Pet-friendly campgrounds near Chester, Vermont occupy diverse terrain within the Green Mountains at elevations between 800-1,200 feet. The camping season typically runs from early May through mid-October, with July daytime temperatures averaging 78°F. The area receives approximately 50 inches of precipitation annually, creating lush forested campsites and numerous waterways for recreation.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: At Jamaica State Park Campground, trails lead to cascading water features. "There is plenty of trails in the area and you can go to the waterfall/rock slides and take a dip in the pools," notes Jackie G. The park's West River Trail connects directly to Hamilton Falls.
Paddling the Connecticut River: Wilgus State Park Campground offers river access with rental equipment. "The best part about camping here is getting out on the water. You can rent kayaks and canoes, and the river moves slowly enough to paddle up stream," explains a camper. Shuttle services operate on certain weekdays for one-way downstream trips.
Mountain biking: Numerous trail networks surround the region. "The mountain biking trails are awesome and the hiking is fantastic!" reports Dana M. about Mount Ascutney. The state park maintains a 3-mile beginner-friendly loop accessible directly from the campground, plus more advanced trails at nearby outdoor centers.
Swimming in forest ponds: Emerald Lake State Park Campground features a small sandy beach on its namesake turquoise lake. "Swimmers can swim out to a small island in the middle of the lake and check out the rope swing," mentions one visitor. The park offers boat rentals and designated swimming areas with changing facilities.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Campers appreciate secluded spots. "Our site was beautiful, very generously sized, relatively private and nicely shaded," notes Rachel P. about Mount Ascutney. Tree Farm Campground also receives praise for site layout: "spacious and private... sites that are wooded and trees between sites."
Clean facilities: Mount Ascutney State Park Campground maintains well-kept restrooms. "The shower area was recently tiled with nice tilework. Outside of the bathroom there was a little library book case with books for campers to borrow," mentions one reviewer. Vermont state parks consistently receive positive comments about facility maintenance.
Water features: Multiple campgrounds offer water recreation. At Winhall Brook Camping Area, "Two rivers intersect in the campground. Most sites are on or just off the river... Where the two rivers intersect is a nice spot to put your feet in the water. Kids enjoy tubing the small rapids," explains Melissa L.
Family activities: Horseshoe Acres Campground provides organized recreation. "Mini golf, playground and swimming pool for the kids. Three large field areas with lots of families and plenty of space for kids to meet others and ride bikes," writes Douglas L. Several campgrounds schedule guided activities during summer weekends.
What you should know
Road noise: Some campgrounds experience highway sounds. At Mount Ascutney, "We were in site 27 and it was a beautiful site but the road noise from interstate 91 was extremely loud," reports Dana M. Sites further from main roads provide quieter conditions.
Limited hookups: Most Vermont state parks offer primitive camping. One visitor notes, "There are a few sites with hookups but since we like to be near the river, we opted for other areas." Jamaica State Park Campground features primarily non-electric sites with water access points available throughout.
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially for summer weekends. "This is a popular campground so reserve as early as 11 months before arrival," advises one camper. Off-season and weekday availability improves dramatically.
Insects: Bug populations increase after rainfall. At Greendale Campground, one camper warned, "Mosquitos. Black flies. Deer flies. All of them biting." Seasonal variations impact insect activity, with May-June typically experiencing higher populations.
Tips for camping with families
Lean-to options: Several parks offer covered structures. "Leantos at this state park give you protection from the elements - mind you not all sites have a leanto," explains Ming R. about Emerald Lake. "The kids also enjoyed the view from the top of the leanto."
Water access considerations: Tree Farm Campground provides forest bathing opportunities. "We needed some serious forest bathing and spontaneously decided to head to the green mountains...This was a very simple basic campground but the best part was that it was very quiet and cool despite the highest temps VT had seen in a long time," notes Emily H.
Playground facilities: Multiple campgrounds offer child-friendly amenities. Crown Point Camping Area includes "a lagoon for kids, with built in water rafts in the middle for kids to jump in. They have a playground with a large tent for parents to sit under with picnic tables," shares Katie R.
Activity planning: Regional attractions supplement camping. "We visited and hiked Mt Ascutney and did some fun stuff at Okemo but highlight was finding the awesome swimming hole at Buttermere falls next to Okemo," reports one camper, noting these destinations are within 20-30 minute drives.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Large rigs require careful planning. At Caton Place, one camper with a 40-foot fifth wheel reported, "Easy to drive into the campground and into the site. We had no issues at all." However, others warn about challenging terrain at some campgrounds.
Dump station availability: Crown Point Camping Area provides full hookup options. "Pull through, large sites available," notes Bill F. Several campgrounds offer either partial or full hookups, while state parks typically provide dump stations but fewer on-site connections.
Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies significantly throughout the region. One camper mentioned "bad phone signal and everything seemed far away, like Walmart was an hour away!" Prepare accordingly with offline maps and resources.
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