217 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Chittenden, Vermont spans from developed campgrounds with tent sites, RV spaces, and cabins to free primitive dispersed sites along Michigan Brook Road. Gifford Woods State Park Campground offers tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, and glamping options just minutes from Killington Mountain. Michigan Brook Road provides free dispersed camping with basic fire rings in more remote settings. The region includes several developed facilities like Chittenden Brook Campground and Moosalamoo Campground that accommodate both tent and RV camping, though hookup availability varies considerably between locations.
Roads accessing dispersed camping areas often present challenges, particularly during spring thaw and after heavy rainfall when mud and ruts can make navigation difficult. "Road goes in pretty far. Some parts are muddy and very rough. Higher clearance would be advised!!!" notes one Michigan Brook visitor. Most established campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through mid-October, with some closing after Columbus Day weekend. Cell service remains spotty throughout much of the area, particularly at primitive sites along Michigan Brook Road where reception is only available by walking to the road's end. Winter access to many locations requires snowshoes or snowmobiles as service roads are not plowed beyond main parking areas.
The Appalachian Trail runs directly through Gifford Woods State Park, providing hikers with immediate trail access and convenient overnight accommodations. Several campers highlight the cleanliness and maintenance of facilities at established state parks compared to free dispersed sites. A camper at Gifford Woods described it as "absolutely the best kept and cleanest campground I've ever been to." Waterfront options exist at Lake Bomoseen State Park and Branbury State Park, both approximately 15-20 miles from Chittenden. Primitive sites along Michigan Brook often feature riverside camping but lack amenities like toilets, drinking water, or trash removal. Visitors seeking a balance between natural settings and basic facilities might prefer Chittenden Brook Campground, which maintains vault toilets and trash collection but preserves a more rustic camping experience than fully developed resort-style facilities.
"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."
"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"Chittenden Brook Campground is in the Green Mountain National Forest off of Rt 73."
"Nice hiking trails close to long trail, really tucked away a few miles off 73. Great if you’re looking for some solitude."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"This place gets my vote for best campground in Vermont. Especially true 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."
"Coolidge is off the beaten path but well worth the wander! There are no water sites, it’s on the side of a heavily wooded mountain with a few sites having amazing views!"
"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."
"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)."
"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."
from $10 / 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."
GuideWe love camping in VT State parks and this is another humdinger of a park. Lots of room between sites, well-cared for, walkable to lovely lake… excellent camping experience.
TravelerMy partner and I went on 4th of July weekend for the first time and was greeted by a man in the parking lot who had been coming there for 40 years. The site was gorgeous with 10 different campsites to choose from. The past reviews are correct with a lifted four wheel drive vehicle being needed for this drive in if you plan on getting paddled boats/kayaks in the water. Our plan was to go in and out to explore but decided to hunker down once we took the road in to avoid driving it multiple times. There are four hike-in camps from the parking lot. All campsites are marked on AllTrails. We stayed on the East side camp, #10, which after setting up and visiting the rest of the sites, had the least views from camp of the water but was the most secluded. Many sites have a privy or a box with a hole and a lid. There were a total of four trucks/jeeps in the lot all weekend and only a few camps being used. The black flies and mosquitos were bad given the time of the year so be prepared if you come during the same time. There are some beautiful trails that connect to the parking lot that lead to other hike-in camps at other small ponds/lakes.
There are green tags on the trees marked next to the water where the camp sites are. We made the mistake of setting up our tent at a makeshift campsite someone made and found the "no camping" sign after and ended up moving. There are beaver, ducks, and loons living at the pond.
RangerWe stayed at site 69 over the Fourth of July weekend this year. It was amazing - the site is so secluded, wooded, and had a lot of forest for the kids to explore.
The bathrooms were clean and renovated, showers were token only but were clean and hot with good water pressure.
The campground itself had so many activities planned (sunset kayak tour, fishing for beginners, and a Fourth of July parade were the ones we participated in) and the staff was great.
Ice and wood on hand, decently priced.
Sites were cleaned immediately after they were left by the precious campers.
GuideAdjacent to Green Mtn National Forest, situated in a beautiful meadow with dozens of apple trees, visited by wild animals of every kind, wild berries, giant fire pit & walking distance to swimming hole in river, beer shop, pizza shop, coffee shop, restaurant, cannabis dispensary, bike shop, kayak/paddle board shop, ski and snowboard shop, general store, fuel stop… but in sight of none of it! Beautiful sunsets and sunrises with wide open southern sky, stretching to both the east and west!
ScoutVery poorly run camp. Definitely not family oriented.
ScoutIt’s a clean very small campground but not family friendly mostly older people. Management is rude. Don’t recommend
ScoutFriendly staff help you to your site. Clean park, mowed, munched, looks great. Road noise as we are backed up to it, but not a huge issue. Definitely will return!
TravelerWe spent 2 nights on S61 right on the edge of the river. Very few other visitors. High water mark on road surface above bridge is crazy. July 2023 flood closed the campground for almost 2 years. We would recommend a stay and riverfront sites are awesome. Unfortunately the fishing in both the brook and main river sucks
ScoutOur first visit to the campground was the beginning of June. At check in we were greeted with a smile, which speaks volumes to me. We are tenters and we chose site 65, which is in a cul de sac, super big(an RV could fit there for sure) and nice and quiet. The river sites are actually quite nice and most likely where we would try to book next time. Our neighbors were respectful with their radio and noise(which I appreciate and the campground makes mention in their rules). The sites are all groomed and free from large rocks and debris. Each site also has its own trash receptacle that is emptied each day, so no need to go to the dumpster! The bathrooms/showers were exceptionally clean. We didn't take advantage of any other amenities, but there are things going on each day/night and plenty of grassy common areas for your own activities. Overall I give this campground a 10. It was everything we needed to make our stay pleasant!!
The Green Mountain National Forest area near Chittenden, Vermont sits at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 3,500 feet, creating distinct microclimates that affect camping conditions throughout the season. Summer temperatures average 10-15 degrees cooler than nearby valleys, while fall brings frost to campsites by early September. Night temperatures drop significantly even in summer, often requiring warm sleeping gear regardless of season.
Hiking direct from campsite: At Gifford Woods State Park Campground, trails connect directly to the Appalachian Trail for day hikes. "The Appalachian Trail runs right through the park and you can hike up to Deer Leep, around Kent Pond, or to Thundering Falls right from the campground," notes camper Tara S.
Mountain biking on managed trails: The Moosalamoo Campground offers dedicated biking trails with smooth surfaces. "Moosalamoo campground has awesome bike trails with smooth trail beds and nice rolling bumps," writes Jill B., adding that the "kind campground hosts can tell you all about the hiking and biking trails within Moosalamoo National Forest."
Fishing in remote settings: Silver Lake provides quieter fishing opportunities with less pressure than larger bodies of water. "Lake at the top is very nice for swimming and cooling off. Quite a few places to set up a tent too, as well as a picnic area with little grills," reports Emma B.
Privacy between campsites: Coolidge State Park Campground features well-separated sites with natural buffers. "There was plenty of room between sites. The roads going in and leaving were well maintained," shares William P., who appreciated the quiet atmosphere.
Clean facilities despite rustic settings: Vault toilets at Moosalamoo Campground receive consistent praise from visitors. "Surprisingly clean vault toilets. No showers. There are dumpsters on the way out for trash and recycling," notes Lauren S., who stayed in site 15 and found it "absolutely perfect for our group of three adults and two kids."
Lakefront lean-to options: At Bomoseen State Park Campground, waterfront lean-tos provide direct water access. "We like the waterfront lean-tos so we can keep our kayaks on the water the whole week," explains Angela J., who visits annually with friends.
Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds in the region have limited or no connectivity. At Moosalamoo Campground, "there is no cell phone service or wifi connection," notes Keegz M., though you can find service by walking to nearby areas.
Elevation affects temperature: Coolidge State Park's higher elevation means significantly cooler nights. "High up on a hillside. The prime lean tos have great views," reports Bob W., highlighting the park's elevation advantage.
Water access varies significantly: Chittenden Brook Campground features a brook rather than lake access. "The constant sound of running water from the brook was truly relaxing," notes Jessica C., who appreciated the natural soundtrack.
Beach and playground access: Branbury State Park Campground combines camping with swimming facilities. "Spacious sites, hiking trails, biking trails, nice beach and grounds. Fishing, kayak, canoe, paddle boat and paddle board rentals. There's a nature center with all kinds of information and activities. A large playground," recommends J L.
Kid-friendly lean-to options: Several parks offer lean-tos that simplify camping with children. At Half Moon Pond State Park, "We stayed in site T06, which is right on the water. We were easily able to go straight from the tent to our kayak," shares Tara S.
Central activity areas: Many campgrounds feature common spaces where children can interact. At Branbury State Park, "Across the street from the campground was access to the lake with plenty of grassy areas to hang out. And beautiful sunsets at night," notes Nicole E.
Limited hookup availability: Lake Bomoseen KOA offers more amenities but sites can be tight for larger RVs. "It was a little tight for our 36ft 5th wheel but manageable. The sites are a good size and relatively level," reports Dave S.
Road condition alerts: Access roads to many campgrounds require careful navigation. At Chittenden Brook, "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," cautions Jessica C.
Dump station locations: Plan waste management carefully as not all campgrounds offer dump facilities. At Branbury State Park, sanitary dump facilities are available, but Scott A. notes at Lake Bomoseen KOA, "I could not get the cable TV working. All in all it is a nice Campground and most of it (the back in spaces) look nice and wooded."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Chittenden, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Chittenden, VT offers a wide range of camping options, with 217 campgrounds and RV parks near Chittenden, VT and 27 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Chittenden, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Chittenden, VT is Gifford Woods State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 17 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Chittenden, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 27 free dispersed camping spots near Chittenden, VT.
What parks are near Chittenden, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Chittenden, VT that allow camping, notably Green Mountain National Forest and Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests.
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