Camping near Barnard, VT

Camping sites near Barnard, Vermont range from established state parks to remote backcountry shelters situated within the Green Mountain National Forest at elevations between 800-2000 feet. The camping season typically runs from late May through mid-October, with most facilities closing for winter when temperatures regularly drop below freezing and snow accumulation makes access difficult. The region receives approximately 40 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush forests and reliable water sources during summer months.

What to do

Hiking to swimming holes: Stony Brook Shelter on the Appalachian Trail features a swimming area where hikers can cool off. As one camper notes, "There was plenty of water at Stony Brook / Mink Brook a bit further northbound...I found a decent swimming hole (could just barely submerge myself) to clean off a bit."

Trail access from camps: Chittenden Brook Campground connects directly to hiking paths. One visitor mentions, "Nice access to trails right from the campground" and another adds it's "really tucked away a few miles off 73. Great if you're looking for some solitude."

Nearby attractions: Several historic sites are accessible within short driving distance. A visitor to Quechee State Park Campground writes, "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."

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Campers frequently mention the spacing between campsites as a positive feature. A visitor to Gifford Woods State Park Campground notes, "Upper Loop sites are spaced further apart. Wooded. AT goes right through the campground. Lovely late summer camping experience."

Clean facilities: Despite their rustic nature, many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and showers. One camper at Quechee State Park observed, "Might be the nicest bathrooms I've seen in decades of camping," while another added, "Bathrooms were clean and the grounds were quite at night."

Access to Long Trail: The Vermont Long Trail system connects with several camping areas. At Coolidge State Park Campground, a visitor mentioned "CCC trail cuts through. Ash and maple woods. Clean, well kept."

What you should know

Water sources vary: Some campgrounds lack reliable water access. A hiker at Winturri Backcountry Shelter cautions, "This is a back country shelter on the Appalachian trail that doesn't have consistent water...Water was running when I was there in mid-August from a spring close to the shelter."

Limited connectivity: Cell service is inconsistent throughout the region. A camper at Michigan Brook Road noted, "PLEASE NOTE: THIS LOCATION DOES NOT PROVIDE CELL PHONE SERVICE OR WIFI CONNECTION. However, if you walk to the end of upper Michigan Brook road you will have cell phone service."

Road conditions: Access to some camping areas requires driving on unpaved roads. A visitor to Chittenden Brook Campground reported, "There's a 2.5 mile dirt road with a steady incline into the camp, which my subie had no issue with, but not sure how well an RV would fair."

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer organized activities for children. At Quechee-Pine Valley KOA, a camper shared that "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.)"

Swimming options: For families with children, some sites provide easy water access. Silver Lake State Park features "a beach with wading depth, sand for playing, buoys to mark the shallow area, a large dock to jump from with a ladder for climbing out."

Playgrounds and games: Recreation facilities enhance family camping experiences. One visitor noted Silver Lake has "lawn space for games, a volleyball court, a fantastic playground. There is a bathroom and changing room, ice for sale and a great snackbar."

Tips from RVers

Dump station availability: Waste disposal facilities are limited but available at select locations. An RVer at Gifford Woods mentioned, "They do have a dump station if you are in a RV."

Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven sites. A camper at Coolidge State Park noted, "The issue I had was the camp next to ours had the generator on all night long and I had a hard time getting back to sleep."

Size restrictions: Many of the woodland campgrounds cannot accommodate larger rigs. A camper observed about Chittenden Brook, "Great tent camping area with good privacy at sites. Would be tough for any but the tiniest RV."