Vermont's camping options near Shrewsbury sit between 800-1,500 feet elevation within the Green Mountain National Forest. Seasonal conditions vary dramatically, with campgrounds typically operating from late May through mid-October when temperatures range from 40°F nights to 80°F days. Most campsites require reservations during peak summer months, while shoulder seasons often permit walk-in camping.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 4 miles round-trip from Jamaica State Park Campground to Hamilton Falls requires moderate effort but rewards with swimming holes. "We hiked the west river trail 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. People have lost their lives at these falls so be extra cautious with children," advises Chris D.
Summit views: 3.7 mile drive up Mount Ascutney State Park auto road leads to observation tower with minimal hiking required. "There is a 3.7 mile road that is extremely steep but paved, and goes to the summit of the mountain. Less than 1 mile hike from there to the observation tower. Great views," notes Marc D. The toll road closes at 7:30 pm sharp, before sunset in summer.
Brook fishing: Multiple access points at various campgrounds provide trout fishing opportunities from May through October. At Greendale Campground, sites border water: "We picked a nice site next to a babbling brook. The water is clean, refreshing and soothing. Especially soothing while sitting by the campfire," reports M.A.D. P.
What campers like
Secluded wooded sites: Many Vermont campgrounds offer sites with natural privacy barriers. Michele S. says of Coolidge State Park, "Very wooded and private sites. Many have lean-tos and brick ovens." This natural separation helps maintain peace even during busy periods.
Historic trail access: The Appalachian Trail passes directly through Gifford Woods State Park Campground, offering section-hiking opportunities. "The AT runs directly through this 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," shares Sarah K.
Winter recreation opportunities: Some campgrounds maintain winter trail access even when facilities close. At Greendale, "Deep snow often covers amenities at this site December – mid April. The nearest plowed parking area to the campground in the winter is approximately one mile away and access is via skis or snowshoes," notes one reviewer.
What you should know
Road noise impacts: Interstate proximity affects several otherwise peaceful campgrounds. At Emerald Lake State Park Campground, "There is some road noise from the campground at night, but overall this is a pretty fantastic camping experience," explains Tara S. Request sites farther from main roads when possible.
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have spotty or nonexistent coverage. At Lake Bomoseen KOA, "Cell services on ATT and TMobile were nonexistent. Campground WiFi is a joke (less than 1mbps)," reports one camper. Download maps and reservation details before arrival.
Bug season intensity: Late May through early July brings black flies and mosquitoes, especially near water. At Greendale Campground, Jeff N. warns simply: "Bugs. Mosquitos. Black flies. Deer flies. All of them biting. Cool site, but super buggy." Bug nets and repellent are essential during this period.
Tips for camping with families
Easy water access: For families with children, look for campgrounds with shallow water features. At Quechee State Park Campground, "It's a short hike down to Quechee Gorge, where you can cool off in the shallow water," notes Jen B. "Rangers also run fun programs for children - my children churned butter and made popcorn over the campfire one night."
Playground availability: Not all campgrounds offer play structures, which can be important during downtime. Fransheska A. notes Jamaica State Park has a "Fun playground and nature area for kids. Very family friendly place with beautiful hikes to Hamilton falls." Plan activities for rainy days when hiking isn't possible.
Lean-to sites for weather protection: Vermont's unpredictable weather makes sheltered sites valuable for families. Ming R. observes at Mount Ascutney, "Leantos at this state park give you protection from the elements - mind you not all sites have a leanto. (The kids also enjoyed the view from the top of the leanto but I cannot officially recommend that. : P )"
Tips for RVers
Limited hookup options: Most dog friendly campgrounds near Shrewsbury offer primitive camping with few or no hookups. At Camp Plymouth State Park Campground, no electric or water connections are available, requiring self-contained operation or generator use.
Narrow interior roads: Many of Vermont's state parks were designed before large RVs became common. Caton Place Campground illustrates this challenge: "The roads aren't wide enough to take a motorhome into. The pull through site is not level and is barely long enough to fit my 43' rig. You have to go down a small hill and bottom out the front and then drag the backend out of the dirt," warns Jim B.
Dump station access: While hookups are limited, several campgrounds provide dump stations. Quechee State Park offers "a spacious dump site if needed. There are plenty of fresh water spigots," according to Chris A., making it feasible for longer stays with careful water management.
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