Green Mountain National Forest offers primitive and established camping options near Londonderry, Vermont. The area sits at elevations between 1,500 and 3,000 feet with summer temperatures typically ranging from 65-80°F during the day and cooling to 45-55°F at night. Fall brings more dramatic temperature swings, with frost possible by late September in higher elevation sites.
What to do
Waterfall hikes: Jamaica State Park Campground provides access to several waterfall trails, including Hamilton Falls. "There is plenty of trails in the area and you can go to the waterfall/rock slides and take a dip in the pools. The area is beautiful and good food across the street!" notes Jackie G. about Jamaica State Park Campground.
Fly fishing: The Battenkill River is known for its trout fishing opportunities. A camper at Camping On The Battenkill describes it as having "world-class trout fishing" with sites "right on the river" making it easy to access prime fishing spots throughout the day.
Kayaking and canoeing: Grout Pond Campground offers multiple paddle-in campsites accessible only by water. "You can load up your water vessel and go across the lake to your campsite!" reports Cortne. The campground includes about 18 sites total, with 6 waterfront sites that can be reached by either hiking or paddling.
What campers like
River camping: Winhall Brook Camping Area features sites where two rivers meet, creating excellent swimming and relaxation spots. "Beautiful campground. Lush grass meadows. 2 rivers intersect in the campground. Most sites are on or just off the river," writes Melissa L. about Winhall Brook Camping Area.
Swimming holes: Many campgrounds offer natural swimming areas that visitors consistently rate highly. At Emerald Lake State Park Campground, Christina S. calls it "Beautiful and quiet" with "a lovely emerald green small lake with nice beach. Good for fishing and kayaking." The lake even features a small island swimmers can reach.
Quiet forest settings: Greendale Campground provides a secluded experience with only 11 campsites along Greendale Brook. Ryan P. describes it as "quiet and peaceful" and mentions "We picked a nice site next to a babbling brook," noting they "only saw two cars during our entire stay."
What you should know
Remote locations: Cell service varies dramatically between campgrounds. "No cell service and a gorgeous back drop is a perfect spot to just unwind from the real world," writes Brittany B. about Jamaica State Park. At other campgrounds, reception may be spotty but available.
Limited amenities: Many forest service campgrounds have minimal facilities. Grout Pond Campground has "one bathroom" that according to Molly G. "went days without any attempt of cleaning or restocking" and recommends "bringing your own TP just in case."
Seasonal conditions: Spring camping can be muddy, especially at primitive sites. Jenny J. advises about Grout Pond: "If you plan on staying past campsites 1-3 bring extra socks and rain boots because it gets muddy. The walk is pretty long to other campsites and getting through all the mud only added to the pain of bringing things back and forth."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Some campgrounds offer additional recreation options for children. Douglas L. recommends Horseshoe Acres Campground as "Great for families" with "Mini golf, playground and swimming pool for the kids. Three large field areas with lots of families and plenty of space for kids to meet others and ride bikes."
Child-friendly swimming: Look for campgrounds with designated swimming areas. At Emerald Lake, Tara S. reports 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."
Site selection: Choose your site carefully when camping with children. According to Tara S., at Emerald Lake "many of them are perched on a steep ledge, making them a bit sketchy for families with kids. If you have little ones, check out the map before you reserve a site and find one on the opposite side of the ledge."
Tips from RVers
Accessibility challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult access roads or site entrances. Melody C. warns about Horseshoe Acres: "NOT BIG RIG FRIENDLY! At least at the upper sites... our 42 foot fifth wheel hit the road going up it, then severely druuuuug down the hill going down it extremely slowly."
Hookup availability: Electric and water hookups are limited in the region. Gail P. notes about Winhall Brook: "Few sites have hookups so bring your solar and pick a sunny site. They do have some walk up sites that can't be reserved ahead."
Leveling issues: Several campgrounds have uneven sites that require leveling blocks. One RVer at Horseshoe Acres mentioned that while the "campground is beautiful" with "stunning trees, lovely grass," many sites require significant leveling effort, particularly in the hillier sections.
