Campers seeking outdoor experiences near Townshend Lake, Vermont have access to a variety of established campgrounds featuring both tent and RV sites. The area includes Jamaica State Park Campground and Bald Mountain Campground, which offer riverside camping along the West River. Several facilities provide a mix of accommodation types including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Kampfires (formerly Hidden Acres) in Dummerston provides full-hookup sites for RVs, while state parks like Molly Stark and Emerald Lake maintain more rustic settings with tent and RV camping without extensive hookups.
Most campgrounds in the Townshend Lake region operate seasonally from May through mid-October, with many closing after Columbus Day weekend. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer months and holiday weekends when riverside sites fill quickly. The area experiences typical New England seasonal variations with occasional heavy rainfall that may affect river conditions. State parks generally provide basic amenities including drinking water, restrooms, and fire rings, while private campgrounds often offer additional services such as electric hookups and shower facilities. Cell service can be limited throughout the region, particularly in more remote state park locations. A visitor noted, "Jamaica is a nice little state park nestled in the woods and by a nice River. Very family friendly and close to Manchester and Stratton and Bromley Mountains."
Waterfront camping represents a significant draw for visitors to the region, with sites along the West River receiving consistently positive reviews. Campers frequently mention enjoying riverside activities like swimming, kayaking, and tubing during summer months. Several campgrounds feature beaches or designated swimming areas with easy water access. Privacy between sites varies considerably across facilities, with state parks generally offering more secluded settings. Many campers highlight the hiking opportunities available directly from campgrounds, particularly the trails to waterfalls and scenic overlooks in Jamaica State Park. A review mentioned, "The sites were nice and well spread out. Our stay was very quiet. Beach area was ok. I thought the river was kind of yucky but it didn't stop my kids from swimming. Good hiking nearby." Mixed-use campgrounds that accommodate both tent campers and RVs are common, though some facilities have separate sections for different camping styles.
$20 - $42 / night
"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."
$24 - $30 / night
"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."
"This park is close to my house in southern Vermont. We usually visit during the day to hike to the top of the Mt. Olga firetower."
"There are no hookups at any Vermont state parks (Molly Stark included). We stayed at site T16. It's a pull through RV site with a fire ring & picnic table."
$16 / night
"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."
"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!"
$30 - $50 / night
"They have an ice cream shop attached to their office/store, mini golf just outside of it too. There is an amphitheater for concerts and shows throughout the summer."
"Even though it is off season, there are several units throughout but dispersed so no one was right next to us. The site was somewhat level with a gravel base. FHU at each site made hook up easy."
"you might figure that being so close to the city, and the highway, it would be somewhat abused, but not so. Very clean and well kept."
"This campground is pretty centrally located with easy access to grocery stores, gas, and the highway. It is down a quiet road far enough that you do not hear any traffic noise."
"Sites are clean and surrounded by forrest"
"There were trails nearby and the dam was a short drive away. The only downside is that there is no washing station for dishes and the sites are close together. "
"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."
"It was only like 40 mins away from us. Just to get away. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable of the area . They had activities for kids and adults. They had a rec."
"The pool was sparkling clean and the best part, not a bunch of screaming kids running around. There's a market next door with fresh fruit and veggies for sale. The store is large and well stocked."
ScoutDyrt done messed up! So far, very disappointed in this app. Difficult to use! We reserved this spot through Dyrt. The directions to the campground are way off. The host was not notified that we were coming. Don’t trust Dyrt; contact the campground asap after you reserve through Dyrt to confirm the reservation directly and confirm the address and directions.
ScoutWhere does one even begin to explain how great this campground is?! There’s truly a little bit of something for everyone here!
We absolutely loved our campsite. It had plenty of room, a good amount of privacy, and great tree coverage. Even when it rained, our fire pit somehow stayed pretty dang dry, which was a huge plus!
The rec hall was awesome and had so many cool arcade games to check out. They also offer kayak and canoe rentals for the pond, which has surprisingly clear, beautiful water.
One thing that REALLY stood out to us was how incredibly clean the bathrooms and showers were. They were well maintained and practically bug-free, which is almost unheard of at a campground!
On top of all that, everyone we came across—from the staff to the other campers—was super friendly, welcoming, and down-to-earth. It just had an all-around great atmosphere.
Seriously, don’t skip over this campground. If you’re on the fence, just book it. You won’t regret it! We’ll definitely be back!
ScoutVery Disappointed With the Changes
Crown Point Campground used to be a wonderful place to camp. Unfortunately, since Happy Grounds purchased the campground, we have seen a significant decline in the overall experience.
I do want to make one thing very clear: the woman managing the campground is absolutely wonderful. She genuinely cares about the campers, is kind, helpful, and does her best to make people feel welcome. Our frustrations are not directed toward her. She deserves recognition for the effort she puts in, especially given the circumstances.
Unfortunately, there are serious concerns with the direction the campground has taken. There is no reliable Wi-Fi or cell service, which is especially concerning because there is no dependable way to call out in the event of an emergency. We have also seen a significant change in the atmosphere and clientele. Drugs have been found on the premises, including needles, which is extremely concerning for the safety of campers, especially families with children.
The campground has also become increasingly overcrowded. Tent sites have had upwards of 10 people on a single site, creating a very different camping experience from what many long-time campers originally signed up for.
Seasonal campers were told that there would be a gradual increase over two years to bring rates up to the new “going rate.” However, when the new contracts came out for next year, the price had increased by approximately $900. That is a substantial increase for a campground that, in our opinion, has continued to decline rather than improve.
What was perhaps most disappointing was how campers' concerns were handled. When people questioned the increase and expressed their frustrations, the response from the corporation was, and I quote:
“Get out and leave. I’ve heard enough complaints. Just leave if you don’t like it.”
That is an incredibly disappointing way to speak to people who have supported this campground for years.
It is heartbreaking to see what Crown Point Campground has become. There are good people here, and the campground itself has so much potential. Most importantly, the manager genuinely cares about the campers, and she deserves credit for that.
Our hope is that Happy Grounds will listen to the people who have invested years of their time and money here, address the safety and overcrowding concerns, and bring back the sense of community that once made Crown Point such a wonderful place to camp.
TravelerIt’s super cute here, there’s a rec room for older kids and playground for younger kids. It’s a short walk to a fishing spot and it’s very clean. Our site had a plug, there’s a laundry machine on site and the owner is super sweet.
TravelerGreat little dispersed camping area off Forest Road 71 in West Dover, Vermont. Once you get onto the forest service road, everything is gravel/dirt, with several small pull-offs and primitive campsites scattered along the road. Some sites are only a few feet from the road, while others are tucked back around 100 feet and offer a little more privacy.
The individual pull-offs can be a little more challenging to reach. Most involve some combination of hills, rocks, ruts, and mud, although nothing was too crazy. Some spots are definitely easier to get into than others, so having a vehicle with decent ground clearance is helpful.
There was a decent amount of traffic passing through the area while we were there, but nothing too crazy or disruptive. The campsite we stayed at had a fire pit, but there was no running water at our site, and I don’t believe the other dispersed sites have running water either.
Overall, a pretty good option if you’re looking for a primitive, low-key camping spot with multiple sites to choose from. Just don’t expect complete solitude, especially during busier times.
GuideThe first time we stayed here, we were in a different site. It was fine, but not near the water. This time, we chose a site near the water, but it's literally surrounded by three other sites. It's not shown like that on the map. We had to drive through someone else's setup to get to our site. There's no privacy as there was in our previous site. This is one of the few state parks in Massachusetts with a dump station
ScoutCrow’s Nest was a really convenient stop for us while traveling through New Hampshire. Getting our RV situated was easy and we had everything we needed for a comfortable stay.
ScoutWe brought the kids here for a few days and they had a blast. Between swimming, exploring around the campground, and just riding around and making friends, they always had something to do. For us, it was nice being able to actually relax while the kids stayed entertained. We cooked at the campsite most nights and spent the evenings around the fire. Great family trip.
TravelerMy 2008 Prius handled the road with ease. Sites were spaced out. There was hiking at the end of the road but not too much space to wander around from the sites given the road’s high speed limit. Sites had fire pits and that was it. Very quiet and fairly accessible from society. Given the lack of free camping in the southern northeast this spot is a gem!
Townshend Lake camping options range across several nearby Vermont state parks and private campgrounds at elevations between 570 and 1,400 feet in the West River Valley. The region sits within the southern Green Mountains, creating varied camping terrain with both riverside and mountain-adjacent sites. Seasonal temperature variations span from summer highs around 80°F to nighttime lows near 45°F in early fall, affecting site selection and gear requirements.
Hiking to viewpoints and waterfalls: Jamaica State Park Campground offers several trail options leading to scenic destinations. One camper noted, "We hiked the west river trail (which leads right out of the campground) 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." The park provides direct trail access without needing to drive elsewhere.
Mountain biking on former railroad beds: The West River Trail at Winhall Brook Camping Area creates an excellent biking route following the historic West River Railroad path. "There is river swimming, hiking and biking on the West River Bike Trail, theater in the summer in Weston and wonderful towns all around," shares a visitor who enjoyed the multi-use trail system.
Water activities on rivers and lakes: Multiple water-based recreation options exist throughout the area. At Emerald Lake State Park Campground, campers can enjoy a unique swimming experience: "Swimmers can swim out the a small island in the middle of the lake and check out the rope swing." For river tubing, Bald Mountain Campground provides easy access with one camper explaining, "We usually start just below the Townshend Dam by the covered bridge and can float about 20 minutes to the campground or stay floating down river for hours."
River sounds and access: Campers consistently mention appreciating riverside sites and natural water sounds. At Bald Mountain Campground, one reviewer shared, "The river was magnificent and I could hear it babble by all night; very relaxing once the place quieted down." Most riverfront sites book quickly, especially during summer.
Proximity to small towns: The convenient location near distinctive Vermont communities appeals to many visitors. Molly Stark State Park Campground puts you near both Manchester and Brattleboro, with one camper explaining it's "a lovely campground in Southern VT, again very close to our favorite little hippie town Brattleboro VT." Another mentioned, "We enjoyed a fun day at Mount Snow which is close by with restaurants and things to do in that area."
Night sky viewing: The relative darkness of many campgrounds allows for excellent stargazing opportunities. A camper at Woodford State Park Campground shared their experience: "We heard coyotes at night and loons in the morning," highlighting the natural soundscape that accompanies night sky viewing at higher elevation campgrounds in the region.
Site privacy varies significantly: Campground layouts differ greatly in terms of site isolation and proximity. At Grout Pond Campground, "The sites are well dispersed and private" according to one visitor, while at other locations like Kampfires (formerly Hidden Acres), sites can be more open. A camper noted, "This place is pretty awesome. They have an ice cream shop attached to their office/store, mini golf just outside of it too."
Access roads can be challenging: Several campgrounds, particularly those at higher elevations, feature unpaved approach roads. One Grout Pond visitor warned, "Getting to the campground alone was crazy- dirt roads and very deep potholes that you can just barely avoid." Fall and spring visitors should check road conditions before traveling.
Facilities maintenance varies by season: Early and late season campers may find different facility conditions. A Fort Dummer State Park Campground reviewer observed, "Bathrooms are a tad small and one shower per gendered room. Shower takes coins. Not free." Most state park bathrooms operate with coin-operated showers, requiring quarters.
Look for playground amenities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. At Kampfires, a visitor described finding "an ice cream shop attached to their office/store, mini golf just outside of it too. There is an amphitheater for concerts and shows throughout the summer." Activity options keep children engaged between outdoor adventures.
Consider site location within campgrounds: At Emerald Lake State Park Campground, a camper advised, "If you have little ones, check out the map before you reserve a site and find one on the opposite side of the ledge," noting that "many of them are perched on a steep ledge, making them a bit sketchy for families with kids."
Be prepared for seasonal weather variations: The region experiences significant temperature fluctuations between day and night, especially in spring and fall. A Molly Stark camper shared, "We camped for two nights in Lean-tos with 20 Girls and Leaders. It's a great place to bring a Troop and use the lake and trails for badges." Lean-to sites provide protection from unpredictable mountain weather.
Check hookup specifications: Most campgrounds offer limited electrical connections. At Brattleboro North KOA, facilities include full hookups with one camper noting, "Owners very accommodating. Unfortunately it rained most of the time we were there, but campground was quiet and worry free." Full-service hookups can be essential during extended rain periods.
Plan for satellite and cell coverage limitations: Mountain terrain impacts connectivity throughout the region. A Winhall Brook camper mentioned, "Only downside for us was bad phone signal and everything seemed far away, like Walmart was an hour away!" RVers relying on cellular data or satellite services should prepare for intermittent signals.
Navigation to sites can be tight: Larger RVs may struggle with access at some campgrounds. At Woodford State Park, a visitor observed that "overhanging trees would make it difficult for larger equipment, plus saw posting that excludes trailers from certain roads." Contact campgrounds directly when traveling with RVs over 30 feet to confirm accessibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Townshend Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, Townshend Lake offers a wide range of camping options, with 178 campgrounds and RV parks near Townshend Lake and 18 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Townshend Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Townshend Lake is Jamaica State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 22 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Townshend Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 free dispersed camping spots near Townshend Lake.
What parks are near Townshend Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Townshend Lake that allow camping, notably Edward MacDowell Lake and Tully Lake.
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