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.
$15 / night
"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."
"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."
$22 - $172 / night
"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."
"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."
"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."
$10 / night
"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."
"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)."
$15 / night
"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."
"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."
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!
GuideDrove all the way here just to pull in and see signs that say “no overnight camping”
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
ScoutPam met us outside as she said ‘dodging rain drops’ to stack wood. She was warm and friendly. You can tell she runs a tight ship immediately telling us when quite hours were, and letting us know the dogs needed to be on leash and under our control. We brought our 2 labs with us. Only 2 vehicles per site is allowed. You do need tokens to use the shower. 2 tokens was more than enough for me to shower and not feel rushed. The bathrooms are AMAZING! I am looking forward to coming back!
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.
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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