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Camping near Barnard, Vermont encompasses a mix of state parks, backcountry sites, and private campgrounds nestled in the rolling Green Mountains of central Vermont. Silver Lake State Park Campground, located directly in Barnard, serves as the centerpiece of local camping options with its pristine lakefront setting. Within a 30-minute drive, campers can access additional established campgrounds including Gifford Woods State Park near Killington and Coolidge State Park in Plymouth. The Appalachian Trail also passes through the region, offering backcountry shelter options like Winturri and Stony Brook for hikers seeking more primitive camping experiences. The area's combination of accessible developed campgrounds and remote hiking destinations makes it suitable for various camping styles.
Most campgrounds in the Barnard area operate seasonally from late May through mid-October, with Silver Lake State Park specifically open from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend. Winter camping is extremely limited as most facilities close and many access roads become impassable due to snow. Cell service throughout the region is spotty, with reviewers noting variable coverage depending on carrier. Fire regulations follow Vermont state guidelines, with established fire rings at developed sites and seasonal restrictions possible during dry periods. Reservations are strongly recommended for summer weekends and fall foliage season when campgrounds frequently reach capacity.
The camping options around Barnard cater to different preferences and needs. Silver Lake State Park provides tent and RV sites with amenities like showers and a beach area. According to one camper, "The sites are fairly private without being built too close together. Lake is clean and has a great concrete dock that the kids love to jump off." For those seeking backcountry experiences, the AT shelters offer more rustic accommodations with pit toilets and sometimes unreliable water sources. Gifford Woods State Park, about 15 miles west of Barnard, features wooded lean-to sites and provides direct access to the Appalachian Trail, making it popular with both section hikers and families seeking more developed facilities with shower access.
"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."
from $38 / night
Check Availability"Decent bathroom situation--I've seen better and I've seen worse in Vermont."
"The park is amazingly clean, well run, located just of RT 4 and very near to Killington, Vermont. It has multiple lean-to sites which are in wooded areas."
"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."
"Coolidge is off the beaten path but well worth the wander! There are no water sites, it’s on the side of a heavily wooded mountain with a few sites having amazing views!"
"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."
"Surrounded by breathtaking mountain-scapes. Facilities are nice and the lake is lovely with some great fishing. You can swim, walk around it or rent a vessel to cruise around in."
"Enjoy the serenity of the forest surrounding you, while you glimpse stars, and warm your innards beside a fire."
from $64 / night
"I stayed at this campsite located at the end of upper Michigan road. It is winter and there is a lot of snow. The main road to the parking lot is plowed and sanded."
"Few nice ones near the creek. I stayed at one on top of a lots of space at mine."
"Campsites are spread out, great dog walking areas , and very spacious dog parks, one for big dos and one for little ones."
"I chose to stay here while I was finishing up the VT 4000-footers because it was midway between the trails for Mt Ellen/Abram and Killington."
"The shelter was a fairly basic 8ish person shelter, but this stop stood out because of a brand new privvy, large tenting areas, and a swimming hole and consistent water just a bit further down the trail"
"Nice hiking trails close to long trail, really tucked away a few miles off 73. Great if you’re looking for some solitude."
"Well maintained, and nice access to trails right from the campground."
from $15 / night
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ScoutReally enjoyed the setting at Crow’s Nest. There are lots of trees and having the Sugar River running alongside the campground gives the whole place a nice New Hampshire feel. We were mostly looking for somewhere to disconnect for a couple of days, cook outside, fish a little, and enjoy being away from home. Crow’s Nest was a great fit for that.
ScoutWhat we liked most about Crow’s Nest was being able to choose between doing absolutely nothing or heading out and exploring. One day we stayed around the campground, went swimming and relaxed by the river. The next day we got out and explored more of the Lake Sunapee area. It made a really good home base and it was always nice coming back to our campsite at the end of the day.
ScoutVery Disappointed With the Changes
Crown Point Campground used to be a wonderful place to camp. Unfortunately, since Happy Grounds purchased the campground, we have seen a significant decline in the overall experience.
I do want to make one thing very clear: the woman managing the campground is absolutely wonderful. She genuinely cares about the campers, is kind, helpful, and does her best to make people feel welcome. Our frustrations are not directed toward her. She deserves recognition for the effort she puts in, especially given the circumstances.
Unfortunately, there are serious concerns with the direction the campground has taken. There is no reliable Wi-Fi or cell service, which is especially concerning because there is no dependable way to call out in the event of an emergency. We have also seen a significant change in the atmosphere and clientele. Drugs have been found on the premises, including needles, which is extremely concerning for the safety of campers, especially families with children.
The campground has also become increasingly overcrowded. Tent sites have had upwards of 10 people on a single site, creating a very different camping experience from what many long-time campers originally signed up for.
Seasonal campers were told that there would be a gradual increase over two years to bring rates up to the new “going rate.” However, when the new contracts came out for next year, the price had increased by approximately $900. That is a substantial increase for a campground that, in our opinion, has continued to decline rather than improve.
What was perhaps most disappointing was how campers' concerns were handled. When people questioned the increase and expressed their frustrations, the response from the corporation was, and I quote:
“Get out and leave. I’ve heard enough complaints. Just leave if you don’t like it.”
That is an incredibly disappointing way to speak to people who have supported this campground for years.
It is heartbreaking to see what Crown Point Campground has become. There are good people here, and the campground itself has so much potential. Most importantly, the manager genuinely cares about the campers, and she deserves credit for that.
Our hope is that Happy Grounds will listen to the people who have invested years of their time and money here, address the safety and overcrowding concerns, and bring back the sense of community that once made Crown Point such a wonderful place to camp.
GuideGood size campground with three loops. 2 shower / restroom facilities. Many of the sites are simply grass. There are a few gravel ones. The staff has no problem with driving on the or parking on grass. All sites have a firepit. Wood can be obtained locally. There is no store at the camp. There is only one dump station. There is a boat launch with limited trailer parking although when we stayed (Aug 2026) the water was only 18 in to 2 ft deep at docks. Heavily choked with vegetation. Shower facilities were clean enough but could use more attention, heavy cobwebs at lights, corners and edges of shower pretty dark with mold. Plenty of fresh water spigots throughout the camp. Camp is on the banks of lake Champlain, although only a couple sites have a lake view. Ruins of two pre-revolutionary war forts are within walking distance and offer a great introduction to life in the early 18th century. Fort Ticonderoga is a 30 min drive and will take most of the day to tour. Well worth the trip. Only 3 min drive to Vermont. I would stay again.
ScoutCrow’s Nest was a really convenient stop for us while traveling through New Hampshire. Getting our RV situated was easy and we had everything we needed for a comfortable stay.
ScoutWe brought the kids here for a few days and they had a blast. Between swimming, exploring around the campground, and just riding around and making friends, they always had something to do. For us, it was nice being able to actually relax while the kids stayed entertained. We cooked at the campsite most nights and spent the evenings around the fire. Great family trip.
ScoutThe Sugar River was probably our favorite part of staying here. There is something really relaxing about waking up, making coffee, and being able to walk down by the river first thing in the morning. We spent our days fishing, hanging around the campground, and exploring the area. Crow’s Nest has a classic New Hampshire campground feel and we would definitely come back.
ScoutPeaceful, quiet, relaxing space. Super friendly staff.
TravelerFor the price, it’s not bad. For about $50/night, we got a nice even sandy campsite with a picnic table and fire ring. Not much privacy, though- the neighboring sites are not separated by trees or bushes or anything.
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.
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Barnard, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Barnard, VT offers a wide range of camping options, with 200 campgrounds and RV parks near Barnard, VT and 22 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Barnard, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Barnard, VT is Quechee State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 24 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Barnard, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 free dispersed camping spots near Barnard, VT.
What parks are near Barnard, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Barnard, VT that allow camping, notably North Hartland Lake and Green Mountain National Forest.
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