camping in VT it is usually our goal to hike, rest, cook, and relax at camp. We live in a busy/loud city so we really love a rural spot where we can just unplug and enjoy nature. Gifford Woods has great access to the AT and the Long Trail, nice bathrooms, and kind staff... but campers beware- it is wedged between two major highways. Initially we pulled up to the site "Poplar" after driving 4+ hours and I could have cried, this site faces a large DOT/Parks Dept. parking lot with a huge building and trucks everywhere. Luckily the (very sweet) staff said they understood that this was an issue and that they do get lots of complaints about that site. They moved us to T02 which was dramatically better. Unfortunately, you can still hear trucks/car honking/ambulances from that site and I assume all other sites. I understand now that people camp here just for AT access, but I would probably not go back due to the sheer volume of the neighboring highways and quieter camping options nearby.

Plenty of space between sites. Decent bathroom situation--I've seen better and I've seen worse in Vermont. The (AT&T) cell phone reception was pretty good, but could be slow at times (which could be because of the area or because of the busy fall color season.)

From the drive to the park, to the friendliness of the manager Brittany, to the facilities, and the hiking trails, this park met our every expectation. 

This was our first camping with our two adult pups. One can be a barker depending on certain triggers. So we stayed in one of the lovely rustic cabins. We love hiking and there is no shortage of hiking trails in and around the park, including the AT that runs right through the park. 

I can't say enough good things about how well the park is maintained. Bathrooms were frequently cleaned and the park was meticulously maintained. We drove by another VT state park too, and maintenance crews were seen blowing the leaves etc. and in general taking good care of the parks.

Gifford Woods is definitely on my list of must return to parks...We like to try new parks, but this one earned the spot to be a return spot.

We camped here for the Fourth of July weekend. The park is small, clean and friendly. The sites are semi secluded and through hikers on the AT/LT can find rest and shelter at this park. There has been an increase in Black Bear activity but that won't deter us from ever coming back.

Great campground with many hiking trails and a peaceful pond with fishing across the street. Clean bathrooms and showers and great cell service for people working while camping! Stayed at site 15 in the lower campground for a few nights and it was level and spacious but pretty close to neighbors compared to other sites. Then we moved to lean to ELM in the upper campground and it was a nice private site. It was perched on a hill but we were still able to park and sleep in our van next to the lean to. Highly recommend!

Cute little Campground, similar to others built by the CCC in the 1930s. Site 16 is one of the smaller sites and is not super level, but we were able to get the Subaru backed in and relatively level for camping. Bathrooms are super clean. Staff is friendly. Seasoned firewood available for purchase ($6 a stack). The sites on the lower loop are closer together. Get a site in the upper loop if you can, but no complaints for not making advance reservations on July 4th weekend.

Great wooded sites. Camp here several times every summer to mountain bike killington bike park. Only few minutes to the mountain!

The campground at Gifford Woods State Park is a hiker's campground for sure. The sites are large, private, and wooded, and there are clean restrooms with hot showers. The highlight is the hiking, both in the park and just outside of it.

The Appalachian Trail runs right through the park and you can hike up to Deer Leep, around Kent Pond, or to Thundering Falls right from the campground. Nearby hikes include the Bucklin Trail to the top of Killington, Sherburne Pass to Pico Peak, and Canty Trail to Blue Ridge Mountain. So many choices!

We stayed in the Elm lean-to, which sits up on a wooded hill. The only down side is that the lean-to opening faces the road instead of the woods, which would have been better for privacy. A minor issue, though.

Apple and Hemlock are awesome lean-tos if you can get them!

Gorgeous sites. Upper Loop sites are spaced further apart. Wooded. AT goes right through the campground. Lovely late summer camping experience. Can’t say enough good things about Gifford Woods.

This was a great place to start our camping adventures. Friendly staff and helpful pointing out places to hike. Site was clean and quiet. Bathrooms were clean and showers were hot. A pleasant treat after hiking.

Beautiful location in VT.

This campsite was amazing. Each site had a fair amount of isolation and trees surrounding it, and the mosquitoes aren't too bad there either. 10 minutes away is the trail head for the Bucklin Trail (one of the most difficult trails for Mt. Killington).

Also, the campsite lies directly on the Appalachian trail, so for a shorter or less-intensive hike, walk about 2.5 miles to the Deer Leap Overlook for some incredible views of the mountain ranges nearby.

We have stayed at this campground twice and have been so happy with it every time. The facilities are great for a state park and the sites are large. It’s a smaller campground which is really great. It’s just a short hike back to the pond, which is very pretty and is along the Appalachian Trail. Very centrally located and takes no time at all to get to Killington and Rutland.

This campground is the number one rated in Vermont for a reason. The staff were wonderful, the sites are pristine and picturesque, the faculties are decorated with wildflowers. We met a number of AT through hikers, who were very willing to share their adventure stories.

Good trip. Wished there was better swimming nearby. Great trail to Deers Leap overlook. I think the Apple leanto site is the best in the camp!

I've stayed at 10 of the state parks of VT. Gifford Woods takes the cake in friendliness of its staff. The park is amazingly clean, well run, located just of RT 4 and very near to Killington, Vermont. It has multiple lean-to sites which are in wooded areas. Cool stone bathrooms and playing fields for kids but the highlight (for me) is access to the Appalachian Trail. The AT runs directly through this park. While on a 4 state section hike I traveled by foot through this park. The ranger gave me an ice cream, pointed me to the showers and then chatted with me for an hour about my hike so far. He also gave me a ride to the Inn at Long Trail to pick up a resupply box since I was a few days behind schedule and low on food. I'll always remember his kindness. Living just across the state line in NH, I have frequented Gifford Woods on 4 other occasions for day hiking with family. Enjoy! I sure did!