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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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."
