Vermont and New Hampshire state parks near West Chesterfield offer diverse camping experiences at elevations ranging from 400 to 1,900 feet. Camping options vary from densely wooded sites with hiking trails to waterfront locations with kayaking access. Seasonal operating periods typically run May through mid-October with temperature variations affecting site selection.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Jamaica State Park provides immediate trail access from campsites. "Great hiking or biking along the West River," notes Chris S., with multiple reviewers mentioning the trail to Hamilton Falls. "We hiked the west river trail (which leads right out of the campground) to Hamilton falls which is a gravel closed road that follows the west river upstream 2 miles to Hamilton falls trail," explains Chris D.
Swimming spots: Natural water features offer swimming alternatives to campground pools. At Jamaica State Park Campground, you can "go to the waterfall/rock slides and take a dip in the pools," according to Jackie G. Another camper shares that "finding Buttermere falls next to Okemo" was a highlight of their camping trip.
Family activities: Beyond standard amenities, look for unique recreation options. Kampfires in Dummerston offers mini golf, badminton, basketball, horseshoe, and shuffleboard. "They have an amphitheater for concerts and shows throughout the summer," according to Sammii D., who also noted their ice cream shop attached to the office.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bath facilities at several campgrounds receive high praise. Molly Stark State Park Campground offers "THE BATHROOM was the best I've seen camping very clean and updated and honestly gorgeous," according to Beck P. Multiple reviewers note the cleanliness of showers and bathrooms at campgrounds in the region.
River access: Proximity to water enhances camping experiences. One camper at Jamaica State Park valued "prime leanto sites right on the river" that were "beautiful and spacious." Another reviewer stated, "The campsites were beautiful with the river behind us. Not to many people there so we're got the best spot."
Seasonal staffing: Many campgrounds maintain attentive staff despite seasonal operations. At Tree Farm Campground, "the owners Ben and Elizabeth were super. We had a couple of issues with our pop-up camper which could've easily sent us back to CT crying but Ben along with another friendly neighbor helped us without hesitation."
What you should know
Site privacy factors: Privacy levels vary significantly between campgrounds and site locations. At Woodmore Family Campground and RV Park, "Sites in back are ok with trees and different levels. Sites are a little closer than I usually find. Neighbors are very considerate on site privacy." Site selection matters greatly for privacy.
Weekend noise levels: Midweek stays offer quieter experiences than weekends at several campgrounds. One camper noted a location was "Very quiet during the weekdays, picks up over weekends but not to overbearing." Another observed "Weekend is Party Time when the gang pulls in on Friday Night. Very loud until after 10:00 on Friday/Saturday."
Reservation policies: Cancellation and payment terms vary by campground. One reviewer warned about a campground that "demanded payment in full up front" which later caused issues. Another campground received praise for accommodating last-minute site changes when a reserved site was too small.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Choose campgrounds with diverse water recreation. Spacious Skies Seven Maples features "an amazing pool for kids of all ages with water slides and a splash area," though one parent noted "There's no life guard or staff monitoring the pool area so it did get a little too crazy at times for my little ones."
Playground access: Many campgrounds feature playgrounds with varying equipment. "The playground is really big with plenty to do," wrote one Seven Maples visitor. Another parent mentioned at Molly Stark, "Fun playground and nature area for kids. Very family friendly place."
Activity planning: Consider on-site activities when scheduling. At Jamaica State Park, "the water is released behind Ball Dam, creating a white water adventure" during specific spring dates. Several campgrounds host scheduled activities - one visitor noted "They had a Father's Day breakfast that was outstanding!"
Tips from RVers
Electrical concerns: Electrical service reliability varies across campgrounds. One RV camper at Sandy Beach Campground explained it's "Mostly a 5th wheelers park but you can see a 34 foot class A here and there so don't fret, there is room." Another RVer at a different campground reported "issues with 30 amp service at site was not providing enough power, could not run all my campers amenities."
Site leveling: Terrain varies significantly between campgrounds and individual sites. One RVer reported their "site was level" while others mentioned needing leveling blocks. Woodmore Family Campground sites have "different levels" according to reviews.
Site selection strategies: Seasonal campers occupy the most desirable sites at some campgrounds. A reviewer noted "Nicest sites are taken by seasonal" at one location. For short-term RV camping, calling ahead about specific site dimensions helps prevent issues, as one camper advised after seeing a 35-foot rig unable to fit in a reserved spot.
