Cabin camping options spread throughout the Green Mountain National Forest area at elevations between 800-4,000 feet. Vermont state parks maintain rustic cabins accessible via forest roads with seasonal availability from late spring through mid-October. Winter temperatures can drop well below freezing, while summer nights typically range from 45-60°F even during July and August.
What to do
Swimming access: 15-minute hike required. At Branbury State Park Campground, swimming in Lake Dunmore requires crossing the road from the camping area. "The day use section has a wonderful beach with a swimming area and boat launch. Large trees provide shade on a grassy lawn, and grills are available," reports a visitor.
Hiking directly from campsites: Quechee State Park Campground offers trails leading straight to Quechee Gorge. One camper notes, "It's a ~30 minute hike, you can access some slow semi-rapids at the bottom. Camping at the SP does give access to another trail that's moderately challenging and has both some level spots and a nice overlook."
Appalachian Trail access: Gifford Woods State Park Campground provides direct trail access. "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," explains one visitor. Multiple day hikes of various difficulty levels start directly from the park.
Fishing from cabin sites: Many waterfront sites allow fishing without leaving camp. "We fished and kayaked right from our site," reports a camper at Half Moon Pond State Park, mentioning the pond is suitable for beginners though somewhat weedy during summer months.
What campers like
Woodland privacy between sites: Chittenden Brook Campground offers more secluded accommodations. "This was a great site that feels secluded but isn't. There's quite a bit of space between each site so you can't really see your neighbors which is excellent," notes one visitor, adding "The sites were well cared for."
Cabin locations on water: Half Moon Pond State Park features waterfront cabins. "We stayed in site T06, which is right on the water. We were easily able to go straight from the tent to our kayak, which was so awesome," reports a visitor who appreciated the access.
Seasonal differences: Fall visits provide better privacy. "I went during the week and had to the place to myself apart from a neighbor a few sites down who wasn't visible," notes a Chittenden Brook visitor, highlighting midweek stays particularly in spring and fall offer more solitude.
Wildlife viewing: Bomoseen State Park Campground provides nature observation opportunities. The park features "a boardwalk path through the marsh" that serves as an excellent wildlife viewing area, particularly for birds and aquatic species during early morning hours.
What you should know
Road noise impacts some parks: Highway proximity affects some cabins. At Quechee State Park, a visitor reports, "Road noise isn't super loud, but it's constant" and recommends requesting sites further from the main road if possible.
Limited cell service: Prepare for connectivity gaps across the region. "No cell service a few miles leading up to the site, so download your maps in advance," advises a Chittenden Brook visitor. Many parks have similarly limited connectivity.
Varied bathroom facilities: Silver Lake Campground offers basic amenities. "In the on season there are pit toilets and campground stewards," reports a camper, noting facilities vary significantly by season and location.
Difficult terrain to cabins: Some sites require physical effort to access. A Silver Lake visitor warns, "The hike is short but it's also a hike down to the lake and back up with all your gear so be prepared!" For cabin campers, this means potentially challenging gear transportation.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Some parks offer child-specific amenities. "The play area has a nice set up," reports a Bomoseen State Park visitor, noting that the equipment caters to various ages from toddlers through older children.
Educational programming: Lake Bomoseen KOA offers structured activities. "There is a general store, a game room and a rec hall. The people who own it are wonderful," mentions a visitor, though noting "There is no activities such as horse shoe tournaments or crafting for the kids."
Swimming area safety: Supervised swimming areas vary by location. "The beach was lovely - sandy and perfect for swimming. It was fun to watch the boats coming and going too," reports a visitor at Bomoseen State Park, which maintains a dedicated swimming area separate from boating activities.
Pack-in requirements for remote cabins: Prepare to carry all supplies to some locations. "It's a pack in pack out campground so only pack what you truly need for camping the comforts are more work than they're worth," advises a Silver Lake visitor, suggesting families carefully consider what gear is truly necessary.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: Rustic cabins lack services. "No hookups but the bathrooms are clean and the showers ($) are hot," reports a Half Moon Pond visitor, indicating that even RV sites typically lack full hookups.
Access road conditions: Some parks have challenging approach roads. At Chittenden Brook, a visitor notes "There's a 2.5 mile dirt road with a steady incline into the camp, which my subie had no issue with, but not sure how well an RV would fair."
Dump station locations: Plan waste management carefully. Quechee State Park has "a spacious dump site if needed," according to a visitor who also mentioned the availability of "plenty of fresh water spigots" throughout the campground for filling tanks.
Site leveling challenges: Many cabins and RV sites require adjustment. A Quechee State Park visitor reported, "It looks like the state has spread out RCA on the sites, which probably could have been spread out better and made more level. Also tough to drive a stake into."
