Half Moon Pond State Park Campground sits at approximately 400 feet elevation in west-central Vermont, bordering the eastern edge of the Taconic Mountains. The area features mixed northern hardwood forests surrounding multiple ponds and lakes formed by glacial activity. Glamping in Orwell, Vermont and surrounding communities offers options from basic tent sites to fully furnished glamping tents with nearby access to Lake Champlain, which spans 120 miles along Vermont's western border.
What to do
Hiking trails: Rogers Rock Campground connects to scenic paths with varied difficulty levels. "There is a nice trail to walk that follows along the shoreline," notes Lauren S., who stayed at a waterfront site. Other visitors mention the easy access to Adirondack Park trails ranging from beginner-friendly to challenging summit climbs.
Kayaking on small ponds: The smaller bodies of water near Orwell provide calmer paddling experiences than Lake Champlain. At Gifford Woods State Park Campground, visitors can access Kent Pond directly from the campground. "Nearby hikes include the Bucklin Trail to the top of Killington, Sherburne Pass to Pico Peak, and Canty Trail to Blue Ridge Mountain. So many choices!" reports Tara S.
Swimming options: Beyond the ponds, several campgrounds offer maintained swimming areas. At Button Bay State Park Campground, "there is a nice pool for swimming, paved roads are good for bikes & scooters, pavilion for activities, lake for swimming & fishing and hiking trails," according to Lacy C. This provides alternatives when the ponds are too weedy for comfortable swimming.
What campers like
Private waterfront access: Scaroon Manor Campground offers secluded sites with direct lake access. "We stayed in the rustic campground right down the road from the main campground. We parked in a lot and walked about 5 minutes to the campgrounds on the lake. They were beautiful and well kept, even had a small pile of fire wood for us," reports Drew H. These walk-in sites typically cost $25 per night.
Clean, modern facilities: Many visitors mention the quality of bathhouse facilities as a highlight. "The bath houses were very clean and updated. Not many RV, mostly tents and pop ups," reports Michele S. about sites at Half Moon Pond. Campgrounds in the region typically feature recently renovated shower buildings with hot water available for small fees.
Seasonal wildlife viewing: The forested settings around Orwell support diverse wildlife populations. "There are some hiking trails right from the campground and we saw lots of efts!" shares Rebecca D. about Half Moon Pond. Spring and early summer months offer the best opportunities for wildlife observation, while September brings fall foliage.
What you should know
Campground terrain varies significantly: Sites range from open fields to densely wooded areas, affecting privacy and shade. At Lake Bomoseen KOA, "The lake is swampy at this end so not much to look at," notes Dave S. The more desirable waterfront sites typically book months in advance for summer weekends.
Connectivity limitations: Cell coverage is inconsistent throughout the region. "There is NO cell coverage and the Wi-Fi is poor and very slow if you can connect," reports one camper about Lake Bomoseen KOA. Most campgrounds offer limited or no Wi-Fi, particularly those operated by state parks.
Weather preparedness: Vermont's climate can change quickly, even in summer. "Unfortunately, we stayed here on a pretty rainy weekend in June," mentions Tara S., who camped at Half Moon Pond. Temperature swings of 30 degrees in 24 hours are not uncommon, especially in spring and fall.
Tips for camping with families
Look for specialized amenities: Medcalf Acres Riverfront Campground provides multiple recreation options. "They have a heated swimming pool, a couple different playgrounds and an arcade for those rainy days," Jake H. explains. The campground also offers tube rentals for floating on the Paradox River.
Reserve quiet sites for young children: Locations matter for families needing consistent sleep schedules. "Everyone seems to adhere to quiet hours so it was easy to get a good night's sleep," reports one camper. Sites further from main roads and activity centers typically offer less noise after dark.
Plan for basic needs: Not all campgrounds have full facilities. "Only downside is they only have one bathroom with showers; and the rest are porta-potties," notes Jake H. about Medcalf Acres. Families should research bathroom proximity and facilities when selecting sites, especially with young children.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions vary widely: Moose Hillock Camping Resorts offers unusually spacious RV sites. "The sites at this park are huge. You could have parked three RVs in our site. Added bonus is that there is nice separation between sites with trees and shrubs that block out your neighbors and provide lots of privacy," reports Nancy W. However, most campgrounds in the region have more standard dimensions.
Hookup availability: Full hookups are limited in Vermont state parks. "No hookups but the bathrooms are clean and the showers ($) are hot," notes Susan E. about Half Moon Pond. Private campgrounds typically offer more hookup options but at higher nightly rates.
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. "Some roads are unpaved, unmarked with directional signs, very narrow, and tough to navigate," warns Kim T. about Rogers Rock Campground. Larger rigs should research specific access limitations before booking.
