North Chittenden, Vermont lies within reach of numerous established campgrounds that serve as ideal bases for exploring the Green Mountain National Forest. The area includes both state-managed facilities like Gifford Woods State Park and Chittenden Brook Campground, along with national forest sites such as Michigan Brook Road camping areas. Accommodations range from basic tent sites to full-service cabins and glamping options. Moosalamoo Recreation Area and Chittenden Brook provide tent and RV camping with primitive to moderate amenities, while several state parks like Half Moon Pond and Branbury offer cabin options alongside traditional campsites.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from Memorial Day through Columbus Day weekend, with nearly all facilities closing during winter months. Road conditions to dispersed camping areas can deteriorate during spring mud season, particularly on forest service roads like Michigan Road where visitors note "the dirt road gets muddy and quite rutted" in spring months. Green Mountain National Forest permits dispersed camping in designated areas, though campers should check current regulations with ranger stations before setting up at unofficial sites. Cell service varies significantly throughout the mountainous terrain, with spotty coverage common in more remote camping areas. "The campground is quiet and relaxing with plenty of space and a beautiful river," notes one reviewer about the area's peaceful atmosphere.
The region's campgrounds feature numerous water access points for recreation, with Bomoseen State Park and Half Moon Pond providing lakefront camping opportunities. Several visitors highlight water features as key attractions, with one camper noting "we were easily able to go straight from the tent to our kayak, which was so awesome." Mixed-use campgrounds often provide access to hiking trails, including sections of the Appalachian Trail which passes directly through Gifford Woods State Park. Primitive camping options in Michigan Brook Road area attract visitors seeking proximity to Killington, offering free sites beside flowing water. Camping areas in higher elevations provide scenic mountain views, though they typically offer fewer amenities than developed state park campgrounds. Fall foliage season draws increased visitors, making advance reservations essential for established campgrounds during September and October.
"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."
$15 / night
"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."
"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."
$15 / night
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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)."
$10 / night
"This is one of our favorite places to camp in Vermont. The sites are fairly private without being built too close together. Lake is clean and has a great concrete dock that the kids love to jump off."
"Lovely place, free camping, fire pits at the campsite, and access to the water. We camped in the off season, but in the on season there are pit toilets and campground stewards."
"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!"
"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."
LegendWe camp here a lot. We recently scored the Cherry lean-to, and I think it has the best view in the park! Bugs were bad this spring, but the sunsets made up for it. We hiked the Stevenson Brook Trail (amazing), swam in the 55-degree water (exhilarating), and cooked lots of yummy food (campfire nachos!).
LegendWe stayed in the Bee cabin, right on the Battenkill River. This tiny cabin has a queen bed, a little table with two chairs, a microwave, a mini-fridge, and a Keurig coffee maker. There is a smokeless fire pit outside with two Adirondack chairs, a small cafe table on the deck, and a picnic table. The bathhouse is about a five-minute walk from the cabin, and there is a water faucet right outside the door.
Our favorite part was just relaxing by the river, but there is a wood-fired sauna, lawn games, a little bistro serving burgers, fries, wings, and drinks, complimentary tubes for the river, and bicycles. We had plenty of privacy, and the place was quiet (maybe 6 other guests on the property).
In addition to the rustic glamping cabins, there are glamping tents with full bathrooms, bigger cabins, and stargazing domes. 4 of the cabins are dog-friendly. The property doesn't allow kids under 13 due to the close proximity to the river, which has a pretty strong current.
GuideRight along the road (so if anything happens you can get help) also has wifi signal. It’s right along a creek that’s clean and beautiful. Crisp air and calming flowing river noises all night made it so I slept like a baby!
ScoutPublic Lands with about 8 semi private sites, each with nice views west or easterly. It's a large meadow and with a breeze, it will keep bugs away. Lacking a breeze, it is tough but still beautiful
ScoutPam met us outside as she said ‘dodging rain drops’ to stack wood. She was warm and friendly. You can tell she runs a tight ship immediately telling us when quite hours were, and letting us know the dogs needed to be on leash and under our control. We brought our 2 labs with us. Only 2 vehicles per site is allowed. You do need tokens to use the shower. 2 tokens was more than enough for me to shower and not feel rushed. The bathrooms are AMAZING! I am looking forward to coming back!
ScoutHad a site booked for Memorial Day weekend but had a complication to my 5th shoulder surgery in 2.5 years and had my 6th which was a 3rd attempt at rotator cuff repair in mid-May. Called to see if I could change my reservation since I cannot drive due to Dr.'s orders but no dice. Could care less and told me too late due to policy. Offered to provide doctors documentation but didn't matter. I did not ask for refund just to change the date. Rude, dismissive and unwilling to work with me. Sad that a family-oriented place is run this way. End result I am out over$600 and they are smiling. As a business owner myself I would be out of business if I treated my customers this way.
ScoutDEC has designated and constructed 12 camp sites in areas around Shelving Rock Road and Dacy Clearing Road. Camping will only be allowed at the designated campsites or more than 500 feet from the Shelving Rock and Dacy Clearing Roads.
ScoutAs noted by others, most of the sites have a fire ring and nothing more. A little more than half of the sites can be driven to and others require a very short walk (50 ft?). The toilets mentioned are at Texas falls area and are not a practical walk from most of the campsites.
There are no showers.
Aside from the loop trail at the falls there are also a couple of snowmobile trails that cross the area.
GuideWe emailed twice and traveled five hours to only find out they have a list of dog breeds they don’t accept. The list has no rhyme or reason. Our 7 year old 95lb Great Dane was not allowed. Ridiculous
Camping opportunities near North Chittenden, Vermont range from primitive dispersed sites to well-developed campgrounds with cabin options. The region sits at elevations between 1,200 and 2,500 feet, creating significant temperature variations between day and night, even in summer months. Most forest roads accessing remote camping areas close from December through April due to snow accumulation.
Hiking from campsite: Coolidge State Park offers trails directly from your camping area. "Lots of great hiking accessible from the campground, or within a short drive. Silver Lake and Lake Dunmore are nearby. Both have beaches: Silver Lake is accessible only by foot, down a .6 mile trail from the parking area," notes one Moosalamoo Campground visitor.
Mountain biking: Several campgrounds maintain dedicated trail systems for cyclists. "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 a 10-year-old reviewer about their experience.
Kayaking from waterfront sites: Some campgrounds offer direct water access. At Half Moon Pond State Park Campground, "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." The small pond provides calm waters ideal for beginners and families.
Private, spacious sites: Campers frequently mention the privacy between sites. "The campground is small, quiet and very well cared for. The sites are large, private, and wooded," notes a visitor to Gifford Woods State Park Campground. Another adds, "Each site had a fair amount of isolation and trees surrounding it, and the mosquitoes aren't too bad there either."
Clean facilities: State parks maintain high standards for their bathrooms and shower facilities. At Branbury State Park Campground, "Bathrooms are flushing compost. However, there are only four showers for the whole campground," while another camper mentions "bathrooms were always clean and well maintained. Park staff very friendly!"
Wildlife viewing: The region's forests harbor diverse wildlife. "When you are in the Moosalamoo area, beautiful trees and wildness surrounds you!" shares one visitor. Another notes seeing "lots of efts" on the hiking trails at Half Moon Pond State Park, referring to the juvenile stage of the eastern newt commonly seen in damp forest areas.
Bear precautions required: Bears are active throughout the region. At Chittenden Brook Campground, a visitor notes "I saw bear storage lockers but I did not use them as I had my bear keg with me." Proper food storage is essential at all sites.
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds operate on similar schedules. "We showed up on a busy Memorial Day weekend without reservations and the staff was kind enough to give us their last leanto," shares a Branbury visitor, highlighting both the seasonal opening and the need for reservations during peak times.
Cell service gaps: Connectivity varies dramatically by location. At Lake Bomoseen KOA, "Cell services on ATT and TMobile were nonexistent. Campground WiFi is a joke (less than 1mbps)." Download maps and information before arrival, especially for more remote sites.
Beach access: Several campgrounds offer swimming areas. Branbury State Park includes "a nice beach and grounds. Fishing, kayak, canoe, paddle boat and paddle board rentals. There's a nature center with all kinds of information and activities. A large playground."
Activities during rainy days: Weather can change quickly in the mountains. The Lake Bomoseen KOA offers "the standard amenities plus some fun extras (arcade, mini-golf, boat rentals, etc.)," providing indoor options during inclement weather.
Site selection for privacy: Family groups should book strategic sites. At Coolidge State Park, "There are 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."
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult access roads. Michigan Brook Road camping area requires caution, as "Road goes in pretty far. Some parts are muddy and very rough. Higher clearance would be advised!!!" Access with larger rigs is impossible at many forest service sites.
Limited hookups: Most state parks offer minimal RV services. At Chittenden Brook, sites are "great tent camping area with good privacy at sites. Would be tough for any but the tiniest RV. No water." Plan to boondock at most locations or choose private campgrounds like Lake Bomoseen KOA for full hookups.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near North Chittenden, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, North Chittenden, VT offers a wide range of camping options, with 210 campgrounds and RV parks near North Chittenden, VT and 24 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near North Chittenden, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near North Chittenden, VT is Gifford Woods State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 17 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near North Chittenden, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 24 free dispersed camping spots near North Chittenden, VT.
What parks are near North Chittenden, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near North Chittenden, VT that allow camping, notably Green Mountain National Forest and Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests.
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