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Best Campgrounds near Rochester, VT

704 Reviews

The rolling Green Mountains surrounding Rochester, Vermont provide a variety of camping environments from riverside sites to forest settings. Chittenden Brook Campground in the Green Mountain National Forest offers tent, RV and cabin accommodations just a few miles from Rochester's downtown area. Moosalamoo Campground provides additional options with tent and RV sites and several access types including drive-in, hike-in and walk-in approaches. For those seeking a more primitive experience, dispersed camping is available in designated areas of the national forest, particularly along Michigan Brook Road and Forest Road 207.

Camping in the Rochester area generally operates from late May through mid-October, with most developed campgrounds following a Memorial Day to Columbus Day season. Winter access becomes limited as forest roads are not maintained for snow removal. Many campgrounds require reservations, especially for summer weekends and during fall foliage season when the area sees increased visitors. Cell phone coverage can be spotty throughout the region, particularly in valleys and remote forest locations. The terrain varies from relatively flat riverside camping to more rugged forest settings. As one visitor noted, "Gifford Woods State Park is located just outside of Waterbury Vermont so it's an ideal location for jumping off on other adventures!"

Waterfront camping receives consistently positive feedback from visitors to the area. Abel Mountain Campground offers sites along the Third Branch of the White River, allowing campers direct access to swimming and fishing opportunities. Several developed campgrounds provide amenities like drinking water, picnic tables, and fire rings, while dispersed sites offer more primitive experiences. Campers frequently mention the tranquility of forest sites and mountain views as highlights. Reviews indicate that campsites at established campgrounds tend to have good spacing and privacy compared to more crowded destinations. A camper described Chittenden Brook as having "sites that are fairly private without being built too close together," making it popular for those seeking a more peaceful camping experience while still maintaining access to amenities.

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Best Camping Sites Near Rochester, Vermont (191)

    1. Moosalamoo Campground

    16 Reviews
    Salisbury, VT
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 767-4261

    $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."

    2. Gifford Woods State Park Campground

    16 Reviews
    Killington, VT
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 775-5354

    "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."

    3. Green Mountain National Forest FR207

    8 Reviews
    Granville, VT
    9 miles
    Website

    "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."

    4. Chittenden Brook Campground

    5 Reviews
    Goshen, VT
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 767-4261

    $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."

    5. Branbury State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Salisbury, VT
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 247-5925

    "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. Lake Champagne Resort Vermont, Inc.

    6 Reviews
    Randolph, VT
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 728-5293

    "Campsites are spread out, great dog walking areas , and very spacious dog parks, one for big dos and one for little ones."

    "I chose to stay here while I was finishing up the VT 4000-footers because it was midway between the trails for Mt Ellen/Abram and Killington."

    7. White River & Gulf Brook

    4 Reviews
    Granville, VT
    9 miles
    Website

    "A great peaceful spot right next to the river."

    "Loved camping next to the water and hearing the river as we slept. There are fire rings. No bugs."

    8. Abel Mountain Campground

    3 Reviews
    Randolph, VT
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 728-5548

    $45 / night

    "Close to Randolph for groceries and take-out. The Barn gas station complex off of Exit 4 was perfect for fueling-up before getting back on the road."

    "WE camp on a site on the river, some sites you can hear the river rushing over the rocks and some not but we like the view of the river when outside. "

    9. Michigan Brook Road Camping - Green Mtn Ntnl Forest

    3 Reviews
    Pittsfield, VT
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 747-6700

    "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."

    10. Silver Lake Campground

    6 Reviews
    Salisbury, VT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 767-4261

    $10 / night

    "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."

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Recent Camping Photos near Rochester, VT

448 Photos of 191 Rochester Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Rochester, VT

704 Reviews of 191 Rochester Campgrounds

  • Laura W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Rogers Rock Campground

    Roger's Rock

    It was a pretty good park. Wooded nicely. Big lots where we were. Down near the water the sites were pretty crammed together Not parked in a row like an RV park.

  • Greg D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 22, 2025

    Lazy Lions Campground

    Nice quiet place

    Nice campground with plenty of shade, well maintained and decent restrooms. The showers are ok and cost a quarter for 4 minutes. Our site was level and along with a picnic table, they also provide two Adirondack chairs (plastic) and a fire ring.

  • W
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Quechee State Park Campground

    Good location

    The park is in a good location; it is right next to the road. We were at sight #3.  We were able to walk to the gorge as well as to the Antique mall.  The staff was very friendly and accommodating with us. My wife really enjoyed it and had a lot of fun. The ice cream was really close and really good. 

    The issue I had was the camp next to ours had the generator on all night long and I had a hard time getting back to sleep after going to the bathroom. Next time I will get a volunteer or park ranger to get it turned off.

  • K
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Mount Philo State Park Campground

    Hidden gem!

    Great little campground at a beautiful state park. The campground had widely spaced wooded sites and was exceptionally quiet. Very well-maintained! Recommend nearby Charlotte town beach for swimming ($10 for non-residents).

  • Jessica C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Chittenden Brook Campground

    Great site

    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. The vault toilets were surprisingly clean besides the expected smell/flies. No running water or electricity. No cell service a few miles leading up the site, so download your maps in advance. 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.

    Didn’t see any bear, but take bear food precautions regardless. Each site has a fire pit, tent platform, and picnic table. The sites were well cared for. There were two dumpsters, one for recycling and one for trash, at the end of the loop. They are bear proof and almost me proof! The constant sound of running water from the brook was truly relaxing. I didn’t have issues with bugs (beginning of August) but I also didn’t stay in the camp during the majority of the day.

    All in all, a great campsite and I’ll definitely be back.

  • M
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Brookwood RV Resort

    Nice Campground

    Well maintained campground. Shop onsite with all you can possibly need. Beautiful pool. And easy access to Fort Ticonderoga, restaurants in town and Lake George area.

  • E
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Indian Brook Reservoir

    Family of 4 tent camping

    I mistakenly assumed they had drive up campsites. They do not. It was a 15 minute hike to the site, so pack light. If you have a kayak, you can transport your stuff over. Site was gorgeous and private, right on the reservoir. Really lovely setting!

  • Snooz H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Shelburne Camping Area

    Oh My God. NO!

    Electricity would not work. We got an error on our control panel that said stop! Power source is not correct! Dan, one of the owners, said that somebody must have tried to hook a 50 amp into the 30 amp. box. He went about a half block to check breaker said that it was not flipped but it was wobbling pretty loose in there.

    My husband is a licensed electrician and of course had his own testing equipment. It showed 25 amp coming out of it. So he said move to spot 50. Well before we moved our vehicle, we went down there and checked it. He took off before we could. And guess what the exact same problem. We did not even hook into the second one. (#50)
    So he proceeded to tell us that it was our equipment that had gone bad. Even though we never plugged into spot 50!

    I had planned on one night thank God! He did refund our $52. we had to drive down the road and try to find someplace else at 7:00 in the evening. Another thank God, the Walmart about 10 or 15 miles down the road would allow overnight.

    So we are now on our way to our next location which is about a 7 hour drive. We are just hoping that they did not damage our equipment. It has been extremely stressful if you go there you better watch out!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Meadowcrest Campground

    Meadowcrest

    Very nice place . Quiet the staff are very kind people . It was hard to book over phone but messages worked well . I was tent camping on the river . Very private

Guide to Rochester

Camping near Rochester, VT, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around the area. Many campers enjoy the Dalley Loop Trail, which is rich in history. One visitor mentioned, "We came here to hike the Dalley Loop Trail... the park is beautifully maintained and there are many more trails to explore."
  • Boating and Swimming: Enjoy the Waterbury Reservoir at Little River State Park Campground. A reviewer noted, "We stayed at site 13... shared driveway/camping area with site 14... a large reservoir with boating access and stunning views."
  • Fishing: The peaceful pond at Gifford Woods State Park Campground is perfect for fishing. One camper shared, "Great campground with many hiking trails and a peaceful pond with fishing across the street."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Quechee State Park Campground said, "The bathrooms (which have coin-operated showers) were immaculate and seem to be somewhat newer than the other state parks."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer generous spacing between sites. A reviewer at Moosalamoo Campground mentioned, "Sites are generously spaced out... extremely peaceful and quiet!"
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. One camper at Button Bay State Park Campground noted, "Super friendly guests and park rangers."

What you should know

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may lack certain amenities. A visitor at Rogers Rock Campground pointed out, "The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting and falling apart... the only thing the workers did was add toilet paper."
  • Seasonal Availability: Many campgrounds are only open during specific seasons. For example, Gifford Woods State Park Campground operates from May 19 to October 16.
  • Cell Service: Expect limited cell service in some areas. A camper at Lake Bomoseen KOA mentioned, "Cell service is very limited. Very remote... the Wi-Fi didn’t even work at the office."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids. A reviewer at Quechee-Pine Valley KOA said, "This place was very clean and loaded with amenities: pool, dog park, events, open fields."
  • Plan for Privacy: Some sites can be close together, so pick wisely. A camper at Button Bay State Park Campground advised, "On Loop 2, campsites are wide open so make sure to bring a screen shelter or pop up with panels if wanting privacy."
  • Pack for Activities: Bring bikes or games for downtime. A visitor at Gifford Woods State Park Campground mentioned, "We love hiking and there is no shortage of hiking trails in and around the park."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your site can accommodate your RV. A reviewer at Quechee State Park Campground noted, "The sites are nicely spaced and seem to accommodate big rigs rather well."
  • Be Prepared for Rough Roads: Some access roads can be bumpy. A camper at Little River State Park Campground mentioned, "The access road is a bit rough but navigable by all vehicles."
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Some campgrounds may not have stores nearby. A visitor at Rogers Rock Campground said, "The only thing the workers did was add toilet paper... the bathrooms were absolutely disgusting."

Camping near Rochester, VT, has its ups and downs, but with the right preparation, you can have a great time enjoying the outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best camping spots near Rochester, MN?

The Rochester area offers excellent camping options for all preferences. Chittenden Brook Campground stands out with its proximity to Rochester, offering both drive-in and walk-in access with reservable sites and toilet facilities. For those seeking a more natural experience, White River & Gulf Brook provides drive-in, hike-in, and walk-in camping opportunities. Many campers appreciate the blend of accessibility and nature these locations offer, with well-maintained sites that provide the perfect base for exploring the surrounding area.

When is the best time of year to camp in Rochester, Minnesota?

The prime camping season around Rochester runs from late May through early October when temperatures are most comfortable. Wilgus State Park Campground is notable for being one of the first parks to open each spring, typically well before Memorial Day, offering an early start to the camping season with cabin rentals available for those chilly early-May nights. Summer months provide warm days perfect for water activities, while September and early October offer spectacular fall foliage with fewer crowds. Winter camping is possible for experienced campers, but facilities are limited as most campgrounds close for the season.

What activities are available near Rochester camping areas?

The Rochester area is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Mount Ascutney State Park Campground offers excellent mountain biking trails and hiking opportunities with clean facilities. Water lovers can enjoy swimming, fishing, and boating at Silver Lake Campground, which features a concrete dock popular with families, boat rentals, and ranger-led nature tours. The region also offers abundant wildlife viewing, photography opportunities, and easy access to nearby towns for shopping and dining. Many campgrounds connect to trail systems perfect for hiking and biking, with some providing direct water access for kayaking and canoeing.

What amenities are available at Rochester campgrounds?

Rochester area campgrounds offer varied amenities to suit different camping styles. Mountain View Campground features two swimming pools, a well-stocked camp store, and tent sites along the Lamoille River. For those seeking more basic facilities, Moosalamoo Campground provides picnic tables and fire rings with natural attractions like cascading waterfalls, mountain views, and access to a swimming hole and nearby lake. Most campgrounds in the region offer standard amenities like restrooms, while some include electric hookups, water access, and shower facilities.

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