224 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options around Mendon, Vermont range from developed state parks to dispersed sites in the Green Mountain National Forest. Gifford Woods State Park Campground near Killington offers tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and glamping accommodations with amenities including drinking water, showers, and toilets. Coolidge State Park Campground in Plymouth provides more rustic camping with tent and RV sites but no electric hookups. For those seeking a more primitive experience, Michigan Brook Road in the Green Mountain National Forest offers free dispersed camping with minimal facilities.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from late May through mid-October, with state parks typically opening Memorial Day weekend and closing around Columbus Day. Winter access to dispersed camping areas like Michigan Brook can be limited as dirt roads become impassable due to snow and mud. Reservations are recommended for developed campgrounds, especially during peak foliage season in September and October. The Green Mountain National Forest permits dispersed camping with appropriate setbacks from water sources and trails. Cell service varies throughout the region, with better coverage near towns and limited reception in more remote forest areas. A visitor noted that "Michigan Brook is open for camping year-round but probably only accessible in Spring through early Fall because the dirt road is not plowed. Beware that in Spring the road gets muddy and quite rutted."
Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews, with Half Moon Pond State Park and Lake Bomoseen offering popular lakeside sites. Campers appreciate the natural swimming areas and paddling opportunities available at these locations. Several campgrounds provide access to hiking trails, including connections to the Appalachian Trail at Gifford Woods. The region features a mix of family-friendly developed campgrounds with amenities and more secluded forest sites for those seeking solitude. Reviews frequently mention the area's natural beauty, with one camper describing Moosalamoo Campground as offering "incredible beauty and tranquility" with "no amenities other than cascading waterfalls, mountain views, incredible swimming hole, a nearby lake, a picnic table and a fire ring." Proximity to outdoor recreation opportunities like mountain biking at Mount Ascutney and hiking in the Green Mountains makes the Mendon area a versatile camping destination.
"Decent bathroom situation--I've seen better and I've seen worse in Vermont."
"The park is amazingly clean, well run, located just of RT 4 and very near to Killington, Vermont. It has multiple lean-to sites which are in wooded areas."
"This place gets my vote for best campground in Vermont. Especially true if you're lucky enough to get one of the few sites on the outside of A loop that has a Lean-to with a view."
"Coolidge is off the beaten path but well worth the wander! There are no water sites, it’s on the side of a heavily wooded mountain with a few sites having amazing views!"
"No ATM on site to get cash… The sites are spacious enough, but are very close to each other. Zero buffer between neighboring sites means encroaching slide outs."
"family camping Kabins, rv, and tent sites, arcade, store, ice cream, and Lake Bomoseen. Easy to get to, close to Castleton, Rutland, and Hubbarton Battlefield. Great spot for a family get-a-way."
"there are no amenities other than cascading waterfalls, mountain views, incredible swimming hole, a nearby lake, a picnic table and a fire ring. the easiest access to sites one and two is the Silver Lake"
"Access to campground is on a gravel road but my van did okay. It is small and primitive and there is a camp host who is very nice."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"I stayed at this campsite located at the end of upper Michigan road. It is winter and there is a lot of snow. The main road to the parking lot is plowed and sanded."
"Few nice ones near the creek. I stayed at one on top of a lots of space at mine."
"Nice hiking trails close to long trail, really tucked away a few miles off 73. Great if you’re looking for some solitude."
"Well maintained, and nice access to trails right from the campground."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"Bomoseen State Park is right down the road, but I recommend staying at Half Moon and taking advantage of the large swimming area at Bomoseen, as well as all the cool ponds, lakes, and hiking trails nearby"
"The pond is clean and swim-able and great for kayaks/canoes (near Glen Lake and Lake Bomoseen for boating and more kayaking/canoeing)."
"It was during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are happy to report that everyone wore masks in public spaces (restrooms), and that there was plenty of room for social distancing. "
"We had a nice private site, close to amenities and the lake, the beach area was nice, kind of rocky, but had sand for the beach. The play area has a nice set up, overall a nice camping area."
"The site was so scenic with a little waterfall and stream nearby. The camp staff was so nice. They kept the the bathrooms and areas so clean."
"Love to lake access, secluded camping, the hiking and remote area. Planning on revisiting next summer, even in august the nights get to a good sleeping temperature a vast majority of the time."
TravelerThis is a good spot if you don’t mind being social. The main camping area is a large grassy opening where multiple people park and camp together, and there is a bathroom, but there isn’t much privacy between sites. If you continue farther down the forest road, there are several smaller pull-offs with much more private dispersed camping spots. I’d recommend checking those out if you’re looking for a quieter experience.
ScoutReally enjoyed the setting at Crow’s Nest. There are lots of trees and having the Sugar River running alongside the campground gives the whole place a nice New Hampshire feel. We were mostly looking for somewhere to disconnect for a couple of days, cook outside, fish a little, and enjoy being away from home. Crow’s Nest was a great fit for that.
ScoutWhat we liked most about Crow’s Nest was being able to choose between doing absolutely nothing or heading out and exploring. One day we stayed around the campground, went swimming and relaxed by the river. The next day we got out and explored more of the Lake Sunapee area. It made a really good home base and it was always nice coming back to our campsite at the end of the day.
ScoutVery Disappointed With the Changes
Crown Point Campground used to be a wonderful place to camp. Unfortunately, since Happy Grounds purchased the campground, we have seen a significant decline in the overall experience.
I do want to make one thing very clear: the woman managing the campground is absolutely wonderful. She genuinely cares about the campers, is kind, helpful, and does her best to make people feel welcome. Our frustrations are not directed toward her. She deserves recognition for the effort she puts in, especially given the circumstances.
Unfortunately, there are serious concerns with the direction the campground has taken. There is no reliable Wi-Fi or cell service, which is especially concerning because there is no dependable way to call out in the event of an emergency. We have also seen a significant change in the atmosphere and clientele. Drugs have been found on the premises, including needles, which is extremely concerning for the safety of campers, especially families with children.
The campground has also become increasingly overcrowded. Tent sites have had upwards of 10 people on a single site, creating a very different camping experience from what many long-time campers originally signed up for.
Seasonal campers were told that there would be a gradual increase over two years to bring rates up to the new “going rate.” However, when the new contracts came out for next year, the price had increased by approximately $900. That is a substantial increase for a campground that, in our opinion, has continued to decline rather than improve.
What was perhaps most disappointing was how campers' concerns were handled. When people questioned the increase and expressed their frustrations, the response from the corporation was, and I quote:
“Get out and leave. I’ve heard enough complaints. Just leave if you don’t like it.”
That is an incredibly disappointing way to speak to people who have supported this campground for years.
It is heartbreaking to see what Crown Point Campground has become. There are good people here, and the campground itself has so much potential. Most importantly, the manager genuinely cares about the campers, and she deserves credit for that.
Our hope is that Happy Grounds will listen to the people who have invested years of their time and money here, address the safety and overcrowding concerns, and bring back the sense of community that once made Crown Point such a wonderful place to camp.
TravelerGreat little dispersed camping area off Forest Road 71 in West Dover, Vermont. Once you get onto the forest service road, everything is gravel/dirt, with several small pull-offs and primitive campsites scattered along the road. Some sites are only a few feet from the road, while others are tucked back around 100 feet and offer a little more privacy.
The individual pull-offs can be a little more challenging to reach. Most involve some combination of hills, rocks, ruts, and mud, although nothing was too crazy. Some spots are definitely easier to get into than others, so having a vehicle with decent ground clearance is helpful.
There was a decent amount of traffic passing through the area while we were there, but nothing too crazy or disruptive. The campsite we stayed at had a fire pit, but there was no running water at our site, and I don’t believe the other dispersed sites have running water either.
Overall, a pretty good option if you’re looking for a primitive, low-key camping spot with multiple sites to choose from. Just don’t expect complete solitude, especially during busier times.
GuideGood size campground with three loops. 2 shower / restroom facilities. Many of the sites are simply grass. There are a few gravel ones. The staff has no problem with driving on the or parking on grass. All sites have a firepit. Wood can be obtained locally. There is no store at the camp. There is only one dump station. There is a boat launch with limited trailer parking although when we stayed (Aug 2026) the water was only 18 in to 2 ft deep at docks. Heavily choked with vegetation. Shower facilities were clean enough but could use more attention, heavy cobwebs at lights, corners and edges of shower pretty dark with mold. Plenty of fresh water spigots throughout the camp. Camp is on the banks of lake Champlain, although only a couple sites have a lake view. Ruins of two pre-revolutionary war forts are within walking distance and offer a great introduction to life in the early 18th century. Fort Ticonderoga is a 30 min drive and will take most of the day to tour. Well worth the trip. Only 3 min drive to Vermont. I would stay again.
ScoutCrow’s Nest was a really convenient stop for us while traveling through New Hampshire. Getting our RV situated was easy and we had everything we needed for a comfortable stay.
LegendWe spent a long weekend at Moose Hillock in Fort Ann, New York, to visit Lake George. This is a difficult place for me to review. But I’ll do my best to share my experience.
The pool is the main attraction here and probably the largest and most ridiculous I’ve ever seen at a campground. Great for young kids.
THINGS I LIKED:
— The sites are enormous and private, probably the biggest sites we’ve ever seen at any campground we’ve stayed at.
— The mature trees are everywhere, great for privacy.
— It’s located about 25-minutes to the heart of Lake George. Easy drive away but not in the loud and busy area.
— The camp store is pretty good and sells snacks, drinks, basic supplies, and souvenirs.
THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
— Our site(# 709) was sloped, so much that even with leveling boards under the rear wheels, rear jacks fully extended and front jacks fully retracted, we couldn’t level. That’s annoying and so easily fixed by a campground this size with this array of equipment and resources.
— Except for the entry roads, the rest of the park is gravel and dirt, which was extremely dusty. Our vehicles and our stuff were instantly covered by this dusty dirt which was a never-ending battle to keep outside.
— I’m ok paying premium money for a great site, but this site wasn’t matched to the price. I paid$647.38 for 3-nights. That’s$215.79 per night.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
Probably not. For me, having a level site that’s not covered in dirt and dust is important— especially when it costs$215 per night. There’s a much nicer park about 10-minutes away(closer to Lake George) where we’ve stayed in the past. The sites are smaller, but they’re level.
ScoutWe brought the kids here for a few days and they had a blast. Between swimming, exploring around the campground, and just riding around and making friends, they always had something to do. For us, it was nice being able to actually relax while the kids stayed entertained. We cooked at the campsite most nights and spent the evenings around the fire. Great family trip.
Seasonal access presents the primary challenge for camping near Mendon, Vermont. Campgrounds in this Green Mountain region operate primarily from May through October due to snow and mud conditions. Tent sites and RV accommodations at higher elevations require different preparation than lakeside spots in the valley. The area features a diverse range of established campgrounds at elevations ranging from 600 to 1,800 feet.
Hiking to mountain vistas: Visitors to Branbury State Park Campground can access a range of trails with varying difficulty levels. "Across the street from the campground was access to the lake with plenty of grassy areas to hang out. And beautiful sunsets at night! A five minute hike- though it is quite a rocky, boulder-y hike- from the sites leads to a small river and swimming hole," reports Nicole E.
Mountain biking: The trails around Moosalamoo Campground offer excellent terrain for bikers. "Moosalamoo campground has awesome bike trails with smooth trail beds and nice rolling bumps. The kind campground hosts can tell you all about the hiking and biking trails within Moosalamoo National Forest," writes Jill B.
Historical exploration: Campers staying at Coolidge State Park can visit nearby historical sites. "Take advantage of the historical site nearby (President Calvin Coolidge's homestead) and long trail brewing," suggests Danielle S., highlighting attractions within driving distance of the campground.
Waterfront camping: Half Moon Pond State Park Campground offers direct water access from sites. "We stayed in site T06, which is right on the water. We were easily able to go straight from the tent to our kayak, which was so awesome," shares Tara S. about their experience.
Pristine facilities: Bomoseen State Park Campground maintains clean facilities that campers consistently mention. "Bathrooms were the cleanest of any campground we've ever stayed at. Sites are pretty close together but if you can score a lean to your right on the lake with good spacing between each," says Jessica H.
Privacy at dispersed sites: For more seclusion, campers recommend Michigan Brook dispersed camping areas. "Drive in about a mile after the parking lot!! Can use car to get in! There's 3 camping spots. 1 before the bridge and 2 after the bridge! The one before the bridge that's right next to the river is the best one!!" advises a camper known as TRUCKER C.
Road conditions: Access to Michigan Brook dispersed camping requires preparation. "Drive through the residential neighborhood until you hit a dirt road and see National Forest signs. Beware that in Spring the road gets muddy and quite rutted, I would not recommend driving down there with a car that is low to the ground," warns Maggie F.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly throughout the region. At Lake Bomoseen KOA, campers report: "There is NO cell coverage and the Wi-Fi is poor and very slow if you can connect," according to Dave S. Another camper noted: "Cell service is very limited. Very remote... the WIFI didn't even work at the office."
Site reservations: The best campsites at Coolidge State Park require advance planning. "They have some of the most amazing views right from your campsite. We were not lucky enough to get one because you have to book far in advance to get those campsites," shares Michael L.
Beach access options: Gifford Woods State Park Campground offers convenient facilities for families. "It's just a short hike back to the pond, which is very pretty and is along the Appalachian Trail. Very centrally located and takes no time at all to get to Killington and Rutland," explains Alyssa C.
Kid-friendly amenities: Lake Bomoseen KOA provides specific amenities for children. "This campground is located on lake bomoseen. The campground is small which makes it nice. It has three pools. A kiddie pool, a water slide pool and a larger pool that goes from 3 ft to 6 ft," describes Becca D.
Educational opportunities: Branbury State Park incorporates nature education into the camping experience. "Theres a nature center with all kinds of information and activities. A large playground. Volleyball and horseshoe pits," notes a camper identified as J L.
Site accessibility: Chittenden Brook Campground has limitations for larger rigs. "Great tent camping area with good privacy at sites. Would be tough for any but the tiniest RV. No water," explains James K. This campground is better suited to smaller camping vehicles.
Hookup availability: When choosing a campground, check available services. Lake Bomoseen KOA provides more options for RVs than state parks: "The campground is ok. It was a little tight for our 36ft 5th wheel but managable. The sites are a good size and relatively level," reports Dave S.
Parking considerations: At Moosalamoo, site layout works for some smaller RVs. "Then we moved to lean to ELM in the upper campground and it was a nice private site. It was perched on a hill but we were still able to park and sleep in our van next to the lean to," shares Katy Z. about her experience at Gifford Woods.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Mendon, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Mendon, VT offers a wide range of camping options, with 224 campgrounds and RV parks near Mendon, VT and 31 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Mendon, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mendon, VT is Gifford Woods State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 18 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Mendon, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 31 free dispersed camping spots near Mendon, VT.
What parks are near Mendon, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Mendon, VT that allow camping, notably Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests and Green Mountain National Forest.
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