Glamping options close to Chittenden, Vermont offer accommodations beyond standard tents and cabins. Located in the Green Mountain region with elevations ranging from 700 to 1,800 feet, the area experiences distinct seasons with fall foliage peaking in early October. Winter temperatures often drop below 10°F, requiring proper preparation for cold-weather camping, while summer highs rarely exceed 85°F.
What to do
Hiking on the Appalachian Trail: Access trailheads directly from Gifford Woods State Park Campground, where campers can trek to scenic overlooks. "Gorgeous sites. Upper Loop sites are spaced further apart. Wooded. AT goes right through the campground. Lovely late summer camping experience," notes Rachel C.
Kayaking on multiple waterways: Half Moon Pond State Park Campground offers direct water access for paddling. "We stayed in site T06, which is right on the water. We were easily able to go straight from the tent to our kayak, which was so awesome," says Tara S., who adds that "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."
Winter sports at Killington: Only 15 minutes from some campgrounds, Killington provides skiing in winter and mountain biking in summer. "Very centrally located and takes no time at all to get to Killington and Rutland," explains Alyssa C. about Gifford Woods State Park.
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: At Quechee State Park Campground, campers appreciate the room to spread out. "Big, flat, beautiful sites. Road noise isn't super loud, but it's constant. Might be the nicest bathrooms I've seen in decades of camping," says one reviewer identified as B.
Clean facilities: Consistently mentioned across reviews, clean bathrooms make stays more comfortable. "Bathrooms are modern and clean. Everyone seems to adhere to quiet hours so it was easy to get a good night's sleep," Cynthia K. writes about Half Moon Pond State Park.
Lakefront camping: Emerald Lake State Park Campground provides water access that campers love. "Beautiful campground in south central Vermont. On a lovely emerald green small lake with nice beach. Good for fishing and kayaking," Christina S. shares, while another camper notes, "Swimmers can swim out to a small island in the middle of the lake."
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds near Chittenden operate from late May through mid-October. The peak season aligns with foliage viewing in late September to early October when reservations are essential.
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience traffic sounds. At Quechee-Pine Valley KOA, one visitor explains: "This is a quaint campground with nice bathrooms. The owners were very helpful, meeting all of our needs promptly and always with a smile."
Limited amenities at state parks: Most Vermont state parks offer basic amenities without electric hookups. "No hookups but the bathrooms are clean and the showers ($) are hot," notes Susan E. about Half Moon Pond State Park.
Cell service variability: Coverage varies dramatically between campgrounds. "Cell service is very limited. Very remote... the WIFI didn't even work at the office," reports Jason A. about Lake Bomoseen KOA.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites away from steep terrain: At Emerald Lake State Park, be strategic about site selection. "Many of them are perched on a steep ledge, making them a bit sketchy for families with kids. If you have little ones, check out the map before you reserve a site and find one on the opposite side of the ledge," advises Tara S.
Look for ranger-led activities: Lake Bomoseen KOA offers organized recreation. "This campground is located on lake bomoseen. The campground is small which makes it nice. It has three pools. A kiddie pool, a water slide pool and a larger pool that goes from 3 ft to 6 ft," Becca D. shares.
Consider lean-to options: During unpredictable Vermont weather, lean-tos provide shelter while maintaining a camping experience. "We stayed in the Elm lean-to, which sits up on a wooded hill. The only down side is that the lean-to opening faces the road instead of the woods, which would have been better for privacy," Tara S. notes about Gifford Woods.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: Most state parks have minimal or no hookups, but some private campgrounds offer full services. "Sites are large. If you stay in the back it's quieter. The bathroom is very clean. They offer showers that cost you a few quarters. There are no hookups but they do have a dump station if you are in an RV," explains Jan B. about Quechee State Park.
Challenging terrain at some campgrounds: Caton Place Campground can present access issues for larger rigs. "The pull through site is not level and is barely long enough to fit my 43' rig. The roads aren't wide enough to take a motorhome into," warns Jim B., adding that "Driving out of the site was just as bad. You have to go down a small hill and bottom out the front and then drag the backend out of the dirt."
Consider seasonal site availability: For longer stays near Chittenden, some campgrounds offer seasonal options. "The campground is more for seasonal campers," notes Anqi Z. about Caton Place Campground.
