Southern Vermont's Green Mountains near Newfane provide spectacular camping options with elevations ranging from 400 to 2,400 feet. The region experiences warm summers with temperatures typically between 70-85°F and cool evenings around 55-60°F. Most campgrounds in this area operate from May through mid-October, with limited facilities available during shoulder seasons due to Vermont's variable spring and fall weather patterns.
What to do
Hiking to Mt. Olga: Access the 1.7-mile round-trip trail directly from Molly Stark State Park Campground. "The hike up Mt. Olga is 1.7 miles (round trip). 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 one camper.
River adventures: Located 30 minutes from Newfane, Ashuelot River Campground offers water activities for all skill levels. "We took a lazy tube ride from one side of the campground to the other. It has been quite dry in the area, so they are experiencing a drought. However, a little rain in the week got the river moving a bit," shares one visitor.
Swimming at Emerald Lake: The turquoise waters at Emerald Lake State Park make it perfect for cooling off during summer months. "The turquoise water is a dream to cool off in. There's a small, sandy beach at one end of the lake, with a bath house and changing rooms nearby. Swimmers can swim out to a small island in the middle of the lake," reports a regular visitor.
What campers like
Clean, modern facilities: Woodford State Park maintains exceptionally clean bathrooms and shower facilities. "This park is super clean with updated bathrooms/showers, hiking trails to MT. Olga, and friendly staff. You can continue on the hiking trail to a cute brewery/pizza place or even a distillery," notes a recent visitor to Woodford State Park Campground.
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the natural spacing between sites at several area campgrounds. "This is a nice campground that my fiance and I stayed at after a day of mountain biking at Mount Snow. It had good facilities, a few lean-to's if you were lucky enough to get them booked before they were gone, and friendly campers," explains one visitor about Molly Stark.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The region offers excellent opportunities to observe native wildlife. "We heard coyotes at night and loons in the morning," shares a camper about their experience at Woodford. Another visitor at Ashuelot River Campground mentions, "Saw a bald eagle this past weekend while paddling up past the campground."
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds in the area close by mid-October. "We only live about 20 minutes away from this campground, we had a nice shady spot. The owners of this campground very friendly courteous and knowledgeable of the local area," notes a visitor to Country Aire Campgrounds.
Reservation requirements: Book early for premium sites and lean-tos, especially during summer weekends and holidays. Sites on the perimeter of campgrounds typically offer more privacy and shade than interior sites.
Limited connectivity: Cell service is spotty throughout the region. One camper at Savoy Mountain State Forest reports: "Not even a cell signal can get there, if you're looking to unplug this is a great spot!"
Tips for camping with families
Lake activities for kids: Several area lakes offer child-friendly swimming areas with gradual entry points. "If you have kids and don't mind them making friends and roaming the campground then this is great! Boat rentals!" shares a visitor about Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground.
Site selection for safety: Choose sites away from steep terrain when camping with small children. "If you have little ones, check out the map before you reserve a site and find one on the opposite side of the ledge," advises a regular visitor to Emerald Lake State Park.
Bike-friendly campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with paved loops for children to ride bikes. "Campground has a nice loop for the kids to bike," notes one family who stayed at Savoy Mountain State Forest.
Tips from RVers
Access challenges: Many of the campgrounds have narrow access roads that can be difficult for larger RVs. "Follow the website directions to get here as there are covered bridges in the area with low clearance and low weight limits," advises one RVer who stayed at Zoar Outdoor.
Limited hookups: Most state parks in the region offer limited or no hookups. Private campgrounds typically provide more services for RVs. "We had a pull thru site. Easy to drive into the campground and into the site. We had no issues at all," reports an RVer with a 40-foot fifth wheel who stayed at Caton Place Campground.
Dump station locations: Plan ahead for dumping stations as not all campgrounds provide this service. Ashuelot River Campground offers full hookups including "water and 30amp" according to a visitor who stayed there with their RV group.
