Best Campgrounds near Dorset, VT
Campgrounds near Dorset, Vermont range from established facilities with full amenities to more rustic options in the surrounding Green Mountains. Emerald Lake State Park Campground offers tent sites, RV spots, and lean-tos set on a forested ridge above its namesake lake, while Dorset RV Park provides full hookups for recreational vehicles and cabin accommodations approximately 2 miles from downtown Dorset. The area includes several state park campgrounds within a 30-minute drive, with Hapgood Pond in Manchester and Jamaica State Park providing alternatives for tent camping in natural settings. Dispersed camping opportunities exist at locations like the Downed Bridge Camp in the Green Mountain National Forest.
The camping season typically runs from May through mid-October, with most established campgrounds closing after Columbus Day weekend. As one visitor noted, "Bathrooms were clean, it was pretty quiet, and most of the sites were separated by 10-20 feet of trees." Road conditions to campgrounds vary, with some parks having steep or rough entrance roads that can be challenging during wet weather. Facilities differ significantly between locations, from Dorset RV Park's full hookups and WiFi to more primitive setups at forest service sites like Grout Pond. Cell service is generally limited outside of town centers, and most campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly for summer weekends and during fall foliage season when the region experiences peak visitation.
Several campgrounds in the area feature water access as a primary draw. Emerald Lake State Park receives consistently high ratings for its swimming opportunities, with campers praising the "clear waters, calm lake" and mentioning that "the lake was beautiful and rented boats and canoes." While campground sites are typically situated on ridges above the water rather than directly lakeside, hiking trails connect camping areas to beaches and boat launches. Campers report that sites offer good privacy despite their proximity, with adequate spacing and tree cover between neighbors. Visitors to Dorset RV Park note its convenient location for accessing nearby attractions, including the Dorset Quarry for swimming and proximity to Manchester's shopping and dining options.
