Camping around Manchester Center sits in a region of southern Vermont characterized by elevations ranging from 800 feet in the valley to 3,800 feet on the surrounding mountains. The area's diverse terrain creates a notable temperature differential between valley campgrounds and those at higher elevations, with Woodford State Park being 2,400 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds in the region typically open mid-May and close by mid-October, with limited water availability during early spring visits.
What to do
Swimming in mountain waters: Hapgood Pond Campground offers a sandy beach area just 15 minutes from Manchester Center. Visitor Lilah notes, "All of the campsites are just a minute walk to the water. There is also a nice trail the leads all the way around the water."
River activities: At Camping on the Battenkill, tubing and swimming in the Battenkill River provide popular summer activities. A camper shares, "The beach on the river is beautiful and clean! Easy swimming for all." The river offers gentle currents suitable for beginners with deeper swimming holes at certain sections.
Mountain biking: Trails near Jamaica State Park connect to broader networks in the Green Mountain National Forest. According to Chris, "Great hiking or biking along the West River!" The West River Trail extends beyond the campground and connects to multiple loops ranging from beginner to advanced difficulty.
Waterfall exploration: Multiple waterfall hikes exist within 20-30 minutes of Manchester Center campgrounds. At Jamaica State Park, a visitor recommends, "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."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Early morning and dusk offer opportunities to spot local wildlife. At Woodford State Park, a camper reports, "We heard coyotes at night and loons in the morning." The park's higher elevation creates distinct wildlife habitats.
Waterfront privacy: Several campgrounds offer secluded waterfront sites that require advance booking. At Grout Pond, a visitor explains, "The sites are well dispersed and private. I'm excited to camp here next season." These sites typically book 6-11 months in advance, especially for summer weekends.
Cooler temperatures: Higher elevation campgrounds provide relief during summer heat. Woodford State Park camper Melissa notes, "Small Quiet Getaway... The reservoir is beautiful- plenty of space to spread out for paddling and swimming." The park's 2,400-foot elevation averages 10-15 degrees cooler than Manchester Center.
Community activities: Some campgrounds organize regular social events. At Dorset RV Park, a reviewer mentions, "There are community activities like bonfires, bingo, pot luck dinners, and complementary donuts & coffee every Sunday morning."
What you should know
Spring mud season challenges: Forest roads leading to dispersed camping areas can become difficult to navigate in spring. A camper at a Forest Road 71 dispersed site reports, "This particular campsite is very muddy. Well, at least today it is. I have an SUV and I didn't trust it to get through, and I didn't want to get stuck."
Variable cell coverage: Cell service ranges from non-existent to spotty across the region. At Hapgood Pond, a visitor notes, "A little bit of cell service (2 bars) with Verizon." Winhall Brook campers report "No service or wifi" throughout the campground.
Limited shower facilities: Many state parks have token-operated showers with limited stalls. One Woodford State Park camper mentions, "Long waits in the morning- two shower stalls and lots of teenagers." Most campgrounds charge 25-50 cents for 5-minute showers.
Camping platforms: At Grout Pond, tents must use provided platforms. A visitor explains, "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! We had 30mph winds and luckily the platforms had tie downs!!"
Tips for camping with families
Youth group accommodations: Emerald Lake State Park offers facilities for organized youth camping trips. A group leader shares, "We camped for two nights in Lean-tos with 20 Girls and Leaders. It's a great place to bring a Troop and use the lake and trails for badges plus cooking badges as well."
Beach access considerations: Some campgrounds require a walk from camping areas to swimming areas. At Emerald Lake, a visitor explains, "The camp sites are quite a bit of a walk up the hill from the lake where there is swimming, kayaking, paddle boating and picnicking. As a result, we drove even though there were paths."
Playground facilities: Several campgrounds maintain dedicated play areas. At Jamaica State Park, a camper notes, "Clean bathrooms, roomy tent sites, nice staff. Fun playground and nature area for kids. Very family friendly place with beautiful hikes to Hamilton falls."
Site selection for young children: Look for sites away from water and steep drop-offs. An Emerald Lake visitor advises, "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
Limited hookup availability: Vermont state parks typically don't offer electrical connections. At Dorset RV Park, a visitor reports, "Our site was level but some definitely were not. We got twenty or so television channels with the cable hookup. The hookups were all well-placed and we didn't have any issues with the electric and the wifi at our site worked well."
Maneuverability challenges: Tree placement can create tight turns in some campgrounds. One camper warns, "Larger rigs might want to avoid loop 6-14, especially for sites 8-12. Tree placement and a pretty sharp 110+ degree turn makes it challenging to maneuver."
Seasonal considerations: RV campgrounds typically open earlier and close later than state parks. Camping on the Battenkill operates from "End of April to mid-October" while most state parks open Memorial Day weekend.
Reservation recommendations: For RVs needing full hookups, advance reservations are essential. A seasonal Battenkill camper shares, "Our site has S/W/E with cable and wifi, and is nicely shaded. We are here May 1-Oct12, and sad to leave every year and anxious to return every spring!"
