North Hartland Lake in Vermont provides camping opportunities amid the scenic Vermont landscape, with several established campgrounds offering diverse accommodation types. Quechee State Park Campground, located along Woodstock Road in Hartford, features tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, and glamping options with amenities including drinking water, picnic tables, and fire rings. Nearby, the Quechee-Pine Valley KOA offers similar accommodation types with additional electric, water, and sewer hookups for RVs. Mount Ascutney State Park Campground and Wilgus State Park Campground round out the public camping options within a short drive of North Hartland Lake.
Camping in this region operates primarily from May through mid-October, with most facilities closing after Columbus Day weekend. Weather conditions vary significantly through the camping season. A camper observed, "Clean and quiet, good for kids and pets are welcome... It's a short hike down to Quechee Gorge, where you can cool off in the shallow water." Most campgrounds offer sanitary dump stations but limited or no hookups at individual sites. Reservations are recommended, particularly for summer weekends and fall foliage season when visitation peaks. Bathroom facilities typically include coin-operated showers, with quarters needed for use. Firewood is generally available for purchase on-site to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Campers consistently praise the cleanliness and spaciousness of sites in Vermont state parks near North Hartland Lake. The proximity to natural attractions like Quechee Gorge provides easy access to hiking trails and water recreation. As one reviewer noted, "This is a great park. Big sites that fit my 24 ft RV plus 30 ft trailer. Most well spaced. Clean new bathrooms." Mixed-use campgrounds in the area balance accessibility with natural settings, offering varying levels of privacy between sites. Several campgrounds feature lean-tos as alternatives to traditional tent sites, providing shelter during inclement weather. Road noise can be noticeable at some locations, particularly those near Route 4, though most developed campgrounds maintain quiet hours that are well-respected by visitors.
$38 / night
"The Quechee Gorge, best accessed from the back of the lawn behind the bathhouse, is the deepest in Vermont.. which is kind of like saying the best bagel or most populous city in Vermont."
"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."
"Nice rustic ,small all amenities park.Great place to explore Vermont ,hundreds of things to do and see in the area. Really like this park."
"While staying here I could enjoy some fishing, taking the dog for a nice walk, enjoy the evening with a nice fire, camp side, and go swimming on those hot summer days."
"The state park had everything we were looking for: close proximity to mountain bike trails, beautiful hiking trails, available leantos, and less than two hours from our home."
"Vermont parks are just some the most lush you’ve ever seen."
$20 - $30 / night
"Wilgus State Park is the first Vermont state park to open each spring, well before Memorial Day each year."
"Wilgus state park has amazing campsites, very friendly staff, and great access to the Connecticut River. This campground was beautiful and very quiet even though it was full."
"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!"
"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."
"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."
$30 - $40 / night
"I had site 1 which is near office but away from all other sites so it was very quiet. It's a large site with a nearby brook on 2 sides."
"Surrounded by breathtaking mountain-scapes. Facilities are nice and the lake is lovely with some great fishing. You can swim, walk around it or rent a vessel to cruise around in."
"Enjoy the serenity of the forest surrounding you, while you glimpse stars, and warm your innards beside a fire."
TravelerNo toilet, no showers, no Wi-Fi, no electricity Love it I’ve been primitive camping since before I could walk and def glad this app exist
First use of the app and found the perfect spot away from my friends Airbnb and still close enough to go hangout with them. The site is the perfect size for a single or couple and it gives off the right kind of privacy
Thanks Dyrt
GuideFree dispersed camping site in the Green Mountain National Forest, off a dirt road. The site curves around past the driveway so you can tuck up into the trees to be more private. The upper part there has a circular open area, surrounded by thin trees. There’s a fire ring set up midway on the site. It felt more isolated than other sites I’ve stayed at and there were quite a few animal sounds in the woods, including large animal bones left past the treeline. They seem to be left behind from people (based off of how the bones were cut). Dispersed camping so don’t expect facilities of any sort. Decent site and pretty large compared to some of the other spots. Heard Barred Owls in the distance which was awesome. Uploaded a video of the site at night and pics of the area on a map that my friend was able to pull up.
GuideWent with a friend on an impromptu last minute camping trip up in the NF and hoped we could find a spot on a Friday night. Quite a few spots were taken but there were still some free ones. We stayed at one near the creek just over a little bridge. Cute little site, nice fire pit, clean, perfect rock to put a big water jug on. The sound of running water was soothing. In the morning, adorable little red squirrels with big personalities made themselves known and there were wildflowers blooming all over with hummingbirds going about their business. This is dispersed camping so there’s no rest rooms, running water, etc. The particular site we stayed at did have another site on the other side of the creek and we could hear the family during the day and see them as they walked past, so it wasn’t as isolated as some of the other sites. It was a cute spot and I’ll def be back.
ScoutWent on a weekend and it was still very peaceful! Lots to do on such a beautiful back road. We stayed at two different sites each night we were there and both were equally beautiful and peaceful
ScoutWe spent several days here during the summer and had a really good experience. Some days we stayed busy swimming and exploring, while other days we barely left our campsite. That was probably what we enjoyed most.
ScoutReally enjoyed the setting at Crow’s Nest. There are lots of trees and having the Sugar River running alongside the campground gives the whole place a nice New Hampshire feel. We were mostly looking for somewhere to disconnect for a couple of days, cook outside, fish a little, and enjoy being away from home. Crow’s Nest was a great fit for that.
ScoutWhat we liked most about Crow’s Nest was being able to choose between doing absolutely nothing or heading out and exploring. One day we stayed around the campground, went swimming and relaxed by the river. The next day we got out and explored more of the Lake Sunapee area. It made a really good home base and it was always nice coming back to our campsite at the end of the day.
ScoutVery Disappointed With the Changes
Crown Point Campground used to be a wonderful place to camp. Unfortunately, since Happy Grounds purchased the campground, we have seen a significant decline in the overall experience.
I do want to make one thing very clear: the woman managing the campground is absolutely wonderful. She genuinely cares about the campers, is kind, helpful, and does her best to make people feel welcome. Our frustrations are not directed toward her. She deserves recognition for the effort she puts in, especially given the circumstances.
Unfortunately, there are serious concerns with the direction the campground has taken. There is no reliable Wi-Fi or cell service, which is especially concerning because there is no dependable way to call out in the event of an emergency. We have also seen a significant change in the atmosphere and clientele. Drugs have been found on the premises, including needles, which is extremely concerning for the safety of campers, especially families with children.
The campground has also become increasingly overcrowded. Tent sites have had upwards of 10 people on a single site, creating a very different camping experience from what many long-time campers originally signed up for.
Seasonal campers were told that there would be a gradual increase over two years to bring rates up to the new “going rate.” However, when the new contracts came out for next year, the price had increased by approximately $900. That is a substantial increase for a campground that, in our opinion, has continued to decline rather than improve.
What was perhaps most disappointing was how campers' concerns were handled. When people questioned the increase and expressed their frustrations, the response from the corporation was, and I quote:
“Get out and leave. I’ve heard enough complaints. Just leave if you don’t like it.”
That is an incredibly disappointing way to speak to people who have supported this campground for years.
It is heartbreaking to see what Crown Point Campground has become. There are good people here, and the campground itself has so much potential. Most importantly, the manager genuinely cares about the campers, and she deserves credit for that.
Our hope is that Happy Grounds will listen to the people who have invested years of their time and money here, address the safety and overcrowding concerns, and bring back the sense of community that once made Crown Point such a wonderful place to camp.
ScoutCrow’s Nest was a really convenient stop for us while traveling through New Hampshire. Getting our RV situated was easy and we had everything we needed for a comfortable stay.
North Hartland Lake campsites sit within the Connecticut River Valley at approximately 700 feet elevation. The camping season runs from May through mid-October, with July and August temperatures averaging 70-85°F during the day and 55-65°F at night. Fall nights can drop into the 30s, requiring additional sleeping insulation for tent campers planning visits during foliage season.
Hiking at Quechee Gorge: Access Vermont's deepest gorge via a designated trail from Quechee State Park Campground. The gorge trail is approximately 1 mile round trip with a moderate descent. "It's a short hike down to Quechee Gorge, where you can cool off in the shallow water," notes a visitor who appreciates the proximity to natural attractions.
Paddling the Connecticut River: Located directly on the Connecticut River, Wilgus State Park Campground offers kayak and canoe rentals plus river access via an on-site boat launch. "This campground was beautiful and very quiet even though it was full. We loved walking the trail behind the campsites along the river to the beautiful vista views with a group with young kids, rented kayaks and fished from the boat launch," reports a camper.
Summit hiking at Mount Ascutney: Located 25 minutes south of North Hartland Lake, Mount Ascutney offers multiple trails of varying difficulty. "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 trails," explains a visitor who appreciated the accessibility options.
Private, well-spaced sites: Most campgrounds near North Hartland Lake offer good separation between campsites. At Mount Ascutney State Park Campground, "The campground is lovely. Forest and beautiful fall colors in October. Good facilities. Friendly staff. Some noise from the interstate but not terrible." Sites throughout the region typically include fire rings and picnic tables.
Clean facilities with quarter showers: State park campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and shower facilities. "The bathroom is very clean. They offer showers that cost you a few quarters," notes a visitor to Quechee State Park. Most shower facilities require 4-5 quarters for a standard shower.
Lean-to options for weather protection: Many campgrounds offer lean-to structures as alternatives to tent sites. At Coolidge State Park Campground, "We had a wonderful couple of nights here. I highly recommend the lean-to's. The bathrooms were clean and the coin-operated showers were great. Each site was neatly maintained." These structures provide shelter during Vermont's frequent summer thunderstorms.
Limited hookups at state parks: Vermont state parks typically do not offer electrical or water hookups at individual sites. Quechee-Pine Valley KOA is an exception, offering full-service sites. "This KOA is what you expect from a KOA– lots of amenities, sites of all sizes and levels of cost, tons of activities, and in a vacation destination area," explains a camper who stayed there for five nights.
Road noise can affect some sites: Several campgrounds near North Hartland Lake experience highway noise. "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," reports one camper about a less desirable site. Research specific site numbers when making reservations.
Weekend reservations essential: Campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends and fall foliage season. Most Vermont campgrounds accept reservations up to 11 months in advance through the Vermont State Parks reservation system. Holiday weekends often book completely within days of becoming available.
Activity-rich options: Campgrounds with dedicated recreation areas provide better options for families with children. "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. My wife really enjoyed it and had a lot of fun. The ice cream was really close and really good."
Swimming alternatives: Look for campgrounds with water access beyond North Hartland Lake itself. Silver Lake State Park Campground offers family-friendly swimming. "There is a beach with wading depth, sand for playing, buoys to mark the shallow area, a large dock to jump from with a ladder for climbing out. Located at the beach area is also lawn space for games, a volleyball court, a fantastic playground."
Ranger programs: Many Vermont state parks offer scheduled educational activities. "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)," shares a parent about their family experience at a state park.
Site limitations: Many campgrounds have size restrictions. "This is a great park. Big sites that fit my 24 ft RV plus 30 ft trailer. Most well spaced." However, not all campgrounds can accommodate larger rigs; most Vermont state parks have a maximum length of 35 feet.
Terrain challenges: Campgrounds in the North Hartland Lake region are often built on hillsides. "The park is a large park that is terraced since it is in a pretty hilly area. There is the range of sites from pull-thrus, pull-ins and back-in sites and can accommodate RVs of any size. Some sites are full hookup while others are not and that is reflected in the cost."
Dump station access: Most campgrounds provide dump stations but limited or no sewer hookups at individual sites. "The sites are nicely spaced and the bathhouses are convenient and clean." Plan water usage accordingly when staying at state parks without hookups.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near North Hartland Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, North Hartland Lake offers a wide range of camping options, with 207 campgrounds and RV parks near North Hartland Lake and 24 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near North Hartland Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near North Hartland Lake is Quechee State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 24 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near North Hartland Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 24 free dispersed camping spots near North Hartland Lake.
What parks are near North Hartland Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near North Hartland Lake that allow camping, notably Union Village Dam and Green Mountain National Forest.
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