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Andie M.
Traveler
TravelerCountry Aire Campgrounds
Repeat guest here!
Laundry is clean, bathrooms are clean and showers are hot. Pool, dishwashing station, sometimes quite sometimes very active. Love this place! Wish it was open year round!
Camping near Sunderland, VT
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Southern Vermont's Green Mountain region surrounding Sunderland features diverse camping options within a short drive. Woodford State Park Campground, located 15 miles south of Sunderland, offers tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and yurts around Adams Reservoir at the highest elevation of all Vermont state parks. Emerald Lake State Park in nearby Dorset provides waterfront camping with boat-in access and glamping accommodations. For those seeking riverside experiences, Camping on the Battenkill in Arlington features over 100 sites with multiple hookup options along the Battenkill River. The George D. Aiken Wilderness area and several Forest Service roads also support primitive dispersed camping for more adventurous visitors.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from late April or Memorial Day weekend through mid-October or Columbus Day weekend. Vermont state parks typically do not offer electrical hookups, though private campgrounds like Dorset RV Park provide full-service sites. Spring visits may encounter muddy, rutted forest roads unsuitable for low-clearance vehicles. As one camper noted about Woodford State Park, "It's the highest elevation campground in Vermont, which means that when temperatures soar in the valleys, you can come here for a noticeable temperature difference." Cell service varies significantly throughout the area, with some campgrounds offering WiFi while others have no connectivity. Bear boxes are available at some sites, and proper food storage is recommended.
Fall foliage draws significant crowds to area campgrounds, with many visitors reporting spectacular views. "The fall foliage is unreal!" remarked one Woodford State Park visitor. Waterfront sites are particularly popular, with campers appreciating the privacy and natural settings. Swimming holes, fishing spots, and kayaking opportunities enhance the camping experience throughout the region. Lean-to shelters represent a distinctive Vermont camping option, providing protection from the elements while maintaining an outdoor experience. Hikers appreciate the proximity to trail networks, including sections of the Appalachian Trail and numerous mountain summits with panoramic views. Most campgrounds maintain clean facilities with showers, though some primitive sites require visitors to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste.
Best Campgrounds near Sunderland (206)
1. Camping On The Battenkill
"Our first time in Vermont and we picked an awesome campground. This place has a great layout with lots of great sites to choose from. There are several sites right on the river!
Clean bath houses."
"Site 16 had a path to the river and was slightly tucked away. Sites 13 and 14 were cool spots too, I’d imagine in the summer you may have less privacy because it’s near the swimming area."
from $45 - $57 / night
Check Availability2. Emerald Lake State Park Campground
"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."
3. Woodford State Park Campground
"Woodford State Park is situated between Wilmington and Bennington VT in the southern part of the Green Mountain National Forest."
"The views on some of the sites to the lake are beautiful. the grounds and facilities are well kept. and you are close to both Bennington and Wilmington. a great spot to camp at in Southern Vermont!"
4. Grout Pond Campground — Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests
"My friend and I were desperately looking for a place to spend the weekend, and with Covid making it a little more difficult to rely on walking in and finding a campsite, we made a blind reservation for"
"We were the only campers along the waterfront, but there were a few car campers in the sites near the road."
from $16 / night
Check Availability5. Jamaica State Park Campground
"This tops our list for camping in Vermont. There is so much to do here, and yet the campground feels very private and quiet. There are 41 tent/RV sites to choose from and 18 lean-tos."
"This was our second stay at this Vermont State Park. It was a great three days. The park rangers were tremendous in ensuring we had a delightful visit. They worked with us to get the right site."
from $20 - $42 / night
Check Availability6. Dorset RV Park
"The roads and campsites are gravel and a little tight to get around because of all the trees but we were able to manage in our 45’ motorhome."
"The location was very good in allowing us to visit family in nearby village and go into nearby Manchester Center. Much more of an RV Park (name is on the money) than camping where we had our site."
7. Winhall Brook Campground
"The campground is located where Winhall River meets the West River."
"There is a small group of camp sides with electricity and water but most sites have none. The bathrooms are clean. Where the two rivers intersect is a nice sport to put your feet in the water."
from $24 - $30 / night
Check Availability8. Somerset Airfield
"Great location near Somerset Reservoir. Weekend was interrupted by a domestic violence situation a few sites downbeat resulted in fights and someone shooting off a handgun."
"Some sites have access to a stream that flows behind the park. The real attraction is the huge Somerset Resevoir which is up the road."
9. Dispersed site along Forest RD 71
"We stayed at one near the creek just over a little bridge. Cute little site, nice fire pit, clean, perfect rock to put a big water jug on. The sound of running water was soothing."
"One of many locations along Forest rd 71, this spot was a good place to pitch a tent for the night while exploring the area even in the rain."
10. Statton Pond Camp on Forest Road 71
"Easy access to an open circle, capable of handling multiple rigs for a large gathering. Stone fire ring in the center. We had this all to ourselves in our Bean teardrop. "
"Hiking trail to Stratton Pond close by."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 2 min from Pittsfield, MA
- 1 hr 4 min from Albany, NY
- 1 hr 10 min from Glens Falls, NY
- 1 hr 46 min from Amherst Center, MA
Recent Camping Photos near Sunderland, VT
481 Photos of 206 Sunderland Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Camping On The Battenkill
Statton Pond Camp on Forest Road 71T
Stratton Pond Shelter
Dispersed site along Forest RD 71
TimberTrail FarmT
Grout Pond Campground — Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests
NF 83 - riverside
Emerald Lake State Park Campground
Somerset Airfield
Hidden OrchardA
Hapgood Pond
Hapgood Pond NF Campground
Recent Reviews near Sunderland, VT
822 Reviews of 206 Sunderland Campgrounds
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Donna D.TravelerPittsfield State Forest Campground
Pittsfield State Forest
Great little campground in Berkshire County. Mostly suited for tent camping or small RVs, although there are definitely sites for RVs to use. Call to get an idea of what’s available if you do plan on bringing your RV. The facilities were clean and the trails well marked.
Tara S.
LegendCoolidge State Park Campground Vermont
Very private with gorgeous views
This is a quiet campground in a quiet part of the state. The terrain is mountainous, and all of the sites are private. There are two loops, one for tents/RVs and one for lean-tos. We stayed in the Willow lean-to, and while our site didn't have a view, it was one of the most private sites we've stayed in and just a short walk to the bathhouse.
The campground was created by the CCC in the 1930s, and from what I've heard, it hasn't changed much since that time. While we were here, we visited the Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site (very cool), Long Trail Brewing, and the town of Woodstock. Great trip!
Jessica M.
GuideKelley Stand Rd - NF Dispersed Camping
Interesting, decent site
Free dispersed camping site in the Green Mountain National Forest, off a dirt road. The site curves around past the driveway so you can tuck up into the trees to be more private. The upper part there has a circular open area, surrounded by thin trees. There’s a fire ring set up midway on the site. It felt more isolated than other sites I’ve stayed at and there were quite a few animal sounds in the woods, including large animal bones left past the treeline. They seem to be left behind from people (based off of how the bones were cut). Dispersed camping so don’t expect facilities of any sort. Decent site and pretty large compared to some of the other spots. Heard Barred Owls in the distance which was awesome. Uploaded a video of the site at night and pics of the area on a map that my friend was able to pull up.
- Jessica M.Guide
Dispersed site along Forest RD 71
Cute dispersed spot
Went with a friend on an impromptu last minute camping trip up in the NF and hoped we could find a spot on a Friday night. Quite a few spots were taken but there were still some free ones. We stayed at one near the creek just over a little bridge. Cute little site, nice fire pit, clean, perfect rock to put a big water jug on. The sound of running water was soothing. In the morning, adorable little red squirrels with big personalities made themselves known and there were wildflowers blooming all over with hummingbirds going about their business. This is dispersed camping so there’s no rest rooms, running water, etc. The particular site we stayed at did have another site on the other side of the creek and we could hear the family during the day and see them as they walked past, so it wasn’t as isolated as some of the other sites. It was a cute spot and I’ll def be back.
Henry M.
ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Spent Several Days
We spent several days here during the summer and had a really good experience. Some days we stayed busy swimming and exploring, while other days we barely left our campsite. That was probably what we enjoyed most.
Dayton B.TravelerSomerset Airfield
Forest Service Raod 71
This is a good spot if you don’t mind being social. The main camping area is a large grassy opening where multiple people park and camp together, and there is a bathroom, but there isn’t much privacy between sites. If you continue farther down the forest road, there are several smaller pull-offs with much more private dispersed camping spots. I’d recommend checking those out if you’re looking for a quieter experience.
Harley J.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Really Enjoyed
Really enjoyed the setting at Crow’s Nest. There are lots of trees and having the Sugar River running alongside the campground gives the whole place a nice New Hampshire feel. We were mostly looking for somewhere to disconnect for a couple of days, cook outside, fish a little, and enjoy being away from home. Crow’s Nest was a great fit for that.
David B.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Always Nice Coming Back
What we liked most about Crow’s Nest was being able to choose between doing absolutely nothing or heading out and exploring. One day we stayed around the campground, went swimming and relaxed by the river. The next day we got out and explored more of the Lake Sunapee area. It made a really good home base and it was always nice coming back to our campsite at the end of the day.
Guide to Sunderland
Sunderland camping options range from primitive dispersed sites to full-service campgrounds across elevations of 600 to 2,900 feet. The highest point in the region is Stratton Mountain at 3,940 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-80°F with mountain locations often 10-15 degrees cooler than valley floors. Dispersed camping areas along Forest Road 71 provide free alternatives to established campgrounds but require campers to pack out all waste.
What to do
Paddling at Somerset Reservoir: Access the large, undeveloped water body from Somerset Airfield for kayaking and fishing. "The real attraction is the huge Somerset Reservoir which is up the road. Plenty of fishing, paddling, hiking and picnicking opportunities," notes one Somerset Airfield visitor.
Explore Stratton Pond Trail: This moderate 4.6-mile hiking trail near Forest Road 71 leads to mountain views. A camper mentions, "Good hiking access to Stratton Pond, to Branch Pond, to Grout Pond Recreation Area, to the AT/LT," making Stratton Pond Camp a good base for hikers.
Swim at Adams Reservoir: The lake at Woodford offers swimming in Vermont's highest elevation state park campground. "There is a small, sandy beach at one end of the lake, with a bath house and changing rooms nearby. Swimmers can swim out to a small island in the middle of the lake," reports a visitor.
Tube the Battenkill River: Gentle rapids provide family-friendly tubing opportunities. "We also tube down the river. Very clean restrooms and nice staff," shares a camper at Camping on the Battenkill.
What campers like
High elevation camping: At 2,400 feet, Woodford offers cooler summer temperatures. "Great place to camp and access nearby hiking including the AT and LT. Clean lodge (hostel) for hikers; access to a kitchen and showers as well," writes a Woodford State Park guest.
Riverside sites: Campsites along water are consistently rated highest. "We had a lean to site at this campground. Facilities were great. The lake was beautiful and rented boats and canoes. Swimming is also available. Good central location," shares a visitor at Emerald Lake State Park.
Dispersed camping privacy: Free camping options on Forest Service roads offer more seclusion. "One of many locations along Forest rd 71, this spot was a good place to pitch a tent for the night while exploring the area even in the rain," notes a camper about the dispersed sites.
Clean facilities: State parks maintain high cleanliness standards. "The bathrooms were the cleanest campground bathrooms I've ever seen! The campsites are pretty big and somewhat private which is nice," comments a Woodford State Park visitor.
What you should know
Variable cell service: Many camping areas have limited connectivity. "No service or wifi," notes a Winhall Brook camper, while others report, "2 bars of USCellular LTE" at Stratton Pond Camp.
Seasonal weather challenges: Spring conditions often involve mud and potential access issues. "This was a great site. I couldn't believe that the site was not being used at all, especially just a couple of days before Fourth of July weekend," shares a camper about Jamaica State Park.
Shower tokens required: Many state parks require quarters for showers. "Pay showers so save your quarters. Nice lake for canoeing with trails from the camping area," advises a camper about Emerald Lake.
Limited hookups: Most state parks offer minimal or no RV hookups. "There are a few sites with hookups but since we like to be near the river, we opted for other areas," explains a visitor about campsite selection.
Tips for camping with families
River swimming spots: Shallow water areas are best for children. "We were at site 17, and it was a massive site. Lots of room would be great for a large family or group. The beach on the river is beautiful and clean! Easy swimming for all," reports a Camping on the Battenkill visitor.
Lean-to shelters: These structures provide extra weather protection for families. "Leantos at this state park give you protection from the elements - mind you not all sites have a leanto. Sites are on top of each other but some are more spacious and away from the others," explains an Emerald Lake camper.
Playgrounds and open spaces: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "We had a lean to site at this campground. Facilities were great... nice clean restrooms and nice staff. Fun playground and nature area for kids," says a Jamaica State Park reviewer.
Book early for summer weekends: Family-friendly sites fill quickly. "This is a popular campground so reserve as early as 11 months before arrival," advises an Emerald Lake visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Not all campgrounds accommodate bigger RVs. "Larger rigs might want to avoid loop 6-14, especially for sites 8-12. Tree placement and a pretty sharp 110+ degree turn makes it challenging to maneuver," warns a visitor at Dorset RV Park.
Seasonal considerations: Some campgrounds close roads during mud season. "Spring visits may encounter muddy, rutted forest roads unsuitable for low-clearance vehicles," explains a recent camper.
Dump station availability: Check campground amenities before booking. "The hookups were all well-placed and we didn't have any issues with the electric and the wifi at our site worked well," notes a Dorset RV Park visitor.
Leveling challenges: Many sites require leveling blocks. "Our site was level but some definitely were not," reports an RVer at Dorset RV Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Sunderland, VT?
What camping is available near Sunderland, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Sunderland, VT offers a wide range of camping options, with 206 campgrounds and RV parks near Sunderland, VT and 25 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Sunderland, VT?
Which is the most popular campground near Sunderland, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Sunderland, VT is Camping On The Battenkill with a 4.5-star rating from 20 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Sunderland, VT?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Sunderland, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 25 free dispersed camping spots near Sunderland, VT.
What parks are near Sunderland, VT?
What parks are near Sunderland, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Sunderland, VT that allow camping, notably Townshend Lake and Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests.
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