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Camping opportunities near Castleton, Vermont focus on lakeside experiences with several state parks and private campgrounds situated along Lake Bomoseen and surrounding water bodies. Bomoseen State Park Campground and Lake Bomoseen KOA provide developed sites with varying levels of amenities, while Half Moon Pond State Park offers a quieter alternative with waterfront tent sites, lean-tos, and cabins. Most campgrounds in this region accommodate tents and RVs, with several locations also featuring cabin rentals and glamping options for those seeking more comfort.
Vermont state parks in the Castleton area typically operate from Memorial Day weekend through early October, with some facilities closing after Labor Day. "The campground is small, quiet and typical of all Vt. State Parks. The real surprise was the things to do at the park and close bye," noted one camper about Half Moon Pond State Park. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends when waterfront sites fill quickly. Most campgrounds provide basic amenities like drinking water, toilets, and fire pits, with shower facilities available at a small additional cost. Cell service can be limited or non-existent at many locations, particularly at Lake Bomoseen KOA where visitors have reported poor Wi-Fi connectivity as well.
Waterfront camping represents a significant draw in the Castleton region, with sites directly adjacent to lakes being particularly sought-after. Campers regularly mention the calm paddling opportunities, fishing, and swimming access from shoreline sites. One visitor described Half Moon Pond as "small, quiet and wonderful" with clean swim-able water perfect for kayaks and canoes. Both Half Moon Pond and Lake Bomoseen offer boat rentals, beaches, and hiking trails within the park boundaries. While Lake Bomoseen provides more boating activities on its larger waters, Half Moon Pond delivers a more secluded experience with less crowding. Several campgrounds maintain clean, updated bathhouses and offer firewood for purchase, though amenities vary significantly between state parks and private facilities like the KOA, which features additional recreational options such as pools, game rooms, and mini-golf.
"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."
"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."
"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)."
"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"It was during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are happy to report that everyone wore masks in public spaces (restrooms), and that there was plenty of room for social distancing. "
"We had a nice private site, close to amenities and the lake, the beach area was nice, kind of rocky, but had sand for the beach. The play area has a nice set up, overall a nice camping area."
"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."
"Golf cart rentals (4 and 6 person) were expensive so we just walked the park multiple days. Each site is gigantic and well thought out and can easily say there is not a bad site in the place."
"The park is very large so if you want to be near the pool/entertainment area or nearby bathrooms, pick your site accordingly."
"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."
"Lake St. Catherine state campground is located in the heart of the Slate Valley. There are 50 tent/rv sites and 11 leantos. This lake is known by anglers and boaters alike."
"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."
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.
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.
GuideFree dispersed camping site in the Green Mountain National Forest, off a dirt road. The site curves around past the driveway so you can tuck up into the trees to be more private. The upper part there has a circular open area, surrounded by thin trees. There’s a fire ring set up midway on the site. It felt more isolated than other sites I’ve stayed at and there were quite a few animal sounds in the woods, including large animal bones left past the treeline. They seem to be left behind from people (based off of how the bones were cut). Dispersed camping so don’t expect facilities of any sort. Decent site and pretty large compared to some of the other spots. Heard Barred Owls in the distance which was awesome. Uploaded a video of the site at night and pics of the area on a map that my friend was able to pull up.
GuideWent with a friend on an impromptu last minute camping trip up in the NF and hoped we could find a spot on a Friday night. Quite a few spots were taken but there were still some free ones. We stayed at one near the creek just over a little bridge. Cute little site, nice fire pit, clean, perfect rock to put a big water jug on. The sound of running water was soothing. In the morning, adorable little red squirrels with big personalities made themselves known and there were wildflowers blooming all over with hummingbirds going about their business. This is dispersed camping so there’s no rest rooms, running water, etc. The particular site we stayed at did have another site on the other side of the creek and we could hear the family during the day and see them as they walked past, so it wasn’t as isolated as some of the other sites. It was a cute spot and I’ll def be back.
TravelerThis is a good spot if you don’t mind being social. The main camping area is a large grassy opening where multiple people park and camp together, and there is a bathroom, but there isn’t much privacy between sites. If you continue farther down the forest road, there are several smaller pull-offs with much more private dispersed camping spots. I’d recommend checking those out if you’re looking for a quieter experience.
TravelerDyrt 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.
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.
Seasonal camping options around Castleton, Vermont center on Green Mountain National Forest and Lake Dunmore, with elevations ranging from 400 to 1,100 feet. Weather patterns between May and October typically feature daytime temperatures between 55-85°F with cooler nights dropping to 40-60°F. Most campgrounds in this region require 14-day advance reservations during peak season.
Hiking trails: Trail access from Moosalamoo Campground connects to multiple recreation networks. "There is a grassy area in the center of the campground—great for kids, gatherings, etc. Lots of great hiking accessible from the campground, or within a short drive. Silver Lake and Lake Dunmore are nearby," notes one visitor. The surrounding Moosalamoo National Recreation Area offers over 35 miles of trails within a 15-minute drive.
Water activities: Swimming in multiple lakes near Branbury State Park Campground provides options beyond Lake Bomoseen. "Across the street from the campground was access to the lake with plenty of grassy areas to hang out. And beautiful sunsets at night! A five minute hike- though it is quite a rocky, boulder-y hike- from the sites leads to a small river and swimming hole," reports one camper. Paddleboard and kayak rentals run $10-15 per hour at most waterfront campgrounds.
Mountain biking: Dedicated trail systems throughout the Slate Valley region offer beginner to advanced options. A visitor notes, "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." The area features developing trail networks with over 20 miles of mapped routes within 30 minutes of Castleton.
Private, spacious sites: Lake St. Catherine State Park Campground provides generous camping areas. "Lake St. Catherine state campground is located in the heart of the Slate Valley. There are 50 tent/rv sites and 11 leantos. This lake is known by anglers and boaters alike," explains one visitor. Most tent sites measure at least 25x25 feet, accommodating larger family setups.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain regular cleaning schedules for bathrooms and common areas. At Emerald Lake State Park Campground, "The campground is large, with three camping loops. While there are trails down to the lake from the campground, none of the sites are waterfront, or even water view." Most state parks feature updated shower facilities with $0.25-$0.50 charges for 5-minute hot showers.
Night skies: Limited light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions. One camper at Moosalamoo Campground shared, "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." Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours from 10pm-7am, allowing for peaceful night viewing.
Bear safety requirements: All food and scented items need proper storage. "Just make sure you put your food and trash away- there are black bears in the area!" warns a Branbury State Park visitor. Most campgrounds provide metal food storage lockers or recommend hanging food at least 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet from any tree trunk.
Reservation timing: The best places to camp near Castleton, Vermont fill quickly during summer weekends. At Rogers Rock Campground, about 30 minutes from Castleton, a visitor notes it's "a very popular spot and it's nice to see so many people enjoying beautiful Lake George." For weekend stays between June-August, book 4-6 months in advance for waterfront sites.
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather changes rapidly even in summer. "We arrived on a Tuesday with no reservations. We had our pick of sites and no issues staying for 2 days. There were several sites reserved starting Thursday and Friday so the weekend looked to be busier," reports a Moosalamoo camper. Pack layers as evening temperatures can drop below 50°F even in July.
Playground access: Gifford Woods State Park Campground offers recreation for children. "This campground is the number one rated in Vermont for a reason. The staff were wonderful, the sites are pristine and picturesque, the faculties are decorated with wildflowers," shares one visitor. Most Vermont state parks have playgrounds designed for ages 5-12 with swing sets and climbing structures.
Beach swimming: Lake access points feature designated swimming areas with varying amenities. At Branbury State Park, "The day use section has a wonderful beach with a swimming area and boat launch. Large trees provide shade on a grassy lawn, and grills are available." Most swimming beaches have roped-off sections with depths ranging from 1-5 feet for children.
Nature programs: Educational activities run throughout summer months. "There is a nature center with all kinds of information and activities," notes a Branbury State Park visitor. Programs typically run Thursday-Sunday during peak season, lasting 30-60 minutes and focusing on wildlife, plants, and local ecology.
Limited hookup sites: Most state parks offer minimal electrical connections. At Moose Hillock Camping Resorts, "The sites at this park are huge. You could have parked three RVs in our site. Added bonus is that there is nice separation between sites with trees and shrubs that block out your neighbors and provide lots of privacy." Non-state park campgrounds typically offer more hookup options but book 6-9 months in advance.
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. "Some roads are unpaved, unmarked with directional signs, very narrow, and tough to navigate," warns a Rogers Rock camper. Most state parks can accommodate RVs up to 32 feet, but larger rigs should verify access before booking.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely throughout camping areas near Castleton. A visitor to Lake Bomoseen KOA notes, "There is NO cell coverage and the Wi-Fi is poor and very slow if you can connect." For reliable internet, Middlebury and Rutland (both within 30 minutes) offer public library Wi-Fi and cellular coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best camping spots near Castleton, Vermont?
For camping near Castleton, Lake Bomoseen KOA is an excellent family-friendly option with cabins, RV sites, and tent sites, plus amenities like an arcade and store. It's conveniently located close to Castleton and Rutland. Another top choice is Lake St. Catherine State Park Campground, featuring 50 tent/RV sites and 11 lean-tos in the Slate Valley. The park is popular with anglers and boaters, and the surrounding area offers excellent mountain biking trails.
Are there primitive tent camping sites available in Castleton?
Yes, the Castleton area offers several primitive tent camping options. Moosalamoo Campground provides a true primitive experience with no amenities beyond a picnic table and fire ring, but compensates with cascading waterfalls, mountain views, and incredible swimming holes. For another rustic option, Hapgood Pond in the National Green Mountain Forest offers affordable primitive camping at just $10 per night. Though not the largest campground, it's rarely overcrowded and provides a peaceful Vermont camping experience.
Can I rent an RV in Castleton, Vermont for a camping trip?
While there aren't dedicated RV rental facilities directly in Castleton, you can find RV rental options in nearby Rutland. Once you secure an RV, Bomoseen State Park Campground is a great option with drive-in access and big-rig-friendly sites. For a more comprehensive camping experience with your rented RV, consider Silver Lake Campground, which offers private, well-spaced sites that can accommodate RVs and provides amenities like boat rentals and nature tours on the lake.
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