Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests in Vermont feature diverse camping experiences, from developed state parks to primitive sites on Forest Service land. Gifford Woods State Park Campground serves as a hub for campers with tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and lean-tos situated near Killington. Michigan Brook Road offers free dispersed camping options with multiple sites along forest roads. Several campgrounds provide waterfront camping, including Lake Bomoseen KOA and Branbury State Park, which offer cabin accommodations alongside traditional campsites.
Road conditions vary considerably across the region, with many forest service roads requiring higher clearance vehicles. Michigan Brook Road presents particular challenges, as one visitor noted: "Road goes in pretty far. Some parts are muddy and very rough. Higher clearance would be advised!!!" Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from Memorial Day through Columbus Day weekend, closing during winter months when snow makes access difficult. Cell phone service is limited in remote areas, particularly at Michigan Brook and other dispersed sites. Visitors should prepare for variable weather conditions, as Vermont's mountain terrain can experience significant temperature fluctuations even during summer months.
The Appalachian Trail runs directly through Gifford Woods State Park, making it particularly popular among hikers. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "The Appalachian Trail runs right through the park and you can hike up to Deer Leep, around Kent Pond, or to Thundering Falls right from the campground." Many campers appreciate the region's waterfront options, with riverside sites along Michigan Brook receiving positive reviews for their natural setting. Privacy varies significantly between campgrounds, with the upper loops at Gifford Woods offering more secluded sites compared to the more crowded lower loops. For those seeking solitude, dispersed camping areas provide greater isolation but fewer amenities. Wildlife sightings are common throughout the region, with recent reports of increased black bear activity that campers should be prepared for by practicing proper food storage.
"Decent bathroom situation--I've seen better and I've seen worse in Vermont."
"The park is amazingly clean, well run, located just of RT 4 and very near to Killington, Vermont. It has multiple lean-to sites which are in wooded areas."
$15 / night
"there are no amenities other than cascading waterfalls, mountain views, incredible swimming hole, a nearby lake, a picnic table and a fire ring. the easiest access to sites one and two is the Silver Lake"
"Access to campground is on a gravel road but my van did okay. It is small and primitive and there is a camp host who is very nice."
"No ATM on site to get cash… The sites are spacious enough, but are very close to each other. Zero buffer between neighboring sites means encroaching slide outs."
"family camping Kabins, rv, and tent sites, arcade, store, ice cream, and Lake Bomoseen. Easy to get to, close to Castleton, Rutland, and Hubbarton Battlefield. Great spot for a family get-a-way."
$15 / night
"Nice hiking trails close to long trail, really tucked away a few miles off 73. Great if you’re looking for some solitude."
"Well maintained, and nice access to trails right from the campground."
"I stayed at this campsite located at the end of upper Michigan road. It is winter and there is a lot of snow. The main road to the parking lot is plowed and sanded."
"Few nice ones near the creek. I stayed at one on top of a lots of space at mine."
"The site was so scenic with a little waterfall and stream nearby. The camp staff was so nice. They kept the the bathrooms and areas so clean."
"Love to lake access, secluded camping, the hiking and remote area. Planning on revisiting next summer, even in august the nights get to a good sleeping temperature a vast majority of the time."
"This place gets my vote for best campground in Vermont. Especially true if you're lucky enough to get one of the few sites on the outside of A loop that has a Lean-to with a view."
"Coolidge is off the beaten path but well worth the wander! There are no water sites, it’s on the side of a heavily wooded mountain with a few sites having amazing views!"
"Bomoseen State Park is right down the road, but I recommend staying at Half Moon and taking advantage of the large swimming area at Bomoseen, as well as all the cool ponds, lakes, and hiking trails nearby"
"The pond is clean and swim-able and great for kayaks/canoes (near Glen Lake and Lake Bomoseen for boating and more kayaking/canoeing)."
$10 / night
"This is one of our favorite places to camp in Vermont. 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."
"Lovely place, free camping, fire pits at the campsite, and access to the water. We camped in the off season, but in the on season there are pit toilets and campground stewards."
"It was during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are happy to report that everyone wore masks in public spaces (restrooms), and that there was plenty of room for social distancing. "
"We had a nice private site, close to amenities and the lake, the beach area was nice, kind of rocky, but had sand for the beach. The play area has a nice set up, overall a nice camping area."
LegendWe camp here a lot. We recently scored the Cherry lean-to, and I think it has the best view in the park! Bugs were bad this spring, but the sunsets made up for it. We hiked the Stevenson Brook Trail (amazing), swam in the 55-degree water (exhilarating), and cooked lots of yummy food (campfire nachos!).
LegendWe stayed in the Bee cabin, right on the Battenkill River. This tiny cabin has a queen bed, a little table with two chairs, a microwave, a mini-fridge, and a Keurig coffee maker. There is a smokeless fire pit outside with two Adirondack chairs, a small cafe table on the deck, and a picnic table. The bathhouse is about a five-minute walk from the cabin, and there is a water faucet right outside the door.
Our favorite part was just relaxing by the river, but there is a wood-fired sauna, lawn games, a little bistro serving burgers, fries, wings, and drinks, complimentary tubes for the river, and bicycles. We had plenty of privacy, and the place was quiet (maybe 6 other guests on the property).
In addition to the rustic glamping cabins, there are glamping tents with full bathrooms, bigger cabins, and stargazing domes. 4 of the cabins are dog-friendly. The property doesn't allow kids under 13 due to the close proximity to the river, which has a pretty strong current.
GuideWe had a great stay despite the rain from May 29 - June 1st. We had the entire loop to ourselves for 2 of 3 nights. The restroom was clean. Showers took tokens and there was plenty of water. The manager Julia and staff member Aiden were great. All the sites in the upper loop were large and had platforms. The lower loop smaller with no platforms. There are some lean tos as well. They have a small discovery room for families. There were trails nearby and the dam was a short drive away. The only downside is that there is no washing station for dishes and the sites are close together. The staff did say that the park does not get crowded.
GuideRight along the road (so if anything happens you can get help) also has wifi signal. It’s right along a creek that’s clean and beautiful. Crisp air and calming flowing river noises all night made it so I slept like a baby!
ScoutPublic Lands with about 8 semi private sites, each with nice views west or easterly. It's a large meadow and with a breeze, it will keep bugs away. Lacking a breeze, it is tough but still beautiful
ScoutPam met us outside as she said ‘dodging rain drops’ to stack wood. She was warm and friendly. You can tell she runs a tight ship immediately telling us when quite hours were, and letting us know the dogs needed to be on leash and under our control. We brought our 2 labs with us. Only 2 vehicles per site is allowed. You do need tokens to use the shower. 2 tokens was more than enough for me to shower and not feel rushed. The bathrooms are AMAZING! I am looking forward to coming back!
ScoutHad a site booked for Memorial Day weekend but had a complication to my 5th shoulder surgery in 2.5 years and had my 6th which was a 3rd attempt at rotator cuff repair in mid-May. Called to see if I could change my reservation since I cannot drive due to Dr.'s orders but no dice. Could care less and told me too late due to policy. Offered to provide doctors documentation but didn't matter. I did not ask for refund just to change the date. Rude, dismissive and unwilling to work with me. Sad that a family-oriented place is run this way. End result I am out over$600 and they are smiling. As a business owner myself I would be out of business if I treated my customers this way.
ScoutDEC has designated and constructed 12 camp sites in areas around Shelving Rock Road and Dacy Clearing Road. Camping will only be allowed at the designated campsites or more than 500 feet from the Shelving Rock and Dacy Clearing Roads.
ScoutAs noted by others, most of the sites have a fire ring and nothing more. A little more than half of the sites can be driven to and others require a very short walk (50 ft?). The toilets mentioned are at Texas falls area and are not a practical walk from most of the campsites.
There are no showers.
Aside from the loop trail at the falls there are also a couple of snowmobile trails that cross the area.
Camping near Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests, Vermont, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests, Vermont, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're hiking, fishing, or just enjoying the great outdoors, there's something for every camper to enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests?
According to TheDyrt.com, Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests offers a wide range of camping options, with 217 campgrounds and RV parks near Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests and 27 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests is Gifford Woods State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 17 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 27 free dispersed camping spots near Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests.
What parks are near Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests that allow camping, notably Green Mountain National Forest and North Hartland Lake.
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