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."
GuideWe loved camping at Crane Pond. It was a little over 3 miles to hike into the waterfront sites. There is an outhouse nearby, several campsites, fire pits, and we went for a swim in the pond. Overall great experience!
TravelerFree dispersed camping right off of the road. Includes picnic tables and a fire ring. It is located in the mountains of Vermont and right next to a beautiful river. The only con was the highway noise since it's pretty close to the road. But, it's free, and in the beautiful mountains of vermont so cant really complain.
ScoutEasy to find, quiet & scenic with the river
ScoutWhen camping in VT it is usually our goal to hike, rest, cook, and relax at camp. We live in a busy/loud city so we really love a rural spot where we can just unplug and enjoy nature. Gifford Woods has great access to the AT and the Long Trail, nice bathrooms, and kind staff... but campers beware- it is wedged between two major highways. Initially we pulled up to the site "Poplar" after driving 4+ hours and I could have cried, this site faces a large DOT/Parks Dept. parking lot with a huge building and trucks everywhere. Luckily the (very sweet) staff said they understood that this was an issue and that they do get lots of complaints about that site. They moved us to T02 which was dramatically better. Unfortunately, you can still hear trucks/car honking/ambulances from that site and I assume all other sites. I understand now that people camp here just for AT access, but I would probably not go back due to the sheer volume of the neighboring highways and quieter camping options nearby.
GuideThis is a beautiful state park at the base of Mt ascutney. The campground is lovely. Forest Ed and beautiful fall colors in October. Good facilities. Friendly staff. Some noise from the interstate but not terrible. There is a 3.7 mile road that is extremely steep but paved, and goes to the summit of the mountain. Less than 1 mile hike from there to the observation tower. Great views. Lots of hiking trail trails.
TravelerClean, good facilities. Price has gone up to $38 a night. Got there close to the time the rangers left for the night, Nick was really kind to make sure I got situated before he left. Walking distance from the antique mall which is a stop everyone should make as well as good food and pizza right nearby. Great spot to stop at on any trip
GuideThis is a nice little private campground in Shelburne, just outside of Burlington. Close to Lake Champlain. Good place to spend the night and good access to activities. Sides are somewhat small close together. Bathrooms spotlessly clean. Older couple is the staff, very friendly and unhelpful.
GuidePretty nice campground all things considered, bathrooms are definitely rustic but kept clean. Some of the campsites are very close together, and others have a decent amount of space between them, not necessarily a lot of trees in between campsites for privacy. Beautiful views of the water, and surrounding mountains. Staff was extremely friendly!
ScoutThis was our second stay at this Vermont State Park. It was a great three days. The park rangers were tremendous in ensuring we had a delightful visit. They worked with us to get the right site. The bathroom facilities, while rustic, were clean. There is a plethora of things to do in the park itself and in the local community. Nonetheless, it starts and ends with the management of the campground. Lauren, the campground manager, and her team of professionals, do a great job. We will definitely return.
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 205 campgrounds and RV parks near North Chittenden, VT and 23 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 23 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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