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"
"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
"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."
"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."
ScoutI wanted to get into camping at a place I knew was going to have a grocery store near by and close to the Comnecticut River. This has all that plus well kept bathrooms and kayak rentals. All very cool and easy accessible.
TravelerPrivate, large site. This was the first site in the road. We have a low clearance car and it was a bit bumpy. This site was amazing, clean and easy pull in pull out.
ScoutWe camped here in June of 2026. It is not as remote as some other locations, mainly because you are in Waterbury, VT and Waterbury can be quite busy with visitors.
We parked on Cotton Brook Rd and were told by multiple people that you need to be aware of rain. The parking lot can flood if you get days of rain. The days we camped we did have heavy downpours the morning of day 2 and by the time we left the reservoir was probably 6 ft higher. So it is a real thing. The benefit of that is tons of waterfalls lead into the reservoir and they are quite pretty.
It is a long canoe from the Cotton Brook lot and you need to go to campsite 14 to really get a campsite with a full view of the lake. We were on campsite 18 and it is surrounded by trees. Thats great if you want privacy, but not great if you want a view of the lake.
No loons while we were there. : (
In short, it is pretty good, but we would recommend others.
ScoutMy family has camped here for three years and we love it. We rent a canoe and paddle all the way down to the furthest campsites. The ability to hike to your spot or canoe makes it a blast, and it is a nice stepping stone to full backpacking if you ever want to get there.
For the past two seasons there was a Loon on the which is always a plus.
The toilets are great and fresh water is available from a well were you park. One of the greatest spots we have found.
ScoutMy family and I go here every year durning the summer. Big campsites (must of them are shaded), great for tent or RV camping, easy parking in sight. Great lake for swimming. Lots of things to do, very friendly staff, clean bathrooms located all around the campground and even a bigger bathroom with showers.
ScoutWe have stayed here a few times. It’s always clean and quiet. Pool is nice but very family (kid) oriented. Love the trails to the water from both camp loops. Great place to stay with a kayak or paddle board!
TravelerSuper clean and well maintained small campground. A walking path runs in front of all the sites. Most sites have an obstructed water view of the Connecticut river. There is a vegitation barrier between the sites and the river. Canoes and kayaks are available for rental, and there is a small office with ice and wood for sale. Sites are close together but i still found it peaceful and relaxing. Mt Ascutney trail head and auto road are about a 15 minute drive and i found waterfalls and swimming holes within a 20 minute drive.
TravelerTerrible. Only 1 bar of Verizon. They have WIFI but it’s useless. Plus way too crowded for me. Noisy
GuideWe love camping in VT State parks and this is another humdinger of a park. Lots of room between sites, well-cared for, walkable to lovely lake… excellent camping experience.
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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