Jamaica State Park and the surrounding Green Mountains offer options for pet-friendly camping at elevations ranging from 600 to 3,000 feet. The area sits at the junction of the West River Valley and Ball Mountain, creating diverse camping terrain. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during the day with overnight lows in the 50-60°F range, even during July and August.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: The 6-mile round trip to Hamilton Falls offers visitors a moderate hike with significant elevation changes and pool areas. At Jamaica State Park Campground, "There is plenty of trails in the area and you can go to the waterfall/rock slides and take a dip in the pools" according to Jackie G.
River activities: The West River and nearby Battenkill provide excellent water recreation opportunities. At Camping on the Battenkill, "We did some fishing and swimming. I get the feeling the other end of the campground with the RVs is not as nice and can be loud, but you can avoid it by staying on the tent side," notes Michele S.
Winter exploration: Some sites permit off-season access for winter camping enthusiasts. At Grout Pond Campground, "Great spot for a little winter camping. The trails are great for hiking, and the pond and the reservoir are beautiful when frozen over," reports Erik C.
What campers like
Quiet locations: Many campsites provide a peaceful setting away from crowds. "Beautiful campground. Lush grass meadows. 2 rivers intersect in the campground. Most sites are on or just off the river," shares Melissa L. about Winhall Brook Camping Area.
Lean-to options: Several parks feature rustic shelters that offer protection from unexpected weather. At Woodford State Park Campground, "There are tons of different types of campsites with either tent spots, lean-tos, and a few (hard to get) cabins," explains Sambath T.
Swimming spots: Natural water features provide refreshing swimming opportunities throughout hot summer months. One visitor to Emerald Lake State Park Campground noted, "Beautiful campground in south central Vermont. On a lovely emerald green small lake with nice beach. Good for fishing and kayaking."
What you should know
Seasonal access: Many campgrounds close after Columbus Day weekend through Memorial Day. "Camping Grout Pond Loop is truly nice after Labor Day. We reserved well in advance; however many fellow campers were trying to find first come sites and ended up hiking in to camp around pond sites," reports alicianlv.
Variable site privacy: Site privacy differs significantly between campgrounds and specific site numbers. "Sites are in eye-site of each other but you don't feel crowded," notes one Grout Pond visitor.
Road conditions: Access roads to more remote camping areas often feature unpaved surfaces with potholes. "Getting to the campground alone was crazy- dirt roads and very deep potholes that you can just barely avoid," reports Molly G.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature designated play areas for children. At Molly Stark State Park Campground, "Nice little weekend getaway. Clean bathrooms, roomy tent sites, nice staff. Fun playground and nature area for kids," notes Fransheska A.
Kid-friendly swimming: Look for campgrounds with gentle water access points. "The beach on the river is beautiful and clean! Easy swimming for all," reports Christina M. about Camping on the Battenkill.
Space between sites: Family groups often benefit from larger sites with adequate separation. Gail P. recommends Winhall Brook, noting "The sites are clean, grassy, fairly level, and spacious. River front sites are not usually available for a weekend but you can always access the West River via the 2 beaches set aside for campers."
Tips for RVers
Limited hookup options: Most state parks offer minimal or no hookups for RVs. Bring solar equipment or generators where permitted. "There are a few sites with hookups but since we like to be near the river, we opted for other areas," explains Gail P.
Site size restrictions: Many campgrounds have limited capacity for larger rigs. "We had our small camper on a tent site to be near the river. Some sites were right on the river, many larger RVs were closer to an open play area/field," notes Monica F.
Accessibility challenges: Some dirt access roads present challenges for larger vehicles. "Our site was a half a mile away from the lot, and while this wasn't a problem, we would have packed completely different if we had known we would have to be hauling all our stuff that far in," explains one camper at Grout Pond.
Scout
