Townshend Lake camping options combine Green Mountain National Forest access with riverside sites across southern Vermont and southwestern New Hampshire. Most campgrounds in this region sit at elevations between 800-1,500 feet, creating moderate temperature fluctuations between day and night even during summer months. RV camping facilities typically close by mid-October as overnight temperatures regularly drop below freezing.
What to do
Waterfall hikes: Jamaica State Park Campground offers trails leading directly to Hamilton Falls, a popular swimming destination during summer months. "There is plenty of trails in the area and you can go to the waterfall/rock slides and take a dip in the pools. The area is beautiful and good food across the street!" notes Jackie G.
Lake activities: Woodford State Park Campground maintains a reservoir with dedicated swimming areas and kayak rentals. "There's a small reservoir with a little beach that you can swim or kayak/canoe in. There's a bunch of fish and other little creatures so it's fun to explore," explains Jenny A.
Riverside recreation: The West River flows alongside many campsites, providing fishing and paddling opportunities. "Great hiking or biking along the West River!" reports Chris S. about Jamaica State Park, where some riverside lean-to sites offer direct water access.
What campers like
Natural swimming spots: The region features several swimming holes beyond designated beaches. At Molly Stark State Park Campground, visitors enjoy nearby swimming areas. "The hike up Mt. Olga is 1.7 miles (round trip). There's a fire tower at the top, which provides awesome views of the Green Mountains," recommends Tara S.
Clean facilities: Despite rustic settings, many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and showers. "THE BATHROOM was the best I've seen camping very clean and updated and honestly gorgeous," reports Beck P. about Molly Stark State Park.
Quiet evenings: Several parks enforce strict noise policies. "Quiet hours start at 10 but it was silent after about 9 which was so amazing," notes a Molly Stark visitor, making these campgrounds suitable for families seeking early bedtimes.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds operate from May through mid-October. At Tree Farm Campground, the season runs "May 10th to Oct 19th," with some parks closing earlier depending on weather conditions.
Varied hook-up availability: State parks typically lack electrical connections but provide dump stations and water fill points. "We needed some serious forest bathing and spontaneously decided to head to the green mountains. We were looking for a basic camp ground that would have hook ups. While searching online we learned that Vermont state parks do not have hook ups," shares Emily H. about her Tree Farm Campground experience.
Primitive camping conditions: Some campgrounds offer limited amenities. According to Dakota B. at Molly Stark, "Beautiful grounds, super clean, nice staff. A great escape from the world right now. All staff has masks on and it's spotless here."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Spacious Skies Seven Maples features extensive play areas. "The playground is really big with plenty to do. There's also a fishing pond and short hiking/biking trails," explains Erin M. about the family-friendly setup.
Swimming options: Pool facilities vary between campgrounds. "The pool is amazing for kids of all ages with water slides and a splash area. There's no life guard or staff monitoring the pool area so it did get a little too crazy at times for my little ones," adds Erin about Seven Maples.
Animal encounters: Some campgrounds feature resident animals. At Kampfires in Dummerston, "They also have the cleanest and nicest shower you will find in a campground. We stayed in a 28ft motorhome and had plenty of room at our site," reports Mike B.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Choose sites carefully based on rig size and terrain. At Chapman Acres, "One is setup for tenting or an RV/Camper. Clean portable toilet for use, plenty of parking, hose for water," explains Kathleen W.
Leveling challenges: Uneven terrain requires preparation. At Dorset RV Park, "Our site was level but some definitely were not. We got twenty or so television channels with the cable hookup. The hookups were all well-placed and we didn't have any issues with the electric and the wifi at our site worked well," shares Nancy W.
Seasonal RV campgrounds at Townshend Lake: Many operate with limited off-season staff. "Drove in on a whim and were pleasantly surprised by how well the staff accommodated us. We managed to get a prime leanto site right on the river. We were only there for an overnight but we will be back," reports M.A.D. P. about their Jamaica State Park experience.
