Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont encompasses a variety of camping environments ranging from established state parks to primitive dispersed sites. Several developed campgrounds such as Gifford Woods State Park and Chittenden Brook Campground provide tent sites, RV spaces, and cabin accommodations within forested settings. Michigan Brook Road offers free dispersed camping options with several primitive sites located along the brook. The Appalachian Trail runs directly through some camping areas, providing immediate access to hiking opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.
Camping seasons typically run from Memorial Day through Columbus Day for most developed sites in the region. Road conditions vary significantly, with some areas requiring high-clearance vehicles to access remote camping locations. "Michigan Brook Road goes in pretty far. Some parts are muddy and very rough. Higher clearance would be advised," noted one visitor describing the access challenges. Winter camping is possible at certain locations, though many forest roads remain unplowed, limiting accessibility during snow season. Cell phone coverage is unreliable in much of the forest, with service typically available only near towns or at higher elevations. Many campgrounds provide basic amenities like vault toilets and fire rings, while state parks often feature additional facilities including hot showers, drinking water, and picnic tables.
Campers consistently mention the privacy and natural setting of sites throughout the forest. At Gifford Woods State Park, visitors appreciate the well-maintained facilities and trail access. "The sites have some privacy and woods in between, though the tent sites vs. shelters and cabins were mostly closer to the access road," one camper reported. For those seeking solitude, the dispersed sites along Michigan Brook provide a more rustic experience with riverside camping options. Several reviews highlight the proximity of established campgrounds to recreational activities, including hiking trails, fishing at Kent Pond, and mountain biking at nearby Killington. While most developed campgrounds require fees and reservations, particularly during peak summer weekends, the dispersed camping areas on national forest land typically remain free and first-come, first-served.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
"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
"Tucked down a gravel road in the Green Mountain National Forest is this hidden treasure. Large sites, friendly campground host, the moosalamoo trailhead right next to campground."
"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"
$15 / night
"Chittenden Brook Campground is in the Green Mountain National Forest off of Rt 73."
"Nice hiking trails close to long trail, really tucked away a few miles off 73. Great if you’re looking for some solitude."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"Drive in about a mile after the parking lot!! Can use car to get in! There’s 3 camping spots. 1 before the bridge and 2 after the bridge!"
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.
Green Mountain National Forest spans over 400,000 acres across central and southern Vermont, with elevations ranging from 600 to 4,000 feet. The forest contains more than 500 miles of hiking trails including sections of both the Appalachian and Long trails. Camping in this region offers diverse terrain with hundreds of dispersed sites available year-round, though access varies dramatically with seasonal conditions.
Hiking to viewpoints: From Moosalamoo Campground, take the trail to Silver Lake, which is "accessible only by foot, down a .6 mile trail from the parking area." According to Nancy M., there are "lots of great hiking accessible from the campground, or within a short drive." The area offers numerous day hikes with mountain views.
Swimming in forest lakes: Branbury State Park Campground provides access to Lake Dunmore with "a wonderful beach with a swimming area and boat launch. Large trees provide shade on a grassy lawn, and grills are available," reports Lisa S. The park offers kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals for water recreation.
Mountain biking: The region has extensive trail networks suited for various skill levels. One reviewer noted that Moosalamoo "has awesome bike trails with smooth trail beds and nice rolling bumps." Lauren S. mentioned seeing "several trailheads on your way up to the campground" that connect to many trails throughout the forest.
Fishing in forest streams: The forest contains numerous fishing spots across small streams and ponds. At Half Moon Pond State Park Campground, campers can fish directly from waterfront sites. Rebecca D. notes, "We fished and kayaked right from our site," making it convenient for anglers without traveling to separate locations.
Privacy between sites: Coolidge State Park Campground receives praise for site separation. "There was plenty of room between sites. The roads going in and leaving were well maintained," writes William P. The park's layout on a hillside creates natural divisions between camping areas.
Access to the Appalachian Trail: Proximity to major trails ranks high among camper preferences. Kyle R. notes that Gifford Woods "lies directly on the Appalachian trail, so for a shorter or less-intensive hike, walk about 2.5 miles to the Deer Leap Overlook for some incredible views of the mountain ranges nearby."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention facility maintenance as important. At Moosalamoo Campground, Dana M. found that "pit toilets were very clean" despite being primitive facilities. Another camper noted the campground had "surprisingly clean vault toilets" that exceeded expectations for a rustic forest setting.
Waterfront camping options: Direct water access from campsites receives frequent mentions. Cynthia K. appreciated that at Half Moon Pond "we had a waterfront site so we could launch our kayaks right from our site," allowing convenient water recreation without transportation requirements.
Road conditions vary significantly: Access to more remote sites often requires appropriate vehicles. For Michigan Brook Road camping, Maggie F. warns, "Beware that in Spring the road gets muddy and quite rutted, I would not recommend driving down there with a car that is low to the ground."
Bear safety measures required: Several campgrounds report bear activity. Kara D. noted at Chittenden Brook Campground, "Didn't see any bear, but take bear food precautions regardless." Lisa S. confirmed that "there are bears in the area, so be aware and store all food properly" when camping near Branbury State Park.
Limited amenities at dispersed sites: Free camping areas lack facilities. TRUCKER C. describes Michigan Brook as "very back woods camping" with just three primitive sites. For Michigan Road, Lauren S. points out that "bear storage lockers" are available at some sites, but advises bringing your own food protection.
Seasonal operation for established campgrounds: Most developed sites operate on limited schedules. Moosalamoo Campground runs from "Memorial Day to Columbus" according to its seasonal information, while Chittenden Brook closes for similar dates, making advance planning essential for peak season visits.
Look for parks with playground areas: Silver Lake Campground offers facilities beyond just camping. Shawn B. notes, "When the kids get tired from swimming they're a nice beach area and playground." Branbury State Park also features "a large playground" and "volleyball and horseshoe pits," according to J L.
Consider lean-tos for easier setup: Several parks offer lean-to structures that simplify camping with children. Jonathan L. recommends Coolidge State Park, saying "I highly recommend the lean-to's" which provide shelter without full tent setup. Katy Z. confirms Half Moon Pond's lean-to sites are "nice private" options.
Choose campgrounds with nature programs: Educational opportunities enhance family camping. Shawn B. mentions that Silver Lake offers "nature tours on the lake led by the state park faculty," providing learning experiences for children while camping.
Pack carefully for walk-in sites: Some of the most family-friendly locations require short hikes. Kyle B. advises for Silver Lake: "Pack in pack out campground so only pack what you truly need for camping the comforts are more work than they're worth."
Size restrictions limit RV options: Many forest campgrounds cannot accommodate large vehicles. James K. notes Chittenden Brook "would be tough for any but the tiniest RV." This limitation applies to many of the smaller campgrounds in the national forest.
Consider private campgrounds for hookups: Lake Bomoseen KOA offers more RV amenities than forest service sites. Scott A. confirms the KOA has "most of the sites are wooded and nice," though warns about "road noise" at some locations.
Prepare for limited connectivity: Cell service is virtually nonexistent at most forest locations. Jason A. reports at Lake Bomoseen KOA: "Cell service is very limited. Very remote... the WIFI didn't even work at the office."
Book ahead for pull-through sites: RVers recommend securing the limited suitable spots early. Scott A. recounts, "Somehow we managed to get the one pull through spot that was at the end and harder to get in," suggesting advance planning is essential for RV camping in this region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dispersed camping allowed in Green Mountain National Forest?
Yes, dispersed camping is allowed throughout Green Mountain National Forest. Several areas specifically accommodate dispersed camping, such as Austin Brook, which offers 4-5 primitive sites along the Mad River with fire rings and porta-potties. Near Chittenden, free dispersed camping sites can be found along the service roads leading to established campgrounds. When dispersed camping, you must set up at least 200 feet from water sources, trails, and roads. There are no fees for dispersed camping, but you should follow Leave No Trace principles, properly store food to prevent wildlife encounters, and limit your stay to 14 days in a 30-day period. No permits are required, but camping is generally best from late spring through early fall.
Where are the best campgrounds in Green Mountain National Forest?
Green Mountain National Forest offers several exceptional campgrounds, with Moosalamoo Campground standing out for its large sites, friendly hosts, and direct access to an extensive trail network. This hidden treasure is tucked down a gravel road in the forest and provides access to cascading waterfalls and mountain views. Silver Lake Campground is another top choice, featuring private sites spaced well apart, a clean lake with a concrete dock perfect for swimming, boat rentals, and ranger-led nature tours. For those seeking amenities beyond the national forest but still in Vermont, Jamaica State Park offers private, quiet camping with both tent/RV sites and lean-tos, some situated right on the West River.
Are reservations required for camping in Green Mountain National Forest?
Reservations are recommended but not always required for camping in Green Mountain National Forest. Chittenden Brook Campground offers both reserved sites and a cabin, while also providing free dispersed camping options along the service road leading to the campground. Most developed campgrounds in the forest accept reservations through Recreation.gov, which is advisable during peak season (Memorial Day through Labor Day) and weekends. Some campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis, particularly in the shoulder seasons. For dispersed camping areas like Michigan Brook Road Camping, no reservations are needed or accepted. Plan to arrive early in the day during summer weekends to secure a spot at non-reservable campgrounds.
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