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The Green Mountain National Forest and surrounding areas in southern Vermont provide camping options near Danby, from primitive sites to developed campgrounds. Several state parks and national forest campgrounds are clustered within a 20-mile radius of Danby, including Emerald Lake State Park Campground and Hapgood Pond. The area accommodates various camping styles with tent sites, RV hookups, and lean-to shelters at established locations like Emerald Lake, while dispersed camping can be found at places like Downed Bridge Camp where primitive sites offer more seclusion.
Road conditions can be challenging when accessing primitive camping areas, particularly after rain events or during spring melt. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through October, with state parks typically closing after Columbus Day weekend. A camper noted, "The road into here was easy to drive. The only thing you will find at this primitive site is a fire ring." Many sites require reservations, especially during summer weekends when waterfront locations fill quickly. Cell service is limited throughout the Green Mountain National Forest, and campers should be prepared for varying elevation changes that affect temperature and weather conditions.
Waterfront camping represents a significant draw in the area, with Emerald Lake State Park receiving consistently positive reviews for its swimming beach and water access. The lake features clear, turquoise water popular for cooling off during summer months. A review mentioned, "Beautiful ridgetop campground with large wooded sites and lots of room between sites." Sites at established campgrounds typically include picnic tables and fire rings, while primitive camping areas may have minimal to no facilities. Campers seeking solitude often prefer the dispersed sites in the national forest, which one visitor described as "great for a small group" with "epic" views for those willing to explore the forest roads to find ideal locations. Proximity to Manchester provides convenient access to supplies and restaurants when needed.
"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."
"Beautiful campground in south central Vermont. On a lovely emerald green small lake with nice beach. Good for fishing and kayaking. Well kept."
"This tops our list for camping in Vermont. There is so much to do here, and yet the campground feels very private and quiet. There are 41 tent/RV sites to choose from and 18 lean-tos."
"This was our second stay at this Vermont State Park. It was a great three days. The park rangers were tremendous in ensuring we had a delightful visit. They worked with us to get the right site."
from $20 - $42 / night
Check Availability"Our first time in Vermont and we picked an awesome campground. This place has a great layout with lots of great sites to choose from. There are several sites right on the river!
Clean bath houses."
"Site 16 had a path to the river and was slightly tucked away. Sites 13 and 14 were cool spots too, I’d imagine in the summer you may have less privacy because it’s near the swimming area."
from $45 - $57 / night
Check Availability"The roads and campsites are gravel and a little tight to get around because of all the trees but we were able to manage in our 45’ motorhome."
"The location was very good in allowing us to visit family in nearby village and go into nearby Manchester Center. Much more of an RV Park (name is on the money) than camping where we had our site."
"The campground is located where Winhall River meets the West River."
"There is a small group of camp sides with electricity and water but most sites have none. The bathrooms are clean. Where the two rivers intersect is a nice sport to put your feet in the water."
from $24 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Greendale Campground is a small remote campground located along Greendale Brook in Weston, VT. There are 11 campsites available in a wooded setting."
"We picked a nice site next to a babbling brook. While we only tent camped we plan to return with our new to us pop up this year. We only saw two cars during our entire stay."
"The surrounding grounds are mostly manicured fields."
"We appreciate the pond for swimming and the nice easy pond loop trail for hiking. Hapgood is in close proximity to Manchester and near the Appalachian Trail."
"Great location for a small group to camp at. Can't wait to go back. The main area is a walk in and is worth it. The road into here was easy to drive. "
"Vermont to begin with is beautiful. Getting into a national park to begin with is usually a fee, and then camping is a separate fee."
"All of the campsites are just a minute walk to the water. There is also a nice trail the leads all the way around the water."
from $20 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Water is available at a creek and a spring nearby. There's a huge jumping rock on the far side of the pond."
from $5 / night
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GuideSimply said, if you like a well maintained place with a swim beach, floating dock, grass galore, space to stretch out, and more, this is the place. It’s beautiful. As a bonus, it’s cost effective over other RV parks. If you want free, nope. If you want wild open spaces, nope. You a great lush big clean park that feels like your Owen estate, then come check this place out. We will be back.
GuideFree dispersed camping site in the Green Mountain National Forest, off a dirt road. The site curves around past the driveway so you can tuck up into the trees to be more private. The upper part there has a circular open area, surrounded by thin trees. There’s a fire ring set up midway on the site. It felt more isolated than other sites I’ve stayed at and there were quite a few animal sounds in the woods, including large animal bones left past the treeline. They seem to be left behind from people (based off of how the bones were cut). Dispersed camping so don’t expect facilities of any sort. Decent site and pretty large compared to some of the other spots. Heard Barred Owls in the distance which was awesome. Uploaded a video of the site at night and pics of the area on a map that my friend was able to pull up.
GuideWent with a friend on an impromptu last minute camping trip up in the NF and hoped we could find a spot on a Friday night. Quite a few spots were taken but there were still some free ones. We stayed at one near the creek just over a little bridge. Cute little site, nice fire pit, clean, perfect rock to put a big water jug on. The sound of running water was soothing. In the morning, adorable little red squirrels with big personalities made themselves known and there were wildflowers blooming all over with hummingbirds going about their business. This is dispersed camping so there’s no rest rooms, running water, etc. The particular site we stayed at did have another site on the other side of the creek and we could hear the family during the day and see them as they walked past, so it wasn’t as isolated as some of the other sites. It was a cute spot and I’ll def be back.
ScoutWe spent several days here during the summer and had a really good experience. Some days we stayed busy swimming and exploring, while other days we barely left our campsite. That was probably what we enjoyed most.
TravelerThis is a good spot if you don’t mind being social. The main camping area is a large grassy opening where multiple people park and camp together, and there is a bathroom, but there isn’t much privacy between sites. If you continue farther down the forest road, there are several smaller pull-offs with much more private dispersed camping spots. I’d recommend checking those out if you’re looking for a quieter experience.
ScoutReally enjoyed the setting at Crow’s Nest. There are lots of trees and having the Sugar River running alongside the campground gives the whole place a nice New Hampshire feel. We were mostly looking for somewhere to disconnect for a couple of days, cook outside, fish a little, and enjoy being away from home. Crow’s Nest was a great fit for that.
ScoutWhat we liked most about Crow’s Nest was being able to choose between doing absolutely nothing or heading out and exploring. One day we stayed around the campground, went swimming and relaxed by the river. The next day we got out and explored more of the Lake Sunapee area. It made a really good home base and it was always nice coming back to our campsite at the end of the day.
TravelerDyrt done messed up! So far, very disappointed in this app. Difficult to use! We reserved this spot through Dyrt. The directions to the campground are way off. The host was not notified that we were coming. Don’t trust Dyrt; contact the campground asap after you reserve through Dyrt to confirm the reservation directly and confirm the address and directions.
ScoutVery Disappointed With the Changes
Crown Point Campground used to be a wonderful place to camp. Unfortunately, since Happy Grounds purchased the campground, we have seen a significant decline in the overall experience.
I do want to make one thing very clear: the woman managing the campground is absolutely wonderful. She genuinely cares about the campers, is kind, helpful, and does her best to make people feel welcome. Our frustrations are not directed toward her. She deserves recognition for the effort she puts in, especially given the circumstances.
Unfortunately, there are serious concerns with the direction the campground has taken. There is no reliable Wi-Fi or cell service, which is especially concerning because there is no dependable way to call out in the event of an emergency. We have also seen a significant change in the atmosphere and clientele. Drugs have been found on the premises, including needles, which is extremely concerning for the safety of campers, especially families with children.
The campground has also become increasingly overcrowded. Tent sites have had upwards of 10 people on a single site, creating a very different camping experience from what many long-time campers originally signed up for.
Seasonal campers were told that there would be a gradual increase over two years to bring rates up to the new “going rate.” However, when the new contracts came out for next year, the price had increased by approximately $900. That is a substantial increase for a campground that, in our opinion, has continued to decline rather than improve.
What was perhaps most disappointing was how campers' concerns were handled. When people questioned the increase and expressed their frustrations, the response from the corporation was, and I quote:
“Get out and leave. I’ve heard enough complaints. Just leave if you don’t like it.”
That is an incredibly disappointing way to speak to people who have supported this campground for years.
It is heartbreaking to see what Crown Point Campground has become. There are good people here, and the campground itself has so much potential. Most importantly, the manager genuinely cares about the campers, and she deserves credit for that.
Our hope is that Happy Grounds will listen to the people who have invested years of their time and money here, address the safety and overcrowding concerns, and bring back the sense of community that once made Crown Point such a wonderful place to camp.
Camping spots near Danby, Vermont often see significant temperature fluctuations with elevation changes of 1,000-2,000 feet common in the Green Mountain National Forest area. Spring camping can be muddy with nighttime temperatures dropping below freezing even in May. Most primitive sites in this region require visitors to pack out all trash and bring their own water.
Swimming and water activities: Emerald Lake State Park offers clear water for swimming with a sandy beach and changing facilities. One visitor noted, "The turquoise water is a dream to cool off in. There's a small, sandy beach at one end of the lake, with a bath house and changing rooms nearby."
Fishing opportunities: The Battenkill River provides excellent fishing access for campers. "Water is available at a creek and a spring nearby," says one visitor to Little Rock Pond Group Camp & Shelters, while another camper mentioned Emerald Lake is "Good for fishing and kayaking."
Hiking trails: Multiple hiking networks connect camping areas throughout the region. At Jamaica State Park Campground, "We hiked the west river trail (which leads right out of the campground) to Hamilton falls which is a gravel closed road that follows the west river upstream 2 miles to Hamilton falls trail which then leads up hill for another mile to the falls."
Privacy between sites: Some campgrounds offer more secluded options than others. At Emerald Lake State Park Campground, a reviewer appreciated "Beautiful ridgetop campground with large wooded sites and lots of room between sites."
Waterfront options: Sites near water are consistently rated highest. At Camping On The Battenkill, one camper shared, "I stayed right on the river in site 14 with a small popup. The river is beautiful and the site was huge. We did some fishing and swimming."
Lean-to shelters: These structures provide protection from unpredictable weather. "We had a lean to site at this campground. Facilities were great. The lake was beautiful and rented boats and canoes," reports one visitor to Emerald Lake.
Shower facilities: Several campgrounds require coins for showers. At Emerald Lake, "Pay showers so save your quarters. Nice lake for canoeing with trails from the camping area."
Site reservation timing: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. A camper at Dorset RV Park warns, "When we booked all our sites were right next to each other. When we arrived not a single one of us were even on the same road."
Road conditions: Access to primitive sites can be challenging after rain. At Downed Bridge Camp, a visitor reported, "The road into here was easy to drive. The only thing you will find at this primitive site is a fire ring."
Weather preparedness: The area experiences rapid weather changes. "The bugs were not fun in the summer," noted a Jamaica State Park camper, while another mentioned, "We had a lean-to site at this campground" which helps during inclement weather.
Beach access: Children enjoy swimming areas with gradual entry. A visitor to Emerald Lake shared, "It's an awesome park for kids, and the turquoise water is a dream to cool off in. There's a small, sandy beach at one end of the lake."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Danby, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Danby, VT offers a wide range of camping options, with 232 campgrounds and RV parks near Danby, VT and 35 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Danby, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Danby, VT is Emerald Lake State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 20 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Danby, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 35 free dispersed camping spots near Danby, VT.
What parks are near Danby, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Danby, VT that allow camping, notably Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests and Townshend Lake.
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