Camping options near Rutland, Vermont expand beyond Gifford Woods State Park with several other established campgrounds throughout the Green Mountains. Located in central Vermont at elevations ranging from 500-2,000 feet, the Rutland area offers varied terrain for camping from May through mid-October. Most campgrounds in this region receive 40-50 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush forests and waterways.
What to do
Hiking to scenic overlooks: Access the Coolidge State Park's trail system for panoramic views. "Take a walk to the picnic pavilion which has a great view. Trail around Slack Hill has view of Ascutney. Pavilion and some shelters look over to Killington," notes Bob W. from Coolidge State Park Campground.
Kayaking on smaller lakes: Paddle the calm waters of Half Moon Pond where motorized boats aren't allowed. "The pond itself is pretty shallow and has some weeds, but there is a deeper swimming area. Great for a little kayaking," reports Michele S. from Half Moon Pond State Park Campground.
Mountain biking: The Moosalamoo Recreation Area offers dedicated trails for cyclists. "Moosalamoo campground has awesome bike trails with smooth trail beds and nice rolling bumps," shares Jill B., who visited with her 10-year-old child.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: The campground layout at Moosalamoo offers excellent separation. "The campsites are well spaced and staggered for maximum privacy. Hosts are pleasant and very helpful," reports Nancy M. from Moosalamoo Campground.
Waterfront options: Direct lake access for camping appeals to many visitors. "We stayed at Bomoseen State Park on a busy weekend in the squirrel lean-to, which was right on the water... The beach was lovely - sandy and perfect for swimming," writes Tara S. from Bomoseen State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms enhance the camping experience. "The bathhouse was very clean, the swimming beach is small but perfect, and there are even cabins for rent on the other side of the pond," notes another camper at Half Moon Pond.
What you should know
Weather preparation: Vermont camping requires planning for varied conditions. "We stayed here on a pretty rainy weekend in June, but I have nothing but good things to say about our visit to Half Moon Pond," shares a camper who adapted to wet conditions.
Bear awareness: Take proper precautions with food storage. "I saw bear storage lockers but I did not use them as I had my bear keg with me," notes Lauren S., who camped at Moosalamoo.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies dramatically across campgrounds. "There is NO cell coverage and the Wi-Fi is poor and very slow if you can connect," reports Dave S. about Lake Bomoseen KOA, noting that this end of the lake is "swampy... not much to look at."
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds cater specifically to children. "It has three pools. A kiddie pool, a water slide pool and a larger pool that goes from 3 ft to 6 ft," reports Becca D. about Lake Bomoseen KOA.
Choose campsites strategically: For families with young children, site selection matters. "If you have little ones, get a site in the upper loop if you can," recommends Emil about Gifford Woods State Park Campground, noting that the sites on the lower loop are closer together.
Consider accessibility to beaches: Walking distance matters with kids. "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," shares Ming R. from Emerald Lake State Park.
Tips from RVers
Check access roads: Some campgrounds have challenging approaches for larger rigs. "There's a 2.5 mile dirt road with a steady incline into the camp, which my subie had no issue with, but not sure how well an RV would fair," cautions Jessica C. about Chittenden Brook Campground.
Site layout considerations: RV campers need to review campsite arrangements. "It was a little tight for our 36ft 5th wheel but manageable. The sites are a good size and relatively level," reports Dave S. about Lake Bomoseen KOA.
Limited hookups at dog friendly campgrounds near Rutland: Most state parks lack electrical connections. "No hookups but the bathrooms are clean and the showers ($) are hot," notes Susan E. at Half Moon Pond, one of several pet-welcoming options in the region.
