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Best Campgrounds near Thetford Center, VT

1,009 Reviews

Camping near Thetford Center, Vermont encompasses a mix of established campgrounds and rustic sites along the Connecticut River Valley. The area sits at the crossroads of Vermont's pastoral landscape and New Hampshire's border, with notable options including Rest N Nest Campground in East Thetford and Quechee State Park Campground about 20 miles south. The region features access to the Appalachian Trail, with backcountry shelters available for long-distance hikers. Campers can choose from full-service RV parks with hookups, family-friendly state parks with swimming areas, and more primitive options for those seeking solitude.

Most campgrounds in the Thetford area operate seasonally from late April through mid-October, with peak season running from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Winter camping is limited due to unplowed access roads and freezing temperatures. Cell service varies throughout the region, with Verizon generally providing the most reliable coverage, though signal strength can be spotty in valley locations. According to reviews, AT&T service ranges from 1-3 bars depending on location. Fire restrictions may apply during dry periods, and campers should check with the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation for current conditions.

The camping experience varies significantly between the Connecticut River valley locations and the more elevated sites. Riverside campgrounds like Jacobs Brook in nearby Orford, NH offer water recreation opportunities. One visitor noted, "There's a brook that runs through the campground, providing a shady respite and swimming hole on a hot summer day." Family-friendly amenities include swimming pools, playgrounds, and hiking trails. For RV campers, most established campgrounds provide electric hookups, water, and dump stations, though sewer connections are less common. Tent campers will find both drive-in sites and walk-in options that provide more privacy and natural settings, particularly at state parks and along the Appalachian Trail corridor.

Map showing campgrounds near Thetford Center, VermontExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Thetford Center, Vermont (233)

    1. Quechee State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    Quechee, VT
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 295-2990

    "This is a nice state park located near the Quechee Gorge, a lovely place to explore and play. Vermont State parks often offer lean-to options and Quechee is no exception."

    "You really can't go wrong with a Vermont State Park. They are meticulously maintained and the folx that work there are super helpful."

    2. Quechee-Pine Valley KOA

    11 Reviews
    Quechee, VT
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 296-6711

    "Nice rustic ,small all amenities park.Great place to explore Vermont ,hundreds of things to do and see in the area. Really like this park."

    "While staying here I could enjoy some fishing, taking the dog for a nice walk, enjoy the evening with a nice fire, camp side, and go swimming on those hot summer days."

    3. Jacobs Brook Campground

    6 Reviews
    Fairlee, NH
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 353-9210

    $30 - $50 / night

    "Only one of the sites is located along the brook (45), but there's an easy path down a hill. "

    "Off the beaten path so its peaceful. Sites are a little small but great if you're camping with a group so your close together. Plenty of sites/types to choose from."

    4. Rest N Nest Campground

    3 Reviews
    Thetford Center, VT
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 785-2997

    5. Moose Hillock Camping Resort

    20 Reviews
    Warren, NH
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 764-5294

    $49 - $129 / night

    "Both times were very different experiences, but overall very positive. Just because there are a few, I will mention the cons first."

    "We have stayed in 3 different sections and they are all great with my preference being site 20 with the brook running behind your site which is on a small but nice nature trail."

    6. Pastures Campground The

    2 Reviews
    Fairlee, NH
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 353-4579

    $25 - $35 / night

    "In New Hampshire; Vermont is across the river on the north side of the property. Nice bathroom, showers, laundry room, library. Spacious lots with tables and fire rings."

    7. Storrs Pond Recreation Area

    1 Review
    Hanover, NH
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 643-2134

    $30 - $40 / night

    "I had site 1 which is near office but away from all other sites so it was very quiet. It's a large site with a nearby brook on 2 sides."

    8. Willoughby Farm Animal Rescue

    1 Review
    Bradford, VT
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 727-0279

    $15 - $75 / night

    9. Trapper John Backcountry Campground on the AT — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

    1 Review
    Lyme, NH
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 536-6100

    "I set up my tent in one of the tent areas outside the shelter. There were a few spots for tenting but not a lot.

    There was a standard back country privacy here as well."

    10. Lost River Valley Campground

    32 Reviews
    North Woodstock, NH
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (603) 745-8321

    $62 - $209 / night

    "Nice campground located in the valley of mountains. Wooded sites but close to your neighbors."

    "On our walk our daughter found a lost “moose” who got away from the camp store. Once returned she was able to pick a prize. They also had a tinker bell walk and other activities."

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Recent Camping Photos near Thetford Center, VT

718 Photos of 233 Thetford Center Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Thetford Center, VT

1009 Reviews of 233 Thetford Center Campgrounds

  • Erin D.
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Lost River Valley Campground

    Dirty and Disappointing

    Here’s the revised version of your review with the laundry issue added in seamlessly:⸻ I came to this campground after seeing it advertised in a New Hampshire magazine, noting that it had once been recommended by Yankee Magazine. Unfortunately, it seems that recommendation must have been from many years ago, because what we experienced was nothing like what was promised. From the moment we arrived, it was clear the property was extremely rundown. The entrance and camp store were full of broken wood, broken signs, and musty smells. The bathrooms were absolutely atrocious—filthy, smelly, and clearly not maintained. They may not have been updated in years, but they could at least be kept clean, and they were not. The playgrounds—despite this being advertised as a family-friendly campground—were unsafe and neglected. Structures were practically falling down, weeds were everywhere, and one so-called playground was nothing more than a tarp on the ground with a tiny jungle gym. The game room was equally disappointing: dirty, moldy, and unusable. We had also looked forward to using the laundry facilities, but they were completely out of order and appeared to have been that way for quite some time. This was extremely disappointing and added to the sense that the entire campground is neglected. The swimming area was also a major letdown. The water was murky and uninviting—I wouldn’t even consider kayaking or putting my feet in it. Calling it a“beach” is misleading; it was unkempt and unpleasant. Overall, this campground was an extreme disappointment. It felt neglected, unsafe, and unhygienic in every way. I will not be returning, and I would strongly caution others to look elsewhere for a true family-friendly New Hampshire camping experience.⸻ Would you like me to shorten this into a punchier version(since some review sites have word limits), or keep it as a full detailed account for maximum impact?

  • Greg D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 22, 2025

    Lazy Lions Campground

    Nice quiet place

    Nice campground with plenty of shade, well maintained and decent restrooms. The showers are ok and cost a quarter for 4 minutes. Our site was level and along with a picnic table, they also provide two Adirondack chairs (plastic) and a fire ring.

  • W
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Quechee State Park Campground

    Good location

    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.  The staff was very friendly and accommodating with us. My wife really enjoyed it and had a lot of fun. The ice cream was really close and really good. 

    The issue I had was the camp next to ours had the generator on all night long and I had a hard time getting back to sleep after going to the bathroom. Next time I will get a volunteer or park ranger to get it turned off.

  • J
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Plymouth Sands Camping Area

    Nice campground with amenities and friendly owners

    The campground is in a convenient location near lots of hiking trails and attractions. The sites are decently spacious and have various configurations for utilities. There is a nice beach on the river with a rope swing and ability to swim. We were there while the water was fairly low, so it was great for kids. Firewood is available on site. There is a bathroom with a few stalls and sinks that is well kept and clean. The showers are quarter operated with a coin heat lamp as well for the colder seasons. The office has a lending library of games available. The couple that owns the campground are very friendly and have owned it for 3 seasons now and they have done a great job making sure that amenities are kept up and upgrades are being made.

  • Jim S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Happy Hill Maple Farms

    Offseason

    Quiet spot just off the Hwy. you can hear traffic but not many cars out this time of year(August). They had a fire pit and picnic table . No electricity so we used the generator. We the only one here so the noise should not bother anyone. Great pace for fall visits

  • Jessica C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Chittenden Brook Campground

    Great site

    This was a great site that feels secluded but isn’t. There’s quite a bit of space between each site so you can’t really see your neighbors which is excellent. The vault toilets were surprisingly clean besides the expected smell/flies. No running water or electricity. No cell service a few miles leading up the site, so download your maps in advance. There’s a 2.5 mile dirt road with a steady incline into the camp, which my subie had no issue with, but not sure how well an RV would fair.

    Didn’t see any bear, but take bear food precautions regardless. Each site has a fire pit, tent platform, and picnic table. The sites were well cared for. There were two dumpsters, one for recycling and one for trash, at the end of the loop. They are bear proof and almost me proof! The constant sound of running water from the brook was truly relaxing. I didn’t have issues with bugs (beginning of August) but I also didn’t stay in the camp during the majority of the day.

    All in all, a great campsite and I’ll definitely be back.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 9, 2025

    Lost River Valley Campground

    Great Location

    The best thing about this campground is definitely the location. Perfect place to explore the White Mountains. We stayed in a basic cabin. It was clean, but did smell very musty. It was still comfortable. The sites on the river look amazing. Unfortunately my tent is a little too big for some of those sites, but I could still hear the steam from my cabin/site. Bathrooms were okay. Not as clean as they could have been, but they not bad. Again, the location can’t be beat though. And the sites next to the stream look very nice.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Meadowcrest Campground

    Meadowcrest

    Very nice place . Quiet the staff are very kind people . It was hard to book over phone but messages worked well . I was tent camping on the river . Very private

Guide to Thetford Center

Camping near Thetford Center, Vermont, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a family-friendly adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the nearby trails, including those in the White Mountain National Forest. Campers have noted, "The campground is only a short drive away from an endless amount of hiking options," making it a great base for outdoor adventures.
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds, like Russell Pond Campground, offer fishing opportunities. One visitor shared, "Fishing allowed in the pond which is stocked in the early summer."
  • Swimming: Enjoy a refreshing dip in the ponds or lakes. Campers at Ricker Pond State Park Campground mentioned, "The campground has a small beach, boat launch, and it's right on the Cross Vermont Trail."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A reviewer at Gifford Woods State Park Campground said, "Bathrooms were frequently cleaned and the park was meticulously maintained."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer large, private sites. One visitor at Lost River Valley Campground noted, "The sites are large, wooded, and private."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the staff. A review for Moose Hillock Camping Resort highlighted, "Very friendly staff and the pool was amazing for the kiddos."

What you should know:

  • Road Noise: Some campgrounds are near busy roads, which can be noisy. A camper at Lafayette Place Campground mentioned, "As others have noted, there is a bit of noise from Rt. 93."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A visitor at Hancock Campground pointed out, "There are no showers, and some restrooms have running water, while others are only privies."
  • First-Come, First-Serve: Some sites are not reservable, so arrive early to snag a good spot. A camper at Coolidge State Park Campground noted, "This park is very small but it is nestled in one of the state's largest forests."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with pools and playgrounds. One family at Quechee State Park Campground said, "The tent sites are so spacious and clean."
  • Plan for Quiet Hours: Respect quiet hours to ensure everyone has a good time. A camper at Moose Hillock Camping Resort mentioned, "Some of the nights, our family was woken up by party-ers @ 2:45 a.m."
  • Pack Games and Activities: Bring along games and outdoor activities to keep kids entertained. A visitor at Quechee-Pine Valley KOA noted, "There are tons of amenities and things for kids to do."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your site can accommodate your RV. A reviewer at Lost River Valley Campground said, "The ground was level and the hookups look new."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have spotty reception. A camper at Gifford Woods State Park Campground mentioned, "The (AT&T) cell phone reception was pretty good, but could be slow at times."
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Some campgrounds are remote, so stock up on essentials before you arrive. A visitor at Ricker Pond State Park Campground noted, "No cell service (Verizon) or internet, which is just fine for us!"

Camping near Thetford Center, Vermont, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Enjoy the great outdoors and make some lasting memories!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Thetford Center, VT?

According to TheDyrt.com, Thetford Center, VT offers a wide range of camping options, with 233 campgrounds and RV parks near Thetford Center, VT and 22 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Thetford Center, VT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Thetford Center, VT is Quechee State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 22 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Thetford Center, VT?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 free dispersed camping spots near Thetford Center, VT.

What parks are near Thetford Center, VT?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 parks near Thetford Center, VT that allow camping, notably Union Village Dam and North Hartland Lake.

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