Camping near Pittsfield, Vermont spans free dispersed campsites, developed campgrounds, and cabin options across the surrounding national forest. Michigan Brook offers free camping areas along a dirt road with several primitive sites near water, while Chittenden Brook Campground features more developed facilities with tent platforms and picnic tables. Gifford Woods State Park, approximately 10 miles east of Pittsfield, provides cabins, lean-to shelters, and tent sites with the Appalachian Trail running directly through the park.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with many forest service roads requiring higher clearance vehicles, especially during spring mud season. Most camping areas operate from Memorial Day through mid-October, though some dispersed sites remain open year-round with limited winter access. A camper noted, "There's a 2.5 mile dirt road with a steady incline into the camp, which my subie had no issue with, but not sure how well an RV would fair." Cell service is generally unavailable at most forest sites, though signals can be found in nearby towns. Travelers should prepare for rustic conditions with limited facilities at dispersed sites, while state parks offer more amenities including showers and designated camping areas.
Campsites near Pittsfield offer a range of privacy levels and natural settings. Several visitors highlight the sound of running water as a key feature at sites near brooks and streams. Sites at Chittenden Brook Campground are described as feeling "secluded but aren't. There's quite a bit of space between each site so you can't really see your neighbors." Michigan Brook Road camping spots are appreciated for their proximity to water, with one camper pointing out "the one before the bridge that's right next to the river is the best one." Most camping areas provide good access to hiking trails, including sections of the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail, making the region popular with both overnight campers and through-hikers seeking temporary lodging.
"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."
$15 / night
"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."
$15 / night
"Nice hiking trails close to long trail, really tucked away a few miles off 73. Great if you’re looking for some solitude."
"Well maintained, and nice access to trails right from the campground."
"I stayed at this campsite located at the end of upper Michigan road. It is winter and there is a lot of snow. The main road to the parking lot is plowed and sanded."
"Few nice ones near the creek. I stayed at one on top of a lots of space at mine."
"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!"
"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."
"If you're considering a spot in Vermont to camp, come here! Also, make sure your car has a bit of clearance as some sports have dips in the ground."
"Able to see sunrise/sunset/moonrise over the surrounding rolling hills and crests. Upper meadows accessible with 4WD / high clearance vehicles."
"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."
$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."
"Drive in about a mile after the parking lot!! Can use car to get in! There’s 3 camping spots. 1 before the bridge and 2 after the bridge!"
GuideRight along the road (so if anything happens you can get help) also has wifi signal. It’s right along a creek that’s clean and beautiful. Crisp air and calming flowing river noises all night made it so I slept like a baby!
GuideDrove all the way here just to pull in and see signs that say “no overnight camping”
ScoutPublic Lands with about 8 semi private sites, each with nice views west or easterly. It's a large meadow and with a breeze, it will keep bugs away. Lacking a breeze, it is tough but still beautiful
ScoutPam met us outside as she said ‘dodging rain drops’ to stack wood. She was warm and friendly. You can tell she runs a tight ship immediately telling us when quite hours were, and letting us know the dogs needed to be on leash and under our control. We brought our 2 labs with us. Only 2 vehicles per site is allowed. You do need tokens to use the shower. 2 tokens was more than enough for me to shower and not feel rushed. The bathrooms are AMAZING! I am looking forward to coming back!
ScoutDEC has designated and constructed 12 camp sites in areas around Shelving Rock Road and Dacy Clearing Road. Camping will only be allowed at the designated campsites or more than 500 feet from the Shelving Rock and Dacy Clearing Roads.
ScoutAs noted by others, most of the sites have a fire ring and nothing more. A little more than half of the sites can be driven to and others require a very short walk (50 ft?). The toilets mentioned are at Texas falls area and are not a practical walk from most of the campsites.
There are no showers.
Aside from the loop trail at the falls there are also a couple of snowmobile trails that cross the area.
RangerStayed here for a week. Josh and Dori were super nice and helpful. Level grass field with water and 30amp hookup. Fire pit port o potty, creek across the street. Very pretty setting. Dark sky area. Cell att and Verizon we decent enough to work plus they had WiFi if needed.
RangerOur favorite campground in the area is Winhall Brook, but it has been closed for about 3 years since the flooding in VT. Hapgood Pond is a good alternative. It is a little more primitive with pit toilets in most of the campground except the bath house. We appreciate the pond for swimming and the nice easy pond loop trail for hiking. Hapgood is in close proximity to Manchester and near the Appalachian Trail.
RangerWe loved camping at Crane Pond. It was a little over 3 miles to hike into the waterfront sites. There is an outhouse nearby, several campsites, fire pits, and we went for a swim in the pond. Overall great experience!
Pittsfield VT camping sites are nestled in a varied terrain of forested mountains, offering elevation changes from 750 to over 3,000 feet in nearby peaks. Winter camping is possible at some dispersed locations, though most campgrounds close after mid-October. Temperatures typically range from 60-80°F in summer with cooler nights in the 50s, making sleeping comfortable even during peak season.
Hiking to mountain lakes: Access Silver Lake via a short 0.6-mile trail from the parking area near Moosalamoo Campground. "Silver Lake is just a one mile hike from the sites. The trail to the site features a multitude of cascading falls and is incredibly tranquil," notes Michelle R.
Trail access to Appalachian Trail: Gifford Woods State Park offers direct connections to famous long-distance trails. One camper explains, "The Appalachian Trail runs directly through this park. While on a 4 state section hike I traveled by foot through this park."
Mountain biking opportunities: Dedicated trails for cycling enthusiasts are available at several sites. At Moosalamoo, a reviewer mentioned "awesome bike trails with smooth trail beds and nice rolling bumps. The kind campground hosts can tell you all about the hiking and biking trails within Moosalamoo National Forest."
Fall foliage viewing: Autumn transforms the landscape into vibrant colors. A camper at Branbury State Park simply stated, "Fall in New England can't be beat."
Secluded campsites: Many campers value privacy at sites throughout the region. At Chittenden Brook Campground, "This was a great site that feels secluded but isn't. There's quite a bit of space between each site so you can't really see your neighbors which is excellent."
Winter camping options: For those seeking solitude, some dispersed sites remain accessible in winter. A visitor to Green Mountain National Forest noted, "My first time winter camping and had the entire area to myself. Beautiful sunsets, night skies and scenery. Extremely calm and peaceful. Woke up to two moose nearby the morning I was leaving."
Road conditions and vehicle requirements: Many forest service roads require appropriate vehicles. For Michigan Brook Road camping, "Beware that in Spring the road gets muddy and quite rutted, I would not recommend driving down there with a car that is low to the ground."
Bear safety precautions: Wildlife requires proper food storage. A camper at Coolidge State Park reported, "We were advised that there was an active bear in the campground, but we took the advice of Sean the park ranger."
Limited facilities at dispersed sites: Free sites offer minimal amenities. At Michigan Brook, a camper described it as "Very back woods camping!" while another noted "there was some trash (please practice LNT fellow campers!!!)."
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds have limited seasons. Moosalamoo operates from "Memorial Day to Columbus" while Coolidge State Park runs from "Memorial Day Weekend to Columbus Day Weekend."
Kid-friendly amenities: Quechee State Park offers programs specifically for children. A visitor shared, "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.)"
Family-accessible swimming: Several parks offer swimming options suitable for various ages. At Branbury, "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."
Playground access: Some campgrounds include play structures. A Branbury visitor noted, "Spacious sites, hiking trails, biking trails, nice beach and grounds. Fishing, kayak, canoe, paddle boat and paddle board rentals. Theres a nature center with all kinds of information and activities. A large playground."
Clearance challenges: Forest service roads can pose difficulties for larger vehicles. At Chittenden Brook, "There's a 2.5 mile dirt road with a steady incline into the camp, which my subie had no issue with, but not sure how well an RV would fair."
Limited hookup options: Most campgrounds lack full amenities for RVs. Quechee State Park has "No Electric or hookups" but does provide "a spacious dump site if needed."
Level site considerations: Finding flat parking can be challenging. A camper at Quechee noted, "Site 16 is one of the smaller sites and is not super level, but we were able to get the Subaru backed in and relatively level for camping."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best places to camp in Pittsfield State Forest?
For camping in the Pittsfield area, Michigan Brook offers year-round dispersed camping accessed via Upper Michigan Road. This natural setting in the National Forest provides primitive camping with no amenities, making it perfect for those seeking solitude. For those wanting a more established experience, Moosalamoo Campground offers an excellent alternative with stunning natural features including cascading waterfalls, mountain views, and an incredible swimming hole. Sites can be accessed via the Silver Lake trail head parking lot on Vermont Route 53. Both locations are best visited from spring through early fall due to road access limitations in winter.
Do I need reservations for camping in Pittsfield State Forest?
Camping areas near Pittsfield typically require reservations, especially during peak season. At Jamaica State Park Campground, reservations are highly recommended for their 41 tent/RV sites and 18 lean-tos, as they're popular and fill quickly, especially those situated along the West River. Meanwhile, Wilgus State Park Campground opens earlier than most Vermont state parks (before Memorial Day) and also requires advance bookings, particularly for their four camping cabins that allow early-season camping when temperatures are still low. For dispersed camping in national forest areas near Pittsfield, reservations aren't needed, but it's always wise to have a backup plan during busy summer weekends.
What amenities are available at Pittsfield State Forest campgrounds?
Amenities at campgrounds near Pittsfield vary significantly. Hapgood Pond in the National Green Mountain Forest offers basic facilities at an affordable $10 per night, featuring picnic tables and fire rings in a peaceful setting that's rarely overcrowded. For more amenities, Silver Lake Campground provides well-spaced, private sites with a clean lake, concrete dock for swimming, boat rentals, and ranger-led nature tours. Most state parks in the region offer pit toilets or restroom facilities, drinking water, and designated fire rings, while amenities like showers, electricity, and dump stations are less common but available at larger campgrounds.
What are the best hiking trails near Pittsfield camping areas?
The hiking near Pittsfield camping areas offers diverse terrain and difficulty levels. Mount Ascutney State Park Campground features excellent trails with clean, well-maintained paths directly accessible from the campground. Mountain biking trails are also available here, making it perfect for multi-sport adventurers. For those seeking connections to longer trails, Gifford Woods State Park Campground provides access to the famous Appalachian Trail with plenty of space between sites for privacy when you return from your hike. The surrounding Green Mountain National Forest also offers numerous hiking opportunities ranging from easy walks to challenging mountain ascents through Vermont's stunning natural landscapes.
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