Camping spots near Springfield, Vermont offer a mix of lakefront and mountain terrain camping experiences at elevations ranging from 400 to 1,800 feet. Many campgrounds in this area are situated within the Green Mountain range or along the Connecticut River Valley, creating distinct microclimates at different elevations. Winter conditions typically close most campgrounds by mid-October, with seasonal reopening in May when nighttime temperatures consistently remain above freezing.
What to do
Paddle the Connecticut River: Wilgus State Park Campground provides direct river access with kayak and canoe rentals available on-site. "Wilgus State Park is the first Vermont state park to open each spring, well before Memorial Day each year. While it's still pretty cold for camping in Vermont in early May, you can get a jump start on the season by renting one of the four camping cabins," notes one visitor who appreciates the early season access.
Hike Mount Ascutney trails: Mount Ascutney State Park Campground offers multiple trail options ranging from 2.9 to 4 miles to reach the summit. "There are four different trails up the mountain of varying levels of difficulty. You can also drive right to the top and hike around on the summit trails, which are really pretty and pop out onto ledges with gorgeous vistas," explains a regular visitor.
Visit historical sites: Located near Coolidge State Park Campground, President Calvin Coolidge's homestead offers a glimpse into Vermont history. "Make sure to visit the historical site nearby (President Calvin Coolidge's homestead) and long trail brewing," suggests a camper who enjoyed combining outdoor recreation with historical exploration.
Swim in natural settings: Caton Place Campground features swimming options for families seeking water recreation. "Bath House is currently being updated. It is very clean," notes a recent visitor who found the facilities well-maintained despite ongoing improvements.
What campers like
Mountain views from campsites: Jamaica State Park Campground offers sites with scenic vistas of surrounding Vermont mountains. "A jewel! Quiet, beautiful small lake/pond great for paddling," remarks one visitor about the peaceful setting and recreational opportunities.
Privacy between sites: Tree Farm Campground receives high marks for site spacing. "The campground is clean and quiet, with sites that are spacious and private. The wifi is pretty darn good. There's a cozy lounge room to hang out in with games, books, crayons, and puzzles," comments a camper who appreciated both the natural setting and amenities.
Clean facilities: Pillsbury State Park Campground maintains high standards for bathrooms and common areas despite its rustic nature. "We spent one night at Site 11. Check in was simple and quick, Ranger was friendly and helpful. We were able to purchase firewood on site. Our site was waterfront and shared a small beach/kayak launch with the neighboring site," explains a visitor who found the waterfront access particularly valuable.
Access to hiking networks: Several campgrounds connect to larger trail systems. "The park is an important link in the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway, a 51-mile hiking trail that connects Mount Monadnock with Mount Sunapee to the north," notes a reviewer describing how Pillsbury State Park Campground serves as a hub for longer adventures.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many camping areas around Springfield have spotty cellular coverage. "This campground is my new favorite. The owners, Liz and Ben, are super friendly, easy-going, and welcoming. The campground is clean and quiet, with sites that are spacious and private," mentions a camper at Tree Farm Campground who valued the disconnected experience.
Road noise at some campgrounds: Sites closer to highways may experience traffic sounds. "I cannot give this a 5 star rating solely for the fact of road noise. We were in site 27 and it was a beautiful site but the road noise from interstate 91 was extremely loud," reports a visitor to Mount Ascutney State Park who suggested choosing sites in the tent-only loop for quieter conditions.
Limited hookups at state parks: Most Vermont state parks offer primitive camping without electric or water connections. "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," explains a camper at Quechee State Park who found the location convenient despite the lack of hookups.
Early reservation requirements: Popular sites book months in advance, especially for summer weekends. "Small and primitive campground. It has less sites than a lot of the other ones. The sites on the water are really nice," notes a camper at Pillsbury State Park who recommends planning ahead for waterfront locations.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options for children: Quechee State Park Campground provides safe water access ideal for younger swimmers. "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)," shares a parent who appreciated the organized activities.
Playground accessibility: Crown Point Camping Area features dedicated play spaces with adult seating areas. "I stayed here for Memorial Day weekend. We had so much fun. They have a lagoon for kids, with built in water rafts in the middle for kids to jump in. They have scheduled events that occur including family and adult only fire truck rides around the campground," describes a visitor who enjoyed the family-focused amenities.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer ranger-led programs specifically designed for children aged 5-12. "Wilgus state park has amazing campsites, very friendly staff, and great access to the Connecticut River. This campground was beautiful and very quiet even though it was full. We loved walking the trail behind the campsites along the river to the beautiful vista views with a group with young kids," notes a family who found the hiking trails suitable for children.
Safety considerations: Waterfall areas require close supervision of children. "Nice little weekend getaway. Clean bathrooms, roomy tent sites, nice staff. Fun playground and nature area for kids. Very family friendly place with beautiful hikes to Hamilton falls," advises a parent who visited Jamaica State Park with children.
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: Winhall Brook Camping Area offers larger sites for RVs with some hookup options. "Beautifully maintained grounds with some separation/privacy. Nice rocky beachesque swimming area on the river on the grounds. Bathrooms ok, 2 bathrooms with one shower each," notes an RVer who found the facility clean but limited in shower capacity.
Dump station locations: Most campgrounds provide dump stations even when sewer hookups aren't available at individual sites. "Camped here Labor Day Weekend in our 40 ft 5th wheel. We had a pull thru site. Easy to drive into the campground and into the site. We had no issues at all," reports a camper at Caton Place who successfully navigated a large rig.
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at mountain campgrounds. "The pull through site is not level and is barely long enough to fit my 43' rig (with my motorcycle lift)," warns an RVer about one particular campground, highlighting the importance of checking site dimensions before booking larger vehicles.
Generator policies: Most state parks restrict generator usage to specific hours, typically 8am-8pm. "The grounds were beautiful! nice clean restrooms and showers, a few playgrounds, and nice trails. Only downside for us was bad phone signal and everything seemed far away," mentions an RV camper who found the remote location challenging for resupply runs.
