Best Campgrounds near Chittenden, VT
Camping in the Green Mountain National Forest surrounding Chittenden, Vermont includes a mix of established state parks and primitive dispersed sites. 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.
