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The forests around Jamaica, Vermont have several camping options for folks heading to the area. Jamaica State Park Campground sits among the trees with the West River nearby for swimming or fishing. Campers who want to check out more of Vermont might head to Quechee State Park Campground, which has good hiking trails and the impressive gorge to see. Lake George RV Park works well for people with RVs since it has full hookups and basic facilities. All these places have their own rules about fires and how long you can stay, so it's smart to check ahead. Spring and fall bring the best camping weather here, with nice temperatures and colorful leaves. You'll probably need to book ahead in summer when the campgrounds fill up fast. Some hardy campers do come in winter, but you'll need serious cold-weather gear. Make sure to take all your trash with you when you leave and follow basic camping etiquette. The Jamaica area has camping that works for both first-timers and people who camp all the time.
"This tops our list for camping in Vermont. There is so much to do here, and yet the campground feels very private and quiet. There are 41 tent/RV sites to choose from and 18 lean-tos."
"Jamaica is a nice little state park nestled in the woods and by a nice River. Very family friendly and close to Manchester and Stratton and Bromley Mountains."
from $20 - $42 / night
Check Availability"The campground is located where Winhall River meets the West River."
"There is a small group of camp sides with electricity and water but most sites have none. The bathrooms are clean. Where the two rivers intersect is a nice sport to put your feet in the water."
from $24 - $30 / night
Check Availability"My friend and I were desperately looking for a place to spend the weekend, and with Covid making it a little more difficult to rely on walking in and finding a campsite, we made a blind reservation for"
"We were the only campers along the waterfront, but there were a few car campers in the sites near the road."
from $16 / night
Check Availability"The lake and beach is lovely, clean, and the water is warm and clear. We love how there was a concession stand, a park, and picnic areas. "
"Beautiful campground in south central Vermont. On a lovely emerald green small lake with nice beach. Good for fishing and kayaking. Well kept."
"Woodford State Park is situated between Wilmington and Bennington VT in the southern part of the Green Mountain National Forest."
"The views on some of the sites to the lake are beautiful. the grounds and facilities are well kept. and you are close to both Bennington and Wilmington. a great spot to camp at in Southern Vermont!"
"This park is close to my house in southern Vermont. We usually visit during the day to hike to the top of the Mt. Olga firetower."
"There are no hookups at any Vermont state parks (Molly Stark included). We stayed at site T16. It's a pull through RV site with a fire ring & picnic table."
"Our first time in Vermont and we picked an awesome campground. This place has a great layout with lots of great sites to choose from. There are several sites right on the river!
Clean bath houses."
"Site 16 had a path to the river and was slightly tucked away. Sites 13 and 14 were cool spots too, I’d imagine in the summer you may have less privacy because it’s near the swimming area."
from $45 - $57 / night
Check Availability"Sites are clean and surrounded by forrest"
"There were trails nearby and the dam was a short drive away. The only downside is that there is no washing station for dishes and the sites are close together. "
"Great location near Somerset Reservoir. Weekend was interrupted by a domestic violence situation a few sites downbeat resulted in fights and someone shooting off a handgun."
"Some sites have access to a stream that flows behind the park. The real attraction is the huge Somerset Resevoir which is up the road."
"Adjacent to Green Mtn National Forest, situated in a beautiful meadow with dozens of apple trees, visited by wild animals of every kind, wild berries, giant fire pit & walking distance to swimming"
from $40 - $60 / night
TravelerThis is a good spot if you don’t mind being social. The main camping area is a large grassy opening where multiple people park and camp together, and there is a bathroom, but there isn’t much privacy between sites. If you continue farther down the forest road, there are several smaller pull-offs with much more private dispersed camping spots. I’d recommend checking those out if you’re looking for a quieter experience.
ScoutReally enjoyed the setting at Crow’s Nest. There are lots of trees and having the Sugar River running alongside the campground gives the whole place a nice New Hampshire feel. We were mostly looking for somewhere to disconnect for a couple of days, cook outside, fish a little, and enjoy being away from home. Crow’s Nest was a great fit for that.
ScoutWhat we liked most about Crow’s Nest was being able to choose between doing absolutely nothing or heading out and exploring. One day we stayed around the campground, went swimming and relaxed by the river. The next day we got out and explored more of the Lake Sunapee area. It made a really good home base and it was always nice coming back to our campsite at the end of the day.
TravelerDyrt done messed up! So far, very disappointed in this app. Difficult to use! We reserved this spot through Dyrt. The directions to the campground are way off. The host was not notified that we were coming. Don’t trust Dyrt; contact the campground asap after you reserve through Dyrt to confirm the reservation directly and confirm the address and directions.
ScoutWhere does one even begin to explain how great this campground is?! There’s truly a little bit of something for everyone here!
We absolutely loved our campsite. It had plenty of room, a good amount of privacy, and great tree coverage. Even when it rained, our fire pit somehow stayed pretty dang dry, which was a huge plus!
The rec hall was awesome and had so many cool arcade games to check out. They also offer kayak and canoe rentals for the pond, which has surprisingly clear, beautiful water.
One thing that REALLY stood out to us was how incredibly clean the bathrooms and showers were. They were well maintained and practically bug-free, which is almost unheard of at a campground!
On top of all that, everyone we came across—from the staff to the other campers—was super friendly, welcoming, and down-to-earth. It just had an all-around great atmosphere.
Seriously, don’t skip over this campground. If you’re on the fence, just book it. You won’t regret it! We’ll definitely be back!
ScoutVery Disappointed With the Changes
Crown Point Campground used to be a wonderful place to camp. Unfortunately, since Happy Grounds purchased the campground, we have seen a significant decline in the overall experience.
I do want to make one thing very clear: the woman managing the campground is absolutely wonderful. She genuinely cares about the campers, is kind, helpful, and does her best to make people feel welcome. Our frustrations are not directed toward her. She deserves recognition for the effort she puts in, especially given the circumstances.
Unfortunately, there are serious concerns with the direction the campground has taken. There is no reliable Wi-Fi or cell service, which is especially concerning because there is no dependable way to call out in the event of an emergency. We have also seen a significant change in the atmosphere and clientele. Drugs have been found on the premises, including needles, which is extremely concerning for the safety of campers, especially families with children.
The campground has also become increasingly overcrowded. Tent sites have had upwards of 10 people on a single site, creating a very different camping experience from what many long-time campers originally signed up for.
Seasonal campers were told that there would be a gradual increase over two years to bring rates up to the new “going rate.” However, when the new contracts came out for next year, the price had increased by approximately $900. That is a substantial increase for a campground that, in our opinion, has continued to decline rather than improve.
What was perhaps most disappointing was how campers' concerns were handled. When people questioned the increase and expressed their frustrations, the response from the corporation was, and I quote:
“Get out and leave. I’ve heard enough complaints. Just leave if you don’t like it.”
That is an incredibly disappointing way to speak to people who have supported this campground for years.
It is heartbreaking to see what Crown Point Campground has become. There are good people here, and the campground itself has so much potential. Most importantly, the manager genuinely cares about the campers, and she deserves credit for that.
Our hope is that Happy Grounds will listen to the people who have invested years of their time and money here, address the safety and overcrowding concerns, and bring back the sense of community that once made Crown Point such a wonderful place to camp.
TravelerIt’s super cute here, there’s a rec room for older kids and playground for younger kids. It’s a short walk to a fishing spot and it’s very clean. Our site had a plug, there’s a laundry machine on site and the owner is super sweet.
TravelerGreat little dispersed camping area off Forest Road 71 in West Dover, Vermont. Once you get onto the forest service road, everything is gravel/dirt, with several small pull-offs and primitive campsites scattered along the road. Some sites are only a few feet from the road, while others are tucked back around 100 feet and offer a little more privacy.
The individual pull-offs can be a little more challenging to reach. Most involve some combination of hills, rocks, ruts, and mud, although nothing was too crazy. Some spots are definitely easier to get into than others, so having a vehicle with decent ground clearance is helpful.
There was a decent amount of traffic passing through the area while we were there, but nothing too crazy or disruptive. The campsite we stayed at had a fire pit, but there was no running water at our site, and I don’t believe the other dispersed sites have running water either.
Overall, a pretty good option if you’re looking for a primitive, low-key camping spot with multiple sites to choose from. Just don’t expect complete solitude, especially during busier times.
GuideThe first time we stayed here, we were in a different site. It was fine, but not near the water. This time, we chose a site near the water, but it's literally surrounded by three other sites. It's not shown like that on the map. We had to drive through someone else's setup to get to our site. There's no privacy as there was in our previous site. This is one of the few state parks in Massachusetts with a dump station
Dispersed camping options near Jamaica, Vermont center around forest service and state park lands within the Green Mountain National Forest. At 1,096 feet elevation, Jamaica sits in a valley surrounded by forested mountains, with temperature ranges of 15-30°F in winter and 60-80°F in summer. Camping sites vary from developed campgrounds with amenities to primitive tent sites accessible only by foot or boat.
River recreation: Jamaica State Park Campground offers multiple water activities centered around the West River. "Great hiking or biking along the West River!" notes Chris S., while another camper mentions "people really have died at this waterfall, as recently as summer of 2016," highlighting the need for caution at Hamilton Falls.
Mountain hiking: Grout Pond Campground in Green Mountain National Forest features an extensive trail network. "Lots of trails here at this campsite!" explains one visitor. Winter explorers note "the trails are great for hiking, and the pond and the reservoir are beautiful when frozen over."
Swimming spots: The clear waters at Emerald Lake State Park provide excellent swimming. "Swimmers can swim out to a small island in the middle of the lake and check out the rope swing," one camper shares. Another mentions "there's a small, sandy beach at one end of the lake, with a bath house and changing rooms nearby."
Natural water features: Winhall Brook Camping Area receives praise for its water access. "Beautiful campground nestled between the Winhall river and west river," one camper writes. Another notes, "Where the two rivers intersect is a nice sport to put your feet in the water. Kids enjoy tubing the small rapids."
Private riverside sites: Camping on the Battenkill provides direct access to one of Vermont's famous rivers. A camper explains, "I stayed right on the river in site 14 with a small popup. The river is beautiful and the site was huge." Another mentions "Friends and I camp here every June, and we love being close to the river. We sleep in tents so the sound of the river put you to sleep at night."
Clean facilities: Across multiple campgrounds, visitors note well-maintained bathrooms and showers. At Woodford State Park, campers appreciate that "the bathrooms were the cleanest campground bathrooms I've ever seen!" while at Molly Stark State Park, a visitor notes "THE BATHROOM was the best I've seen camping very clean and updated and honestly gorgeous."
Site privacy varies: Campground layouts differ significantly in this region. "Sites are on top of each other but some are more spacious and away from the others," explains one Emerald Lake visitor. At Winhall Brook, a camper notes "campsites are really close together so not much privacy," while another mentions "sites are grassy, fairly level, and spacious."
Weather preparations: Vermont weather can change rapidly, especially at higher elevations. "Temps during day around 65-70°F. Nights dipped to 45-55°F," reports a September visitor to Grout Pond. Another camper advises "bring extra socks and rain boots because it gets muddy."
Road conditions: Townshend State Park and surrounding areas include rough access roads. One Grout Pond visitor warns about "dirt roads and very deep potholes that you can just barely avoid," while another mentions "getting to the campground alone was crazy."
Water play options: Multiple campgrounds offer child-friendly water features. At Emerald Lake, "There is a rope swing if you paddle away from the beach. It was great fun for the older kids," while at Jamaica State Park, "you can go to the waterfall/rock slides and take a dip in the pools."
Playground access: Several campgrounds include dedicated play areas. At Winhall Brook, a visitor mentions "a neat small playground with swings for the kids," and West River Camperama offers "a beautiful pool" that's "perfect for the dogs and kids."
Site selection strategy: For families with young children, choosing the right campsite is crucial. At Emerald Lake, one camper advises, "If you have little ones, check out the map before you reserve a site and find one on the opposite side of the ledge," noting that "many of them are perched on a steep ledge, making them a bit sketchy for families with kids."
Hookup availability: Water and electrical service varies widely between campgrounds. At Camping on the Battenkill, "There are a few sites with hookups but since we like to be near the river, we opted for other areas," while at Winhall Brook, a camper notes "There is a small group of camp sides with electricity and water but most sites have none."
Big rig accessibility: Larger RVs face challenges at certain campgrounds. "Overhanging trees would make it difficult for larger equipment," warns a Grout Pond visitor, while another mentions seeing "posting that excludes trailers from certain roads."
Site leveling: Terrain varies throughout the area, impacting RV setup. One Winhall camper notes sites are "fairly level," while another mentions "sites are clean, grassy, fairly level, and spacious."
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reserve a campsite at Jamaica State Park in VT?
To reserve a campsite at Jamaica State Park, you'll need to book through Vermont's state park reservation system, ideally well in advance, especially for the coveted lean-to sites along the West River. Reservations can be made online or by phone. For an alternative camping experience nearby, consider Wilgus State Park Campground, which typically opens earlier in the season than other Vermont state parks (before Memorial Day). Wilgus offers both standard campsites and four camping cabins that are perfect for those wanting to camp early in spring when temperatures are still cold. The cabins are particularly popular, so early reservation is recommended.
What camping facilities are available at Jamaica State Park in Vermont?
Jamaica State Park Campground offers 41 tent/RV sites and 18 lean-tos, with some lean-tos situated right on the West River. The campground provides clean bathrooms and shower facilities, and the tent sites are spacious enough to accommodate multiple tents. The park maintains a quiet, private atmosphere despite its popularity. While the campground can be buggy at times, it's generally well-maintained and family-friendly. For those seeking alternatives in the region, Hapgood Pond in the Green Mountain National Forest offers affordable camping with sites available for just $10 per night in a less crowded setting.
What activities and attractions are available near Jamaica State Park?
Jamaica State Park offers numerous recreational opportunities including hiking on extensive trail networks and swimming in the refreshing waterfall pools and rock slides. The West River provides a scenic backdrop for water activities. The park is conveniently located near Manchester, Stratton, and Bromley Mountains, making it perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. For those wanting to explore beyond the immediate area, Brattleboro North KOA is about 40 minutes away, providing access to downtown Brattleboro with its shopping and dining options. Additionally, Mount Ascutney State Park Campground offers excellent mountain biking trails within reasonable driving distance for those looking to expand their adventure options.
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