Gifford Woods State Park Campground features a unique mix of historic forest setting with modern camping amenities. Located near Killington Peak at 1,800 feet elevation, the park sits within one of Vermont's few remaining old-growth forests with trees estimated to be over 400 years old. The campground's season runs from May 19 to October 16, spanning the region's warm summers and colorful fall foliage period. Winter camping isn't permitted at the park itself, but alternate yurt camping near Killington, Vermont provides year-round options.
What to do
Hiking beyond Appalachian Trail: Gifford Woods State Park Campground offers direct access to multiple hiking trails of varying difficulty. According to Kyle R., "The campsite lies directly on the Appalachian trail, so for a shorter or less-intensive hike, walk about 2.5 miles to the Deer Leap Overlook for some incredible views of the mountain ranges nearby."
Fishing spots: Kent Pond, located across from the campground, provides excellent fishing opportunities. Katy Z. notes, "Great campground with many hiking trails and a peaceful pond with fishing across the street." The pond is particularly good for fly fishing in early morning hours.
Historical exploration: Visit the nearby Marsh Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park in Woodstock. Nancy W. from Quechee-Pine Valley KOA mentions, "The campground is located near the Quechee Gorge, covered bridges, hiking trails (including sections of the Appalachian Trail), good dining, maple syrup/cheese farm, the Marsh Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park."
Winter activities: During winter months, try alternative yurt accommodations near Killington for access to winter recreation. Miccal M. from Little River State Park suggests, "Canoeing or kayaking on the lake is great and there are paddle only sites available. Some of the best sites are up on a bluff with views over the lake towards sunrise."
What campers like
Privacy of upper loop sites: Campers appreciate the spacing between sites, particularly in certain areas. Rachel C. notes, "Gorgeous sites. Upper Loop sites are spaced further apart. Wooded. AT goes right through the campground. Lovely late summer camping experience."
Convenient central location: The park's proximity to several Vermont attractions makes it popular. Alyssa C. comments, "It's a smaller campground which is really great. It's just a short hike back to the pond, which is very pretty and is along the Appalachian Trail. Very centrally located and takes no time at all to get to Killington and Rutland."
Accessible swimming areas: Emerald Lake State Park offers excellent swimming options. According to one visitor, "It's an awesome park for kids, and the turquoise water is a dream to cool off in. There's a small, sandy beach at one end of the lake, with a bath house and changing rooms nearby. Swimmers can swim out the a small island in the middle of the lake."
Lean-to shelters: The elevated platforms provide comfortable alternatives to tent camping. Scott G. shares, "This was a great place to start our camping adventures. Friendly staff and helpful pointing out places to hike. Site was clean and quiet. Bathrooms were clean and showers were hot. A pleasant treat after hiking."
What you should know
Site selection strategy: Pick your campsite carefully based on your needs. Tara S. advises, "We stayed in the Elm lean-to, which sits up on a wooded hill. The only down side is that the lean-to opening faces the road instead of the woods, which would have been better for privacy."
Weather preparation: Vermont's weather can change rapidly, especially in mountain regions. Christina S. from Quechee State Park notes, "Beautiful campground in south central Vermont. On a lovely emerald green small lake with nice beach. Good for fishing and kayaking. Well kept. Was very quiet when we visited though I suspect it's much busier in mid summer."
Shower facilities: The campground offers coin-operated hot showers. Bring quarters for shower use. One camper mentions, "The facilities are great for a state park and the sites are large. It's a smaller campground which is really great."
Reservations timing: Book well in advance for summer and fall foliage weekends. Cynthia K. from Half Moon Pond State Park suggests, "The park is small, quiet and very well cared for. Restrooms are modern and clean. Everyone seems to adhere to quiet hours so it was easy to get a good night's sleep."
Tips for camping with families
Educational ranger programs: Take advantage of scheduled activities for children. Jen B. reports, "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.)"
Playground access: Lake Bomoseen KOA provides additional play areas for children. Michelle R. mentions, "Family camping Kabins, rv, and tent sites, arcade, store, ice cream, and Lake Bomoseen. Easy to get to, close to Castleton, Rutland, and Hubbarton Battlefield. Great spot for a family get-a-way."
Multi-site booking: For larger family groups, consider reserving multiple adjacent sites or lean-tos. Emil notes, "The sites on the lower loop are closer together. Get a site in the upper loop if you can, but no complaints for not making advance reservations on July 4th weekend."
Yurt camping alternative: Families seeking more structured accommodations can find yurt camping near Killington, Vermont. William from Caton Place Campground shares, "We will be back! Very well manicured Camping Area, clean updated restrooms. Friendly campers and great view!"
Tips from RVers
Limited hookups: Most state parks near Killington have limited or no hookups. Consider private campgrounds for full services. At Quechee-Pine Valley KOA, "There is the range of sites from pull-thrus, pull-ins and back-in sites and can accommodate RVs of any size. Some sites are full hookup while others are not and that is reflected in the cost."
Dumpstation locations: Plan waste disposal carefully. State parks typically have dump stations but limited hookups. Jan B. notes, "There are no hookups but 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."
Generator rules: Know the generator policies before arrival. Many Vermont state parks restrict or prohibit generator use for noise control. Check individual campground rules.
Site leveling: Bring leveling blocks as many sites are not perfectly flat. Katy Z. shares, "Stayed at site 15 in the lower campground for a few nights and it was level and spacious but pretty close to neighbors compared to other sites."
