211 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
State parks and private campgrounds surround Manchester, Vermont, providing diverse camping experiences within the Green Mountains. Emerald Lake State Park, located 10 minutes from Manchester, offers tent and RV sites with lean-to shelters around a clear mountain lake ideal for swimming and fishing. Camping on the Battenkill in nearby Arlington provides over 100 sites along the renowned trout stream, while Dorset RV Park caters to larger vehicles with full hookups. The region also includes more rustic options in Green Mountain National Forest, including dispersed sites along Forest Road 71 and backcountry shelters like Stratton Pond on the Appalachian Trail. Jamaica State Park, about 30 minutes west, features both standard campsites and lean-tos along the West River.
Most campgrounds operate seasonally from late April or Memorial Day weekend through mid-October or Columbus Day weekend, with weather determining exact opening dates. Reservations are essential during summer weekends and fall foliage season when sites fill quickly. As one camper noted, "Manchester was an easy 10-minute drive away for provisioning, and we enjoyed a great hike to Lye Brook Falls." Spring camping can be challenging with muddy conditions on forest roads and cooler temperatures, particularly at higher elevations. Cell service varies significantly, with better coverage at campgrounds closer to town and limited or no service in more remote areas. Many state parks charge for showers (typically 50 cents for 5 minutes) and have coin-operated facilities.
Waterfront sites receive consistently positive reviews, particularly at Emerald Lake where campers praise the "clear waters, calm lake" and good fishing. Lean-to shelters are highly valued during Vermont's unpredictable weather, with one visitor noting they were "very helpful during a very rainy weekend." Family-friendly amenities are common at established campgrounds, including beaches, picnic areas, and hiking trails. Sites vary in size and privacy, with some campers mentioning that certain areas can feel "tight" during busy periods. The proximity to Manchester's amenities is frequently highlighted as a benefit, allowing campers to enjoy outdoor recreation while having access to restaurants, shops, and services. Hapgood Pond in Green Mountain National Forest offers some of the most affordable camping at approximately $10 per night, operating on a self-registration system.
"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"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."
"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."
"Very family friendly and close to Manchester and Stratton and Bromley Mountains. We have returned many years and find it buggy every time but otherwise a great experience."
from $20 - $42 / 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"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!"
"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"The location was very good in allowing us to visit family in nearby village and go into nearby Manchester Center. Much more of an RV Park (name is on the money) than camping where we had our site."
"Great location near a fantastic quarry, country store, and Manchester shopping. The camp grounds were family friendly and quiet. They even had rabbits and chickens for the kids to enjoy."
"Easy access to an open circle, capable of handling multiple rigs for a large gathering. Stone fire ring in the center. We had this all to ourselves in our Bean teardrop. "
"Hiking trail to Stratton Pond close by."
"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."
"We appreciate the pond for swimming and the nice easy pond loop trail for hiking. Hapgood is in close proximity to Manchester and near the Appalachian Trail."
"The surrounding grounds are mostly manicured fields."
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.
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.
ScoutCrow’s Nest was a really convenient stop for us while traveling through New Hampshire. Getting our RV situated was easy and we had everything we needed for a comfortable stay.
LegendWe spent a long weekend at Moose Hillock in Fort Ann, New York, to visit Lake George. This is a difficult place for me to review. But I’ll do my best to share my experience.
The pool is the main attraction here and probably the largest and most ridiculous I’ve ever seen at a campground. Great for young kids.
THINGS I LIKED:
— The sites are enormous and private, probably the biggest sites we’ve ever seen at any campground we’ve stayed at.
— The mature trees are everywhere, great for privacy.
— It’s located about 25-minutes to the heart of Lake George. Easy drive away but not in the loud and busy area.
— The camp store is pretty good and sells snacks, drinks, basic supplies, and souvenirs.
THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
— Our site(# 709) was sloped, so much that even with leveling boards under the rear wheels, rear jacks fully extended and front jacks fully retracted, we couldn’t level. That’s annoying and so easily fixed by a campground this size with this array of equipment and resources.
— Except for the entry roads, the rest of the park is gravel and dirt, which was extremely dusty. Our vehicles and our stuff were instantly covered by this dusty dirt which was a never-ending battle to keep outside.
— I’m ok paying premium money for a great site, but this site wasn’t matched to the price. I paid$647.38 for 3-nights. That’s$215.79 per night.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
Probably not. For me, having a level site that’s not covered in dirt and dust is important— especially when it costs$215 per night. There’s a much nicer park about 10-minutes away(closer to Lake George) where we’ve stayed in the past. The sites are smaller, but they’re level.
Dispersed camping opportunities exist throughout Green Mountain National Forest near Manchester, Vermont, particularly along Forest Road 71. These primitive sites have minimal amenities with established fire rings and flat terrain for tents or small campers. Elevation in this area ranges from 1,200 to 2,500 feet, with dispersed sites typically accessible from late May through mid-October, depending on road conditions and weather.
Waterfront activities: At Emerald Lake State Park Campground, the clear lake offers ideal swimming and kayaking. "Swimmers can swim out the a small island in the middle of the lake and check out the rope swing," notes Tara S., adding "the turquoise water is a dream to cool off in."
River exploration: Camping On The Battenkill provides direct river access for water recreation. "We were at site 17, and it was a massive site. Lots of room would be great for a large family or group. The beach on the river is beautiful and clean! Easy swimming for all," shares Christina M.
Hiking trails: Jamaica State Park Campground connects to several trails for day hikes. "We hiked the west river trail (which leads right out of the campground) to Hamilton falls which is a gravel closed road that follows the west river upstream 2 miles to Hamilton falls trail which then leads up hill for another mile to the falls," explains Chris D., who cautions about safety near the falls.
Mountain pond adventures: Grout Pond Campground offers paddleboarding and kayaking on a secluded mountain lake. "Most wonderful place! Has an awesome spot to go paddle boarding or kayaking! In fact you can load up your water vessel and go across the lake to your campsite," writes Cortne.
River sites: Campers consistently praise riverside sites at Winhall Brook Camping Area. "Most sites are on or just off the river. Huge volleyball and sports meadow. Nice pavilion," reports Melissa L., who adds "where the two rivers intersect is a nice sport to put your feet in the water. Kids enjoy tubing the small rapids."
Lean-to shelters: Woodford State Park Campground provides sturdy lean-to options that protect against Vermont's variable weather. "This campground offers great hiking and a casual feel to it. Good for passer byes or staying the weekend to go fishing. Lean-tos are the best part! Keeping it simple," writes Angelica H.
Swimming areas: The natural swimming spots at Emerald Lake receive high marks for cleanliness. "There's a small, sandy beach at one end of the lake, with a bath house and changing rooms nearby," describes Tara S., who recommends exploring "the trail around the lake - quiet with good swimming all around."
Access to amenities: Many campers appreciate the balance between outdoor immersion and nearby services. "The pace of life is slow there. The restrooms are immaculate and the sites are grassy," notes Gail P. about Winhall Brook, adding that visitors can "walk into town for the paper or fresh baked goods."
Seasonal access: Forest roads to dispersed camping sites often become impassable during spring mud season. "The path is VERY muddy. I cannot imagine traversing it in the rain without full on boots," warns Molly G. about access to Grout Pond Campground.
Pay showers: Most Vermont state parks charge for showers. "Pay showers so save your quarters," advises Gary C. about Emerald Lake State Park, while Cynthia K. reminds campers to "bring quarters for the shower."
Site selection: Campsite privacy varies significantly across campgrounds. "Sites are on top of each other but some are more spacious and away from the others," reports Ming R. about Emerald Lake, suggesting "Larchmont is our favorite camp site. It is much larger than most sites, a short walk to the showers and a bit tucked away for privacy."
Facilities: Campgrounds range from full-service to primitive. "They have laundry and a fenced in dog area that was much appreciated! Almost everyone camping had a dog or 2," notes Katy Z. about Camping on the Battenkill, while dispersed sites on Forest Road 71 have no facilities whatsoever.
Beach access: Camping On The Battenkill offers family-friendly river beach areas. "My family and I have been camping here for 40 years. 4 of my 5 children learned to ride their bikes on the circle that surrounds the playground," shares David M., who calls it "the best family campground."
Playground options: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. "Perfect for families! there are tons of different types of campsites with either tent spots, lean tus, and a few (hard to get) cabins," writes Sambath T. about Woodford State Park, noting it has "bathrooms are plentiful and clean, hot showers for a small price."
Wildlife viewing: Keep eyes open for native Vermont wildlife around campsites. "We saw deer & turkeys driving the surrounding woods after short hikes," reports alicianlv at Grout Pond, while campers at Woodford State Park mention hearing "coyotes at night and loons in the morning."
Designated swimming: Jamaica State Park Campground has monitored water access points. "Nice little weekend getaway. Clean bathrooms, roomy tent sites, nice staff. Fun playground and nature area for kids. Very family friendly place with beautiful hikes to Hamilton falls," says Fransheska A.
Site accessibility: Dorset RV Park accommodates larger rigs but has some tight spots. "The roads and campsites are gravel and a little tight to get around because of all the trees but we were able to manage in our 45' motorhome," notes Nancy W., who advises "our site was level but some definitely were not."
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited in the area. "There are some sites with hookups but since we like to be near the river, we opted for other areas," explains Gail P. about Winhall Brook, mentioning "few sites have hookups so bring your solar and pick a sunny site."
Campground layout: RV sections sometimes feel different from tent camping areas. "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," advises Michele S. about Camping on the Battenkill.
Timing considerations: Booking well in advance is essential for RV sites. "The place books up early in the year for weekend visits so we went on weekdays," shares Gail P., while others note that sites with hookups fill first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Manchester, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Manchester, VT offers a wide range of camping options, with 211 campgrounds and RV parks near Manchester, VT and 24 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Manchester, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Manchester, VT is Camping On The Battenkill with a 4.5-star rating from 20 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Manchester, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 24 free dispersed camping spots near Manchester, VT.
What parks are near Manchester, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Manchester, VT that allow camping, notably Townshend Lake and Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests.
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