The Green Mountains of Vermont and the forested hills of eastern New York create a diverse landscape for outdoor recreation near Cambridge, New York. At elevations ranging from 500 to 2,000 feet, the region experiences warm summers and cold winters with substantial snowfall. Camping options include sites along rivers, around lakes, and near hiking trails with several facilities open from May through mid-October.
What to do
Tubing and swimming in the Battenkill: Camping On The Battenkill in Arlington, Vermont offers direct river access. "We sleep in tents so the sound of the river puts you to sleep at night. Excellent campground for cooking delicious meals over the fire and sitting around the fire later. We also tube down the river," reports Heather P.
Fishing for trout: The Battenkill River is known for world-class trout fishing. "Excellent location and quiet campground with Battenkill swimming and world-class trout fishing," notes Judy J. at Camping On The Battenkill. Some campgrounds stock their ponds for catch-and-release fishing.
Kayaking and canoeing: Emerald Lake State Park Campground provides a small lake with rental options. "Swimmers can swim out to a small island in the middle of the lake and check out the rope swing," writes Tara S. The turquoise water makes it popular during summer months.
Hiking through diverse terrain: Multiple hiking trails connect through the region. "Park also provided a guide to nearby hiking," mentions a reviewer at Woodford State Park Campground. The area connects with sections of both the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail systems.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Pine Hollow Campground offers spacious sites around a central pond. "This is a very quiet and clean campground. Friendly people and nice pond for swimming and catch and release trout fishing," notes AcIdBuRn. Many sites feature natural buffers between neighbors.
Clean facilities: Bathrooms and shower facilities vary between campgrounds. "Facilities were spotless. The owners are so nice and welcoming," shares Ripp D. about Camping On The Battenkill. Most state parks have token-operated showers requiring quarters.
Natural water features: Almost every campground features a lake, pond or river. At Woodford State Park Campground, "The reservoir is beautiful—plenty of space to spread out for paddling and swimming," according to Melissa S. Some sites offer waterfront camping while others require short walks to water access.
Wildlife viewing: The forested surroundings support diverse wildlife. "We heard coyotes at night and loons in the morning," reports Melissa S. at Woodford State Park Campground. Early mornings and evenings provide the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds operate from late May through early October. "Spring camping in southern VT. Trees had not fully leafed out yet when we visited, but I would think this would be a well-shaded campground," Monica F. notes about Camping On The Battenkill. Off-season camping is limited to dispersed sites.
Varying site conditions: Site sizes and amenities differ considerably between campgrounds. At Emerald Lake State Park, "many of them are perched on a steep ledge, making them a bit sketchy for families with kids," warns Tara S. Research site maps before booking.
Dispersed camping regulations: For those seeking more isolation, NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot in Green Mountain National Forest offers primitive sites. "Peaceful and quiet dispersed camping spot. Large enough for 2-3 vehicles or one large rig/RV. Very few vehicles pass, some days none," reports Danny D. No facilities are available at dispersed sites.
Weekend congestion: Popular campgrounds fill quickly for summer weekends. "The campground is super busy on summer weekends, but if you want solitude, hike some of the beautiful trails in the park," suggests Tara S. at Emerald Lake State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Look for playground access: Several campgrounds provide dedicated play areas. At Greenwood Lodge & Campsites, "the park has a nice grassy area on the water that's dog-friendly, and a separate little no-dog swimming and paddle boat area," according to a reviewer. Check for age-appropriate equipment.
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds cater more to families than others. "If you have kids and don't mind them making friends and roaming the campground then this is great," explains J.L. about Woodford State Park. If quiet is preferred, request sites further from common areas.
Check swimming conditions: Water features vary in safety and supervision. "The beach on the river is beautiful and clean! Easy swimming for all," Christina M. says about Camping On The Battenkill. Most natural swimming areas lack lifeguards outside of designated beaches.
Watch for steep terrain: Several campgrounds feature significant elevation changes. At Emerald Lake State Park, families with young children should "check out the map before you reserve a site and find one on the opposite side of the ledge," recommends Tara S.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: Gravel sites may require leveling. "Gravel roads and relatively level gravel sites," notes John T. at Greenwood Lodge & Campsites, which offers water and electric hookups for RVs.
Limited dump station access: Not all campgrounds provide sewer hookups. Lake Lauderdale Campground accommodates both tent and RV campers with 23 sites offering full hookups. "The campground is acres and acres of beautiful land," reports Sarika R.
Navigating tight turns: Forest roads can challenge larger rigs. "We had a site with Electric and Water hook up. There are sewer hook up available also. Overall a great place. It seems tight for the big ones," warns Andrzej K. about Pine Hollow Campground. Consider rig size when selecting campgrounds.
Weather preparation: Seasonal temperature variations require planning. "We arrived an hour after the water was turned off due to freezing temps. We were allowed to fill the fresh tank from the lodge," shares John T. about Greenwood Lodge & Campsites. Early and late season camping requires extra preparation.
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