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Best Campgrounds near Manchester Center, VT

832 Reviews

State parks and national forest lands surround Manchester Center, Vermont, providing a range of camping experiences from developed sites to more primitive options. Emerald Lake State Park, located about 10 miles north of Manchester in Dorset, offers tent and RV camping with lean-to shelters available at select sites. Camping on the Battenkill in nearby Arlington provides riverfront sites with full hookups for RVs. The Green Mountain National Forest encompasses much of the region, with Hapgood Pond Campground offering affordable camping just 15 minutes from Manchester. Woodford State Park, situated at the highest elevation of all Vermont state campgrounds, provides a cooler retreat during summer months with waterfront sites and cabin options.

Most campgrounds in the Manchester area operate seasonally from late May through mid-October, with Columbus Day weekend marking the end of the camping season for most facilities. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends and during fall foliage season. Vermont state parks typically do not offer electrical hookups, as noted by one camper: "While searching online we learned that Vermont state parks do not have hook ups." Dispersed camping is available in certain areas of the Green Mountain National Forest, though access roads can become challenging in spring. According to a visitor at Hapgood Pond: "You can stay in the National Green Mountain forest for only ten dollars a night. It's never been too busy, and it's based on a trust system."

Waterfront camping locations receive consistently high ratings from visitors to the Manchester area. Emerald Lake State Park earns praise for its "lovely emerald green small lake with nice beach" and proximity to Manchester's amenities. Campers at Woodford State Park appreciate the privacy of sites and water views, with one reviewer noting "the sites are nice and private. The views on some of the sites to the lake are beautiful." Many campgrounds feature clean facilities, with showers typically available for a small fee (quarters required). The region's campgrounds serve as excellent bases for exploring southern Vermont, with Manchester offering restaurants, shops, and hiking trails including the popular Lye Brook Falls trail about 20 minutes from Emerald Lake.

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Best Camping Sites Near Manchester Center, Vermont (202)

    1. Emerald Lake State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    Danby, VT
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 362-1655

    "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."

    "Beautiful campground in south central Vermont.  On a lovely emerald green small lake with nice beach. Good for fishing and kayaking.  Well kept."

    2. Camping On The Battenkill

    20 Reviews
    Arlington, VT
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 375-6663

    $45 - $57 / night

    "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."

    3. Jamaica State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Jamaica, VT
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 874-4600

    $20 - $42 / night

    "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."

    "Great spot near the river with a flat trail and a waterfall near by."

    4. Dorset RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Dorset, VT
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 867-5754

    "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."

    "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."

    5. Winhall Brook Camping Area - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    10 Reviews
    South Londonderry, VT
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 824-4570

    $20 - $26 / night

    "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."

    6. Grout Pond Campground — Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests

    8 Reviews
    Sunderland, VT
    10 miles
    +1 (802) 362-2307

    $16 / night

    "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."

    7. Woodford State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Bennington, VT
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 447-7169

    "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!"

    8. Hapgood Pond

    3 Reviews
    Peru, VT
    9 miles
    Website

    $20 - $50 / night

    "Vermont to begin with is beautiful.

    Getting into a national park to begin with is usually a fee, and then camping is a separate fee."

    "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."

    9. Hapgood Pond NF Campground

    3 Reviews
    Peru, VT
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 362-2307

    "The surrounding grounds are mostly manicured fields."

    "The pond has a nice easy 1 mile trail that loops around the pond. A little bit of cell service (2 bars) with Verizon"

    10. Dispersed site along Forest RD 71

    3 Reviews
    Sunderland, VT
    10 miles

    "One of many locations along Forest rd 71, this spot was a good place to pitch a tent for the night while exploring the area even in the rain."

    "There are a few spots around you can park at. I chose a more sunny and open spot with less trees. So there's more options. It's very quiet definitely check it out."

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Recent Camping Photos near Manchester Center, VT

647 Photos of 202 Manchester Center Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Manchester Center, VT

832 Reviews of 202 Manchester Center Campgrounds

  • alicianlv The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Grout Pond Campground — Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests

    Grout Pond Loop

    Camping Grout Pond Loop is truly nice after Labor Day (Sept 5-7). Campsites 15 & 16 offer pull-out space to turn around truck campers --we lucked out w/ 4 wheel camper pop-up). Over hanging trees would make it difficult for larger equipment, plus saw posting that excludes trailers from certain roads. 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. Sites are in eye-site of each other but you don't feel crowded. Temps during day around 65-70 F. Nights dipped to 45-55F.
    We saw deer & turkeys driving the surrounding woods after short hikes.
    We love chatting w locals and learned of a special shrine that was faithfully built from stone to resemble original in modern day Turkey. What a special & serene place.

  • Lorraine H.
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Aqua Vista Valley Campgrounds

    2 month stay started July

    It's ok great water views stuff for kids to do every weekend it's the seasonal campers that make it not fun at times u have some very friendly then others that are noisy judging ,parting witch parting really ain't problem until ur not watching ur kids or being loud at times I give it a 7 out of 10

  • Andy M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Statton Pond Camp on Forest Road 71

    Large Area with Fire Pit in the middle

    This was a great site.  I couldn't believe that the site was not being used at all, especially the just a couple of days before Fourth of July weekend.  Many other sites further south on 71 were filled and some were just TTs holding the space for the upcoming weekend.

    The site was very flat and could accommodate several small campers.  It was quiet during our overnight stay other than a car or two on Stratton-Arlington Rd.  There weren't many mosquitoes either.  Hiking trail to Stratton Pond close by.

  • Kenneth P.
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Fort Dummer State Park Campground

    Not So Bad

    We spent one night at site #20 and enjoyed our stay.  It was rather peaceful other than the hum of I-91. The staff was friendly and helpful. The sites were generally wooded, pretty level, and fairly spread apart from one another.  I saw no signs of the problems identified in the June 2025 review.  Yes, I must agree that the restrooms are old, but they were clean.  The other problems might happen anywhere and were obviously brought under control.  Clearly, the writer of the June 2025 post knew way more than any weekend camper would be aware of and this shows that is more to their story that should have been revealed in their post.

  • M
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Aqua Vista Valley Campgrounds

    kids always have a blast!

    We went for the Halloween event, and the kids had a great day and evening! They really enjoyed trick or treating!!!

  • Laura W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Rogers Rock Campground

    Roger's Rock

    It was a pretty good park. Wooded nicely. Big lots where we were. Down near the water the sites were pretty crammed together Not parked in a row like an RV park.

  • W
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Quechee State Park Campground

    Good location

    The park is in a good location; it is right next to the road. We were at sight #3.  We were able to walk to the gorge as well as to the Antique mall.  The staff was very friendly and accommodating with us. My wife really enjoyed it and had a lot of fun. The ice cream was really close and really good. 

    The issue I had was the camp next to ours had the generator on all night long and I had a hard time getting back to sleep after going to the bathroom. Next time I will get a volunteer or park ranger to get it turned off.

  • licia S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Somerset Airfield

    No Wifi, Resevoir Beautiful

    Enjoyed the stunning babbling brook and resevoir- saw happy people swimming, kayaking, and camping. It's been quiet and peaceful and sometimes generators running all night. I arrived after the 4th of July and a neighbor said it was rowdy during the holiday with illegal fireworks set off every night over the dry forest. These pics are from a weekday morning. It's great to see families camping. There are pit toilets. AT.T service at bridge prior to camp- short walk. SOS only in camp. Another camper told me Starlink works here.

Guide to Manchester Center

Camping near Manchester Center, Vermont, offers a mix of beautiful nature and cozy campgrounds. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful retreat, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: There are great trails nearby, including those leading to scenic views. One camper mentioned, "The hiking trails throughout the campground are fantastic!" at Quechee State Park Campground.
  • Fishing: If you enjoy fishing, the rivers and lakes in the area provide excellent spots. A visitor at Camping On The Battenkill said, "There are several sites right on the river!"
  • Exploring local towns: The nearby towns have shops and restaurants worth checking out. One camper noted, "Stores are within biking and walking distance of the campground entrance" at Quechee State Park Campground.

What campers like:

  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer large, private sites. A reviewer at Woodford State Park Campground said, "Our site was pretty well surrounded with trees so it feels very private and secluded."
  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained bathrooms and showers. One visitor at Greenfield State Park Campground mentioned, "Showers were free and nice and clean."
  • Friendly staff: Many campgrounds have welcoming staff. A camper at Lake George RV Park shared, "The staff treated us so nicely and the array of resort-level amenities are beautifully maintained."

What you should know:

  • Limited cell service: Some campgrounds have poor cell reception. A visitor at Monadnock State Park Campground noted, "No cell/data service... I wish this were clearer on their website."
  • Bugs can be a problem: Be prepared for insects, especially in warmer months. One camper at Monadnock State Park Campground humorously remarked, "The bugs… holy hell, the bugs."
  • No electric hookups at some sites: If you need power, check ahead. A reviewer at Jamaica State Park Campground mentioned, "No hookups in the campground."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and organized activities. A parent at Jamaica State Park Campground said, "Great playground and fun playing in the river."
  • Safety first: Keep an eye on kids while biking or hiking. One camper at Lake George Escape Campground mentioned, "I was a little nervous for the kids riding bikes because of all the traffic."
  • Pack snacks: Having snacks on hand can make outings easier. A visitor at Moose Hillock Camping Resorts suggested, "The store was fairly well stocked with things you might’ve forgot to pack."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Lake George RV Park noted, "Our pull-thru site was level and the full hookups all worked fine."
  • Be prepared for dirt: Some sites have sandy or dirt surfaces. A camper at Lake George RV Park mentioned, "It was impossible to keep the dirt and sand out of our RV."
  • Plan for amenities: Look for campgrounds with good facilities. A visitor at Moose Hillock Camping Resorts said, "Clean facilities and a beautiful pool with 2 water slides."

Camping near Manchester Center, Vermont, has something for everyone. With spacious sites, friendly staff, and plenty of activities, it’s a great spot for your next outdoor adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities do Manchester Center camping areas typically offer?

Camping areas around Manchester Center typically offer a range of amenities to enhance your outdoor experience. Silver Lake Campground provides boat rentals and guided nature tours on the lake led by state park staff, along with a concrete dock perfect for swimming. Woodford State Park Campground features two beaches around Adams Reservoir with day-use areas and swimming access. Most campgrounds in the region offer clean restrooms and well-maintained facilities. Many state parks provide a mix of tent/RV sites and lean-tos or cabins for those seeking more shelter. The level of amenities varies by location, with RV parks typically offering more facilities like laundry and recreation rooms, while forest service campgrounds maintain a more rustic experience.

When is the best season for camping in Manchester Center?

The prime camping season around Manchester Center runs from late May through early October, with summer offering warm days perfect for swimming and hiking. Wilgus State Park Campground opens earlier than most Vermont parks (early May) and offers camping cabins for those wanting to get a jump on the season when temperatures can still be chilly. Fall is particularly spectacular with Gifford Woods State Park Campground providing a front-row seat to Vermont's famous foliage, though cell service may slow during peak color season due to visitor volume. Vermont winters are generally too harsh for tent camping, though some hardy campers visit during early spring or late fall. Always check park websites for seasonal closing dates, as many Vermont state parks close after mid-October.

Where are the best campgrounds near Manchester Center, Vermont?

For camping near Manchester Center, Hapgood Pond is an excellent choice located in the Green Mountain National Forest. At just $10 per night, it offers affordability in a beautiful Vermont setting without ever feeling overcrowded. Another great option is Dorset RV Park, which provides a convenient location for visiting Manchester Center with extremely well-maintained facilities. The park features both RV sites and more remote tent camping areas. For those willing to drive a bit further, Woodford State Park near Bennington offers camping around Adams Reservoir at the highest elevation of all Vermont state campgrounds, while Camping On The Battenkill provides sites with drive-in access and various amenities including water and toilets.

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