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The land of Wilgus State Park was given to the state of Vermont in 1933 by Colonel and Mrs. William Wilgus for the creation of Wilgus State Park.
The original park, constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, consisted of a picnic area with large flue-type stone fireplaces and picnic tables, and the ranger's quarters.
The campground was developed and expanded between 1960 and the present time. Wilgus State Park is a very popular park for canoes and kayaks, since it is located on the Connecticut River.
This park provides day use access to the Connecticut River and the Pinnacle Trail hike provides a scenic vista of the Connecticut River Valley.
Facilities / Amenities There are 4 cabins, 15 tent/trailer sites and 6 lean-to sites which overlook the Connecticut River. There are two restrooms with flush toilets, hot and cold running water and coin-operated hot showers. There is a picnic area and 3 lean-tos in the Group area. Canoe and kayak rentals are available at the contact station as well as a WiFi connection. A trailer sanitary station is located near the ranger's quarters. There is also a small picnic shelter for campers.
$20 - $30 / night
$23 / night
140 acres white pine forest. Large pullthrough RV sites, full hookup RV and tent sites, quiet, cool, relax atmosphere. Cable and wifi available. Dogs welcome
$26 - $36 / night
NOTICE: Due to damages sustained during the 2023 floods, in addition to planned infrastructure upgrades, the Winhall Brook Camping Area will be closed for the entirety of the 2024 Recreation Season. We are unsure at this time how long we will be closed and will update as soon as possible. (Updated October 23, 2024) Winhall Brook Camping Area is nestled in the Green Mountains of Vermont along Winhall Brook and the West River, seven miles from Ball Mountain Lake. The campground has strong appeal to the outdoorsman at heart, offering hiking, biking and fishing opportunities in a beautiful natural setting.
The campground offers several waterways in which to fish and play. The West River and Winhall Brook are home to brook, rainbow and brown trout. Hiking and biking are popular summer activities with cross country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. The West River Trail stretches 16 miles along parts of the long-since-abandoned West River Railroad, providing a safe and scenic route for hiking, biking and cross country skiing in the winter months. The trail connects the villages of South Londonderry, Jamaica and Townshend. Ball Mountain Lake is nearby with fishing, boating, hiking and scenic overlooks. You can access the lake at our car-top boat launch which also provides shore fishing access. Hiking trails offer great views of Angel Falls to the north and Hamilton Falls to the south along the West River Trail. Water is released from the dam to create whitewater opportunities for rafting and kayaking the first weekend in May and the last weekend in September.
Winhall Brook consists of broad grassy meadows surrounded by heavily wooded areas. The campground lies among a beautiful northern hardwood forest, which provides outstanding fall color and wildlife habitat. Visitors enjoy catching glimpses of the region's wildlife which may include moose, white-tailed deer, black bear, bald eagles, owls, osprey, woodpeckers and a wide variety of songbirds.
For local information, please call (802) 824-4570 or call (978) 318-8914 for general information.
Please see Recreation.gov changes and cancellation policy at the link below: Changes and cancellations
$24 / night
Guide
Went on a Wednesday night late October and had to drive about 4 miles down the dirt road to find a suitable spot. After what was very quiet and a peaceful place to be. Many pull offs but a lot were too wet for my van and I was afraid of getting stuck. The road itself was in great condition though.
Legend
What a beautiful and well maintained CG! Great owners, facilities, and amenities. Gravel roads and relatively level gravel sites. There are W/E sites, dry sites, and many secluded tent sites. There are two lakes and another nearby. It is close to many hiking trails. We arrived an hour after the water was turned off due to freezing temps. We were allowed to fill the fresh tank from the lodge. We woke the next day to heavy fog. We would definitely stay here again - for longer than an overnight stay!
TravelerThe entrance to the road had a sign that said “road closed ahead”. We chanced it and was able to find a really nice open spot right before the road closure. Was a great spot!
Scout
It was a very quiet location. There was plenty of room between sites. The roads going in and leaving were well maintained. I accidently booked a tent site, and my popup camper and truck almost didn't fit. We will have to go back and get a shelter site. This way we can get the beautiful views of the mountains. We both enjoyed the Coolidge State Park
Scout
There are a lot of camping sites for tents at this location. Quite a few lean-tos to rest . Restrooms with coin operated showers. Every site has a picnic table.
Scout
Site 47 pull thru. Nice clean campground ! No neighbors left and right. Staff very nice. Very noisy tho in sites by the river due to Rte 10. We enjoyed the campground. Small and cozy. Nice size sites
Scout
I just got here. Road was quite good. I believe I have the last of 4 sites. Nice camp fire area.
Scout
No camping signs. Private property
Scout
I needed a place to stop, been traveling for 6 hours. Nice enough for me. Everything was wet from last night's rain. Everyone was pleasant.
Scout
I strongly urge anyone considering Getaway Mountain Campground to stay far away. Our experience here was nothing short of appalling. From the moment we checked in, the owners were extremely rude and unwelcoming. After staying for the weekend, we extended our stay due to the campground’s cleanliness, thinking it would be perfect for our family, including our three children with special needs and our service animals.
Unfortunately, the owner’s behavior quickly escalated. One day, the man running the office drove by on his golf cart and began yelling and swearing at me, accusing us of not picking up after our dogs. I explained that we always clean up after them, but he refused to listen. We decided to leave for the weekend to avoid further conflict, but when we returned, we found piles of dog poop deliberately placed near our motorhome. Things worsened when one of our children, who is nonverbal, picked up a pile of the mess.
When we addressed the issue with the office, the owner’s wife not only refused to acknowledge their behavior but also accused us of lying. The man’s hostile behavior escalated again, yelling and swearing at us in front of our children. He threatened to have us thrown out by the police, which he followed through on. The officers who responded could see that this was a personal issue and were baffled as to why they had been called. We were told to leave, but not before being denied a refund for the remaining days we had already paid for.
To make matters worse, we’ve since learned that the owners of Getaway Mountain Campground have been actively calling around to other campgrounds, slandering our name. They falsely claim we don’t pick up after our dogs and that my husband chased the owner with a 2x4—an outright lie. The current campground we’re staying at informed us of this and has stated that they’ve seen no issues with us or our pets. In fact, the surrounding campers have no complaints, and the campground owner is willing to write a statement about the situation, including notifying the authorities of this baseless harassment.
The entire experience left us feeling targeted and mistreated. We have traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and have never encountered anything like this. Save yourself the trouble and avoid this campground at all costs.
Verdict: AVOID Getaway Mountain Campground.
Scout
Paid in full for a week in July, we stay here every year. Learned in May that I had cancer and would need surgery and weekly chemo until the end of September. Contacted Forest Lake Campground in May to cancel reservation, discussed options and was told we could carry our week over for later. Just received the all clear from my Dr today. Called to make reservations and was told they would not honor our already paid week. They said we would not get our money back either. Won’t stay here again as they are not people of their word.
Scout
In addition to the descriptions of this campground in other reviews, I add charm and utility of site design, and the friendliness and intelligence of the staff. Enjoy the serenity of the forest surrounding you, while you glimpse stars, and warm your innards beside a fire.
Scout
Owners were very welcoming and helpful. The bathrooms were cleaner than mine at home. Nostalgic feel with playground, pool, and rec hall.
ScoutGreat spot for quiet desolate camping. Several spots to choose from.
Traveler
Nicely spaced sites, level and welcoming hosts. There are a few trails around the campground and it is close to Mt Ascutney which if you are feeling a bit lazy there is an auto rd that goes about 3/4 of the way up. 3 mi. Away Springfield as all the services you might need.
Ranger
Only the first section of the campground was open due to flooding. As a result, there were puddles everywhere.
Campsites are listed as disbursed but there are only 7 trees to separate 9 camp sites. The campsites are all next to the road and have fire circles.
There is a single pit toilet at the end of the camping area. No garbage service, no water, no cell service. Basically a camp site where you can share a fire with the neighbors.
ScoutThere seems to be a little confusion about where restricted day use ends and overnight dispersed sites begin. Some folks were camping in the picnic area. Past the gate at the end of the Texas Falls recreation area we found several sites with only a fire pit along the brook. They were well used with some litter. We packed out what we could find. There are posted signs on the opposite bank so we stayed on our side. Brook water filtered fine and was tasty. Relatively short walk to waterless toilets was welcome. Very pretty area.
Scout
Had a pleasant stay at Woodford State Park. Sites near T38 have a great elevated view of the reservoir. Also a nice loop trail for those looking to do a little bit of hiking.
GuideLarge, well organized camping spots along the road. The spot I chose had a beautifully built fire pit. It was a little muddy from rain.
Scout
The owners are very nice but the sites are super close together. We had neighbors that had a large party 4 ft from our camper for two days. The showers cost .50 and are luke warm, definitely not hot. Only 4 shower stalls (2 men 2 female) for the whole campground. The bathrooms weren't cleaned during the 2 days we were there. The country side is beautiful and Newport is a cute little town. We won't stay at the campground again.
Scout
Autumn Hills Campground is AWESOME! It’s remotely located and the amenities and activities are amazing, something for everyone! The staff is so friendly and helpful and I can’t say enough how clean the bathrooms, laundry room and store are! The super nice owners, Adam& Jennifer are constantly making upgrades and changes and have really created a beautiful, family oriented campground! I recommend you take the virtual tour online so you can pick a sight that works for you and book it soon.
Guide
Road goes in pretty far. Some parts are muddy and very rough. Higher clearance would be advised!!!
GuideLove this site! The very last spot on the right hand side. If you’ve reached the closed gate you’ve missed the site! Keep it clean!
Scout
Personal Connection
Baker River Campground will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s where I was first introduced to camping as a child. My first visit was in 1969 when I was eight years old. Last year, I returned for the first time in over 50 years. While much has changed, the basic layout of the camp remains the same, and it’s still family-owned, which is wonderful.
Current Stay
I stayed on site#20 with my class B van. Here are some highlights and details of my experience: Site Location: Conveniently near the road going out and to the beach. Amenities: Electrical and water hookup, a well-placed fire pit, and a bathroom/shower house right across from my site. The facilities were very clean, thanks to regular cleaning. Campground Condition: Maintained excellently, largely due to Reno, the full-time staff member who oversees the place. He was outstanding. The only reason I gave it a 5 was because of him. Environment: Located on the Baker River with a cozy beach. Limited amenities(horseshoe pit and a small playground), but both were in excellent condition. The campground is perfect for those who prefer a traditional camping experience without additional frills. During the week, the campground was quiet, but it got crowded on the weekends with seasonal campers and tent setups closer to the river. I appreciate the layout and the ambiance of the campground.
Negative Aspects
Unfortunately, a recent change in ownership to a corporation has brought noticeable changes: Loss of Personal Touch: The campground has lost its personal feel. Reno is still a lifesaver, but he’s the only one maintaining the old charm. Neglect by Management: The focus has shifted to another campground, Riverbrook, which is evident from their social media presence and activities. Baker River is largely neglected, and even basic acknowledgments from the management are lacking. Lack of Engagement: The director of both campgrounds visited but did not engage with campers. When Reno was on vacation, there was no other staff available to assist. Seasonal Campers' Discontent: Long-term campers have noticed the decline and are considering not returning next year. Corporate Focus: The corporation seems more interested in raising prices and saving money rather than maintaining and improving Baker River Campground.
Final Thoughts
I write this review out of a deep passion for Baker River Campground. It’s painful to see the decline in care and attention. I believe each campground should be treated as a separate entity with full-time events and dedicated management. The current corporate approach appears to prioritize profit over the well-being of the campground and its community. It’s a shame to see such a beloved place being neglected. I hope the management will take these concerns seriously and work towards restoring the charm and personal touch that made Baker River Campground special.
Mike Weild
Weild on Wheels
Traveler
This campground was perfect for our group that had 5 small children. The kids were able to safely ride bikes on the camp roads, sites were large and well spaced out from each other, great playground and fun playing in the river. Amazing programming options from the ranger staff each day
GuideCampground is small and clean. We only stayed 2 nights and felt like we saw and did all it had to offer. Nice hike up Slack Hill!
GuideWe had a wonderful couple of nights here. I highly recommend the lean-to’s. The bathrooms were clean and the coin-operated showers were great. Each site was neatly maintained. Above all else, the staff here was phenomenal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Springfield, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Springfield, VT is Jamaica State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 21 reviews.
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