Campgrounds near North Hartland Lake offer diverse camping options in Vermont's rolling hills where elevations range from 700 to 1,200 feet. Located in Windsor County, these camping areas experience warm summer days reaching into the 80s and cool nights in the 50s, making sleeping conditions comfortable with proper gear. The valley terrain creates microclimates that affect campsite selection.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Jamaica State Park Campground provides excellent access to trails leading to Hamilton Falls. "There is plenty of trails in the area and you can go to the waterfall/rock slides and take a dip in the pools," notes Jackie G., highlighting the swimming opportunities along the hikes.
River activities: Visitors can enjoy paddling and fishing along the West River at Jamaica State Park Campground. "Great hiking or biking along the West River!" reports Chris S., who appreciated the well-maintained waterway access.
Blueberry picking: Tree Farm Campground offers on-site blueberry picking during summer months. "Even blueberry picking on site," mentions Emily H., who found this activity perfect for families looking for something casual between bigger adventures.
Swimming in quarries: Nearby natural swimming areas provide relief from summer heat. "Great location near a fantastic quarry, country store, and Manchester shopping," says Rachelle S. about her stay at Dorset RV Park, mentioning the unique swimming spot that differentiates this area.
What campers like
Quiet wooded settings: Tree Farm Campground receives praise for its natural environment. "Spacious, wooded sites, super clean...friendly, helpful owners and gorgeous setting!" shares Amanda M. about what makes this rv campground near North Hartland Lake special.
Riverside camping spots: Jamaica State Park Campground offers waterfront sites that campers particularly value. "We managed to get a prime leanto site right on the river. We were only there for an overnight but we will be back," writes M.A.D. P., highlighting the premium waterfront options.
Farm animals: Some campgrounds feature resident animals that enhance the camping experience. "They even had rabbits and chickens for the kids to enjoy," reports Rachelle S., who found the animals at Dorset RV Park added to her family's enjoyment.
Clean facilities: Many North Hartland Lake camping areas maintain high cleanliness standards. "The camp grounds were family friendly and quiet. They even had a cozy lounge room to hang out in with games, books, crayons, and puzzles," shares Lee A. about Tree Farm Campground, noting the attention to detail in common areas.
What you should know
Limited cell coverage: Connectivity varies widely between rv campgrounds at North Hartland Lake. "No cell service and a gorgeous back drop is a perfect spot to just unwind from the real world," mentions Brittany B. about Jamaica State Park, highlighting the digital disconnect many campers seek.
Space for large rigs varies: Not all campgrounds accommodate bigger RVs equally. "Larger rigs might want to avoid loop 6-14, especially for sites 8-12. Tree placement and a pretty sharp 110+ degree turn makes it challenging to maneuver," warns Katie E. about Dorset RV Park, providing specific site numbers to avoid.
Early reservations needed: Many campgrounds fill quickly, especially during fall. "Now, everyone's idea of a perfect campsite is different, but for us, the Newfound Campground was perfection," shares Luis F., who booked mid-October for fall colors at Newfound RV Park.
Variable wifi quality: Internet access can be unreliable in Vermont campgrounds. "Wifi: exists, but 100% unreliable. Not just slow, often was entirely offline or connected without Internet," notes Katie E., sharing her connectivity challenges.
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds: Family-friendly campgrounds often include play areas. "Nice little weekend getaway. Clean bathrooms, roomy tent sites, nice staff. Fun playground and nature area for kids," reports Fransheska A. about Jamaica State Park Campground.
Consider swimming access: Water features rank highly for families with children. "The sandy beach is nice but the swimming area is quite weedy," shares Tammy about Sandy Beach Campground, providing realistic expectations about water quality.
Check recreation options: Some campgrounds offer structured activities. "The campground is clean and quiet, with sites that are spacious and private. There's a cozy lounge room to hang out in with games, books, crayons, and puzzles; a dog park with toys included," notes Lee A. about Tree Farm Campground.
Bring bug protection: Summer months can bring insects at Vermont camping areas. "The bugs were not fun in the summer. At night, we all had a great sleeping night with no crazy neighbors or dogs," advises Meike W., balancing the minor challenges with the overall positive experience.
Tips from RVers
Level sites are limited: Many rv campgrounds near North Hartland Lake have uneven terrain. "Despite the hilliness of the park and all the trees, we did not have any trouble navigating our 45' RV to our site," shares Nancy W. about her experience at Dorset RV Park.
Site selection matters: Finding the right spot requires research. "The site was level but some definitely were not," notes Nancy W., emphasizing the importance of requesting a level site when making reservations.
Seasonal variations exist: Campground amenities change throughout the operating season. "Small but well organized campground. TT members will find all th e comforts of home. Staff is pleasant and helpful. Quiet during the weekdays, picks up over weekends but not to overbearing," explains Robert M. about Sandy Beach Campground, highlighting timing considerations.
Check hookup placement: Utility locations vary between sites. "The hookups were all well-placed and we didn't have any issues with the electric," mentions Nancy W., noting a practical concern for RVers.
