Camping near Grafton, Vermont places visitors in the heart of the Green Mountains with elevations ranging from 1,000-2,000 feet above sea level. The region experiences wide temperature fluctuations with summer days averaging 75-85°F but dropping to 45-55°F overnight. Most campgrounds in the area are nestled within mature hardwood forests that provide natural shade but limit satellite reception and cell coverage.
What to Do
Kayaking and tubing on rivers: Jamaica State Park Campground offers convenient access to the West River with multiple water activities. "Find something that you don't like about this park... go ahead, I'll wait. Small town general store, no cell service and a gorgeous back drop is a perfect spot to just unwind from the real world," explains camper Brittany B.
Waterfall hikes: Several trails from Jamaica State Park lead to waterfalls within easy hiking distance. "I love the area around Jamaica State Park and have stayed a few times! There is plenty of trails in the area and you can go to the waterfall/rock slides and take a dip in the pools," notes Jackie G.
River rafting excursions: Kampfires (formerly Hidden Acres) serves as a convenient base for guided river trips. "There is an amphitheater for concerts and shows throughout the summer. RV Spots, tent camping spots, a dog park, badminton, basketball, horseshoe, shuffleboard, the works," reports Sammii D.
What Campers Like
Accessible swimming holes: Winhall Brook Camping Area receives praise for its natural swimming areas. "Beautiful campground nestled between the Winhall river and west river. Spent the week in the river exploring and relaxing... Short drive into town to get supplies if need be," writes Mike C.
Clean facilities: The region's campgrounds maintain high standards of cleanliness. "The bathrooms are immaculate and the sites are grassy. Few sites have hookups so bring your solar and pick a sunny site," notes Gail P. about Winhall Brook Camping Area.
Spacious sites: Campers consistently mention the roomy campsites available at Emerald Lake State Park Campground. "Clean, well spaced, and paved roads," notes Robert N., while other visitors mention the campground's variety of site options including some with lake views.
What You Should Know
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have poor or no cellular reception. "No cell service and a gorgeous back drop is a perfect spot to just unwind from the real world," notes one Jamaica State Park visitor.
Seasonal considerations: The camping season runs shorter than in other regions. "We camped here with our dog on a tent site in camping area B. I really appreciated the VT state parks interactive campground map, which allowed us to see the sites from home and choose the one that would suit us best," explains Cynthia K. about Emerald Lake State Park.
Wood availability: Tree Farm Campground and other sites sell firewood, but quality can vary. "Campfire wood was a reasonable price, but all of it was very wet! Fires were a challenge. I'm assuming that this was just a wet season here," reports a camper from Emerald Lake.
Site selection matters: "The site was large and clean, and relatively quiet even though it was a holiday weekend. Hiking trails are steep, so prepare for a good workout," advises Cynthia K. about Emerald Lake State Park.
Tips for Camping with Families
Recreation facilities: Horseshoe Acres Campground offers numerous family activities. "Mini golf, playground and swimming pool for the kids. Three large field areas with lots of families and plenty of space for kids to meet others and ride bikes," writes Douglas L.
River safety awareness: When camping with children near water, select sites away from steep riverbanks. "The campsites were beautiful with the river behind us. For us, they also had a playground to play at, and a boat dock to kayak," reports Meike W.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer ranger-led programs. "My girlfriend and I stayed here May 11-13th. The staff was very friendly and accommodating, and the tent and lean-to sites were all kept very clean," reports Chris D. about Jamaica State Park.
Tips from RVers
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have steep entry roads unsuitable for large rigs. "Warning: NOT BIG RIG FRIENDLY! At least at the upper sites. Before we knew it we were being led up a super steep hill to top sites. Beautiful! Stunning trees, lovely grass. Nice area. But we knew the moment we started going up the hill we wouldn't be getting down unscathed," cautions Melody C. about Horseshoe Acres.
Limited hookup availability: Full hookups are scarce in state parks. "There are a few sites with hookups but since we like to be near the river, we opted for other areas," explains Gail P. about Winhall Brook.
Reservation timing: Book early for peak season. "They do have some walk up sites that can't be reserved ahead. The place books up early in the year for weekend visits so we went on weekdays," advises a Winhall Brook camper.
