187 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Arlington, Vermont offers campgrounds ranging from developed RV sites with full hookups to primitive dispersed camping, making it a solid base for exploring the Green Mountain National Forest and surrounding areas. Camping on the Battenkill offers 111 developed sites along the Battenkill River with tent and RV accommodations including full hookups. Woodford State Park Campground, located about 15 miles south of Arlington, features cabins, tent sites, and RV camping around Adams Reservoir at one of the highest elevations among Vermont state parks. Several dispersed camping areas can be found in the George D. Aiken Wilderness and along Forest Road 71, offering primitive options without facilities.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from late spring through mid-October, with state parks typically opening Memorial Day weekend and closing after Columbus Day weekend. Camping on the Battenkill extends its season slightly longer, operating from late April through mid-October. Winter access becomes limited as many forest roads close due to snow and ice conditions. Reservations are recommended, particularly for weekend stays during peak summer and fall foliage seasons. According to one visitor, "The sites are in pretty wooded areas and quite big, ground is sandy and all have electric/water, picnic table and fire ring. Near several attractions and there is nearby gift shop with Norman Rockwell exhibit."
Campers frequently mention the natural beauty and recreational opportunities available near Arlington's campgrounds. Emerald Lake State Park, approximately 10 miles northeast of Arlington, receives positive reviews for its swimming areas and kayaking opportunities. The area's abundant waterways, including the Battenkill River, offer fishing and paddling options directly accessible from several campgrounds. The Arlington area campgrounds provide convenient access to hiking trails, fishing spots, and scenic views throughout the Green Mountain region. Woodford State Park features a 2.5-mile trail that loops the reservoir and provides access to mountain biking trails. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "The sites are nice and private. The views on some of the sites to the lake are beautiful. The grounds and facilities are well kept, and you are close to both Bennington and Wilmington."
"Large campground in Arlington VT. Sites are in pretty wooded area and quite big, ground is sandy and all have E/W, picnic table and fire ring."
"Our first time in Vermont and we picked an awesome campground. This place has a great layout with lots of great sites to choose from. There are several sites right on the river!
Clean bath houses."
from $45 - $57 / night
Check Availability"Woodford State Park is situated between Wilmington and Bennington VT in the southern part of the Green Mountain National Forest."
"The views on some of the sites to the lake are beautiful. the grounds and facilities are well kept. and you are close to both Bennington and Wilmington. a great spot to camp at in Southern Vermont!"
"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."
"My friend and I were desperately looking for a place to spend the weekend, and with Covid making it a little more difficult to rely on walking in and finding a campsite, we made a blind reservation for"
"We were the only campers along the waterfront, but there were a few car campers in the sites near the road."
from $16 / night
Check Availability"This tops our list for camping in Vermont. There is so much to do here, and yet the campground feels very private and quiet. There are 41 tent/RV sites to choose from and 18 lean-tos."
"This was our second stay at this Vermont State Park. It was a great three days. The park rangers were tremendous in ensuring we had a delightful visit. They worked with us to get the right site."
from $20 - $42 / night
Check Availability"We stopped on our way through to Stowe Vermont."
"The camp spots were all pretty spread out from each other and the road was easy to drive on. There were only about 10 spots along the access road."
"Great location near Somerset Reservoir. Weekend was interrupted by a domestic violence situation a few sites downbeat resulted in fights and someone shooting off a handgun."
"Some sites have access to a stream that flows behind the park. The real attraction is the huge Somerset Resevoir which is up the road."
"The roads and campsites are gravel and a little tight to get around because of all the trees but we were able to manage in our 45’ motorhome."
"The location was very good in allowing us to visit family in nearby village and go into nearby Manchester Center. Much more of an RV Park (name is on the money) than camping where we had our site."
"It was quiet during our overnight stay other than a car or two on Stratton-Arlington Rd. There weren't many mosquitoes either. Hiking trail to Stratton Pond close by."
"Easy access to an open circle, capable of handling multiple rigs for a large gathering. Stone fire ring in the center. We had this all to ourselves in our Bean teardrop. "
"A LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well."
"I got in around the afternoon and there were already a few camp sites taken. Which is to be expected on the fourth."
GuideThis is a very nice campground but it is not at Lake George. It is about 25 min to Lake George Village. We had no trouble getting level and the bathhouse was very nice and CLEAN! The owners are very friendly and receptive to suggestions.
RangerWe camped here in the fall and really enjoyed our time here. We had.to hike about 500 feet from our car to our site, but we're no strangers to backpacking, and it was a really.quick jaunt. Our site was right near the water. Great place.
TravelerI selected a semi shaded site about 25 feet off the road about 2 miles in. There are many sites but you may have to look as a lot are overgrown. I am glad I selected the site I did as it stayed “dry” through 48 hrs of torrential downpours. I had very few problems with the bugs: have a nice smoky fire…best repellant out there!
TravelerThis is one of the nicest state campgrounds I've ever been in. Typical state campground, they often no services at this sites. They do have a dump station and potable well water, and trash disposal. The public restrooms are nice. Token operated showers are nice too. Very quiet campground, some road noise during the day but not at night!. Sites around the open field offer good solar and open sky for Starlink.
TravelerTons of hiking trails here. There are two main camping areas: one is at the base of the mountain with potable water, flush toilets, and showers nearby; the other is 2.5 miles up the mountain with a composting toilet and no potable water nearby.
We stayed at site 29, which is in the lower area. It was in a grassy field with trees on only one side of the site. We were able to position our camper to gain some privacy between it and the trees, but tents would be more exposed. Site 30 (right next door) is labeled as a management site so we didn’t have a neighbor during our stay.
Facilities are clean and well-maintained, and the staff is helpful and friendly.
Views from the top are beautiful and can be accessed by hiking or driving. Campsites in this area have more privacy and tree coverage.
We didn’t experience any noise issues with ATVs as other reviewers mentioned.
Overall, a pleasant stay.
ScoutI wanted to get into camping at a place I knew was going to have a grocery store near by and close to the Comnecticut River. This has all that plus well kept bathrooms and kayak rentals. All very cool and easy accessible.
GuideClean, spacious sites. O shower in this loop.
ScoutMy family has camped here for three years and we love it. We rent a canoe and paddle all the way down to the furthest campsites. The ability to hike to your spot or canoe makes it a blast, and it is a nice stepping stone to full backpacking if you ever want to get there.
For the past two seasons there was a Loon on the which is always a plus.
The toilets are great and fresh water is available from a well were you park. One of the greatest spots we have found.
ScoutMy family and I go here every year durning the summer. Big campsites (must of them are shaded), great for tent or RV camping, easy parking in sight. Great lake for swimming. Lots of things to do, very friendly staff, clean bathrooms located all around the campground and even a bigger bathroom with showers.
Dispersed camping spots near Arlington, Vermont include several free options within the Green Mountain National Forest. The Somerset Airfield area provides multiple primitive sites along Forest Road 71, ranging in elevation from 2,100 to 2,400 feet above sea level. Winter temperatures frequently drop below freezing from November through April, while summer evenings remain cool with temperatures often falling into the 50s even during July and August.
Paddle the reservoir: Somerset Reservoir offers excellent paddling opportunities just a short drive from the dispersed camping areas. "The reservoir is beautiful, plenty of space to spread out for paddling and swimming," notes a visitor to Somerset Airfield.
Hike around the lake: At Woodford State Park Campground, visitors enjoy the accessible trail circling the water. "There is a beautiful clean swimmable lake with a walking trail around it," mentions one camper. The reservoir loop is approximately 2.5 miles and suitable for most fitness levels.
Visit waterfalls: Multiple cascades are accessible from camping areas near Arlington. A camper at Jamaica State Park Campground shares, "We hiked the west river trail (which leads right out of the campground) to Hamilton falls which is a gravel closed road that follows the west river upstream 2 miles to Hamilton falls trail."
Private wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the secluded nature of certain campgrounds. "The sites are nice and private. The views on some of the sites to the lake are beautiful," notes a visitor to Woodford State Park Campground.
Well-maintained facilities: Clean bathrooms and sites receive consistent mention. At Emerald Lake State Park Campground, a camper observed, "Restrooms are about average for state parks. They were definitely cleaned daily. Don't forget to bring quarters for the shower."
Waterfront access: Direct water access ranks high among camper preferences. One reviewer at Camping On The Battenkill shared, "I stayed right on the river in site 14 with a small popup. The river is beautiful and the site was huge. We did some fishing and swimming."
Winter road closures: Forest roads leading to dispersed sites close seasonally. A visitor to Grout Pond Campground advises, "I visited Grout Pond Recreation area on 11/6/22 and found that it was closed to campers. The sites around the pond are being enlarged."
Reservation requirements: Many established campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "Book your site early to get a lean-to or a site near the river," recommends a Jamaica State Park visitor.
Muddy conditions: Spring and after heavy rains, access roads can become challenging. A camper at a dispersed site along Forest Road 71 noted, "This particular campsite is very muddy. Well, at least today it is. I have an SUV and I didn't trust it to get through, and I didn't want to get stuck."
Distance from amenities: Most dispersed camping areas lack facilities. A Grout Pond visitor explains, "Although BEAUTIFUL, the first campsites are a bit of a haul. Getting to the campground alone was crazy- dirt roads and very deep potholes that you can just barely avoid."
Choose campgrounds with playgrounds: Some locations offer kid-friendly facilities. "There are tons of different types of campsites with either tent spots, lean tos, and a few (hard to get) cabins. Bathrooms are plentiful and clean, hot showers for a small price," explains a family staying at Woodford State Park.
Look for swim-friendly water bodies: Safe swimming areas matter for families with children. At Emerald Lake State Park, a visitor notes, "There's a small, sandy beach at one end of the lake, with a bath house and changing rooms nearby. Swimmers can swim out the a small island in the middle of the lake."
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds are naturally louder than others. "If you're looking for a quiet spot maybe don't look here. If you have kids and don't mind them making friends and roaming the campground then this is great!" shares a camper at Woodford State Park.
Site access challenges: Large rigs face limitations at some campgrounds. A visitor to Dorset RV Park cautions, "Larger rigs might want to avoid loop 6-14, especially for sites 8-12. Tree placement and a pretty sharp 110+ degree turn makes it challenging to maneuver."
Hookup placement: At Camping on the Battenkill, RVers note the convenient arrangement of utilities. "The sites are in pretty wooded areas and quite big, ground is sandy and all have electric/water, picnic table and fire ring," explains one RVer.
Weather preparedness: The elevation means temperature swings even in summer. A Somerset Airfield visitor shares, "We endured Snow and mid 20s Friday night with 8" of fresh snow to wake up to Saturday, and our main Roadhouse down from the weight of the snow."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds in Arlington, Vermont?
Camping On The Battenkill is one of the top options in Arlington itself, offering spacious wooded sites with electric and water hookups. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring, with sandy ground that's easy to set up on. For those willing to venture just outside Arlington, Woodford State Park Campground is an excellent choice between Bennington and Wilmington, featuring the highest elevation of all Vermont state campgrounds. The park surrounds Adams Reservoir and offers two beaches. Other notable options within driving distance include Hapgood Pond in the Green Mountain National Forest and Lake Lauderdale Campground just across the New York border, both offering scenic water access.
Are there RV rental options available in Arlington, Vermont?
Arlington itself has limited RV rental options, but nearby alternatives exist. Brattleboro North KOA is about an hour away and may offer rental RVs on-site or have connections with local rental companies. For those bringing their own RV, Dorset RV Park near Arlington is suitable for larger rigs with water hookups and toilets available. Most visitors to Arlington typically arrange RV rentals from larger nearby towns like Bennington or Rutland, or through online RV rental marketplaces that facilitate owner-to-renter connections. Call campgrounds directly to inquire about on-site rental options or recommendations for local RV rental businesses.
What camping is available near Arlington, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Arlington, VT offers a wide range of camping options, with 187 campgrounds and RV parks near Arlington, VT and 18 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Arlington, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Arlington, VT is Camping On The Battenkill with a 4.5-star rating from 20 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Arlington, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 free dispersed camping spots near Arlington, VT.
What parks are near Arlington, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Arlington, VT that allow camping, notably Townshend Lake and Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests.
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