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