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Camping near Bennington, Vermont encompasses a range of options from established state parks to free dispersed sites within the Green Mountain National Forest. Woodford State Park, situated at the highest elevation of all Vermont state campgrounds, surrounds Adams Reservoir and provides waterfront sites, cabins, and tent camping opportunities. Just north of Bennington, Camping on the Battenkill offers riverside sites with full amenities for RVs and tent campers. For those seeking more primitive experiences, the George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed camping area provides free, basic sites with minimal facilities. Greenwood Lodge & Campsites in Bennington and Pine Hollow Campground in nearby Pownal round out the established options with various hookups and amenities.
Most campgrounds in the Bennington area operate seasonally from mid-May through mid-October, with state parks typically opening Memorial Day weekend and closing Columbus Day weekend. Winter camping is extremely limited, with most facilities closed and unplowed. Fire restrictions vary by location and season, with all campfires requiring established fire rings in developed sites. Bear activity is present throughout the region, particularly in the Green Mountain National Forest areas, requiring proper food storage. Weather conditions can change rapidly due to elevation differences, with Woodford State Park notably cooler than valley locations during summer heat waves.
The camping experiences vary significantly by location. State parks like Woodford and nearby Molly Stark offer natural settings with basic amenities including showers, drinking water, and picnic tables, but no electric hookups. According to reviews, "Woodford has two beaches, a larger day-use area with tables and grills and a smaller campers beach in the park's third loop." Private campgrounds provide more amenities including full hookups for RVs, while dispersed sites in the national forest require self-sufficiency with no facilities. Most campgrounds are dog-friendly, though specific rules vary by location. Fall camping is particularly popular for foliage viewing, with one visitor noting that "the fall foliage is unreal" at Woodford State Park.
"The views on some of the sites to the lake are beautiful. the grounds and facilities are well kept. and you are close to both Bennington and Wilmington. a great spot to camp at in Southern Vermont!"
"Woodford State Park is situated between Wilmington and Bennington VT in the southern part of the Green Mountain National Forest."
"We stopped on our way through to Stowe Vermont."
"The camp spots were all pretty spread out from each other and the road was easy to drive on. There were only about 10 spots along the access road."
"A LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well."
"I got in around the afternoon and there were already a few camp sites taken. Which is to be expected on the fourth."
"Our first time in Vermont and we picked an awesome campground. This place has a great layout with lots of great sites to choose from. There are several sites right on the river!
Clean bath houses."
"Site 16 had a path to the river and was slightly tucked away. Sites 13 and 14 were cool spots too, I’d imagine in the summer you may have less privacy because it’s near the swimming area."
from $45 - $57 / night
Check Availability"Great little campground close to Albany. We needed a place to stop for the night but could have stayed all weekend. There is a small pond that is fun to fish and swim in."
"It is a really cute little campground with a pond and surrounded by small mountains/hills covered in trees. We had a full hookup site and everything worked well."
from $41 - $57 / night
Check Availability"There are two lakes and another nearby. It is close to many hiking trails. We arrived an hour after the water was turned off due to freezing temps."
"Absolutely beautiful campsites near water, good facilities and a cozy lodge space."
"Nestled in the Berkshires and basically walking distance to Vermont, Clarksburg State Park provides a comfortable and semi-private tent site."
"Our site was right next to another with little in between and our neighbors had a big rig and ran the generator long chunks of the day."
from $17 - $55 / night
Check Availability"We arrived at the shelter and there were some campers we greeted and then we pitched a tent nearby (vincinity camping allowed)."
"The site was clean, dry, and a nice walk off the main trail. The staff was friendly as well. We hikes around during the days and saw some spectacular views."
from $8 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Great access to Mt Greylock and LOTS of hiking close by. Staff was so accommodating-always willing to spend time giving recommendations."
"Great family atmosphere w very positive neighbors and owners... Fantastic. 5 stars"
from $40 - $70 / night
Check Availability"There are two trails right from the park that lead up to the Mount Olga fire tower, and a trail continues over that which ends at a local distillery, with a general store and a brewery with awesome pizza"
"This park is close to my house in southern Vermont. We usually visit during the day to hike to the top of the Mt. Olga firetower."
ScoutDyrt done messed up! So far, very disappointed in this app. Difficult to use! We reserved this spot through Dyrt. The directions to the campground are way off. The host was not notified that we were coming. Don’t trust Dyrt; contact the campground asap after you reserve through Dyrt to confirm the reservation directly and confirm the address and directions.
ScoutWhere does one even begin to explain how great this campground is?! There’s truly a little bit of something for everyone here!
We absolutely loved our campsite. It had plenty of room, a good amount of privacy, and great tree coverage. Even when it rained, our fire pit somehow stayed pretty dang dry, which was a huge plus!
The rec hall was awesome and had so many cool arcade games to check out. They also offer kayak and canoe rentals for the pond, which has surprisingly clear, beautiful water.
One thing that REALLY stood out to us was how incredibly clean the bathrooms and showers were. They were well maintained and practically bug-free, which is almost unheard of at a campground!
On top of all that, everyone we came across—from the staff to the other campers—was super friendly, welcoming, and down-to-earth. It just had an all-around great atmosphere.
Seriously, don’t skip over this campground. If you’re on the fence, just book it. You won’t regret it! We’ll definitely be back!
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.
TravelerIt’s super cute here, there’s a rec room for older kids and playground for younger kids. It’s a short walk to a fishing spot and it’s very clean. Our site had a plug, there’s a laundry machine on site and the owner is super sweet.
TravelerGreat little dispersed camping area off Forest Road 71 in West Dover, Vermont. Once you get onto the forest service road, everything is gravel/dirt, with several small pull-offs and primitive campsites scattered along the road. Some sites are only a few feet from the road, while others are tucked back around 100 feet and offer a little more privacy.
The individual pull-offs can be a little more challenging to reach. Most involve some combination of hills, rocks, ruts, and mud, although nothing was too crazy. Some spots are definitely easier to get into than others, so having a vehicle with decent ground clearance is helpful.
There was a decent amount of traffic passing through the area while we were there, but nothing too crazy or disruptive. The campsite we stayed at had a fire pit, but there was no running water at our site, and I don’t believe the other dispersed sites have running water either.
Overall, a pretty good option if you’re looking for a primitive, low-key camping spot with multiple sites to choose from. Just don’t expect complete solitude, especially during busier times.
LegendWe spent a long weekend at Moose Hillock in Fort Ann, New York, to visit Lake George. This is a difficult place for me to review. But I’ll do my best to share my experience.
The pool is the main attraction here and probably the largest and most ridiculous I’ve ever seen at a campground. Great for young kids.
THINGS I LIKED:
— The sites are enormous and private, probably the biggest sites we’ve ever seen at any campground we’ve stayed at.
— The mature trees are everywhere, great for privacy.
— It’s located about 25-minutes to the heart of Lake George. Easy drive away but not in the loud and busy area.
— The camp store is pretty good and sells snacks, drinks, basic supplies, and souvenirs.
THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
— Our site(# 709) was sloped, so much that even with leveling boards under the rear wheels, rear jacks fully extended and front jacks fully retracted, we couldn’t level. That’s annoying and so easily fixed by a campground this size with this array of equipment and resources.
— Except for the entry roads, the rest of the park is gravel and dirt, which was extremely dusty. Our vehicles and our stuff were instantly covered by this dusty dirt which was a never-ending battle to keep outside.
— I’m ok paying premium money for a great site, but this site wasn’t matched to the price. I paid$647.38 for 3-nights. That’s$215.79 per night.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
Probably not. For me, having a level site that’s not covered in dirt and dust is important— especially when it costs$215 per night. There’s a much nicer park about 10-minutes away(closer to Lake George) where we’ve stayed in the past. The sites are smaller, but they’re level.
ScoutThis campground will not respond to phone calls, email or facebook. It appears no one in charge
TravelerMy 2008 Prius handled the road with ease. Sites were spaced out. There was hiking at the end of the road but not too much space to wander around from the sites given the road’s high speed limit. Sites had fire pits and that was it. Very quiet and fairly accessible from society. Given the lack of free camping in the southern northeast this spot is a gem!
ScoutThe RV camp site was spread further apart from the other sites. It felt like you were in a secluded spot all by yourself. The camp staff were very helpful, campfire wood was a phone away and promptly delivered to your site. Nice variety of merchandise for sale. I love a souvenir from the places I visit. Although, it rained 2 of the days, it allowed some quiet time away.
Camping near Bennington, Vermont sits at the transition zone between the Taconic Mountains and Green Mountains, with elevations ranging from 600 feet in the valleys to over 3,600 feet at nearby summits. The area receives approximately 55 inches of precipitation annually, creating a dense mixed hardwood forest ecosystem. Seasonal water levels in local rivers like the Battenkill fluctuate significantly, impacting both fishing conditions and paddling accessibility from mid-May through October.
River activities: Swimming and tubing are popular at Camping on the Battenkill, where the river provides natural recreation. "The beach on the river is beautiful and clean! Easy swimming for all," notes Christina M., while another visitor mentions, "Friends and I camp here every June, and we love being close to the river. We sleep in tents so the sound of the river put you to sleep at night. We also tube down the river."
Fishing opportunities: The Battenkill River offers world-class trout fishing, with best results during early morning or evening hours. As one seasonal camper at Camping on the Battenkill explains: "Excellent location and quiet campground with Battenkill swimming and world-class trout fishing. It features, wooded, sunny and on the river sites."
Mountain hiking: Multiple trail networks connect the campgrounds to higher elevations. "Great place to camp and access nearby hiking including the AT and LT. Clean lodge (hostel) for hikers; access to a kitchen and showers as well," writes Bran P. about Woodford State Park Campground.
Elevation cooling effect: The higher elevation at Woodford State Park means cooler temperatures during summer heat waves. "We love the VT state parks and try to camp there 3-4 times a summer. We heard coyotes at night and loons in the morning," reports Melissa S., highlighting the wildlife viewing opportunities.
Waterfront opportunities: Many campers appreciate the lake access at Pine Hollow Campground, with one visitor noting: "There is a small pond that is fun to fish and swim in. The sites are all set up around the pond. We put our trailer sideways and faced the pond. It was very lovely with a great breeze."
Proximity to towns: The region's campgrounds offer convenient access to nearby communities. Robert K. from Pine Hollow Campground shares: "The owners were very nice and accommodating. We had a late night arrival due to multiple delays during the day and they made it very easy to get in and set up. It is a really cute little campground with a pond and surrounded by small mountains/hills covered in trees."
Bear safety requirements: The area has active black bears, requiring proper food storage, particularly at primitive sites. "Bear boxes were provided on each site so that you don't have to keep stinky food or garbage in your car!" notes a camper at Clarksburg State Park Campground, just across the state line.
Campsite drainage: Rain can create water issues at some sites. At Clarksburg State Park, one visitor warns: "Our site (#6) was on a slope, and there was the telltale sign of stormwater runoff tracks running through the middle. We pitched our tents to the left and the right, which worked out well because the next day we had a stream running through our site."
Noise levels vary: Some campgrounds are quieter than others. One camper at George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed reports: "Beautiful, Quiet and restful! It was getting dark when we arrived and it had been raining all day. We just needed a night and it was great."
Kid-friendly amenities: When camping with children, choose sites with appropriate facilities. "Perfect for families! There are tons of different types of campsites with either tent spots, lean tos, and a few (hard to get) cabins. Bathrooms are plentiful and clean, hot showers for a small price. Beautiful clean swimmable lake with a walking trail around it," explains one Woodford State Park visitor.
Pool access for hot days: During summer, campgrounds with swimming pools provide relief from the heat. David R. from Pine Hollow Campground shares: "Great atmosphere, friendly owners, pond in the middle with fishing and a dock."
Designated swimming areas: Family-friendly water access is important for safety. At Woodford State Park, "The park has a nice grassy area on the water that's dog-friendly, and a separate little no-dog swimming and paddle boat area," notes one visitor, showing the distinct areas for different users.
Site selection for big rigs: Larger RVs need to consider accessibility and site size. A visitor to Mt. Greylock Campsite Park advises: "Some of the sites are up hills and might be difficult for some to park their trailers. We watched a fifth wheel try to back up a hill and then turn into a site and couldn't get a grip because of the incline and the loose gravel."
Electric options for various needs: Several campgrounds offer different hookup combinations. At Camping on the Battenkill, "W/E/S is available at some sites and W/E at others (nearest the river) as well as tent sites. All these sites are very roomy/private, with pull-thrus available and back-ins."
Seasonal considerations: RV camping seasons are limited by weather conditions. A visitor at Greenwood Lodge & Campsites notes: "We arrived an hour after the water was turned off due to freezing temps. We were allowed to fill the fresh tank from the lodge." This illustrates how shoulder season camping requires preparation for changing conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds near Bennington, VT?
Woodford State Park Campground is consistently rated as one of the best options near Bennington. Located in the southern part of Green Mountain National Forest, it offers private sites, beautiful lake views, and clean facilities. Many campers appreciate its proximity to both Bennington and Wilmington. Another excellent choice is Clarksburg State Park Campground, just across the Massachusetts border. This quiet park in the Berkshires provides a peaceful retreat while remaining within easy driving distance of Vermont attractions. For those seeking a more rustic experience, Greenwood Lodge & Campsites offers a traditional camping experience closer to downtown Bennington.
How much does camping in Bennington, VT typically cost?
Camping costs around Bennington vary by amenities and location. At Hapgood Pond in the Green Mountain National Forest, sites run about $10 per night, making it one of the most affordable options in the area. For those looking for free camping, Hog Mountain Trailhead provides overnight parking for up to 48 hours at no cost. State parks like Woodford typically charge $18-30 per night depending on residency and amenities. Private campgrounds like Pine Hollow or Greenwood Lodge will generally cost $25-45 per night for basic tent sites, while full-service RV sites with hookups can range from $35-60. Many campgrounds offer weekly rates at a discount.
What tent camping options are available in Bennington, VT?
Jamaica State Park Campground offers 41 tent/RV sites and 18 lean-tos, some situated right on the West River. The park provides private, quiet camping while still offering plenty of activities. For a tent camping experience at higher elevation, Brattleboro North KOA is another option within driving distance of Bennington. It features tent sites with amenities like clean bathrooms, laundry facilities, and recreational activities for families. In addition, Lake Lauderdale Campground is just 20 minutes from the Vermont border and offers beautiful lakeside tent sites. Most campgrounds in the area provide standard amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and access to restroom facilities.
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