Best Campgrounds near Goshen, VT
The Green Mountain National Forest surrounds Goshen, Vermont, providing a mix of established campgrounds and dispersed camping options within a 30-minute drive. Silver Lake Campground and Moosalamoo Campground offer traditional camping experiences with basic amenities like toilets and drinking water, while still maintaining a natural setting. Branbury State Park Campground on Lake Dunmore provides more developed facilities including electric hookups and a sanitary dump station. For those seeking a more rustic experience, free dispersed camping can be found along Forest Road 207 in the national forest. Most campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with some offering cabin rentals for those wanting additional shelter.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from Memorial Day through mid-October, with limited options available in the shoulder seasons. Spring conditions often include muddy forest roads that may require high-clearance vehicles, particularly at dispersed sites. As one camper noted about Silver Lake, "The sites are fairly private without being built too close together. Lake is clean and has a great concrete dock that the kids love to jump off." Cell service varies throughout the area, with better coverage at established campgrounds closer to towns. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and fall foliage season when visitation peaks. Many forest roads remain unplowed in winter, limiting access to remote sites.
Water access stands out as a defining feature of camping in the Goshen area. Campsites near Silver Lake and Lake Dunmore provide opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating during summer months. According to a visitor at Moosalamoo, "There are no amenities other than cascading waterfalls, mountain views, incredible swimming hole, a nearby lake, a picnic table and a fire ring." Shaded sites under mature forests characterize most campgrounds, offering relief during hot summer days. Gifford Woods State Park, though slightly farther away near Killington, receives consistently high ratings for its clean facilities and access to hiking trails, including a section of the Appalachian Trail. Michigan Brook Road camping in the national forest offers a budget-friendly alternative with primitive sites suitable for those comfortable with minimal facilities.
