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Best Campgrounds near Hartford, VT

822 Reviews

Hartford's surrounding area encompasses both established campgrounds and more primitive camping opportunities. Quechee State Park Campground, located along Woodstock Road, provides tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, and glamping accommodations with access to hiking trails and natural attractions. The Quechee-Pine Valley KOA in nearby White River Junction offers similar mixed-use camping with additional amenities such as electric hookups, water access, and sewer connections for RVs. Mount Ascutney State Park Campground, approximately 20 miles south of Hartford, features tent and RV sites set against the backdrop of the 3,200-foot mountain with access to numerous hiking trails.

Campground operations in the Hartford region typically run from May through mid-October, with most facilities closing during winter months. Road access to camping areas varies, with some sites requiring higher clearance vehicles, particularly after spring thaw when dirt roads can become rutted. "Vermont parks are just some the most lush you've ever seen. Our trip was a bit 'dampened' by an extremely rainy Memorial Day weekend, but what we did see was beautiful," noted one visitor to Mount Ascutney State Park. Cell service ranges from adequate to spotty depending on location and carrier, with Verizon coverage generally more reliable throughout the region. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, especially during peak foliage season in September and October when tourism increases significantly.

The Connecticut River provides opportunities for waterfront camping experiences near Hartford. Several visitors highlighted the tranquil river settings as particular highlights. A camper wrote, "Wilgus State Park is the first Vermont state park to open each spring, well before Memorial Day each year. All sites have a great view of the river, but I won't go so far as to call them waterfront as there is a bank covered with lush foliage between the sites and the water." For those seeking more seclusion, backcountry shelters along the Appalachian Trail provide primitive camping options with toilet facilities but few other amenities. Families particularly appreciate the swimming areas at several campgrounds, with some locations offering concrete docks, boat rentals, and beach areas suitable for children.

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Best Camping Sites Near Hartford, Vermont (207)

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Recent Camping Photos near Hartford, VT

562 Photos of 207 Hartford Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Hartford, VT

822 Reviews of 207 Hartford Campgrounds

  • Erin D.
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Lost River Valley Campground

    Dirty and Disappointing

    Here’s the revised version of your review with the laundry issue added in seamlessly:⸻ I came to this campground after seeing it advertised in a New Hampshire magazine, noting that it had once been recommended by Yankee Magazine. Unfortunately, it seems that recommendation must have been from many years ago, because what we experienced was nothing like what was promised. From the moment we arrived, it was clear the property was extremely rundown. The entrance and camp store were full of broken wood, broken signs, and musty smells. The bathrooms were absolutely atrocious—filthy, smelly, and clearly not maintained. They may not have been updated in years, but they could at least be kept clean, and they were not. The playgrounds—despite this being advertised as a family-friendly campground—were unsafe and neglected. Structures were practically falling down, weeds were everywhere, and one so-called playground was nothing more than a tarp on the ground with a tiny jungle gym. The game room was equally disappointing: dirty, moldy, and unusable. We had also looked forward to using the laundry facilities, but they were completely out of order and appeared to have been that way for quite some time. This was extremely disappointing and added to the sense that the entire campground is neglected. The swimming area was also a major letdown. The water was murky and uninviting—I wouldn’t even consider kayaking or putting my feet in it. Calling it a“beach” is misleading; it was unkempt and unpleasant. Overall, this campground was an extreme disappointment. It felt neglected, unsafe, and unhygienic in every way. I will not be returning, and I would strongly caution others to look elsewhere for a true family-friendly New Hampshire camping experience.⸻ Would you like me to shorten this into a punchier version(since some review sites have word limits), or keep it as a full detailed account for maximum impact?

  • Greg D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 22, 2025

    Lazy Lions Campground

    Nice quiet place

    Nice campground with plenty of shade, well maintained and decent restrooms. The showers are ok and cost a quarter for 4 minutes. Our site was level and along with a picnic table, they also provide two Adirondack chairs (plastic) and a fire ring.

  • W
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Quechee State Park Campground

    Good location

    The park is in a good location; it is right next to the road. We were at sight #3.  We were able to walk to the gorge as well as to the Antique mall.  The staff was very friendly and accommodating with us. My wife really enjoyed it and had a lot of fun. The ice cream was really close and really good. 

    The issue I had was the camp next to ours had the generator on all night long and I had a hard time getting back to sleep after going to the bathroom. Next time I will get a volunteer or park ranger to get it turned off.

  • J
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Plymouth Sands Camping Area

    Nice campground with amenities and friendly owners

    The campground is in a convenient location near lots of hiking trails and attractions. The sites are decently spacious and have various configurations for utilities. There is a nice beach on the river with a rope swing and ability to swim. We were there while the water was fairly low, so it was great for kids. Firewood is available on site. There is a bathroom with a few stalls and sinks that is well kept and clean. The showers are quarter operated with a coin heat lamp as well for the colder seasons. The office has a lending library of games available. The couple that owns the campground are very friendly and have owned it for 3 seasons now and they have done a great job making sure that amenities are kept up and upgrades are being made.

  • Jessica C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Chittenden Brook Campground

    Great site

    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. The vault toilets were surprisingly clean besides the expected smell/flies. No running water or electricity. No cell service a few miles leading up the site, so download your maps in advance. 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.

    Didn’t see any bear, but take bear food precautions regardless. Each site has a fire pit, tent platform, and picnic table. The sites were well cared for. There were two dumpsters, one for recycling and one for trash, at the end of the loop. They are bear proof and almost me proof! The constant sound of running water from the brook was truly relaxing. I didn’t have issues with bugs (beginning of August) but I also didn’t stay in the camp during the majority of the day.

    All in all, a great campsite and I’ll definitely be back.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 9, 2025

    Lost River Valley Campground

    Great Location

    The best thing about this campground is definitely the location. Perfect place to explore the White Mountains. We stayed in a basic cabin. It was clean, but did smell very musty. It was still comfortable. The sites on the river look amazing. Unfortunately my tent is a little too big for some of those sites, but I could still hear the steam from my cabin/site. Bathrooms were okay. Not as clean as they could have been, but they not bad. Again, the location can’t be beat though. And the sites next to the stream look very nice.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Meadowcrest Campground

    Meadowcrest

    Very nice place . Quiet the staff are very kind people . It was hard to book over phone but messages worked well . I was tent camping on the river . Very private

  • J
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Coolidge State Park Campground Vermont

    Views to Write Home About

    We have been camping at lean-to sites here for almost 20 years. The views from the prime sites are breathtaking. The bathrooms are updated and have been well maintained.Although there is no swimming in the campground, the state park a few miles away is included with the park pass and has a nice lake beach, although no dogs are allowed.

  • Brittany P.
    Jul. 30, 2025

    Jacobs Brook Campground

    Owners dog attacked ours twice

    We stayed at Jacobs Brook Campground in Orford, NH last summer for 3 months and loved it so decided to come back for the whole season this year, May thru october. Me and my husband walk our dogs every day between 3-4pm on leashes. The first occurrence the owners dog was being walked by their elderly work-camper and drug her across the gravel to get loose. The dog locked on to one of my dogs throat and my husband had to put it in a choke hold to get it to let go. During the scuffle i got bit too but did not require medical attention. They promised to keep it indoors so we let it go to prevent any animosity during the rest of our stay. 2 weeks later we were walking close by the office and the dog busted through the storm door and ended up biting our other little dog. The owner did apologize but made statements like he(the dog) never acts this way with other dogs, it must be something wrong with your dogs. The more he talked to us the more it felt he was upset with us and viewed us as the problem. We have previously heard this dog aggressively barking and banging on the windows before when people get near the office/house. We were so upset at this second occurrence and did not feel safe there anymore so we left. We did request a partial refund for the remainder of the season since we had to pay up front for the 5 months but have not heard back from them.

Guide to Hartford

Camping near Hartford, Vermont, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: There are numerous trails nearby, including those leading to stunning views in the White Mountains. One camper mentioned, "The campground is only a short drive away from an endless amount of hiking options."
  • Swimming: Many campgrounds have access to rivers or lakes. A review noted, "The lake was beautiful—warm and crystal clear, soft sand, with a trail around it."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. One visitor shared, "I had a bear enter the site twice and a moose, which was both terrifying and cool."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review highlighted, "The bathrooms (which have coin-operated showers) were immaculate and seem to be somewhat newer than the other state parks."
  • Spacious Campsites: Many sites offer good separation from neighbors. One camper said, "The sites are nicely spaced and seem to accommodate big rigs rather well."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention helpful staff. A review stated, "The check-in people were super nice and welcoming!"

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds are close to roads, which can lead to noise. A camper noted, "The sites are all nice, but the noise from cars and trucks zipping by on route 302 is loud."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. One visitor mentioned, "This campground has a lot of potential... The bathrooms were pretty gross and need updating."
  • Reservation System: Popular sites can book up quickly. A review warned, "The nicest sites were reserved the entire time we were there and they were total no-shows."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and organized activities. One review mentioned, "Amazing programming options from the ranger staff each day."
  • Safety: Ensure the campground has safe areas for kids to play. A camper shared, "The kids were able to safely ride bikes on the camp roads."
  • Pack Snacks: Some campgrounds are far from stores. A visitor advised, "Make sure you stock up before you get there; stuff is expensive at the corner stores."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. One camper noted, "The sites are large, wooded, and private."
  • Water Hookups: Not all campgrounds offer water hookups. A review pointed out, "Most sites here are W/E only, and after 5 days we had to use the facilities."
  • Dump Station Access: Look for campgrounds with easy access to dump stations. A visitor mentioned, "There’s a spacious dump site if needed."

Camping around Hartford, VT, has its ups and downs, but with the right preparation, you can enjoy a great outdoor experience. Whether you're at Lafayette Place Campground — Franconia Notch State Park, Dry River — Crawford Notch State Park, or Lost River Valley Campground, there's something for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Hartford, VT?

According to TheDyrt.com, Hartford, VT offers a wide range of camping options, with 207 campgrounds and RV parks near Hartford, VT and 19 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Hartford, VT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hartford, VT is Quechee State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 22 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hartford, VT?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 free dispersed camping spots near Hartford, VT.

What parks are near Hartford, VT?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Hartford, VT that allow camping, notably North Hartland Lake and Union Village Dam.

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