Best Campgrounds near Ascutney, VT

The Mount Ascutney region provides several established campgrounds and primitive camping areas across Vermont's eastern border. Mount Ascutney State Park Campground offers tent and RV sites with immaculate grounds and facilities, while Wilgus State Park Campground sits along the Connecticut River with kayak rentals and river access. Tree Farm Campground near Springfield features more developed amenities including electric hookups, and Quechee State Park Campground approximately 20 miles north provides additional options including cabins and glamping facilities. These campgrounds generally operate from May through mid-October with varying opening and closing dates dependent on weather conditions.

Camping season in the Ascutney area typically begins in early May and extends through mid-October, with some campgrounds opening earlier than others. Most Vermont state parks in the region do not offer electric hookups, though private campgrounds like Tree Farm and Caton Place provide full-service sites with water, electric, and sewer connections. Cell service can be spotty throughout the region, particularly at Mount Ascutney State Park. Many campgrounds offer firewood for sale, and fire regulations are strictly enforced. The area experiences typical New England weather patterns with warm summers and cool evenings. According to one visitor, "Vermont parks are just some of the most lush you've ever seen. Our trip was a bit 'dampened' by an extremely rainy Memorial Day weekend, but what we did see was beautiful."

Access to the Connecticut River represents a significant draw for campers at Wilgus State Park, where visitors appreciate the slow-moving water ideal for paddling. Several developed campgrounds in the area feature clean facilities, hiking trails, and organized activities. Proximity to Mount Ascutney provides excellent hiking opportunities with four different trails of varying difficulty leading to summit vistas. Campers consistently mention the privacy of sites at state parks, with many noting the well-spaced, shaded camping areas. The region balances accessibility to small towns and attractions with natural settings. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, Mount Ascutney State Park receives high marks for its "quiet and private" campsites nestled into forested settings, while others appreciate being able to "drive up the toll road and the views were spectacular" when hiking isn't possible.

Best Camping Sites Near Ascutney, Vermont (198)

    1. Mount Ascutney State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Ascutney, VT
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 674-2060

    "I did some research and poking around on the interwebs, and discovered Mt. Ascutney State Park in Windsor, VT."

    "Vermont parks are just some the most lush you’ve ever seen."

    2. Wilgus State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Ascutney, VT
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (802) 674-5422

    $20 - $30 / night

    "Wilgus State Park is the first Vermont state park to open each spring, well before Memorial Day each year."

    "This is a small park, but it's a good spot to stay to explore the area (nearby Mt. Ascutney State Park, Harpoon Brewery, the American Precision Museum, etc.)."

    3. Quechee State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Quechee, VT
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 295-2990

    $38 / night

    "The Quechee Gorge, best accessed from the back of the lawn behind the bathhouse, is the deepest in Vermont.. which is kind of like saying the best bagel or most populous city in Vermont."

    "Got there close to the time the rangers left for the night, Nick was really kind to make sure I got situated before he left."

    4. Tree Farm Campground

    7 Reviews
    Springfield, VT
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 885-2889

    $26 - $36 / night

    "While searching online we learned that Vermont state parks do not have hook ups. We are a family of five with a pop up pull behind and the Glamping lifestyle is a little bit easier on us these days ."

    "There are a few trails around the campground and it is close to Mt Ascutney which if you are feeling a bit lazy there is an auto rd that goes about 3/4 of the way up. 3 mi."

    5. Caton Place Campground

    7 Reviews
    Cavendish, VT
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 226-7767

    "Easy to drive into the campground and into the site. We had no issues at all. Hosts were very friendly and helpful. Campground was very clean and well manicured."

    6. Coolidge State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Plymouth, VT
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 672-3612

    "Take a walk to the picnic pavilion which has a great view. Trail around Slack Hill has view of Ascutney. Pavilion and some shelters look over to Kiliington. CCC trail cuts through."

    "This place gets my vote for best campground in Vermont. Especially true if you're lucky enough to get one of the few sites on the outside of A loop that has a Lean-to with a view."

    7. Crown Point Camping Area

    2 Reviews
    Ascutney, VT
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 263-5555

    "This is a great campground set in a thick pine forest near a large pond. They have a lagoon for swimming and a children's playground. Hiking trails nearby. Canoes for rent."

    "They have scheduled events that occur including family and adult only fire truck rides around the campground."

    8. Quechee-Pine Valley KOA

    11 Reviews
    Quechee, VT
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 296-6711

    "Nice rustic ,small all amenities park.Great place to explore Vermont ,hundreds of things to do and see in the area. Really like this park."

    "While staying here I could enjoy some fishing, taking the dog for a nice walk, enjoy the evening with a nice fire, camp side, and go swimming on those hot summer days."

    9. Pillsbury State Park Campground

    14 Reviews
    Washington, NH
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 863-2860

    $29 - $40 / night

    "Pillsbury resides in a very pretty spot nestled around a lake. There are campsites that are car accesable and remote campsites only accessable by boat. Canoe rentals are available at the park."

    "Checked in late, at 7:45pm (15 minutes before the cutoff) and found the ranger to be SUPER helpful in regards to picking a walk-on site."

    10. Getaway Mountain Campground

    2 Reviews
    Ascutney, VT
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 674-2812
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Recent Reviews near Ascutney, VT

758 Reviews of 198 Ascutney Campgrounds


  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Spacious Skies French Pond

    Helpful staff

    The staff was friendly. Don't forget the flashlight. There is very little lighting to find your way around the winding roads of the campground which adds to the charm.

  • Marc D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Mount Ascutney State Park Campground

    Great state park

    This is a beautiful state park at the base of Mt ascutney. The campground is lovely. Forest Ed and beautiful fall colors in October. Good facilities. Friendly staff. Some noise from the interstate but not terrible. There is a 3.7 mile road that is extremely steep but paved, and goes to the summit of the mountain. Less than 1 mile hike from there to the observation tower. Great views. Lots of hiking trail trails.

  • S.D.G
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Quechee State Park Campground

    Great stop on any trip

    Clean, good facilities. Price has gone up to $38 a night. Got there close to the time the rangers left for the night, Nick was really kind to make sure I got situated before he left. Walking distance from the antique mall which is a stop everyone should make as well as good food and pizza right nearby. Great spot to stop at on any trip

  • Carroll K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Gus's Gardens Camping

    It was quite and peaceful

    We enjoyed our stay with Gus very much. With the email to confirm our stay, there were excellent directions to get there. It is behind his home by a lake with creek nearby. There is also a hiking trail. We had no problems. If we are in the area again, we would camp here again.  Thanks

  • Lin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Spacious Skies French Pond

    Best Camp in the area

    I am enjoying this camp still, even after 6 months. Management is wonderful and attentive. They take great care of the whole camp and us campers. Fun events are scheduled on the regular!

  • Keith L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Jamaica State Park Campground

    Great Camping Experience at Jamaica State Park

    This was our second stay at this Vermont State Park. It was a great three days. The park rangers were tremendous in ensuring we had a great visit. They worked with us to get the right site. The bathroom facilities, while rustic, were clean. There is a plethora of things to do in the park itself and in the local community. Nonetheless, it starts and ends with the management of the campground. Lauren, the campground manager, and her team of professionals, do a great job. We will definitely return.

  • B The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Quechee State Park Campground

    Beautiful, road noise, not a lot there

    Big, flat, beautiful sites. Road noise isn't super loud, but it's constant. Might be the nicest bathrooms I've seen in decades of camping.

    The weird thing is that there just isn't much here. The Quechee Gorge, best accessed from the back of the lawn behind the bathhouse, is the deepest in Vermont.. which is kind of like saying the best bagel or most populous city in Vermont. Prepared to be whelmed.

    It's a ~30 minute hike, you can access some slow semi-rapids at the bottom.

    Camping at the SP does give access to another trail that's moderately challenging and has both some level spots and a nice overlook.

    Don't regret the trip at all but it seems more like an awesome stopover than a worthwhile destination. Some decent restaurants in the area and even more in nearby Lebanon/White River Junction.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Kampersville

    Nice

    The campsites are all in the trees with some sites not clearly defined. The sites seem good sized with new bathroom and showers, with individual showers with a toilet. There are a lot of monthly staying here. Overall a nice park


Guide to Ascutney

Campsites near Ascutney, Vermont offer unique camping environments ranging from riverside locations to mountain settings at elevations between 400-2,200 feet. The region experiences temperature swings of 20-30°F between day and night, even in summer months. Cell service varies significantly between campgrounds, with stronger signals at lower elevations and near Route 5, while mountain sites often have limited or no connectivity.

What to do

River paddling opportunities: Campers at Wilgus State Park Campground can rent kayaks and canoes for Connecticut River exploration. "Wilgus state park has amazing campsites, very friendly staff, and great access to the Connecticut River. We loved walking the trail behind the campsites along the river to the beautiful vista views with a group with young kids, rented kayaks and fished from the boat launch," notes Kaileigh K.

Mountain biking trails: The area offers trails for all skill levels, particularly at Mount Ascutney. "The state park maintains its own mountain biking trail loop, which accessible directly from the campground. It is a 3 mile beginner friendly loop, with some nice rollers and moderate terrain. Down the road about 10 minutes at the Mt. Ascutney Outdoor Center, there is a whole network of mountain biking trails that range from novice to expert," reports Rita M.

Swimming spots: Local ponds provide refreshing alternatives to campground swimming areas. "There is a great local pond for swimming that had dive docks, diving boards and lifeguards on duty that was less than 10 minutes away," mentions a Wilgus State Park visitor, while those at Pillsbury State Park Campground should note that "Swimming in the stream is safe but the lake is loaded with leeches!"

What campers like

Private, well-spaced sites: Many Ascutney area campgrounds offer good separation between sites. At Quechee State Park Campground, "The sites are nicely spaced and seem to accommodate big rigs rather well. We have seen all shapes and sizes come and go, as well as tent campers, and they offer lean to's as well," reports Chris A.

Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness consistently receives positive mentions. "The grounds and facilities are immaculate," notes Susan E. about Wilgus State Park, while another camper at Coolidge State Park Campground states, "The bathrooms were clean and the coin-operated showers were great. Each site was neatly maintained."

Convenient river access: Proximity to the Connecticut River provides swimming and paddling opportunities. "This campground was beautiful and very quiet even though it was full. Campsites are all large and flat, lean to's also have ample space for tents and the cabin sites are perfect," mentions Kaileigh K. about Wilgus State Park, which features "great access to the Connecticut River."

What you should know

Road noise varies by campground: Some camping areas experience significant road noise. At Mount Ascutney State Park, "We were in site 27 and it was a beautiful site but the road noise from interstate 91 was extremely loud," reports Dana M., who recommends the tent-only loop (sites 19-24) where "the road noise is considerable less."

Shower costs and availability: Most state parks have coin-operated showers. At Tree Farm Campground, showers are included, and the campground is described as having "well-maintained grounds" despite experiencing "the highest temps VT had seen in a long time."

Limited hookups at state parks: Vermont state parks typically lack electrical connections. "There are no hookups but they do have a dump station if you are in an RV," notes Jan B. about Quechee State Park. Private campgrounds like Tree Farm Campground and Caton Place offer full hookup sites.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds organize family activities. At Quechee State Park, "Rangers also run fun programs for children- my children churned butter and made popcorn over the campfire one night, and made tie dyed T-shirts the next (for no fee)," shares Jen B.

Multi-age recreation areas: Many campgrounds provide dedicated play spaces. At Crown Point Camping Area, "They have a lagoon for kids, with built in water rafts in the middle for kids to jump in. They have scheduled events that occur including family and adult only fire truck rides around the campground," reports Katie R.

Cabin options for easier family camping: Several campgrounds offer cabin alternatives to tent camping. "The cabin is great as it has a set of bunk beds and futon. Great for starting out with your kids," notes Tim K. about the cabins at Wilgus State Park.

Tips from RVers

Site selection for bigger rigs: Large RVs require careful site selection in some campgrounds. At Quechee State Park, Chris A. advises, "Recommend site 11 or the BIRCH lean to as the 2 most spacious and/or secluded sites, as the campground is not too far off route 4 and you may hear cars/trucks."

Accessibility challenges: Some campgrounds have terrain issues for large RVs. At Caton Place Campground, one visitor cautions, "The roads aren't wide enough to take a motorhome into. The pull through site is not level and is barely long enough to fit my 43' rig (with my motorcycle lift)."

Full hookup availability: Private campgrounds offer the most services for RVs. "We needed some serious forest bathing and spontaneously decided to head to the green mountains. We were looking for a basic camp ground that would have hook ups," notes emily H. about her stay at Tree Farm Campground, which provided the amenities her family needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Ascutney, VT?

According to TheDyrt.com, Ascutney, VT offers a wide range of camping options, with 198 campgrounds and RV parks near Ascutney, VT and 25 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Ascutney, VT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Ascutney, VT is Mount Ascutney State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 10 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Ascutney, VT?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 25 free dispersed camping spots near Ascutney, VT.

What parks are near Ascutney, VT?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Ascutney, VT that allow camping, notably North Hartland Lake and Union Village Dam.