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.
What to Do
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."
What Campers Like
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."
What You Should Know
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."
Tips for Camping with Families
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."
Tips from RVers
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."
