Marlboro, Vermont sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation in the southern Green Mountains. The area experiences moderate summer temperatures in the 70s°F and cooler nights in the 50s°F, making it ideal for camping from late May through mid-October. Most campgrounds near Marlboro operate seasonally with limited availability during early spring and late fall due to weather conditions.
What to do
Hiking at Mount Olga: Access this popular trail directly from Woodford State Park Campground. The trail connects to several other paths in the area. "There's a fire tower at the top, which provides awesome views of the Green Mountains. It's also fun to explore the relics of the old Hogback Ski Resort," notes a Molly Stark State Park camper.
Paddling on local waters: Rent kayaks or canoes at Woodford State Park or bring your own. "The reservoir is beautiful- plenty of space to spread out for paddling and swimming," reports a recent visitor to Woodford State Park Campground.
Visit nearby towns: The area offers several charming Vermont towns within short driving distance. "The nearby town of Wilmington provides a gorgeous lake for swimming, or the bustling town of Brattleboro, which is perfect for shopping," according to a camper who stayed at Molly Stark.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bathrooms and shower facilities receive high marks at most established campgrounds. "THE BATHROOM was the best I've seen camping very clean and updated and honestly gorgeous," reports a visitor to Molly Stark, while another notes the "bathrooms were kept nice, and the levels of trash around the campgrounds were pretty much non-existent."
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the peaceful setting. "It was silent after about 9 which was so amazing," writes a recent Jamaica State Park Campground visitor. Another adds, "We heard coyotes at night and loons in the morning."
Site privacy: Campers report varying levels of privacy between sites. "The campsites are pretty big and somewhat private which is nice," notes a Woodford visitor. At Fort Dummer State Park Campground, "Sites are large and well maintained. Plenty of space between sites."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds operate from Memorial Day to Columbus Day weekend. Call ahead for availability outside peak season.
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have access restrictions. At Ashuelot River Campground, "Highly suggest reading the directions on the campgrounds website about the covered bridge you're not allowed to cross- we discovered this the hard way."
Highway noise: Proximity to roads affects some campgrounds. At Fort Dummer, "You want to look at that area as the campground is near the highway. In this area you can't hear the traffic."
Reservation requirements: "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," notes a visitor to Grout Pond.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with recreational options. "Perfect for families! There are tons of different types of campsites with either tent spots, lean-tos, and a few (hard to get) cabins. Beautiful clean swimmable lake with a walking trail around it," according to a Woodford State Park camper.
Playground access: Jamaica State Park offers "a playground and nature area for kids. Very family friendly place with beautiful hikes to Hamilton falls," says a recent visitor.
Supervised swimming: Several campgrounds offer designated swimming areas. "There is a small reservoir with a little beach that you can swim or kayak/canoe in. There's a bunch of fish and other little creatures so it's fun to explore," reports a visitor to Gus's Gardens Camping.
Tips from RVers
Site access and conditions: Most state parks accommodate smaller RVs, but size restrictions apply. "We stayed in a 28ft motorhome and had plenty of room at our site," reports a camper at Kampfires (formerly Hidden Acres).
Hookup availability: Full hookups are limited at state parks. "Sites have fire rings with excellent airflow for good burning with low smoke. Hook ups are in great condition for power, water, sewer," notes an Ashuelot River Campground visitor.
Site selection: "Sites 15 & 16 offer pull-out space to turn around truck campers. Over hanging trees would make it difficult for larger equipment, plus saw posting that excludes trailers from certain roads," reports a Grout Pond camper.
Ranger
