Camping near Hartford, Vermont offers a range of seasonal accommodations situated between the Connecticut River Valley and the foothills of the Green Mountains. The region has a humid continental climate with temperatures ranging from 10°F in winter to 80°F in summer. Most campgrounds open from mid-May through mid-October, with Quechee State Park typically closing around October 16.
What to do
Hike the Appalachian Trail sections: Gifford Woods State Park Campground provides direct trail access, letting hikers explore portions of the iconic path. According to one camper: "The AT runs right through the park and you can hike up to Deer Leep, around Kent Pond, or to Thundering Falls right from the campground. Nearby hikes include the Bucklin Trail to the top of Killington."
Visit historical sites: The area features numerous preserved buildings and museums within short driving distance of most campgrounds. From Quechee State Park Campground, "The park is close to good shopping, and also the Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park in Woodstock, which is an awesome destination for families."
Enjoy water activities: Many sites offer access to rivers and swimming areas. A visitor to Baker River Campground noted: "There is also a beach with great fishing! The site we had was an open grassy area though we tucked the tent off to the side. On the other side of the roped banking was a beautiful view of the river."
Attend seasonal festivals: The region hosts numerous events throughout the camping season. One visitor mentioned: "We come every year and love it! The hot air balloon festival is amazing! This is a safe, quiet family friendly campground. They have wonderful activities and the staff are so courteous and helpful."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the well-maintained bathrooms and showers at area campgrounds. A visitor to Gifford Woods State Park Campground shared: "The staff were wonderful, the sites are pristine and picturesque, the faculties are decorated with wildflowers. We met a number of AT through hikers, who were very willing to share their adventure stories."
Private campsites: Many locations provide good spacing between sites for a more secluded experience. According to a Quechee State Park visitor: "The sites are large. If you stay in the back it's quieter. They offer showers that cost you a few quarters. There are no hookups but they do have a dump station if you are in an RV."
Swimming options: Local glamping sites near Hartford often feature water access. At Crow's Nest Campground, "There's nice little swimming area on the river for kids. Close to the Sugar River Rail trail for biking. Definitely not a wilderness experience, but pleasant."
Kid-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds offer dedicated spaces and activities for children. A visitor to Quechee-Pine Valley KOA reported: "Rangers also run fun programs for children- my children churned butter and made popcorn over the campfire one night, and made tie dyed T-shirts the next (for no fee.)"
What you should know
Accessibility varies: Not all luxury glamping accommodations near Hartford are easily accessible. As one camper noted: "This campground was clean, nice sites, private, amenities galore, friendly staff and AMAZING pool! The hilly terrain is insaneeee! If you have never been before, book a sight as close as possible to the pool and office, because the further you get, the higher the altitude."
Cell service limitations: Many locations have limited connectivity. A visitor to Moose Hillock Camping Resort mentioned: "No WiFi or cell service except by the pool which can be hard if you need to be contacted. Cable tv at sites was available and intermittent quality."
Road noise considerations: Some locations are affected by nearby highways. One camper reported: "Quechee State Park is in a beautiful part of the state. The main attraction in the park is the lovely Quechee Gorge, which is super beautiful, but also a bit of a tourist trap. Camping was fairly quiet, except for the noise from the road, which is very close to the park."
Seasonal activities: Different campgrounds offer varying experiences throughout the season. "The Campground is located in a cell phone dead area. WiFi is only provides at the pool area. We were there during a Themed Weekend (Fri/Sat) so they had a few family friendly events. Daily activities are not scheduled."
Tips for camping with families
Reserve early for summer weekends: Popular family-friendly sites fill quickly from June through August. A visitor to Caton Place Campground advised: "Camped here Labor Day Weekend in our 40 ft 5th wheel. We had a pull thru site. Easy to drive into the campground and into the site. We had no issues at all. Hosts were very friendly and helpful."
Pack for swimming: Most campgrounds feature water access or pools that children enjoy. One camper shared: "We ended tubing down the river one day. The staff was very nice. Close to a beautiful hiking spot and some stores, restaurants and gas stations."
Check scheduled activities: Many locations offer structured programming for kids on weekends. A visitor noted: "They have a group campsite specifically for climbers, which was $10 a person when we stayed there. Nice setting right next to the Baker River!"
Consider tent location: Families with young children may want sites closer to bathrooms and amenities. "It's a short hike down to Quechee Gorge, where you can cool off in the shallow water. It's very close to Quechee village and Woodstock so there are plenty of other activities, shopping, and dining options near by."
Tips from RVers
Check site leveling: Many campgrounds in the area have uneven terrain. One RVer reported: "Sites are ok - nothing that I would say was amazing. All are spacious and generally shaded and flat. You can see all your neighbors but noise level wasn't terrible."
Plan for limited hookups: Some of the most scenic campgrounds have fewer amenities for RVs. A visitor noted: "They do have a dump station if you are in a RV. They also have several lean tos that you can rent. The staff and volunteers are very helpful."
Reserve early for larger rigs: Limited big-rig friendly sites are available. "We stayed in site 11 which was one of the larger sites and is not super level, but we were able to get the Subaru backed in and relatively level for camping."
Consider generator policies: Rules vary between campgrounds. One RVer mentioned: "Friendly campers on either side of us. Only issue is u can only run generator 4 hours a day."
