Best Campgrounds near Hancock, VT
The Green Mountain National Forest surrounding Hancock, Vermont provides a range of camping experiences from established campgrounds to dispersed sites. Moosalamoo Campground in Rochester offers tent and RV camping with amenities like drinking water and picnic tables, while Green Mountain National Forest FR207 provides free dispersed camping areas for those seeking a more primitive experience. Several campgrounds in the area feature cabin options, including Silver Lake Campground and Gifford Woods State Park, which also offers glamping accommodations. Most established sites are concentrated along Route 100 and within the national forest boundaries.
Camping seasons typically run from Memorial Day through mid-October, with most facilities closing after Columbus Day weekend. "The campground is right on the shoreline of Waterbury reservoir so there is boating (rentals available) and plenty of fishing. There is also ALOT OF HIKING!" noted one visitor about a nearby state park. Road conditions vary throughout the region, with some dispersed camping areas requiring high-clearance vehicles, particularly during spring mud season. Cell phone coverage can be spotty, especially in more remote areas of the Green Mountain National Forest. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly for cabins and during peak foliage season in late September and early October.
Waterfront camping locations receive consistently positive reviews, with Silver Lake Campground and Branbury State Park providing lake access that appeals to families. A camper described Silver Lake as "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." Proximity to hiking trails represents another highlight, with the Appalachian Trail passing directly through Gifford Woods State Park. Campers frequently mention the area's quiet atmosphere and natural beauty as primary draws. For those seeking solitude, the dispersed camping areas in the national forest provide more privacy but fewer amenities than established campgrounds. Winter camping is limited primarily to backcountry areas for experienced winter campers.