Campgrounds near West Rutland, Vermont range from state park lean-tos and rustic cabins to tent and RV camping at private lakeside facilities. The Green Mountain National Forest provides several cabin options within driving distance of West Rutland, Vermont. Gifford Woods State Park near Killington and Bomoseen State Park Campground in Fair Haven both offer cabin accommodations amid Vermont's scenic woodlands. Several properties around Lake Bomoseen, including Lake Bomoseen KOA, feature cabins alongside tent and RV camping opportunities. Most Vermont state parks with cabin facilities operate seasonally, typically from late May through mid-October.
Most cabins in the region require advance reservations through either the Vermont State Parks reservation system or private campground websites. "We stayed at Bomoseen State Park on a busy weekend in the squirrel lean-to, which was right on the water," noted one camper, highlighting the popularity of waterfront structures. Cabins at state parks like Half Moon Pond generally offer basic amenities without electricity or running water, while private facilities like those at Lake Bomoseen KOA provide more comfort features. Weather conditions can vary significantly throughout the camping season, with possible temperature swings in spring and fall that may affect cabin comfort.
Waterfront cabins receive consistently high ratings across the region's campgrounds. At Half Moon Pond State Park, lean-tos positioned along the shoreline allow visitors to launch kayaks directly from their sites. Many state park cabins are constructed as three-sided lean-tos with roof structures, offering an intermediate option between tent camping and fully enclosed accommodations. Chittenden Brook Campground in the Green Mountain National Forest provides a more rustic cabin experience in a heavily wooded setting. Multiple reviews highlight the cleanliness of facilities, with one visitor noting that "bathrooms were the cleanest of any campground we've ever stayed at" when describing Bomoseen State Park. Most cabins require visitors to bring their own bedding, cooking equipment, and other camping essentials.
"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."
"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."
"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)."
"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."
"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!"
"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."
$22 - $172 / night
"For the last three years, we have traveled with dozens of friends and families to Rogers Rock Campground, which is tucked into the north end of the gorgeous 32 mile-long oasis that is Lake George."
"Ive been coming to this spot nearly every year since I was a little girl."
$15 / night
"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."
"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."
$15 / night
"Nice hiking trails close to long trail, really tucked away a few miles off 73. Great if you’re looking for some solitude."
"Well maintained, and nice access to trails right from the campground."
GuideRight along the road (so if anything happens you can get help) also has wifi signal. It’s right along a creek that’s clean and beautiful. Crisp air and calming flowing river noises all night made it so I slept like a baby!
ScoutPublic Lands with about 8 semi private sites, each with nice views west or easterly. It's a large meadow and with a breeze, it will keep bugs away. Lacking a breeze, it is tough but still beautiful
ScoutPam met us outside as she said ‘dodging rain drops’ to stack wood. She was warm and friendly. You can tell she runs a tight ship immediately telling us when quite hours were, and letting us know the dogs needed to be on leash and under our control. We brought our 2 labs with us. Only 2 vehicles per site is allowed. You do need tokens to use the shower. 2 tokens was more than enough for me to shower and not feel rushed. The bathrooms are AMAZING! I am looking forward to coming back!
TravelerI have stayed at several of the waterfront tent and lean-to camp sites. It’s a nice organized place but can get pretty noisy when larger groups take over the loop c spots. There’s an open grassy field near the water at that end of the campground and it doesn’t take much to make a disturbance as sound carries over the water to loop b and a. Several people ignore the no dogs on the beach rule too. Those issues aside it’s a nice accessible campground with quiet water for kayakers like me. Generally I find the flies and mosquitoes are less of a problem once the dragon flies arrive.
ScoutHad a site booked for Memorial Day weekend but had a complication to my 5th shoulder surgery in 2.5 years and had my 6th which was a 3rd attempt at rotator cuff repair in mid-May. Called to see if I could change my reservation since I cannot drive due to Dr.'s orders but no dice. Could care less and told me too late due to policy. Offered to provide doctors documentation but didn't matter. I did not ask for refund just to change the date. Rude, dismissive and unwilling to work with me. Sad that a family-oriented place is run this way. End result I am out over$600 and they are smiling. As a business owner myself I would be out of business if I treated my customers this way.
ScoutDEC has designated and constructed 12 camp sites in areas around Shelving Rock Road and Dacy Clearing Road. Camping will only be allowed at the designated campsites or more than 500 feet from the Shelving Rock and Dacy Clearing Roads.
ScoutAs noted by others, most of the sites have a fire ring and nothing more. A little more than half of the sites can be driven to and others require a very short walk (50 ft?). The toilets mentioned are at Texas falls area and are not a practical walk from most of the campsites.
There are no showers.
Aside from the loop trail at the falls there are also a couple of snowmobile trails that cross the area.
GuideWe emailed twice and traveled five hours to only find out they have a list of dog breeds they don’t accept. The list has no rhyme or reason. Our 7 year old 95lb Great Dane was not allowed. Ridiculous
RangerStayed here for a week. Josh and Dori were super nice and helpful. Level grass field with water and 30amp hookup. Fire pit port o potty, creek across the street. Very pretty setting. Dark sky area. Cell att and Verizon we decent enough to work plus they had WiFi if needed.
Green Mountain National Forest offers multiple camping options within 30 miles of West Rutland, Vermont. Most campgrounds in this region operate from late May through mid-October with peak visitation during July and August. Temperatures can drop below 50°F during spring and fall nights, even when daytime highs reach the 70s.
Hiking near campsites: Moosalamoo National Recreation Area features extensive trail networks accessible from campsites. "There are lots of great hiking accessible from the campground, or within a short drive. Silver Lake and Lake Dunmore are nearby. Both have beaches: Silver Lake is accessible only by foot, down a .6 mile trail from the parking area," notes Nancy M. from Moosalamoo Campground.
Kayaking from shoreline sites: Several campgrounds offer direct water access for paddlers. At Half Moon Pond State Park, "We were easily able to go straight from the tent to our kayak, which was so awesome," explains one camper. Another visitor adds, "We could launch our kayaks right from our site. The pond is very weedy, so fishing was not so great, but the hiking trails around the park were fun."
Historic exploration: The camping region provides access to significant historical sites. "Easy to get to, close to Castleton, Rutland, and Hubbarton Battlefield. Great spot for a family get-a-way," writes Michelle R. about the location of Lake Bomoseen KOA.
Well-maintained facilities: Campers frequently mention the cleanliness of Vermont state park restrooms. "The bathhouse was very clean, the swimming beach is small but perfect, and there are even cabins for rent on the other side of the pond," notes a visitor at Half Moon Pond State Park.
Privacy between sites: Moosalamoo Campground earns praise for site spacing. "The campsites are well spaced and we were able to snag a water front site which was really beautiful. There are also lean-to sites and some cabins," writes Rebecca D. Another camper notes, "The sites are well spread apart and have plenty of nature in between so you don't feel you are sitting in your neighbor's campsite."
Night sky viewing: Chittenden Brook Campground offers exceptional stargazing opportunities due to minimal light pollution. "At night, you can go out to the bicycle pump track and lay a blanket on the grassy hill against the track and look at stars in COMPLETE darkness," reports one visitor. The campground's location in a densely wooded area of the Green Mountain National Forest limits ambient light.
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds in the region have poor or non-existent connectivity. "Cell services on ATT and TMobile were nonexistent. Campground WiFi is a joke (less than 1mbps)," reports one camper at Lake Bomoseen KOA.
Weather preparedness: Temperature swings require planning even in summer. At Gifford Woods State Park, campers note that evenings can become quite cool, with one reviewer mentioning, "A pleasant treat after hiking" when describing the hot showers available.
Site reservation timing: Popular waterfront sites book quickly, especially at state parks. "We were able to snag a spot without a reservation. I'd probably recommend reserving a spot if it's the main season but I went in September and had an easy time grabbing a site," notes a Chittenden Brook camper.
Beginner-friendly options: Gifford Woods provides an excellent introduction to outdoor recreation. One camper shared, "This was a great place to start our camping adventures. Friendly staff and helpful pointing out places to hike. Site was clean and quiet. Bathrooms were clean and showers were hot."
Playgrounds and beaches: Several campgrounds combine swimming with play structures. At Bomoseen State Park, "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," notes Erica H.
Educational opportunities: Emerald Lake State Park offers nature-based learning. "We camped for two nights with 20 Girls and Leaders. It's a great place to bring a Troop and use the lake and trails for badges plus cooking badges as well," writes a Girl Scout leader who visited with her troop.
Limited hookup availability: Most state park campgrounds offer few or no hookups for RVs. "No hookups but the bathrooms are clean and the showers ($) are hot," notes a camper at Half Moon Pond State Park.
Site leveling challenges: Mountain campgrounds often have uneven terrain. "Odd $10 CASH deposit for gate key that no one asked for. 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," reports an RVer at Lake Bomoseen KOA.
Access road conditions: Several campgrounds require navigating unpaved roads. "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," warns a Chittenden Brook camper.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near West Rutland, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, West Rutland, VT offers a wide range of camping options, with 230 campgrounds and RV parks near West Rutland, VT and 32 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near West Rutland, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near West Rutland, VT is Gifford Woods State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 17 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near West Rutland, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 32 free dispersed camping spots near West Rutland, VT.
What parks are near West Rutland, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near West Rutland, VT that allow camping, notably Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests and Green Mountain National Forest.
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