The Green Mountain National Forest and surrounding areas provide several camping options near Belmont, Vermont, including established campgrounds and dispersed sites. Coolidge State Park Campground, located in Plymouth, features both tent and RV sites, with some lean-to shelters offering mountain views toward Killington. Greendale Campground in Weston offers a more primitive experience with 11 wooded campsites along a brook. Emerald Lake State Park in nearby Dorset accommodates tent camping, RVs, and glamping options with more developed amenities like showers and electric hookups.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day weekend. "The prime lean-to sites overlook the rugged terrain of the Green Mountains. It is especially beautiful in the fall," noted one visitor about Coolidge State Park. Road conditions can vary significantly, with some areas requiring high-clearance vehicles, particularly when accessing more remote dispersed camping sites like Downed Bridge Camp. The region experiences typical New England weather patterns with cold, snowy winters that close most campgrounds and pleasant summer temperatures ideal for camping. Fall brings spectacular foliage viewing opportunities but also colder overnight temperatures, so campers should prepare accordingly.
Campers frequently mention the peacefulness and natural beauty as highlights of the Belmont area camping experience. Greendale Campground visitors appreciate the "small babbling brook close to sites" and the quiet, secluded atmosphere. Many sites offer good hiking access, including at Little Rock Pond where visitors can access the campsite maintained by the Green Mountain Club. Dispersed camping opportunities like Downed Bridge Camp receive positive reviews for privacy, though one camper advised: "If you're looking for the ideal spot to stay a few days make sure you show in daylight so you can explore." Primitive sites typically offer only basic amenities like fire rings, while established state park campgrounds provide toilets, picnic tables, and often showers, making the region suitable for both backcountry enthusiasts and families seeking more convenient facilities.
"Beautiful campground in south central Vermont. On a lovely emerald green small lake with nice beach. Good for fishing and kayaking. Well kept."
"The camp sites are quite a bit of a walk up the hill from the lake where there is swimming, kayaking, paddle boating and picnicking."
"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!"
"Greendale Campground is a small remote campground located along Greendale Brook in Weston, VT. There are 11 campsites available in a wooded setting."
"We picked a nice site next to a babbling brook. While we only tent camped we plan to return with our new to us pop up this year. We only saw two cars during our entire stay."
"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."
$20 - $42 / night
"This tops our list for camping in Vermont. There is so much to do here, and yet the campground feels very private and quiet. There are 41 tent/RV sites to choose from and 18 lean-tos."
"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 delightful visit. They worked with us to get the right site."
"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."
"Great location for a small group to camp at. Can't wait to go back. The main area is a walk in and is worth it. The road into here was easy to drive. "
$24 - $30 / night
"The campground is located where Winhall River meets the West River."
"There is a small group of camp sides with electricity and water but most sites have none. The bathrooms are clean. Where the two rivers intersect is a nice sport to put your feet in the water."
"The surrounding grounds are mostly manicured fields."
"We appreciate the pond for swimming and the nice easy pond loop trail for hiking. Hapgood is in close proximity to Manchester and near the Appalachian Trail."
GuideRight along the road (so if anything happens you can get help) also has wifi signal. It’s right along a creek that’s clean and beautiful. Crisp air and calming flowing river noises all night made it so I slept like a baby!
ScoutPublic Lands with about 8 semi private sites, each with nice views west or easterly. It's a large meadow and with a breeze, it will keep bugs away. Lacking a breeze, it is tough but still beautiful
TravelerI have stayed at several of the waterfront tent and lean-to camp sites. It’s a nice organized place but can get pretty noisy when larger groups take over the loop c spots. There’s an open grassy field near the water at that end of the campground and it doesn’t take much to make a disturbance as sound carries over the water to loop b and a. Several people ignore the no dogs on the beach rule too. Those issues aside it’s a nice accessible campground with quiet water for kayakers like me. Generally I find the flies and mosquitoes are less of a problem once the dragon flies arrive.
ScoutHad a site booked for Memorial Day weekend but had a complication to my 5th shoulder surgery in 2.5 years and had my 6th which was a 3rd attempt at rotator cuff repair in mid-May. Called to see if I could change my reservation since I cannot drive due to Dr.'s orders but no dice. Could care less and told me too late due to policy. Offered to provide doctors documentation but didn't matter. I did not ask for refund just to change the date. Rude, dismissive and unwilling to work with me. Sad that a family-oriented place is run this way. End result I am out over$600 and they are smiling. As a business owner myself I would be out of business if I treated my customers this way.
ScoutDEC has designated and constructed 12 camp sites in areas around Shelving Rock Road and Dacy Clearing Road. Camping will only be allowed at the designated campsites or more than 500 feet from the Shelving Rock and Dacy Clearing Roads.
ScoutAs noted by others, most of the sites have a fire ring and nothing more. A little more than half of the sites can be driven to and others require a very short walk (50 ft?). The toilets mentioned are at Texas falls area and are not a practical walk from most of the campsites.
There are no showers.
Aside from the loop trail at the falls there are also a couple of snowmobile trails that cross the area.
GuideWe emailed twice and traveled five hours to only find out they have a list of dog breeds they don’t accept. The list has no rhyme or reason. Our 7 year old 95lb Great Dane was not allowed. Ridiculous
RangerStayed here for a week. Josh and Dori were super nice and helpful. Level grass field with water and 30amp hookup. Fire pit port o potty, creek across the street. Very pretty setting. Dark sky area. Cell att and Verizon we decent enough to work plus they had WiFi if needed.
RangerOur favorite campground in the area is Winhall Brook, but it has been closed for about 3 years since the flooding in VT. Hapgood Pond is a good alternative. It is a little more primitive with pit toilets in most of the campground except the bath house. We appreciate the pond for swimming and the nice easy pond loop trail for hiking. Hapgood is in close proximity to Manchester and near the Appalachian Trail.
Camping near Belmont, Vermont offers visitors access to Green Mountain National Forest through both developed campgrounds and dispersed sites. The region sits at approximately 1,600 feet above sea level with humidity levels typically lower than surrounding valleys. Summer temperatures average 75-80°F during daytime, dropping to 50-55°F overnight, creating comfortable sleeping conditions in tents and cabins.
Swimming and paddling opportunities: Emerald Lake State Park Campground in Dorset features a turquoise lake with a small sandy beach and facilities for cooling off. "We try and get to Emerald Lake State Park at least a few times every summer. It's an awesome park for kids, and the turquoise water is a dream to cool off in. Swimmers can swim out to a small island in the middle of the lake and check out the rope swing," notes one visitor.
Hiking access: Little Rock Pond Group Camp offers tent platforms with direct pond access maintained by the Green Mountain Club. A visitor shares: "Operated by the Green Mountain Club caretaker who lives onsite, this campsite costs only $5 per person per night. There's a big 3-wall cabin with room for at least 12, several tent platforms, and there's even a composting privy (#2 only)!"
Historic sites: Coolidge State Park Campground offers camping near President Calvin Coolidge's homestead. A camper explains: "Take advantage of the historical site nearby (President Calvin Coolidge's homestead) and long trail brewing."
Quiet natural settings: Greendale Campground in Weston provides a secluded experience with a stream running through the property. "My family and I went on our first camping trip together here in September of 2019. It was quiet and peaceful. There were no other campers and we had our pick of any site we liked. We picked a nice site next to a babbling brook," one camper reports.
Mountain views: Coolidge State Park offers elevated camping with panoramic vistas. A visitor mentions: "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. I grew up camping here, my parents took us up here every Columbus Day weekend when the color of the leaves were stunning."
Waterfront options: Jamaica State Park Campground provides river access from select sites. "We managed to get a prime leanto site right on the river. We were only there for an overnight but we will be back. In the Spring the water is released behind Ball Dam, creating a white water adventure. The prime lean-to sites on the water are beautiful and spacious."
Reservation timing: Popular sites at Gifford Woods State Park Campground book quickly, especially lean-tos. "This is a popular camp ground so reserve as early as 11 months before arrival," advises a frequent camper.
Site selection matters: Many campgrounds have significant variation between sites. "The prime lean tos have great views. Sites for tents offer some set away but further from water and toilet. Other sites closer, but also closer together," notes a visitor about choosing locations.
Weather preparedness: Evening temperatures drop significantly, even in summer. "The campground is super busy on summer weekends, but if you want solitude, hike some of the beautiful trails in the park. We especially loved the trail around the lake - quiet with good swimming all around," shares a visitor.
Dispersed options: Downed Bridge Camp provides primitive camping with no facilities. "If you're looking for the ideal spot to stay a few days make sure you show in daylight so you can explore. But ours was a night stop on a trip so showing up in the dark and waking up in the forest was a little magical."
Swim-friendly campgrounds: Emerald Lake's beach area caters to families with children. "There's a small, sandy beach at one end of the lake, with a bath house and changing rooms nearby. The campground is large, with three camping loops."
Group camping facilities: Group sites work well for family reunions or scout troops. A visitor to Jamaica State Park explains: "We camped for two nights in Lean-tos with 20 Girls and Leaders. It's a great place to bring a Troop and use the lake and trails for badges plus cooking badges as well."
Kid-friendly amenities: Some private campgrounds offer additional activities. A visitor to Horseshoe Acres Campground notes: "Mini golf, playground and swimming pool for the kids. Three large field areas with lots of families and plenty of space for kids to meet others and ride bikes."
Road access challenges: Many of the best places to camp near Belmont require careful navigation. "Our 42 foot fifth wheel hit the road going up it, then severely drugged down the hill going down it extremely slowly. We have a drop frame, so it didn't make matters any better," warns one RVer.
Utility availability: Most state parks have limited hookups, so plan accordingly. "There are a few sites with hookups but since we like to be near the river, we opted for other areas," notes a camper at Winhall Brook Camping Area.
Site leveling: Be prepared with leveling blocks at many locations. "Site 16 is one of the smaller sites and is not super level, but we were able to get the Subaru backed in and relatively level for camping."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Belmont, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Belmont, VT offers a wide range of camping options, with 204 campgrounds and RV parks near Belmont, VT and 31 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Belmont, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Belmont, VT is Emerald Lake State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 19 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Belmont, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 31 free dispersed camping spots near Belmont, VT.
What parks are near Belmont, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Belmont, VT that allow camping, notably Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests and Green Mountain National Forest.
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