Camping opportunities near Forest Dale, Vermont extend throughout the Green Mountains, with elevations ranging from 800 to 3,500 feet creating distinct microclimates at various campsites. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-80°F, with mountain nights cooling significantly even during July and August. The region receives approximately 43 inches of precipitation annually, creating lush forests but also challenging ground conditions during wet periods.
What to do
Hike to mountaintop views: Moosalamoo Campground offers direct access to numerous trails. "Moosalamoo campground has awesome bike trails with smooth trail beds and nice rolling bumps. The kind campground hosts can tell you all about the hiking and biking trails within Mossalamoo National Forest," reports one visitor. The Moosalamoo trailhead connects to a network of paths throughout the recreation area.
Kayak on secluded ponds: Half Moon Pond State Park provides calm waters perfect for beginners. "We were easily able to go straight from the tent to our kayak, which was so awesome," notes a camper. The park rents kayaks, canoes and paddle boats for those without their own equipment.
Fish in mountain streams: Multiple camping areas provide access to stocked waterways. At Half Moon Pond, one visitor reports: "We fished and kayaked right from our site. Oddly, our fire pit faced the neighboring site rather than the pond." Brook trout fishing remains particularly productive in early summer before water temperatures rise.
What campers like
Private, spacious campsites: Chittenden Brook Campground receives praise for site layout. "There's quite a bit of space between each site so you can't really see your neighbors which is excellent," notes one camper. Another adds, "Great tent camping area with good privacy at sites. Would be tough for any but the tiniest RV."
Clean facilities even in remote locations: Gifford Woods State Park maintains high standards. "Bathrooms are super clean. Staff is friendly. Seasoned firewood available for purchase ($6 a stack)," mentions a visitor. Even vault toilets at more primitive sites receive attention: "The vault toilets were surprisingly clean besides the expected smell/flies."
Stargazing opportunities: The remote location creates exceptional night skies. "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 a Moosalamoo Campground visitor. Another camper at a dispersed site noted: "Beautiful sunsets, night skies and scenery. Extremely calm and peaceful."
What you should know
Access road conditions vary significantly: Many campgrounds require traveling unpaved roads. At Chittenden Brook, "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." For dispersed camping at Green Mountain National Forest FR207, "This is not a place to go without at least 9" of ground clearance. Views are spectacular."
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies dramatically by location and carrier. At Lake Bomoseen KOA, "Cell service is very limited. Very remote... the WIFI didn't even work at the office." However, at Green Mountain sites, some report "2 bars USCellular LTE" at higher elevations.
Reservations essential for peak periods: Most established campgrounds fill quickly between late June and early October. "We arrived on a Tuesday with no reservations. We had our pick of sites and no issues staying for 2 days. There were several sites reserved starting Thursday and Friday so the weekend looked to be busier."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming areas with safety features: Branbury State Park offers supervised water access. "Spacious sites, hiking trails, biking trails, nice beach and grounds. Fishing, kayak, canoe, paddle boat and paddle board rentals. There's a nature center with all kinds of information and activities. A large playground," reports one family. The beach area includes lifeguards during summer months.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer nature programs. "There's a nature center with all kinds of information and activities," notes a Branbury visitor. At Silver Lake, campers mention "nature tours on the lake led by the state park faculty."
Protected play areas: Campgrounds with central common spaces allow supervised recreation. "There is a grassy area in the center of the campground—great for kids, gatherings, etc.," mentions a Moosalamoo visitor. At Rogers Rock Campground, "The day use area has shady spots and grills, nice for the kids."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: Most Forest Dale area campgrounds have minimal RV amenities. "No hookups but the bathrooms are clean and the showers ($) are hot," reports a visitor at Half Moon Pond State Park. For those needing full services, Rogers Rock Campground offers "electric-hookups, fifty-amp-hookups, thirty-amp-hookups, sanitary-dump, sewer-hookups, water-hookups."
Tight turning radius at some campgrounds: Site access can be challenging for larger rigs. "It was a little tight for our 36ft 5th wheel but managable. The sites are a good size and relatively level," notes a camper at Lake Bomoseen KOA. At Chittenden Brook, sites are described as suitable for tents but "would be tough for any but the tiniest RV."
Seasonal access considerations: Many forest roads become impassable for larger vehicles during spring thaw. "Make sure to have a backup plan during the mud season," advises a visitor to Green Mountain National Forest dispersed sites. Most established campgrounds with RV sites close by mid-October.
