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Camping near Orwell, VT
219 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Camping near Orwell, Vermont encompasses a mix of state parks, private campgrounds, and lakeside recreation areas along the Vermont-New York border. The region sits between Lake Champlain to the west and the Green Mountains to the east, providing diverse camping environments from waterfront sites to forested retreats. Notable options include Half Moon Pond State Park and Bomoseen State Park, both offering tent sites, RV camping, and cabin rentals. Silver Lake Campground provides family-friendly facilities with what campers describe as "fairly private sites without being built too close together," plus lake access with concrete docks for swimming and boat rentals.
Most campgrounds in the Orwell area operate seasonally from Memorial Day through mid-October, with peak season running from late June through Labor Day. Winter camping is generally unavailable as Vermont state parks close for maintenance and weather conditions make access difficult. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer months and holiday weekends, particularly for waterfront sites. Many campgrounds offer coin-operated showers (typically 50 cents for 5 minutes), and cell service varies throughout the region with AT&T providing moderate coverage at most established sites.
The camping experience varies significantly between developed and primitive sites. State parks like Bomoseen and Half Moon Pond feature well-maintained facilities with drinking water, showers, and boat access, making them suitable for families and first-time campers. Across Lake Champlain, New York options such as Rogers Rock Campground and Putnam Pond offer similar amenities with views back toward Vermont. For those seeking more seclusion, the Moosalamoo Recreation Area provides more rustic camping with "cascading waterfalls, mountain views, and incredible swimming holes" according to visitor reviews. Most campgrounds are pet-friendly with standard leash requirements, and firewood is typically available for purchase on-site to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Best Campgrounds near Orwell (219)
1. Rogers Rock Campground
"For the last three years, we have traveled with dozens of friends and families to Rogers Rock Campground, which is tucked into the north end of the gorgeous 32 mile-long oasis that is Lake George."
"Ive been coming to this spot nearly every year since I was a little girl."
from $22 - $27 / night
Check Availability2. Half Moon Pond State Park Campground
"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)."
3. Moosalamoo Campground
"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."
from $15 / night
Check Availability4. Lake Bomoseen KOA
"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."
5. Branbury State Park Campground
"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."
6. Brookwood RV Resort
"This RV park on the outskirts of Ticonderoga offers full hookups and can also accommodate tents. Seasonal sites are largely separate from short-term campers and they are clean and well-kept."
"And easy access to Fort Ticonderoga, restaurants in town and Lake George area."
from $39 - $49 / night
Check Availability7. Bomoseen State Park Campground
"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."
8. Putnam Pond Campground
"Running through the campground are several hiking trails and they are worth it. Heart pond and Bear pond were nice, but unspectacular. Rock pond on the other hand was great."
"However it is a gateway to Pharaoh Lake Wilderness. Lots of hiking trails to many ponds and one lake most of which have lean tos and other sites which are free."
from $18 / night
Check Availability9. Silver Lake Campground
"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."
from $10 / night
Check Availability10. Crown Point Campground
"The best part of this campground is the view of Lake Champlain and Vermont. We stayed here one night in our RV with no hookups. The site was gorgeous and the campground clean."
"On river border of NY & VT. Nice views from the campsites, some places to walk around including a bridge. Lots of room for big RV, good hookups. Pretty quiet. Clean and well cared for."
from $18 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 57 min from Glens Falls, NY
- 1 hr 2 min from Burlington, VT
- 1 hr 41 min from Albany, NY
- 2 hrs 10 min from Pittsfield, MA
Recent Camping Photos near Orwell, VT
360 Photos of 219 Orwell Campgrounds
M.A.D. P.
Half Moon Pond State Park Campground
Jean C.
Rogers Rock Campground
Jean C.
Brookwood RV Resort
Robert L.
Lake Bomoseen KOA
samantha
The Lookout at Chill Hill #2
Catherine M.
Branbury State Park Campground
Heather B.
Putnam Pond Campground
Keith D.
Davey Falls ADK
Rebecca E.
Narrow Island Group — Lake George Islands
Nancy M.
Moosalamoo Campground
Miccal M.
Crown Point Campground
Cam R.
Bridgeview Harbour Marina
Recent Reviews near Orwell, VT
833 Reviews of 219 Orwell Campgrounds
Adam and Suzanne B.GuideLake Placid Volunteer Fire Dept.
exactly as described
This is a mostly dirt camper parking lot with full hook-ups next to the fire station. There is no shade for sites 1-13 and little shade for the rest. The The hook-ups were fine, although our sewer connection was slightly uphill. There are NO amenities. As this campground is run by volunteers, communication is SLOW. You must be patient. The location is excellent, just a mile from Main Street. The price is great for full hook-ups in the area. The other campers and the firefighters were friendly. It was quiet at night. We slept with windows open without a problem. The rail trail adjacent to and easy to access from the campground and there is a bike shop across the street.
Joe K.
ScoutWaterbury Reservoir Remote Sites — Waterbury Center State Park
Remote but most campsites aren't really on water
We camped here in June of 2026. It is not as remote as some other locations, mainly because you are in Waterbury, VT and Waterbury can be quite busy with visitors.
We parked on Cotton Brook Rd and were told by multiple people that you need to be aware of rain. The parking lot can flood if you get days of rain. The days we camped we did have heavy downpours the morning of day 2 and by the time we left the reservoir was probably 6 ft higher. So it is a real thing. The benefit of that is tons of waterfalls lead into the reservoir and they are quite pretty.
It is a long canoe from the Cotton Brook lot and you need to go to campsite 14 to really get a campsite with a full view of the lake. We were on campsite 18 and it is surrounded by trees. Thats great if you want privacy, but not great if you want a view of the lake.
No loons while we were there. : (
In short, it is pretty good, but we would recommend others.
Amanda W.ScoutHearthstone Point Campground
Amazing family friendly campground
My family and I go here every year durning the summer. Big campsites (must of them are shaded), great for tent or RV camping, easy parking in sight. Great lake for swimming. Lots of things to do, very friendly staff, clean bathrooms located all around the campground and even a bigger bathroom with showers.
Paige M.ScoutButton Bay State Park Campground
Love this state park!
We have stayed here a few times. It’s always clean and quiet. Pool is nice but very family (kid) oriented. Love the trails to the water from both camp loops. Great place to stay with a kayak or paddle board!
nancy B.
TravelerLake Bomoseen KOA
Won’t be coming back
Terrible. Only 1 bar of Verizon. They have WIFI but it’s useless. Plus way too crowded for me. Noisy
- RRachel C.Guide
Emerald Lake State Park Campground
Another Vermont State Park Gem!
We love camping in VT State parks and this is another humdinger of a park. Lots of room between sites, well-cared for, walkable to lovely lake… excellent camping experience.
RebeccaTravelerCrane Pond Dispersed Site
4th of July
My partner and I went on 4th of July weekend for the first time and was greeted by a man in the parking lot who had been coming there for 40 years. The site was gorgeous with 10 different campsites to choose from. The past reviews are correct with a lifted four wheel drive vehicle being needed for this drive in if you plan on getting paddled boats/kayaks in the water. Our plan was to go in and out to explore but decided to hunker down once we took the road in to avoid driving it multiple times. There are four hike-in camps from the parking lot. All campsites are marked on AllTrails. We stayed on the East side camp, #10, which after setting up and visiting the rest of the sites, had the least views from camp of the water but was the most secluded. Many sites have a privy or a box with a hole and a lid. There were a total of four trucks/jeeps in the lot all weekend and only a few camps being used. The black flies and mosquitos were bad given the time of the year so be prepared if you come during the same time. There are some beautiful trails that connect to the parking lot that lead to other hike-in camps at other small ponds/lakes.
There are green tags on the trees marked next to the water where the camp sites are. We made the mistake of setting up our tent at a makeshift campsite someone made and found the "no camping" sign after and ended up moving. There are beaver, ducks, and loons living at the pond.
- AAndy B.
RangerLittle River State Park Campground
Site 69
We stayed at site 69 over the Fourth of July weekend this year. It was amazing - the site is so secluded, wooded, and had a lot of forest for the kids to explore.
The bathrooms were clean and renovated, showers were token only but were clean and hot with good water pressure.
The campground itself had so many activities planned (sunset kayak tour, fishing for beginners, and a Fourth of July parade were the ones we participated in) and the staff was great.
Ice and wood on hand, decently priced.
Sites were cleaned immediately after they were left by the precious campers.
Guide to Orwell
Camping opportunities near Orwell, Vermont offer diverse experiences across elevations ranging from 200 to 1,800 feet. The region transitions from open farmland to dense forests with temperatures averaging 10-15 degrees cooler than nearby urban areas. Most area campgrounds operate with limited cell coverage, particularly in the Green Mountain National Forest sections where Verizon provides marginally better service than other carriers.
What to do
Kayaking on shallow waters: At Half Moon Pond State Park, the pond is fairly shallow with some vegetation but ideal for beginners. "We kayaked right from our site. The pond is very weedy, so fishing was not so great, but the hiking trails around the park were fun," notes Cynthia K.
Historical exploration: Rogers Rock Campground provides convenient access to regional history. "Ticonderoga offers some history and is worth a half-day visit. Lake Champlain isn't far away, either," advises Jean C. The fort features historical reenactors and displays approximately 7 miles north of the campground.
Hiking to secluded water spots: The Moosalamoo Recreation Area features several interconnected trails leading to water features. "There is a hike of maybe 2 miles (one way) to a reservoir, and another of 3 miles (one way) to the 'Falls of Lana' (or something like that), which is really just a cascade, but nice nonetheless," reports Thomas R.
What campers like
Waterfront sites with direct access: Many campers appreciate sites with direct water access at Half Moon Pond State Park Campground. "We were able to snag a water front site which was really beautiful. There are also lean-to sites and some cabins. We fished and kayaked right from our site," shares Rebecca D.
Clean facilities even at basic campgrounds: Basic campgrounds maintain surprisingly clean facilities. "The bathhouse was very clean, the swimming beach is small but perfect, and there are even cabins for rent on the other side of the pond," reports Tara S. about Half Moon Pond.
Privacy between sites: Silver Lake Campground offers good site separation. "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," notes Shawn B.
What you should know
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience significant traffic sound. At Lake Bomoseen KOA, "I was surprised how much road noise we heard inside of our trailer," reports Scott A. Sites further from main roads typically offer quieter experiences.
Connectivity limitations: Most campgrounds have minimal technology connections. "Cell phone coverage is iffy," notes Lauren S. about Rogers Rock, while Lake Bomoseen KOA camper Jason A. observed "lots of campers left due to lack of WIFI. Cell service is very limited. Very remote."
Pond conditions: Branbury State Park Campground provides better swimming than some smaller ponds. "Across the street from the campground was access to the lake with plenty of grassy areas to hang out. And beautiful sunsets at night!" explains Nicole E., contrasting with the weedier conditions at smaller ponds.
Tips for camping with families
Look for sites with natural play features: Branbury State Park offers sites with natural recreational elements. "We stayed in a wooded area surrounded by large rocks my daughter could climb on. The beach was nearby and included in the stay with horseshoes and a playground," recommends Desiree V.
Seek campgrounds with recreation programs: Bomoseen State Park Campground offers structured activities for children. "There is a nice trail to walk that follows along the shoreline. Each site has a fireplace and table," notes Lauren S., while another camper mentioned "a nice boardwalk path through the marsh."
Consider weekday visits: Rogers Rock gets crowded during peak periods. "This place is packed on the weekends. If you want to avoid the rush of campers, definitely try to make the trip on a weekday. Sitting by the lake is really relaxing when you're all alone!" advises Carrie J.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Brookwood RV Resort accommodates larger vehicles but requires strategic site selection. "Short term sites, however, are near the road; a few of them (S1-S4) are behind the office, closer to the dumpsters and workshop and I'd probably avoid those. Sites are generally level and close together," advises Jean C.
Water and electrical needs: At Lake Bomoseen KOA, "Site 233 has a ton of bugs and mosquitoes being so close to the creek run off, head closer to the lake if possible," warns Christopher P. Site selection significantly impacts the comfort level for RV camping.
Practical limitations: Most campgrounds have limited hookups. At Brookwood RV Resort, "Full hookup (sewer, water, 50 AMP)" is available, notes Beth R., while most state parks offer only partial services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best camping spots in Orwell, Ohio?
Where are the best camping spots in Orwell, Ohio?
For camping in Orwell, Ohio, Rogers Rock Campground is an excellent option with drive-in access and reservable sites that accommodate big rigs. For a more rustic experience, Putnam Pond Campground offers a peaceful setting with boat-in and walk-in options. Both campgrounds provide scenic surroundings and access to outdoor recreation. When planning your trip, consider booking in advance during peak summer months as these popular spots can fill quickly, especially on weekends.
What amenities are available at Orwell campgrounds?
What amenities are available at Orwell campgrounds?
Orwell area campgrounds offer varying amenities to suit different camping styles. Barber Homestead Park features well-maintained facilities including nice restrooms and laundry rooms, making it ideal for RV campers. The park provides easy access to Lake Champlain and spacious sites that accommodate larger rigs. Lake Bomoseen KOA offers full-service amenities including water hookups, toilets, and is big-rig friendly. Most campgrounds in the area provide fire rings and picnic tables, with some offering electric hookups primarily at RV-designated sites.
Is fishing allowed at camping sites in Orwell?
Is fishing allowed at camping sites in Orwell?
Fishing is indeed permitted at camping sites around Orwell. Little River State Park Campground offers excellent fishing opportunities on the Waterbury Reservoir shoreline. Silver Lake Campground is known for its clean lake with fishing access and even offers boat rentals for anglers wanting to reach prime fishing spots. Most waterfront campgrounds in the Orwell area allow fishing with a valid Ohio fishing license. Remember to check local regulations regarding catch limits and seasonal restrictions before your trip.
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