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.
