Cabins near Manchester, Vermont offer access to 4,391-foot Mount Equinox and the surrounding Green Mountain National Forest. The region sits at a higher elevation than surrounding areas with Woodford State Park located at Vermont's highest elevation campground at 2,400 feet. Winter temperatures can drop below 0°F while summer days typically range from 70-80°F with cooler nights, requiring proper insulation for off-season cabin stays.
What to do
Swimming at natural spots: Woodford State Park Campground features a serene reservoir with designated swimming areas. "The reservoir is beautiful- plenty of space to spread out for paddling and swimming. We had no issues with noise from other campers," notes Melissa S.
Hiking nearby trails: Stratton Pond Shelter sits at the intersection of several major trails. "Spent the weekend here on the last weekend of Feb. 2024. Cold, Snow, Wind, full moon in the middle of the woods with only the people I hiked in with. It was great! The shelter is a 3.75mi hike from the nearest parking lot in winter," reports Miccal M.
River activities: Winhall Brook Camping Area provides water-based recreation where two rivers meet. "The river is a constant lovely background sound and is wonderful to swim or just play in. Walk into town for the paper or fresh baked goods," shares Melissa R. Another camper adds, "Kids enjoy tubing the small rapids. We go for 2 weeks most every summer."
What campers like
Private woodland sites: Many cabins offer separation from other campers. At Moose Hillock Camping Resorts, "The sites at this park are huge. You could have parked three RVs in our site. Added bonus is that there is nice separation between sites with trees and shrubs that block out your neighbors and provide lots of privacy," explains Nancy W.
Clean facilities: Most cabin accommodations maintain high standards of cleanliness. "Beyond clean facilities. Very friendly and helpful staff. Went with 3 kids under 8yrs old. They had a blast and so did we, they have family activities everyday too," reports Ryan G. about a nearby campground.
Local wildlife viewing: Cabin settings provide opportunities to observe native animals. "We heard coyotes at night and loons in the morning. We're going back later this summer for a longer stay," mentions Melissa S. about her Woodford State Park experience.
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Most cabin facilities operate on a limited schedule. Clarksburg State Park Campground runs "May 25 to October 8" according to their season information, while many other parks close after Columbus Day weekend.
Weather variability: Mountain elevations bring temperature fluctuations. "We love the VT state parks and try to camp there 3-4 times a summer. We unexpectedly had a free Saturday afternoon and night and 2 borrowed kayaks," shares one camper about an impromptu trip.
Reservation requirements: Advance planning is essential, particularly for cabins. "Choose your site carefully," warns Cynthia K., noting that "Our site (#6) was on a slope, and there was the telltale sign of stormwater runoff tracks running through the middle."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated programming. "Great for families! There are tons of different types of campsites with either tent spots, lean-tos, and a few (hard to get) cabins. Bathrooms are plentiful and clean, hot showers for a small price," reports Sambath T. about Woodford State Park.
Playground access: Some cabin facilities include play areas. "If you have kids and don't mind them making friends and roaming the campground then this is great! Boat rentals!" notes J.L. about Clarksburg State Park.
Noise considerations: Family-oriented campgrounds can be lively. "Those other reviews weren't kidding about kids and noise. Keep in mind that this review is written after camping sept 8th (the week that school started for many) so it might not be relevant to peak camping season," explains one camper about their experience.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling needs: Many cabin and RV areas require preparation. At Caton Place Campground, one visitor noted "The pull through site is not level and is barely long enough to fit my 43' rig (with my motorcycle lift). Driving out of the site was just as bad. You have to go down a small hill and bottom out the front and then drag the backend out of the dirt."
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have limited road space. "Tree placement and a pretty sharp 110+ degree turn makes it challenging to maneuver. I don't think campground staff is familiar with their own campground and that larger rigs are likely to have issue in this loop," explains Katie E.
Seasonal site availability: RV-compatible cabins often book months in advance. "Camped here Labor Day Weekend in our 40 ft 5th wheel. We had a pull thru site. Easy to drive into the campground and into the site. We had no issues at all," reports David about their experience at Caton Place.
