Gifford Woods State Park Campground offers diverse camping experiences in a central Vermont forest setting. Located at an elevation of 1,600 feet near Mendon, the park functions as a gateway to the Green Mountains with mature northern hardwood forests. This region experiences cool summer nights with temperatures typically dropping into the 50s even during July and August, making it ideal for luxury glamping in Mendon, Vermont during warmer months.
What to do
Hiking at Deer Leap Trail: Access this popular trail directly from Gifford Woods State Park Campground. The 2.5-mile round trip offers mountain views with moderate difficulty. "This campground is amazing. Each site had a fair amount of isolation and trees surrounding it, and the mosquitoes aren't too bad there either. Also, the campsite lies directly on the Appalachian trail, so for a shorter or less-intensive hike, walk about 2.5 miles to the Deer Leap Overlook for some incredible views of the mountain ranges nearby," notes Kyle R.
Water activities at Kent Pond: Located across from Gifford Woods, the pond provides fishing, kayaking and swimming opportunities. "Great campground with many hiking trails and a peaceful pond with fishing across the street. Clean bathrooms and showers and great cell service for people working while camping!" shares Katy Z.
Explore Quechee Gorge: Quechee State Park Campground offers direct access to Vermont's deepest gorge. "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," according to William P.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Half Moon Pond State Park Campground provides secluded sites in a forested setting. "Cute little state park. Pretty tight along the left side of the pond. The right hand side is very quiet and more wooded. The pond itself is pretty shallow and has some weeds, but there is a deeper swimming area," explains Michele S.
Clean facilities: High standards of cleanliness are common across Vermont state parks. "We camped here for two nights for a mid-week getaway. The park is small, quiet and very well cared for. Restrooms are modern and clean. Everyone seems to adhere to quiet hours so it was easy to get a good night's sleep," reports Cynthia K. about Half Moon Pond.
Premium amenities for luxury camping: Lake Bomoseen KOA offers upscale glamping near Mendon with multiple recreation options. "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. There is a boat launch and docks to keep your boat," describes Becca D.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Several campgrounds have spotty connectivity. "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. We visited mid-week so it was quiet, but there are a lot of seasonal rigs there so weekends could be busy. There is NO cell coverage and the Wi-Fi is poor and very slow if you can connect," warns Dave S. about Lake Bomoseen KOA.
Shower considerations: Many Vermont state parks charge for showers. "Bath houses were very clean and updated. Not many rv, mostly tents and pop ups," notes Michele S. about Half Moon Pond State Park Campground.
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the region operate from May through mid-October. High-end glamping sites in Mendon, Vermont area are most popular during fall foliage season when advance reservations are essential.
Tips for camping with families
Look for waterfront sites: Emerald Lake State Park Campground provides excellent swimming options. "We really liked this campground. Sites are a good size and we were able to snag a water front site which was really beautiful. There are also lean-to sites and some cabins. We fished and kayaked right from our site," shares Rebecca D.
Choose campgrounds with activity programs: Many parks offer scheduled events for children. "Rangers also run fun programs for children- my children churned butter and made popcorn over the campfire one night, and made tie dyed T-shirts the next (for no fee)," explains Jen B. about Quechee State Park.
Consider site positioning: Some sites work better for families than others. "Each site is separated with trees, offering some privacy and a greater sense of nature," reports M.A.D. P. about Half Moon Pond State Park.
Tips for RVers
Check site dimensions carefully: Not all sites accommodate larger rigs. "This is a very pleasant surprise to us. The staff was very kind and accommodating. The park was clean and typical of all Vt. State Parks. The real surprise was the things to do at the park and close bye," notes M.A.D. P. about Half Moon Pond.
Reserve early for premium spots: Caton Place Campground offers pull-through sites that fill quickly. "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. Hosts were very friendly and helpful. Campground was very clean and well manicured," reports David.
Plan for dump stations: Most Vermont state parks offer sanitary dump stations but limited hookups. Some glamping options near Mendon provide more amenities for RVers seeking luxury camping experiences with full hookups.
