The Moscow, Vermont area sits at elevations ranging from 800 to 2,500 feet in the Green Mountains, creating varied camping experiences with temperature swings of 20°F between day and night in summer months. Tent camping near Moscow offers both shoreline sites on bodies of water and mountain terrain options within Green Mountain National Forest, with camping seasons typically running from late May through mid-October.
What to do
Swimming in secluded reservoirs: At Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites, the remote boat-in sites provide direct access to swimming areas. "These remote sites are so peaceful. Be sure to launch from cotton brook road if your site r11-27," advises Julia S., who notes the paddle takes "about 30 minutes from the cotton brook launch to the site."
Hiking to mountain viewpoints: Mount Philo State Park Campground connects to short hiking trails with views of Lake Champlain. Kaelin P. mentions, "Only 8 campsites, dispersed in the trees. $23/night. Picnic table and fire pit. Moderate cell service. Nice hikes and cool views of the area!"
Fishing for various species: Molly's Falls Pond offers diverse fishing opportunities at no cost. "Anglers will find a variety of fish including rainbow trout, brown trout, northern pike, pickerel, smallmouth bass and yellow perch here," according to one reviewer, who notes the 411-acre lake is "largely undeveloped."
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Black Creek Maple's Nature Escape provides secluded tent camping with scenic views. Émylie B. describes: "We spent the night at this beautiful campsite with a magnificent view of Mount Mansfield. The small amount of camping space made the experience quite unique and private."
Platform camping near water: Indian Brook Reservoir offers tent platforms accessible by foot or boat. "Nestled in the woods are several tent platforms that you can access by foot or by boat. They are spacious but not too private. There is a shared privy among the sites," reports M.A.D. P.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The paddle-in sites at Green River Reservoir are known for animal sightings. Tara S. recommends: "Be sure to paddle out to the Beaver Meadow - we have seen moose there several times." She notes the reservoir is "653 acres with 19 miles of shoreline" with "27 campsites and two group campsites."
What you should know
Bear activity precautions: Some areas require proper food storage due to bears. At Camel's Hump, Kate K. explains the campground has "a host who was there 24/7 and a shared area for eating and food storage (I guess Bear's are a problem there)."
Limited facilities at remote sites: Green Mountain National Forest FR25 offers dispersed camping without amenities. Gerald P. notes there are a "small number of sites and a bit hard to find," while Helen P. observed "NFS sign along FR-25 posted asking people to clean up after themselves (litter and human waste)."
Seasonal closure dates: Most tent camping sites near Moscow close by mid-October. At Mount Philo, the season runs "Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day weekend," with Underhill State Park operating on a similar schedule closing on "October 16."
Tips for camping with families
Look for walk-in sites: Families with older children might enjoy the privacy of walk-in camping. At Underhill State Park, Ali T. shares: "This is the best of car camping - you get the feel of really being out in the woods, with your car a short distance away. They provide wheelbarrows for easy moving of your stuff."
Pack light for hike-in sites: Some family-friendly sites require a hike to reach. Erin B. advises about Indian Brook Reservoir: "I mistakenly assumed they had drive up campsites. They do not. It was a 15 minute hike to the site, so pack light. If you have a kayak, you can transport your stuff over."
Verify swimming options: Not all sites offer swimming access. At Green River Reservoir State Park Campground, Tara S. mentions the "swimming and fishing are awesome here" but recommends "trying to reserve for a weekday, or in the off season" to avoid crowds.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: Most tent camping near Moscow lacks RV hookups or accommodations. Mount Philo State Park "is not suitable for RVs" because "the road is steep and winding," according to reviews.
Dispersed options for small rigs: Small RVs can utilize some dispersed camping areas. Route 100 has "3-5 campsites right off of route 100" that can accommodate smaller vehicles, but Chris D. warns, "Entrance and exit are a little steep and tricky in the winter, lot wasn't plowed so AWD/4x4 and good ground clearance are recommended."
Alternative RV campgrounds: For full RV facilities, campers need to venture to larger campgrounds beyond the immediate Moscow area. Michael V. describes Underhill as "Very primitive and quiet campground" that works for some RVs but notes it has "No shower but one of the best weeks I had camping in a while."