Best Campgrounds near Hardwick, VT
The region surrounding Hardwick, Vermont features multiple campground options throughout the Green Mountains, with several state parks and private facilities accommodating diverse camping styles. Elmore State Park Campground, located about 15 miles northwest of Hardwick, offers tent and RV sites with lake access, while Mountain View Campground in Morrisville provides full-service camping with cabin rentals. The Groton State Forest area hosts multiple developed campgrounds including Ricker Pond and Kettle Pond State Parks, which offer primitive tent sites, RV spots without hookups, and waterfront camping opportunities.
Most campgrounds in the Hardwick region operate seasonally from May through mid-October, with limited winter access. "Most sites were mostly private," noted one camper at Elmore State Park. The area experiences typical New England weather patterns with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. State park campgrounds typically require reservations, especially for weekend stays during peak summer months. Many facilities offer drinking water and vault toilets, though amenities vary significantly between developed and primitive sites. Cell service can be limited in more remote areas, particularly in the Green Mountain valleys and forested campgrounds. Roads to most developed sites accommodate standard vehicles, though some remote access points may require high clearance.
Waterfront camping represents a significant draw throughout the region, with several state parks situated on ponds and lakes. At Green River Reservoir State Park, campers highlight the remote paddling experience: "It's private, quiet, and really gives you that forest bathing escape." Most state park campgrounds feature clean facilities with varying levels of amenities—some offer hot showers while others provide only vault toilets. Privately operated facilities like Mountain View Campground typically offer more amenities, including electric hookups, swimming pools, and camp stores, though at higher nightly rates. The proximity to hiking trails, especially in the Groton State Forest area, makes many campgrounds popular bases for outdoor recreation, with several sites offering direct trail access for day hiking or backpacking opportunities.
