269 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Bradford, Vermont and the surrounding area offer campgrounds ranging from tent and RV sites with electric hookups to rustic tent camping areas, all within a 30-minute drive. Developed campgrounds like Jacobs Brook Campground in Orford and Willoughby Farm Animal Rescue offer cabin accommodations alongside tent and RV sites. The Connecticut River valley features several family-friendly campgrounds with riverside access, while the nearby White Mountain and Green Mountain National Forests contain more primitive camping options. Many campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from May through mid-October.
Camping facilities around Bradford vary in their accessibility and amenities. Most established campgrounds maintain gravel roads suitable for passenger vehicles, though some forest service roads may require higher clearance, particularly in spring. "Clean, quiet wooded sites" characterize many of the smaller family-owned campgrounds near Bradford, as one visitor noted about Jacobs Brook Campground. The camping season typically runs from Memorial Day through mid-October, with some locations opening as early as late April depending on snow melt and mud conditions. Cell service can be spotty throughout the region, with coverage improving near larger towns. Many campgrounds provide electric hookups, drinking water, and toilet facilities, though amenities decrease at more remote sites.
The White River and Connecticut River watersheds define much of the camping experience in the Bradford area. Riverside campsites are particularly popular during summer months, offering swimming and fishing opportunities. As one camper observed at a nearby Vermont state park, "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." Family-friendly facilities predominate at developed campgrounds, with playgrounds, swimming pools, and recreation fields available at many locations. Visitors seeking more solitude can find it at primitive sites in the national forests or at smaller state parks in the area. Night skies are notably dark at campgrounds away from town centers, making stargazing a highlight for many campers.
"Both times were very different experiences, but overall very positive. Just because there are a few, I will mention the cons first."
"Plenty of walking for dogs with a natural pool for them to swim in and the large pool with pirate ship is perfect for little kids with the beach entry. easy location to get to with a travel trailer too"
from $49 - $129 / night
Check Availability"Nice campground located in the valley of mountains. Wooded sites but close to your neighbors."
"On our walk our daughter found a lost “moose” who got away from the camp store. Once returned she was able to pick a prize. They also had a tinker bell walk and other activities."
from $62 - $209 / night
Check Availability"Only one of the sites is located along the brook (45), but there's an easy path down a hill. "
"Off the beaten path so its peaceful. Sites are a little small but great if you're camping with a group so your close together. Plenty of sites/types to choose from."
from $30 - $50 / night
Check Availability"We camped here as a jumping-off point for the popular Lincoln-Lafayette-Little Haystack loop, which is walking distance from the campground."
"You can access at least 6 of the NH48 from this campground, numerous waterfalls, two AMC huts, and several ponds and lakes all within hiking distance."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"This campground is easy to access, though owing to that one can hear traffic on the nearby road. The lake is beautiful, clear and clean, and there is a beach with sand for swimming."
"The campground has a small beach, boat launch and it's right on the Cross Vermont Trail. I stayed in October and it was really quiet and relaxing."
from $19 - $110 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $45 - $58 / night
Check Availability"In New Hampshire; Vermont is across the river on the north side of the property. Nice bathroom, showers, laundry room, library. Spacious lots with tables and fire rings."
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $75 / night
Check Availability"This is a great spot away from crowds. Good location for hiking, and short drive to Lincoln, NH. Sites are nicely wooded and not on top of you neighbor. Camp hosts are very friendly."
"Positive vibe. Showers of any kind would earn it five stars."
from $24 / night
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ScoutGenuinely one of the most fun weekends I had, staff was amazing and cordial and the other people were friendly; the only thing that I wasn’t a huge fan of was the proximity to other campers. While it’s far enough away for some privacy, at night you can hear people snoring rather loudly.
ScoutWe camped here in June of 2026. It is not as remote as some other locations, mainly because you are in Waterbury, VT and Waterbury can be quite busy with visitors.
We parked on Cotton Brook Rd and were told by multiple people that you need to be aware of rain. The parking lot can flood if you get days of rain. The days we camped we did have heavy downpours the morning of day 2 and by the time we left the reservoir was probably 6 ft higher. So it is a real thing. The benefit of that is tons of waterfalls lead into the reservoir and they are quite pretty.
It is a long canoe from the Cotton Brook lot and you need to go to campsite 14 to really get a campsite with a full view of the lake. We were on campsite 18 and it is surrounded by trees. Thats great if you want privacy, but not great if you want a view of the lake.
No loons while we were there. : (
In short, it is pretty good, but we would recommend others.
TravelerWish there was closer bathrooms.
ScoutA little expensive but worth it. The pool and staff are awesome. Everything is clean.
TravelerAmazing spot, great area! Plentyyy of room. Between sites 10 & 11 is the longest distance out the bunch and enjoyed that because it was easy to run a generator at any hour of the day with no one able to be disturbed by it. Loved Haystack Road overall. Had strong AT&T reception even with 1 - 2 bars.
TravelerSuper clean and well maintained small campground. A walking path runs in front of all the sites. Most sites have an obstructed water view of the Connecticut river. There is a vegitation barrier between the sites and the river. Canoes and kayaks are available for rental, and there is a small office with ice and wood for sale. Sites are close together but i still found it peaceful and relaxing. Mt Ascutney trail head and auto road are about a 15 minute drive and i found waterfalls and swimming holes within a 20 minute drive.
TravelerEnjoyed staying here. Very quiet. But lot more expensive than it says.
ScoutThe cleanest, nicest shower room we’ve ever experienced. The staff is exceptionally welcoming and friendly. The mini golf is decent but gold panning in the Wild Ammonusuc is the tourist draw. The salt water pool is sparkling cleaning. We enjoyed our visit very much and will come again.
GuideThis is a ski resort trying to make money in the summer. The campground feels like an afterthought. Facilities were not clean Or modern. There are 2 small bathhouses for 250 sites and they are right next to each other in the middle of the campground. Sometimes only one would be open. We camped in the BW area which is just a field. Other areas have many sites very close together. We left 2 days early.
Bradford's camping scene ranges from riverside settings on the Connecticut River to mountain-based sites in the surrounding Green and White Mountain areas. The region sits at elevations ranging from 400 to 1,500 feet, creating distinct microclimates within short distances. Winter conditions often extend through April with late spring mud season affecting campground access and amenities.
Pirate-themed swimming: Moose Hillock Camping Resort offers one of the region's most unique pool experiences. "The pool is the main attraction and really great but gets very very busy. No one was controlling the slides so kids were going down in multiples and not making sure no one was at the bottom," notes Lauren Q.
Farm animal experiences: Willoughby Farm Animal Rescue combines camping with rescued animals. "I even got to feed the alpaca," shares Robin R., who appreciated the direct animal interactions available to campers.
Kayaking calm waters: At Ricker Pond State Park, non-motorized water activities dominate. "A quiet camp ground on Ricker Pond, a motor free pond, is a wonderful way to spend the weekend. The pond is serene and a great place to swim, paddle, explore, and fish," describes Hannah H.
Riverfront access: River Meadow Campground offers direct Connecticut River frontage. "It's right on the CT river and they have canoes to rent. My friend and I took my son fishing and we landed some nice size fish big enough it scared my 7 year old son and he made me real it in," reports Chris H.
Large, private sites: Many campgrounds prioritize spacing between sites. At Lost River Valley Campground, "Wooded sites but close to your neighbors. We had site 41 & unfortunately we were unable to use the fire pit due to being so close to our 19 foot camper," mentions Heather O., pointing out that site selection matters.
Dark skies: White Mountain National Forest Wildwood Campground provides minimal lighting, creating excellent stargazing. "This is a great spot away from crowds. Good location for hiking, and short drive to Lincoln, NH. Sites are nicely wooded and not on top of your neighbor," says Erin B.
Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds have spotty or no connectivity. "No cell service, however the lady in the site across had one of those cell extenders and said she had 2 bars of 4G service," notes Jamie D. about Wildwood Campground.
Reservation changes: Campground policies vary regarding site availability. "I didn't realize this and when I arrived late Friday afternoon I had 5 or 6 campsites to choose from that could accommodate my small teardrop camper," reports Jean C. about reservation systems at Wildwood.
Highway noise concerns: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise. At Lafayette Place Campground, "The noise from Highway 93 is intolerable! 18-wheelers blowing by at all hours of the day and night, making it very difficult to enjoy a restful sleep," cautions Lee D.
Water features: Ponds and pools are family favorites. "If you paddle or swim to the other side of the camp ground, there is a huge rock with a rope swing," shares Hannah H. about Ricker Pond State Park.
Site location strategy: Choose sites thoughtfully at larger campgrounds. "The hilly terrain is insaneeee! If you have never been before, book a sight as close as possible to the pool and office, because the further you get, the higher the altitude," advises Jessica W. about Moose Hillock.
Playground access: Consider proximity to amenities. At River Meadow, "It has RV sights and cabins they keep the campers busy with fun activities for kids and grown ups," reports Chris H., noting organized activities supplement natural features.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds require leveling equipment. "Some of the sites were not really level," notes Sara D. about Moose Hillock, a common issue across the region's campgrounds.
Hookup variety: Electric service varies by campground. The Pastures Campground provides "Lots of room; nice pool and a playground; right on the Connecticut River," according to Jake H., with full hookup sites available.
Seasonal campsite options: Many RVers choose seasonal arrangements. At River Meadow, "My family loves this campground last 4th of July week we booked it for this 4th of July week and got out on the seasonal camping wait list," mentions Chris H., highlighting the popularity of extended stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bradford Island located and how do I access it?
Bradford Island is located in Vermont near the Vermont-New Hampshire border. The easiest way to access Bradford Island is through nearby access points like those at Silver Lake Campground, which offers water access to the surrounding area. For those approaching from New Hampshire, Jacobs Brook Campground is conveniently located less than 2 miles from I-93 exit 13 near Fairlee, providing a good starting point for exploring the Bradford region. Check with local authorities about specific water access points if arriving by boat, as access may vary seasonally.
Do I need a permit to camp at Bradford Beach?
Yes, you typically need a permit to camp at Bradford Beach. Vermont's state parks and beaches generally require camping permits that should be secured in advance. Wilgus State Park Campground, which opens early in the season (before Memorial Day), demonstrates the permit system common in the region. For private options with different permit requirements, Art and Health Chill Camping offers various camping options on private land. To avoid disappointment, check with the Bradford Recreation Department or Vermont State Parks for current permit requirements and reservation procedures before your trip.
What camping facilities are available at Bradford Park?
Bradford Park offers several camping facilities including designated tent sites, picnic tables, and fire rings. For more developed amenities nearby, consider Mount Ascutney State Park Campground, which provides clean facilities and access to mountain biking trails. Alternatively, Moosalamoo Campground offers a more rustic experience with basic amenities including picnic tables and fire rings, plus natural attractions like cascading waterfalls and mountain views. Most facilities in the Bradford area are seasonal, typically operating from late spring through early fall, with some sites requiring reservations.
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