Family camping options flourish near Putney, Vermont, where the Connecticut River Valley meets the eastern slopes of the Green Mountains at elevations ranging from 200 to 2,000 feet. The region's camping season typically runs from May through mid-October with fall foliage peaking from late September to early October. Most campsites sit on forested terrain with mixed hardwoods and pine providing natural shade.
What to do
Waterfall hiking trails: Jamaica State Park Campground offers a 2-mile hike to Hamilton Falls. "We hiked the west river trail (which leads right out of the campground) to Hamilton falls which is a gravel closed road that follows the west river upstream 2 miles to Hamilton falls trail which then leads up hill for another mile to the falls," explains one visitor at Jamaica State Park.
Mountain climbing: Mount Monadnock offers panoramic hiking from Gilson Pond Campground. "This is a beautiful hiking adventure for families, beginners, and anyone looking for a fun weekend trip with amazing views. There are several lookouts on the journey to the summit, and the view from the top is amazing," notes a camper at Monadnock State Park.
Paddling opportunities: Many campgrounds provide access to rivers and ponds for kayaking. "If you're into kayaking book early for the annual dam release event (September)...the river becomes a great spot for some rapids!" recommends a visitor to Jamaica State Park.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Tree Farm Campground offers spacious wooded sites. "Spacious, wooded sites, super clean...friendly, helpful owners and gorgeous setting!" reports one camper at Tree Farm Campground.
Swimming holes: Local quarries and rivers provide natural swimming spots. "Great location near a fantastic quarry, country store, and Manchester shopping. The camp grounds were family friendly and quiet," shares a visitor to Dorset RV Park.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and showers. "The bathrooms are immaculate. The showers take coins but the facilities are some of the best I've seen while camping on State Park grounds," notes a camper at Monadnock State Park.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have spotty connectivity. "Find something that you dont like about this park... go ahead, ill wait. Small town general store, no cell service and a gorgeous back drop is a perfect spot to just unwind from the real world," shares a camper at Jamaica State Park.
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds shut down by mid-October. "Week-long stay in our Imagine. 2nd hurricane Henri, flooded out all the low areas," notes a visitor at Woodmore Family Campground, highlighting the unpredictable late-season weather.
Pet restrictions: Not all parks welcome pets. "There's a decent bathhouse with pay showers, a small playground, and a loop trail around Gilson Pond that leads right from the campground. A few words of caution- dogs aren't allowed anywhere in Monadnock State Park," warns a camper.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. "We tent camped here with 2 other families in the summer of 2019. Everything was clean, staff was friendly and attentive. Pool was clean, they have a great wiffleball park," notes a visitor to Woodmore Family Campground.
Educational activities: Look for nature programs at state parks. "There is a large playground for kids <12 and a wide open day use area for picnicking. It would be a great place to run around and play games," shares a Jamaica State Park camper.
Safety considerations: Watch children near water features. "People have lost their lives at these falls so be extra cautious with children around the falls," warns a visitor about Hamilton Falls near Jamaica State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site angles and access: RV sites can present challenges with elevation changes. "The campground was clean. Cory down the road was cool to swim in, lots of shops and outlets to go to. If you need anything you can find it in town," shares a camper at Kampfires in Dummerston.
Leveling requirements: Many sites require blocks or levelers. "Our site was level but some definitely were not. We got twenty or so television channels with the cable hookup. The hookups were all well-placed and we didn't have any issues with the electric," notes a visitor to Dorset RV Park.
Maneuverability concerns: Tree placement affects larger rigs. "Larger rigs might want to avoid loop 6-14, especially for sites 8-12. Tree placement and a pretty sharp 110+ degree turn makes it challenging to maneuver," warns a visitor about Dorset RV Park.
