Shrewsbury, Vermont provides access to several established campgrounds in the Green Mountain region. Coolidge State Park Campground, located on a hillside with mountain views, offers tent sites and lean-to shelters with some prime locations overlooking the Green Mountains. Nearby options include Gifford Woods State Park with tent, RV, cabin, and glamping accommodations, and dispersed camping areas like Road's End Dispersed Camp and Downed Bridge Camp for those seeking more primitive experiences. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, typically from Memorial Day weekend through mid-October.
Camping in the Shrewsbury area requires advance planning, particularly during fall foliage season when sites fill quickly. Most state parks accept reservations, while dispersed sites operate on a first-come basis. Many campgrounds close after Columbus Day weekend as temperatures drop and winter conditions approach. Accessibility varies considerably, with some dispersed camping areas requiring vehicles capable of navigating rough forest roads. Facilities range from developed campgrounds with showers, toilets and drinking water to primitive sites with minimal amenities. A camper noted: "The drive in is a little rough, but doable for most vehicles. The only thing you will find here is a fire ring."
State park campgrounds near Shrewsbury receive consistently positive reviews for their cleanliness and natural settings. Campers particularly value the privacy between sites and mountain views available from select locations. Coolidge State Park stands out for its secluded camping experience and panoramic vistas. According to one review, "The prime lean-to sites overlook the rugged terrain of the Green Mountains. It is especially beautiful in the fall. All sites are semi secluded." Visitors appreciate the range of accommodation options from basic tent sites to lean-to shelters that provide protection from Vermont's variable weather. While most developed campgrounds offer amenities like showers and toilets, dispersed camping areas provide more solitude for those willing to forgo facilities. Seasonal considerations significantly impact the camping experience, with fall being particularly popular for the spectacular foliage displays.
"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!"
"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."
"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."
"Greendale Campground is a small remote campground located along Greendale Brook in Weston, VT. There are 11 campsites available in a wooded setting."
"We picked a nice site next to a babbling brook. While we only tent camped we plan to return with our new to us pop up this year. We only saw two cars during our entire stay."
$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."
"Easy to drive into the campground and into the site. We had no issues at all. Hosts were very friendly and helpful. Campground was very clean and well manicured."
$5 / night
"Water is available at a creek and a spring nearby. There's a huge jumping rock on the far side of the pond."
"The bathrooms are updated and have been well maintained.Although there is no swimming in the campground, the state park a few miles away is included with the park pass and has a nice lake beach, although"
"From there we were able to access the small boat access and kayak beautiful Echo Lake. This Park has a huge beach and picnic area with a snack bar and boat rentals."
"Great location for a small group to camp at. Can't wait to go back. The main area is a walk in and is worth it. The road into here was easy to drive. "
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.
Camping in the Green Mountain National Forest near Shrewsbury, Vermont offers visitors access to both established campgrounds and primitive sites. The area sits at elevations between 1,500-2,000 feet with cool summer nights typically dropping into the 50s even after warm days. Most camping options operate seasonally from late May through mid-October with primitive sites generally offering more extended access depending on forest road conditions.
Hiking to Little Rock Pond: Little Rock Pond Group Camp & Shelters provides excellent access to the Appalachian Trail and other hiking routes. A camper noted, "The pond is surprisingly warm for its altitude and it's home to two Common Loons. Water is available at a creek and a spring nearby. There's a huge jumping rock on the far side of the pond."
Visit historic sites: Camp Plymouth State Park Campground serves as a good base for exploring nearby historical attractions. "Camp Plymouth honored our Gifford Woods State Park pass which gained us free entry into the park. From there we were able to access the small boat access and kayak beautiful Echo Lake," one visitor reported.
Mountain biking: Many of the forest service roads near Shrewsbury provide connections to established mountain biking networks. From May through October, these trails range from beginner-friendly doubletrack to more technical singletrack routes through the forest.
Secluded tent sites: Campers appreciate the privacy offered at Coolidge State Park Campground. A reviewer mentioned, "It was a very quiet location. There was plenty of room between sites. The roads going in and leaving were well maintained." Another camper shared, "Nice place to get away from it all. Very wooded and private sites. Many have lean-tos and brick ovens."
Fall foliage viewing: October brings spectacular color changes to the forests around Shrewsbury. One camper stated, "I grew up camping here, my parents took us up here every Columbus Day weekend when the color of the leaves were stunning. In the summer the view is just as good, just a lot more green."
Wildlife encounters: The forests around Shrewsbury support diverse wildlife populations. Campers report regular sightings of deer, wild turkeys, and occasionally moose. Owls and other night birds provide natural soundtrack at many campgrounds.
Road conditions: Forest roads to primitive sites require appropriate vehicles. A camper at Road's End Dispersed Camp noted, "The drive in is a little rough, but doable for most vehicles. The only thing you will find here is a fire ring."
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather changes rapidly in the Green Mountains. Temperatures can fluctuate 30+ degrees within 24 hours, especially in spring and fall. Pack layers and rain gear regardless of forecasts.
Limited cell service: Most campsites near Shrewsbury have spotty or no cell coverage. Download maps and information before arrival as digital navigation may be unreliable in the area.
Beginner-friendly campsites: Quechee State Park Campground offers family-friendly amenities about 40 minutes from Shrewsbury. A camper 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.)"
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature safe swimming areas for children. One visitor noted, "Camp Plymouth has a huge beach and picnic area with a snack bar and boat rentals. We made a day of it and enjoyed the whole shebang! This park is especially clean and the staff extremely friendly."
Educational opportunities: Many Vermont state parks near Shrewsbury run junior ranger programs and nature walks throughout the summer. These programs typically last 1-2 hours and introduce children to local ecology through hands-on activities.
Size limitations: Most campgrounds near Shrewsbury accommodate smaller to mid-sized RVs only. At Gifford Woods State Park Campground, a reviewer cautioned, "When camping in VT it is usually our goal to hike, rest, cook, and relax at camp... Gifford Woods has great access to the AT and the Long Trail, nice bathrooms, and kind staff... but campers beware- it is wedged between two major highways."
Leveling challenges: Many campsites in the mountainous terrain require leveling blocks. One camper advised, "We have seen all shapes and sizes come and go, as well as tent campers, and they offer lean to's as well... Biggest Con- It looks like the state has spread out RCA on the sites, which probably could have spread out better and made more level. Also tough to drive a stake into."
Limited hookups: Most state parks and all dispersed camping areas lack full hookups. Plan for dry camping with occasional access to water fill and dump stations at larger established campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Shrewsbury, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Shrewsbury, VT offers a wide range of camping options, with 221 campgrounds and RV parks near Shrewsbury, VT and 33 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Shrewsbury, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Shrewsbury, VT is Coolidge State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 13 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Shrewsbury, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 33 free dispersed camping spots near Shrewsbury, VT.
What parks are near Shrewsbury, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Shrewsbury, VT that allow camping, notably Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests and Green Mountain National Forest.
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