Half Moon Pond State Park and the surrounding area offer glamping options near Salisbury, Vermont that extend beyond standard camping. Located in west-central Vermont at approximately 600 feet elevation, this region sits between the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain, creating a moderate climate with typical summer temperatures between 70-85°F. Campers can find both heavily wooded sites and open waterfront locations throughout the area's state parks and private campgrounds.
What to do
Explore mountain trails: Gifford Woods State Park Campground connects directly to the Appalachian Trail with day hikes for various skill levels. "The Appalachian Trail runs right through the park. While on a 4 state section hike I traveled by foot through this park. The ranger gave me an ice cream, pointed me to the showers and then chatted with me for an hour about my hike so far," noted one avid hiker.
Kayaking on smaller waterways: Little River State Park Campground offers peaceful paddling options away from larger lakes. "There are many beautiful backcountry campsites right on the water only accessible via the water. Great local overnight spot with flat tenting, privies, and picnic tables," explains a camper who enjoyed the water access.
Fishing in stocked ponds: The shallower waters at Half Moon Pond provide fishing opportunities though they may be weedy in summer months. "The pond is very weedy, so fishing was not so great, but the hiking trails around the park were fun," reports one visitor who balanced their activities during their stay.
Scenic viewpoints: Mount Philo State Park Campground offers spectacular sunrise viewing just a short drive from Salisbury. "My favorite part about camping here is getting up early and hiking the short trail to the top for a spectacular sunrise. The sites are very private and shaded," explains a regular visitor to the park.
What campers like
Small, quiet campgrounds: Many visitors prefer the more intimate atmosphere of Vermont's smaller state parks. "The park is small, quiet and very well cared for. Restrooms are modern and clean. Everyone seems to adhere to quiet hours so it was easy to get a good night's sleep," reports a camper who appreciated the peaceful setting.
Clean, updated facilities: Button Bay State Park Campground maintains well-kept amenities that receive consistent praise. "Rangers were ridiculously nice. Sites were big and grass covered; but without many trees for hammocks. Fire rings and tables at each site. Central bathroom and water supply," notes a visitor who stayed for a night.
Winter accessibility: Unlike many glamping sites that close after Columbus Day, Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday remains open year-round. "Multiple different types of sites to accommodate all forms of camping. Family-friendly," mentions a visitor who appreciated the options available.
Waterfront site options: Many campers specifically seek out sites with direct water access. "We had a waterfront site so we could launch our kayaks right from our site. The pond is very weedy, but the hiking trails around the park were fun. Half Moon is a hidden gem!" exclaims an enthusiastic visitor.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Lake Bomoseen KOA and other nearby campgrounds often have poor connectivity. "There is NO cell coverage and the Wi-Fi is poor and very slow if you can connect. The lake is swampy at this end so not much to look at. The staff were pleasant to deal with," warns a recent visitor.
Seasonal considerations: Most glamping facilities in this region operate from May to October. "Stayed at site 15 in the lower campground for a few nights and it was level and spacious but pretty close to neighbors compared to other sites. Then we moved to lean to ELM in the upper campground and it was a nice private site," explains a camper who visited in the summer months.
Bathroom facilities vary: Most state parks offer coin-operated showers. "The bathrooms were clean and showers were hot. A pleasant treat after hiking. Beautiful location in VT," notes a first-time tent camper who appreciated the amenities.
Reservation requirements: Sites at popular parks fill quickly, especially waterfront locations and lean-tos. "Only 8 campsites, dispersed in the trees. $23/night. Picnic table and fire pit. Moderate cell service. Nice hikes and cool views of the area!" shares a visitor about one of the smaller parks.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Some campgrounds offer swimming pools as alternatives to lake swimming. "This state park is so fun to camp at! It has a great playground for kids and a nice swimming pool! You can hike on the trail and Lake Champlain is right there!" explains an enthusiastic family camper.
Playground options: Rogers Rock Campground provides multiple activities for children. "Rogers Rock is a great campground with many things to do like hiking, kayaking, swimming, biking and playing on a playground. When we went some fellow campers were very loud but everything else I would recommend it to young or old people," shares a family who enjoyed their stay.
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer nature programs and historic sites. "There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover," notes a visitor who brought five children to Little River State Park.
Weekday visits: Consider scheduling family trips during weekdays when possible. "This place is packed on the weekends. If you want to avoid the rush of campers, definitely try to make the trip on a weekday. Sitting by the lake is really relaxing when you're all alone!" advises a frequent visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Many glamping options near Salisbury have limited RV accommodations. "Sites aren't particularly level or large. Cell phone coverage is spotty, I was getting 1-2 bars with Verizon," reports an RV camper at one nearby location.
Dump station availability: Check ahead for sanitary facilities if staying in an RV. "Great campground. Everything from sunny meadow sites to more wooded private sites. Nice pool. No hookups but have a dump station," explains an RVer who stayed at Button Bay.
Limited hookups: Most state parks near Salisbury offer primitive camping without electric, water or sewer connections. "The campground is ok. It was a little tight for our 36ft 5th wheel but managable. The sites are a good size and relatively level. We visited mid-week so it was quiet, but there are a lot of seasonal rigs there so weekends could be busy," advises an experienced RV camper.
