Best Campgrounds near Chester, VT
The southern Vermont landscape surrounding Chester features a mix of state parks, private campgrounds, and forest service sites that accommodate various camping styles. Horseshoe Acres Campground, located directly in Chester, provides full hookup sites for RVs and tent camping areas from May through November. Within a 30-minute drive, campers can access Tree Farm Campground in Springfield, which maintains well-kept grounds with both primitive and serviced sites. The Connecticut River valley to the east and Green Mountain National Forest to the west create natural boundaries that define the camping options in this region, with most facilities situated along river corridors or nestled in forested hillsides.
Most campgrounds in the Chester area operate seasonally from May through mid-October, with Columbus Day weekend marking the end of the camping season for many facilities. Vermont state parks typically do not offer electrical hookups, as noted by campers seeking more amenities. Cell service varies considerably throughout the region, with better coverage in valley areas and limited or no service in more remote mountain locations. According to one visitor at Mount Ascutney State Park, "The road nearby is noisy. Because of its location, you can hear both the local highway and I91. If being in the quiet wilderness is important to you, this campground might not work out."
Water access represents a significant draw for campers in the region. Several state parks feature swimming areas, boat launches, and waterfront campsites that receive consistently positive reviews. The area's rivers and ponds support activities like kayaking, fishing, and swimming during summer months. Campground facilities generally include clean bathrooms and coin-operated showers, with many sites offering fire rings and picnic tables. Privacy between sites varies by location, with some campgrounds providing more spacious and secluded options than others. Fall foliage season brings increased visitation, particularly at higher elevation campgrounds like Coolidge State Park, where one camper noted, "This place gets my vote for best campground in Vermont, especially if you're lucky enough to get one of the few sites on the outside of A loop that has a lean-to with a view."
