219 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The camping landscape near Norwich, Vermont encompasses established campgrounds within reasonable driving distance, including Quechee State Park Campground and Quechee-Pine Valley KOA. Both facilities accommodate various camping styles with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. The area features a mix of state park campgrounds with more rustic amenities and privately operated facilities with additional services. Several backcountry shelter options along the Appalachian Trail provide primitive camping experiences for hikers seeking a more remote experience.
Camping operations in the region typically run from May through mid-October, with most facilities closing during the winter months. "This campground is small and quaint and kept in immaculate condition. The staff are so courteous and informative. We go every year and it's one of our favorite stops!" noted one visitor about the Quechee-Pine Valley KOA. Road access to developed campgrounds is generally well-maintained, allowing for standard vehicles and RVs. The Appalachian Trail shelters require hiking in with appropriate gear. Weather patterns in Vermont can bring unexpected rain even during summer months, making proper preparation essential. Most established campgrounds in the area require reservations, particularly during peak foliage season in autumn.
Campers report high satisfaction with the cleanliness of facilities at state parks and private campgrounds near Norwich. One camper highlighted that Quechee State Park Campground offers "clean and quiet sites, good for kids and pets" with "a short hike down to Quechee Gorge, where you can cool off in the shallow water." The proximity to natural features like Quechee Gorge provides recreational opportunities beyond camping. Several visitors mentioned the advantage of being close to local attractions while maintaining a camping experience. The campgrounds in this region benefit from their strategic location near small towns with services while still providing nature-focused camping. Sites along the Appalachian Trail offer more seclusion but fewer amenities, typically featuring only basic privies and sometimes unreliable seasonal water sources.
"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."
from $38 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
from $30 - $40 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $59 - $99 / night
Check Availability"Note this is a back country shelter along the Appalachian Trail, so it is 100% long hike in with no guaranteed water and a basic privvy."
"I tent camped here in August while doing a section hike of the Appalachian Trail. "
"Only one of the sites is located along the brook (45), but there's an easy path down a hill. "
"Off the beaten path so its peaceful. Sites are a little small but great if you're camping with a group so your close together. Plenty of sites/types to choose from."
from $30 - $50 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Note: This is a back country shelter site that is hike-in only on the Appalachian Trail. There can be seasonal water sources but water is not guaranteed."
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.
Scout⭐**Gunstock Campground: Apparently Your Reserved Site Is More of a Suggestion**
I don't believe I have**ever** left a negative Google review. I generally think that when something goes wrong, you contact the business, give them an opportunity to make it right, and most businesses are genuinely interested in doing exactly that.
Gunstock Campground has cured me of that quaint notion.
I reserved a full-hookup campsite for two nights. I was unable to make it there the first night, but arrived shortly after 7:00 a.m. the next morning. The camp store, where registration takes place, wasn't open yet, so I headed out for my planned hike— about six miles through the Belknaps, including summiting Rowe twice and Gunstock.
By the time I returned, I was utterly exhausted, starving, and actually feeling weak. My ambitions for the afternoon were modest:**eat something, take a shower, and collapse at the campsite I had paid for.**
The staff at the camp store greeted me warmly, checked me in, and sent me on my way.
I drove to my site. There was already a camper in it. Not merely*parked* there, mind you. They had apparently moved right in. They were hooked up to**my site's water and electric**, with water spraying from their ill-fitting hose connection and forming a rather impressive puddle underneath the camper.
I returned to the camp store to report that someone had apparently activated Gunstock's new**"Choose Any Site You Like"** camping plan. A staff member went down to speak with them and came back to tell me they were "packing up." Excellent! My mistake was assuming" packing up" meant**leaving**. It did not.
Apparently these campers had actually reserved a site**two rows away** that had**no water or electric**. Yet somehow, sometime after arriving the previous night, they had accidentally found themselves two rows over, in my clearly different site, connected to utilities their reservation didn't include.
We've all made mistakes. I've occasionally parked one space away from where I intended. I've never accidentally parked**two rows away, hooked myself up to someone else's electricity and water, and spent the night.**
But perhaps I lack imagination.
After they had now consumed about an hour of my afternoon— which, incidentally, is an hour I normally bill at attorney rates— I went back toward my site expecting to find it finally vacated.
And it was! Because Gunstock had moved these folks to another site**two spaces away from me**, apparently allowing them to pay for the upgrade they had already been test-driving. So the people who knowingly or unknowingly occupied my reserved full-hookup site, used the utilities, and delayed me from getting into the site I paid for were rewarded with...a nearby full-hookup site.
They never walked over to apologize. At that point, I no longer felt comfortable staying. It's difficult to relax at a campground when you've just discovered that site assignments appear to operate somewhat on the honor system— and that when someone helps themselves to your reserved site and utilities, management's solution is apparently to make sure *they* remain comfortably accommodated nearby. So I left. On my way home, I called Gunstock and asked for a refund. Surely, I thought, this would be the easy part. After all, I had paid for two nights, hadn't used the first, couldn't get into my site when I arrived for the second, waited while unauthorized occupants vacated it, and ultimately left because the entire experience had become so unpleasant.
Nope. Instead, the staff member **defended the other campers**. I was told they arrived late and "mistakenly" took my site. I was even told they supposedly **hadn't used the utilities**. This was particularly fascinating information for me to receive because **I PERSONALLY SAW THEM HOOKED UP TO THE WATER AND ELECTRIC.** I also took photographs. Including the enormous puddle underneath their camper from the leaking water connection. But apparently my eyewitness account and photographs were no match for the alternative version of events.
For my inconvenience, however, Gunstock did give me a coupon for a **free Bavarian pretzel**. So there is that.
I paid for a full-hookup campsite. Someone else occupied it and used the hookups. I lost roughly an hour waiting to access what I had reserved. The other campers were accommodated with an upgraded site nearby. I left because I no longer felt comfortable staying. And when I asked Gunstock to make the situation right, they refused to refund me and instead argued with me about things **I had personally witnessed and photographed**. The most disappointing part isn't that another camper took my site. Campers can behave badly. Businesses can't control everything their customers do. **What a business CAN control is how it responds when that happens. ** Gunstock had every opportunity to turn this into a mildly annoying story about a camping mix-up. Instead, they turned it into my first negative Google review.
But hey... **I do have that free pretzel coupon.**
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.
ScoutWe brought the kids here for a few days and they had a blast. Between swimming, exploring around the campground, and just riding around and making friends, they always had something to do. For us, it was nice being able to actually relax while the kids stayed entertained. We cooked at the campsite most nights and spent the evenings around the fire. Great family trip.
ScoutThe Sugar River was probably our favorite part of staying here. There is something really relaxing about waking up, making coffee, and being able to walk down by the river first thing in the morning. We spent our days fishing, hanging around the campground, and exploring the area. Crow’s Nest has a classic New Hampshire campground feel and we would definitely come back.
TravelerNo major complaints. Beautiful location, easy to get to, convenient RV hookups. Goose poop everywhere so watch your step. Showers are relatively expensive. Sites are very very close together.
ScoutPeaceful, quiet, relaxing space. Super friendly staff.
Camping options around Norwich, Vermont include a mix of traditional campgrounds and backcountry sites within a 30-mile radius. The area sits at elevations ranging from 400 to 2,000 feet with terrain characterized by rolling hills and river valleys along the Connecticut River. Most campgrounds in this region operate from late May through mid-October with typical summer temperatures between 70-85°F during the day and 50-60°F at night.
Hiking to Quechee Gorge: At Quechee State Park Campground, visitors can access Vermont's deepest gorge. "The Quechee Gorge, best accessed from the back of the lawn behind the bathhouse, is the deepest in Vermont," notes camper B, who adds there's "a ~30 minute hike, you can access some slow semi-rapids at the bottom."
Mountain biking trails: Mount Ascutney State Park Campground maintains dedicated mountain biking trails. As one reviewer explains, "The state park maintains its own mountain biking trail loop, which is accessible directly from the campground. It is a 3 mile beginner friendly loop, with some nice rollers and moderate terrain."
Appalachian Trail access: Backcountry shelters provide stopping points for hikers. One camper at Happy Hill Backcountry Shelter notes, "The shelter had a ground floor and a loft but each floor could maybe fit 4-5 people comfortably. There were a bunch of level tent camp sites around the shelter."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas. At Rest N Nest Campground, facilities include a "swimming pond and pool" according to one visitor, making it suitable for cooling off during summer visits.
Private, wooded sites: Rest N Nest Campground receives high marks for its setting. A recent visitor noted the "bathrooms were cleaner than mine at home" and described the campground's "nostalgic feel with playground, pool, and rec hall."
Family-friendly programming: Some parks offer structured activities for younger visitors. At Mount Ascutney State Park, one camper shared that "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.)"
Convenience to local attractions: Quechee-Pine Valley KOA serves as a good base for regional exploration. A camper pointed out that "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."
Seasonal ranger support: Staff at state parks typically provide helpful guidance. At Quechee State Park, one visitor mentioned, "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."
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience highway sounds. At Mount Ascutney State Park Campground, a camper noted, "We were in site 27 and it was a beautiful site but the road noise from interstate 91 was extremely loud. There is a loop designated for tents only (sites 19-24) where the road noise is considerable less."
Limited water at backcountry sites: Seasonal water sources can be unreliable at Appalachian Trail shelters. A hiker at Velvet Rocks Shelter reported, "The water source here was dry during my trip which was expected during the drought (August 2022)."
Varied bathroom facilities: Campground bathroom quality differs significantly. At Quechee State Park, one camper called them "Might be the nicest bathrooms I've seen in decades of camping," while backcountry shelters typically offer only basic privies.
Campsite selection matters: For more privacy, research specific sites. At Jacobs Brook Campground, a visitor advised, "Sites vary in size. The ones on the 50s have a sloped approach. The lower numbers offer pull-through access."
Recreational amenities: Jacobs Brook Campground offers multiple activity options. One camper reported, "In the middle of the campground near the entrance there's a swimming pool, playground, horseshoes, and basketball. There's a large fire pit with chairs surrounding it in front of the office."
Kid-friendly lean-tos: Some parks offer these convenient structures. At Quechee State Park, "They also have several lean-tos that you can rent," and Mount Ascutney features "lean-to sites," which can be easier with children than tent camping.
Book early for holiday weekends: Popular times fill quickly at the best places to camp near Norwich, Vermont. At Quechee-Pine Valley KOA, a visitor noted, "We were very happy with our stay and have already reserved our spot for next Memorial Day Weekend."
Nature education opportunities: Some campgrounds offer interpretive programming. One Mount Ascutney visitor mentioned "a sweet little nature loop in the campground with signs identifying different trees."
Site selection for larger rigs: At Good Night Moon Vintage, RVers can rent vintage trailers onsite, with a visitor noting, "The trailer is very clean and the communal kitchen area is well appointed. Juli and Jim go out of their way to make everything awesome!"
Hookup limitations: Know utility availability before arriving at camping areas near Norwich, Vermont. At Quechee State Park, a visitor clarified there are "no hookups but they do have a dump station if you are in an RV. They also have several lean-tos that you can rent."
Site navigation considerations: Some campgrounds require careful maneuvering. At Quechee-Pine Valley KOA, a camper noted, "Despite the hilliness of the park and all the trees, we did not have any trouble navigating our 45' RV to our site."
Seasonal limitations: RV camping options decrease significantly during colder months. Most campgrounds in the Norwich area close by mid-October, with Quechee State Park's season running "from May 19 to October 16."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Norwich, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Norwich, VT offers a wide range of camping options, with 219 campgrounds and RV parks near Norwich, VT and 20 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Norwich, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Norwich, VT is Quechee State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 24 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Norwich, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 free dispersed camping spots near Norwich, VT.
What parks are near Norwich, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 parks near Norwich, VT that allow camping, notably Union Village Dam and North Hartland Lake.
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