Camping opportunities extend throughout Vermont's Green Mountains near Hancock, a small town positioned at 1,200 feet elevation in central Vermont. The region experiences significant seasonal temperature variations with warm summer days reaching the 80s and cool nights dipping into the 50s. Fall foliage season transforms the landscape between mid-September and mid-October, with lower elevations changing first.
What to do
Hiking trails: access from campground. The Moosalamoo Campground provides direct access to extensive trail networks within the Green Mountain National Forest. "Lots of great hiking accessible from the campground, or within a short drive. Silver Lake and Lake Dunmore are nearby. Both have beaches: Silver Lake is accessible only by foot, down a .6 mile trail from the parking area," notes camper Nancy M. from Moosalamoo Campground.
Swimming: natural options. The Branbury State Park Campground offers lake swimming with convenient beach access. "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," writes Lisa S. Family-friendly options include both lake swimming and pool facilities at several campgrounds within 30 minutes of Hancock.
Local attractions: within driving distance. Fort Ticonderoga sits just across Lake Champlain in New York, about 45 minutes from Hancock. "Ft Ticonderoga is a few miles to the north where you can explore history with re-enactors," shares Jean C. The Manchester shopping area, featuring the Orvis flagship store and fly fishing museum, makes a good day trip from eastern Hancock campgrounds.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds in the region feature well-spaced sites. At Moosalamoo Campground, "the campsites are spread out and it's nice and quiet with great privacy. The campground is conveniently located less than 20 minutes from Middlebury and still is down a long access road, therefore has no road noise," writes Jill B. Sites typically include fire rings, picnic tables, and some level of separation from neighbors.
Clean facilities: Despite being primitive, facilities at most Green Mountain campgrounds receive consistent positive feedback. "Although they had no power, water, dumps or modern bathrooms the campsite had well water pumps and the cleanest most order free toilet vaults we have ever seen," reports Rosie Lon S. about Moosalamoo. Even during peak season, most campgrounds maintain bathroom facilities regularly.
Water features: Many campsites provide proximity to water recreation. "The sites are level but the best part is they are nearby to an incredible mountain views, an unbelievable swimming hole, and 3 amazing large waterfalls," notes Michelle R. Branbury State Park Campground offers "fishing, kayak, canoe, paddle boat and paddle board rentals," according to J L., making it popular for water enthusiasts.
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies significantly throughout the mountainous terrain. "We got crappy cell service, and the camp wifi was spotty- but hey, we were camping, right?" mentions John from Brookwood RV Resort. Most campgrounds don't offer reliable WiFi, though some private RV parks provide limited connectivity at central locations.
Bear awareness: Though encounters are uncommon, proper food storage remains important. "I saw bear storage lockers but I did not use them as I had my bear keg with me," notes Lauren S. about Moosalamoo Campground. Several campgrounds provide bear-resistant storage options, though it's advisable to bring appropriate food storage containers when camping in more remote areas.
Reservation timing: For peak seasons, particularly fall foliage, advance planning is essential. Many campgrounds fill completely on weekends from late May through October. Some campgrounds like Dorset RV Park operate seasonally, typically "May 1 - Oct 31," closing entirely during winter months due to harsh conditions and limited access.
Tips for camping with families
Look for activity options: Some campgrounds offer extensive recreational facilities for children. At Sugar Ridge RV Village & Campground, "Kids were happy with the heated pool, horse rides, and other activities," reports Russ V. Another camper, India H., adds, "Dog friendly, mini golf, heated pool, two playgrounds, and crafts and fun things for the kids!"
Consider noise levels: Family-friendly campgrounds often have different quiet hour expectations. "This is a great campground for families with children. There is pool & lake swimming, daily activities, etc. This is not a place visit if you want to have early quiet time in the evening or sleep in late in the morning as there is always a lot of noise," explains Lacy C. about Kampersville.
Check for amenities: Some campgrounds offer unexpected family-friendly features. "They have a great little store and now they have Vermont Maple soft serve ice cream from my understanding. Kids love to play here and mini golf on site makes it even better," writes Chris H. about Sugar Ridge RV Village & Campground. Several campgrounds near Hancock provide weekly scheduled activities during summer months.
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: RVers with larger rigs should verify site dimensions before booking. "The sites are level but some definitely were not," notes one RVer about Dorset RV Park. At Smugglers Notch RV Village, "They offer a variety of different sites to fit each campers needs... The sites are good size and come with full hookups," according to Alan B.
Electric service variations: Amp service differs between rv sites near Hancock, Vermont. "Full hookup (sewer, water, 50 AMP), Level, shaded site," reports Beth R. about Brookwood RV Resort. At some campgrounds, "Family staying next to us found their site had 50 amp service not the expected 30 amp and they needed to borrow an adapter cord," cautions Russ V.
Seasonal availability: Almost all rv sites near Hancock, Vermont operate seasonally. "We will be camping here several times each season," mentions Alan B. about Smugglers Notch RV Village, referring to the limited May-October operating window. Most campgrounds close after Columbus Day weekend, with very few offering any winter camping options.