Poultney, Vermont serves as a gateway to several established campgrounds offering diverse accommodation options in the scenic Slate Valley region. Lake St. Catherine State Park Campground, located directly in Poultney, provides tent and RV camping with waterfront access and full amenities. Nearby Bomoseen State Park Campground and Half Moon Pond State Park offer additional camping experiences with cabin rentals, lean-tos, and tent sites. Most campgrounds in this area feature both wooded sites and waterfront options, with several providing boat launches and swimming beaches for water recreation.
The camping season throughout the Poultney region typically runs from Memorial Day weekend through mid-October, with most state parks closing after Columbus Day weekend. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially for waterfront sites and lean-tos which tend to fill quickly during summer weekends. The area experiences typical New England seasonal variations with warm summers ideal for swimming and cool autumn temperatures perfect for hiking. Bathhouse facilities at most state parks are modern and well-maintained, though limited or absent hookups may challenge some RV campers. Cell service can be spotty throughout the region, particularly at Lake Bomoseen KOA where reviews consistently mention poor connectivity. As one camper noted, "Cell services on ATT and TMobile were nonexistent. Campground WiFi is a joke (less than 1mbps)."
Waterfront camping represents a significant draw across multiple area campgrounds, with several parks offering direct lake access. At Half Moon Pond State Park, campers appreciate the ability to launch kayaks directly from their sites, despite the pond being somewhat shallow and weedy in parts. Lake St. Catherine receives particularly high marks for its swimming beach and secluded waterfront setting. A reviewer highlighted that "This lake is known by anglers and boaters alike. Plentiful mountain bike trails are being developed all over this area." Beyond water activities, the region provides access to numerous hiking trails, the Slate Valley recreation area, and is within reasonable driving distance to Killington's mountain attractions. The campgrounds themselves vary in size and privacy levels, with Half Moon Pond State Park frequently praised for its quiet, intimate setting compared to larger developed campgrounds in the area.
"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."
"Golf cart rentals (4 and 6 person) were expensive so we just walked the park multiple days. Each site is gigantic and well thought out and can easily say there is not a bad site in the place."
"The park is very large so if you want to be near the pool/entertainment area or nearby bathrooms, pick your site accordingly."
"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."
$22 - $172 / night
"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."
"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)."
"Beautiful campground in south central Vermont. On a lovely emerald green small lake with nice beach. Good for fishing and kayaking. Well kept."
"The camp sites are quite a bit of a walk up the hill from the lake where there is swimming, kayaking, paddle boating and picnicking."
"Lake St. Catherine state campground is located in the heart of the Slate Valley. There are 50 tent/rv sites and 11 leantos. This lake is known by anglers and boaters alike."
"We rented a golf cart from an outside course which was SUPER expensive, so it would be nice if the campground offered their own rentals, but if that's our only complaint, we're happy campers."
"**Lake George RV Park may be the greatest campground we’ve stayed at yet!"
"Campground is placed 10 minutes from the bottom of Lake George with great hiking trails in the surrounding area. The campground it’s self it’s very clean in every aspect."
"Restaurant and bar right next to the pool. Decent size spots."
"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."
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!
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!
TravelerI have stayed at several of the waterfront tent and lean-to camp sites. It’s a nice organized place but can get pretty noisy when larger groups take over the loop c spots. There’s an open grassy field near the water at that end of the campground and it doesn’t take much to make a disturbance as sound carries over the water to loop b and a. Several people ignore the no dogs on the beach rule too. Those issues aside it’s a nice accessible campground with quiet water for kayakers like me. Generally I find the flies and mosquitoes are less of a problem once the dragon flies arrive.
ScoutHad a site booked for Memorial Day weekend but had a complication to my 5th shoulder surgery in 2.5 years and had my 6th which was a 3rd attempt at rotator cuff repair in mid-May. Called to see if I could change my reservation since I cannot drive due to Dr.'s orders but no dice. Could care less and told me too late due to policy. Offered to provide doctors documentation but didn't matter. I did not ask for refund just to change the date. Rude, dismissive and unwilling to work with me. Sad that a family-oriented place is run this way. End result I am out over$600 and they are smiling. As a business owner myself I would be out of business if I treated my customers this way.
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.
GuideWe emailed twice and traveled five hours to only find out they have a list of dog breeds they don’t accept. The list has no rhyme or reason. Our 7 year old 95lb Great Dane was not allowed. Ridiculous
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.
The Poultney region sits in Vermont's Slate Valley where elevations range from 500-1,500 feet, creating varied camping conditions across multiple state parks and private campgrounds. Most camping spots near Poultney, Vermont operate in a shorter season than other New England destinations, with many smaller campgrounds closing entirely from mid-October through mid-May due to harsh winter conditions. Water temperatures in local lakes typically reach 70°F by late June.
Kayaking at multiple lakes: Half Moon Pond State Park Campground offers direct lake access from waterfront sites, despite the pond being relatively small. "We were easily able to go straight from the tent to our kayak, which was so awesome," notes one camper at Half Moon Pond State Park Campground.
Hiking slate region trails: The Slate Valley has numerous hiking options within short driving distance of most campgrounds. At Bomoseen State Park Campground, visitors recommend walking "the Slate History Trail and the Bomoseen Loop Trail. Walk over to Glen Lake, which is a very quiet lake with a pretty trail alongside it."
Mountain biking excursions: The region has growing mountain biking infrastructure, particularly accessible from Lake St. Catherine. A reviewer explains, "Plentiful mountain bike trails are being developed all over this area. Pine hill in Rutland, and the Endless brook trails top the list of systems in the area to check out."
Large, private sites: Many campgrounds in the region offer more spacious sites than typical New England camping. At Moose Hillock Camping Resorts, "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."
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness varies widely between campgrounds, with newer state parks typically offering better facilities. At Emerald Lake State Park, visitors report "bathrooms were the cleanest of any campground we've ever stayed at," while another reviewer notes, "they have nice grassy sites and lean tos."
Historical attractions: The Slate Valley provides access to various historical sites. "Nearby is Hubbardton Battlefield" and other historical locations within short drives from most campgrounds. The Taconic Mountains area also offers "incredible views of the mountain ranges nearby."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies dramatically between campgrounds. At Lake Bomoseen KOA, campers report significant issues: "The internet speed fluctuates and was slow to unusable our last day. I could not get the cable TV working," while others note "no cell coverage and poor wi-fi if that is important."
Weedy swimming areas: Several lakes in the region develop thick vegetation by mid-summer. At Half Moon Pond, "The pond itself is pretty shallow and has some weeds," while at Lake Bomoseen KOA, there is "access to far end of Lake Bomoseen with boat rental and dock space but area pretty overgrown with lake weeds."
Weather considerations: The region experiences typical variable mountain weather patterns. At Gifford Woods, "We got hit with some pretty bad weather so we couldn't enjoy the grounds as much as we would have liked to," with occasional thunderstorms requiring campers to take shelter.
Look for designated swimming areas: Some campgrounds maintain swimming beaches despite vegetation challenges. Rogers Rock Campground has "a nice beach and dock" and "the day use area has shady spots and grills, nice for the kids."
Consider campground size: Smaller campgrounds offer more contained environments for families with young children. Half Moon Pond "is small, quiet and very well cared for. Everyone seems to adhere to quiet hours so it was easy to get a good night's sleep."
Book waterfront sites early: Waterfront sites at all area campgrounds fill months in advance. At Bomoseen State Park, "we wanted an escape from the crazy crowds on Memorial Day and this was the perfect spot... if you can score a lean to your right on the lake with good spacing between each."
Limited hookups at state parks: Most Vermont state parks near Poultney have limited or no hookups. Gifford Woods State Park Campground features "wooded sites and lean-tos" but no electric hookups, though the campground does have a dump station.
Consider private campgrounds for amenities: RVers needing full hookups should look to private campgrounds. Lake Bomoseen KOA offers full hookup sites, though some report "it was a little tight for our 36ft 5th wheel but manageable. The sites are a good size and relatively level."
Road challenges: Some campgrounds feature difficult access roads. At Rogers Rock, "Some roads are unpaved, unmarked with directional signs, very narrow, and tough to navigate," requiring careful driving for larger rigs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best camping locations in Poultney?
The top camping location in Poultney is Lake St. Catherine State Park Campground, offering drive-in sites, waterfront access, and standard amenities including restrooms and potable water. Just a short drive away is Silver Lake Campground, highly rated for its private sites, clean lake with a concrete dock perfect for swimming, boat rentals, and nature tours led by state park staff. For those willing to venture slightly further, Lake Bomoseen KOA provides a more developed camping experience with big-rig friendly sites and full amenities, while remaining close to Poultney.
Are there tree services available in Poultney?
While specific tree services aren't mentioned in camper reviews, Poultney and the surrounding area have local tree care companies that can assist with tree maintenance and removal. Campgrounds like Lake St. Catherine State Park Campground regularly maintain their wooded areas for safety. For tree-related issues at campgrounds, it's best to contact the campground office directly as most Vermont state parks have maintenance staff who handle routine tree care or can direct you to appropriate local services when needed.
What camping is available near Poultney, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Poultney, VT offers a wide range of camping options, with 229 campgrounds and RV parks near Poultney, VT and 38 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Poultney, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Poultney, VT is Lake Bomoseen KOA with a 3.3-star rating from 10 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Poultney, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 38 free dispersed camping spots near Poultney, VT.
What parks are near Poultney, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Poultney, VT that allow camping, notably Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests and Green Mountain National Forest.
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