214 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Green Mountain National Forest and surrounding state parks define the camping landscape around Brandon, Vermont. Within a 30-minute drive, campers find options ranging from developed sites with amenities to primitive backcountry locations. Branbury State Park, situated on Lake Dunmore just 7 miles south of Brandon, serves as a popular base for water recreation with tent sites, RV spots, and cabins available. Silver Lake Campground offers a more secluded forest experience with waterfront sites that consistently receive high ratings. The Moosalamoo Recreation Area provides both established campgrounds and hike-in sites with mountain views and swimming holes. Country Village Campgrounds in nearby Leicester caters to RV travelers seeking hookups while maintaining proximity to local attractions.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from Memorial Day through Columbus Day weekend, with limited options available outside this window. As one camper noted, "Vermont unfortunately shuts down most of their campsites from April 15th until Memorial Day to clean and get things in order." Spring visits may encounter muddy access roads, particularly at higher elevations or after rainfall. Cell service varies significantly throughout the area, with Verizon typically providing the most reliable coverage though still spotty in mountainous terrain. Reservations become essential during peak foliage season in late September and early October. Many sites require advance booking through Reserve America or recreation.gov, while some National Forest locations operate on a first-come, first-served basis with self-registration.
Water access stands out as a defining feature of camping in this region. According to one visitor at Silver Lake, "The sites are fairly private without being built too close together. The lake is clean and has a great concrete dock that the kids love to jump off." Swimming holes, fishing spots, and boat launches appear frequently in visitor reviews. Lean-tos represent a distinctive Vermont camping option, providing shelter during unpredictable weather while maintaining a rustic experience. Fall color viewing draws significant crowds, with Cliff M. noting, "I grew up camping here, my parents took us up here every Columbus Day weekend when the color of the leaves were stunning." Proximity to hiking trails, particularly sections of the Long Trail and Appalachian Trail, adds recreational value to many campgrounds in the area.
"there are no amenities other than cascading waterfalls, mountain views, incredible swimming hole, a nearby lake, a picnic table and a fire ring. the easiest access to sites one and two is the Silver Lake"
"Access to campground is on a gravel road but my van did okay. It is small and primitive and there is a camp host who is very nice."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"The site was so scenic with a little waterfall and stream nearby. The camp staff was so nice. They kept the the bathrooms and areas so clean."
"Love to lake access, secluded camping, the hiking and remote area. Planning on revisiting next summer, even in august the nights get to a good sleeping temperature a vast majority of the time."
"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."
"For the last three years, we have traveled with dozens of friends and families to Rogers Rock Campground, which is tucked into the north end of the gorgeous 32 mile-long oasis that is Lake George."
"Ive been coming to this spot nearly every year since I was a little girl."
from $22 - $172 / night
Check Availability"No ATM on site to get cash… The sites are spacious enough, but are very close to each other. Zero buffer between neighboring sites means encroaching slide outs."
"family camping Kabins, rv, and tent sites, arcade, store, ice cream, and Lake Bomoseen. Easy to get to, close to Castleton, Rutland, and Hubbarton Battlefield. Great spot for a family get-a-way."
"This is one of our favorite places to camp in Vermont. 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."
"Lovely place, free camping, fire pits at the campsite, and access to the water. We camped in the off season, but in the on season there are pit toilets and campground stewards."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"Bomoseen State Park is right down the road, but I recommend staying at Half Moon and taking advantage of the large swimming area at Bomoseen, as well as all the cool ponds, lakes, and hiking trails nearby"
"The pond is clean and swim-able and great for kayaks/canoes (near Glen Lake and Lake Bomoseen for boating and more kayaking/canoeing)."
"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
Check Availability"The one thing we loved the most was that the kids could ride their bikes around safely."
"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."
GuideCar camped on Sunday of Columbus Day weekend in October. This was their closing weekend and lots of spaces were available. Stayed in tent circle loop and it was almost empty. Great access to lake shore and bike path. Walked back toward marina and town in the evening and ran in the morning the other direction going out to Rock Point. Didn’t use the shower facilities. The bathroom near our loop only had sinks and toilets and was fine.
GuideNice campground near Killington, VT. Water and dump station. Not for big rigs we have a 21 ft TT. Things were tight but doable. One of the few Vermont state campgrounds that is still open. Most close from second Monday in October until Memorial Day.
GuideStayed here to be able to do the bike trail. Was warned to keep the bikes locked up. The sites are very close together. The picnic tables and fire pits(tire rims) are moveable. Our picnic table was in rough shape and broken.
The bathrooms have keypads on them but on our last morning there was a guy in the bathroom with his pants on the floor sitting in a shower chair for a couple of hours. The bathrooms also have spiders all throughout them. The water pressure was high and the showers were hot.
LegendThis is a quiet campground in a quiet part of the state. The terrain is mountainous, and all of the sites are private. There are two loops, one for tents/RVs and one for lean-tos. We stayed in the Willow lean-to, and while our site didn't have a view, it was one of the most private sites we've stayed in and just a short walk to the bathhouse.
The campground was created by the CCC in the 1930s, and from what I've heard, it hasn't changed much since that time. While we were here, we visited the Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site (very cool), Long Trail Brewing, and the town of Woodstock. Great trip!
TravelerMultiple small fire ring, camping spots with an outhouse down a trail by site 3.
GuideSimply said, if you like a well maintained place with a swim beach, floating dock, grass galore, space to stretch out, and more, this is the place. It’s beautiful. As a bonus, it’s cost effective over other RV parks. If you want free, nope. If you want wild open spaces, nope. You a great lush big clean park that feels like your Owen estate, then come check this place out. We will 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.
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.
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.
Campsites near Brandon, Vermont provide direct access to the Green Mountain National Forest at elevations between 600-2,000 feet. Many camping areas require bear-proof food storage, with some campgrounds lacking potable water or basic amenities. The camping season typically runs May through mid-October with primitive sites available outside this window.
Hike accessible trails: Moosalamoo Campground connects to multiple hiking paths. "Lots of great hiking accessible from the campground, or within a short drive. Silver Lake and Lake Dunmore are nearby. Both have beaches: Silver Lake is accessible only by foot, down a .6 mile trail from the parking area," notes Nancy M. at Moosalamoo Campground.
Fish mountain streams and ponds: Anglers find opportunities at Half Moon Pond State Park. "We fished and kayaked right from our site. Oddly, our fire pit faced the neighboring site rather than the pond," explains Rebecca D. The pond offers calm water ideal for beginners.
Winter dispersed camping: For off-season adventures, Michigan Brook Road provides free primitive sites. "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," reports Keegz M., noting the lack of cell service.
Mountain biking: Trails around Moosalamoo feature smooth surfaces for family-friendly cycling. "Moosalamoo campground has awesome bike trails with smooth trail beds and nice rolling bumps. The kind campground hosts can tell you all about the hiking and biking trails within Moosalamoo National Forest," says Jill B.
Privacy between sites: Silver Lake Campground offers secluded spots with natural barriers. "This campground is hike in only and from the parking lot it's about .5 mile. The hike is short but it's also a hike down to the lake and back up with all your gear so be prepared," explains Katy Z.
Clean facilities: Vault toilets at basic campgrounds receive regular maintenance. "Although they had no power, water, dumps or modern bathrooms the campsite had well water pumps and the cleanest most order free toilet vaults we have ever seen," mentions Rosie Lon S. about Moosalamoo Campground.
Stargazing opportunities: Light pollution remains minimal at remote sites. "At night, you can go out to the bicycle pump track and lay a blanket on the grassy hill against the track and look at stars in COMPLETE darkness," describes Alan at Moosalamoo.
Well-maintained fire pits: Most established campgrounds provide contained fire rings. "The fire pit was a little disappointing since it was installed too high and it was difficult to use the grill because the coals were too far away from the grate, but we made do and had good meals anyway," notes Alan about Moosalamoo Campground.
Limited services: Most forest camping areas lack amenities. "No hookups are available but there is a dump station and a bathroom facility with paid showers," explains Trip Over Life about Branbury State Park Campground.
Bear activity: Food storage precautions remain essential. "I saw bear storage lockers but I did not use them as I had my bear keg with me," reports Lauren S. at Moosalamoo Campground. Multiple campgrounds post warnings about proper food storage.
Variable road conditions: Access to more remote camping areas requires careful driving. "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," notes Jessica C. about Chittenden Brook Campground.
Limited phone service: Communication capabilities vary widely. "Cell services on ATT and TMobile were nonexistent. Campground WiFi is a joke (less than 1mbps)," reports K L. about Lake Bomoseen KOA. Plan navigation accordingly.
Playground access: Gifford Woods State Park Campground offers recreational facilities for children. "Stayed at site 15 in the lower campground for a few nights and it was level and spacious but pretty close to neighbors compared to other sites," says Katy Z.
Swimming holes for kids: Natural water features provide cooling options. "There is a deeper swimming area. Great for a little kayaking," notes Michele S. about Half Moon Pond State Park Campground.
Lean-to structures: Shelters offer protection during unpredictable weather. "We chose the open area and enjoyed a campfire and the spacious grounds that we shared with only one other RV," mentions Trip Over Life about Branbury State Park.
Junior ranger activities: Some state parks provide educational programming. "Theres a nature center with all kinds of information and activities. A large playground. Volleyball and horseshoe pits," reports J L. about Branbury State Park Campground.
Limited hookup options: Country Village Campgrounds provides basic RV services. "Has seasonals, tent sites and RV sites. The swimming pool is very inviting and the bathrooms are always attended to," notes Elizabeth H.
Size restrictions: Many forest campgrounds cannot accommodate larger units. "Great tent camping area with good privacy at sites. Would be tough for any but the tiniest RV," James K. explains about Chittenden Brook Campground.
Dump station locations: Plan waste management carefully. "For $15 a night, this campground is well worth the price," says Dana M. about Moosalamoo, though noting limited facilities beyond pit toilets.
Generator regulations: Most public campgrounds prohibit generators. "The grassy sites near the beach are in a large field, and across the road, the campsites are wooded," explains Lisa S. about Branbury State Park Campground, recommending specific site locations for various camping styles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are offered at Brandon camping facilities?
Brandon area camping facilities offer diverse amenities to suit different needs. Mount Ascutney State Park Campground provides clean facilities with mountain biking trails nearby. Wilgus State Park Campground offers camping cabins for those who want a more comfortable experience, especially during cooler months. Many campgrounds in the region provide basic amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, while others feature boat rentals, guided nature tours, restrooms, and recreational activities. Some sites are more primitive, focusing on natural beauty rather than facilities, while others offer more developed amenities including RV hookups.
When is the best season to go camping in Brandon?
The best time for camping around Brandon is late spring through early fall (May-October). North Beach Campground is popular during summer months, offering beautiful views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. For early season camping, Hapgood Pond in the National Green Mountain forest provides affordable camping in a less crowded setting. Fall brings spectacular foliage throughout Vermont's forests, making September and early October ideal for scenic camping experiences. Some campgrounds like Wilgus State Park open earlier than others (early May), though temperatures can still be quite cool. Summer offers warm days perfect for swimming and water activities.
What campgrounds are available in Brandon?
The Brandon area offers several excellent camping options in Vermont. Silver Lake Campground is a popular choice with private sites that aren't overcrowded and access to a clean lake with a concrete dock perfect for swimming. For those seeking a more rustic experience, Moosalamoo Campground offers primitive camping with natural amenities like cascading waterfalls, mountain views, and nearby swimming holes. The region also has several state parks within driving distance offering both tent and RV camping options with varying levels of amenities.
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