Looking to get away and reconnect with nature? Glamping near Vernon is the perfect choice. Camping has always been a favorite form of travel for many, but Vernon, VT glamping is a new and unique way to do it. The Dyrt's camping photos, reviews, and tips are an easy way to find the right Vermont glamping spot for you.
$47 - $70 / night
NATURAL FEATURES Otter River State Forest was the first area acquired by the State Forest Commission in 1915 and also the first campground in the Massachusetts State Park system. Some of the forest area was cleared in the nineteenth century for small farms. After the state acquired the land, it was reforested with groves of pines which were planted by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's. The forest of oak and hickory, northern hardwood and pines is home to numerous wild flowers and shrubs, deer, chipmunks and many species of birds. RECREATION Otter River State Forest is a popular camping and day-use facility in a beautiful area of north central Massachusetts. Its developed facilities are centered on Beaman Pond and include ball field, basketball court, volleyball court and picnic areas. Many recreation opportunities are available and include a fishing, hiking, hunting, mountain biking, and picnicking. Use the park's hiking trails or try mountain biking on the 9000 acres of the adjacent Birch Hill Wildlife Management Area. FACILITIES Otter River offers 73 campsites, three group sites, and four yurts. Comfort stations are located throughout the campground and offer hot showers and flush toilets. One comfort station is accessible, shown on the map. Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table and a fire ring. Yurts are canvas sided, cabin-like structures that can accommodate 4 to 6 people. Yurts offer bunk beds, tables with benches, and access to water and electricity. All of the yurts are accessible. (Linens and eating utensils are not provided.) NOTE: Electrical service is not sufficiently reliable for use with medical equipment. Pets are prohibited from yurts and yurt sites.
$17 - $54 / night
$34 - $47 / night
Guide
Love this place. The camp store offers pleanty of stuff. Activity’s for children and adults. Love the pond. The new owners are amazing! And its not glamping. Every site seems perfect. With the hidden gem ones as well. My whole family loves going here! Stayed 2x thos yr. and booked 9 days next july and some in oct. close enough to home so my husband can comuit for work as well. Halloween themed weekend was so incredibly fun. The seasonal sights go all out!
Traveler
For some, the strange people who haunt certain grounds are a plus. For the rest of us, they are just a regular feature of the land west of the great Massassippi River. Anyway, being some of the first people to hit a campground like this one early in the season certainly has it’s benefits. For one, the bathrooms are cleeean as hail, and this place is really well-appointed. Pooping in relative comfort basically makes this glamping. They even have a big ole nice sink to wash your dirty dishes (and whatever other unmentionables, if you nasty), clean water spigots, RV sites with hookups, plenty of wood for sale, forage, or barter, and flat campgrounds with concrete fire pits with built in grill grates and wooden picnic tables. All amenities are within close walking distance, which is also a plus. The trails in October Mountain State Forest are very pretty, with some grand vistas to pull over if you’re some sort of nature pervert or lookie loo. Good fishin’ and mushroom hunting and other things white folks like to do in these parts, too.
Now let’s get to the cons:
bugs- this place, at the end of May is positively swarming with mosquitoes and gnats, even in the 2 rainy and cold-ass nights we spent there, the flies were everpresent. It’s Hitchcockian; and I don’t want to make any accusations or cast aspersions, but these insects are prejudiced, at best.
massholes- these are a given. I’m one so I know.
rangers- because this is a state park, you will have ranger patrols consisting of, um, rangers, some of whom might be more interested in what’s in your coozie than others, because, you know, rules. That said, we had no enforcement issues, but then again the camp ground was empty. Otherwise, unless you’ve got one of the few yurts onthe property, the campsites aren’t far enough apart that you ever really feel secluded. They’re not too bad, though, plenty of room.
This place, overall, is a good time if it’s not below 60 and wet.
GuideBeautiful area to hike. Quiet off the beaten path. There are 3 yurts available May-October (no dogs allowed in the yurts☹️. There are several tent sits available. Dogs are welcomed here! Every site has a fire pit and a picnic table.Highly recommend staying here if you are in the area!
GuideAbsolutely beautiful! Highly recommend renting a yurt while staying at October Mnt. Clean and super comfortable
Traveler
We stayed when there weren't very many other campers. Site 3 is a great site. Large and seperated enough from others. the water didn't taste too good. the bathrooms were clean. we stayed from thursday thru tuesday and the police drove through at least once a day that i noticed. not that they needed to. we are going back in aug and renting the yurt that they have there and bringing the whole family. its located not too far from the NH line and not too far from fitchburg
LegendThis small state forest campground in north/central Massachusetts is just up the hill from Damon Pond. I suggest downloading maps before you head out because cell service is iffy in the area.
Sites are largely level, around a small, bisected loop with towering pines. Most of the sites are best suited to tents and small trailers (think teardrops and pop-ups), but a couple of sites can accommodate slightly larger units. They are level and there's not a lot of brush between sites, so not much privacy either. I liked site 3 for a bit more privacy ; it's also one of the 3 sites designated for an RV. Site 11 is larger and can accommodate a larger unit.
There is a large yurt suitable for 10 people. The yurt does offer electricity, but there are no hookups nor a dump station at the campground. There are flush toilets, but no showers. The small bathroom was under renovation autumn 2020. There is a dishwashing sink.
There are hiking trails in the area and, of course, swimming at the small pond. A nearby roadside waterfall offers another picnic area opportunity. For a longer hike, you can hike to and from Pearl Lake State Park. Fishing, mountain biking, and geocaching are other activities available. There's a parking lot closer to the beach or it's an easy walk from the campground.
If you are from out of state, check fees carefully. In 2020 MA increased fees significantly in light of the pandemic. Prices are steep for what you get if you are out of state.
Legend
This is a smaller campground with a few loops of campsites. The sites that are near the small pond are generally larger and have better space for pitching a tent. The sites on the first two loops/spur roads are smaller and most of them are designated for tents only or tents/popups. Site 33 is large and level, suitable for an RV, but Group B site is right behind it, which may or may not be an issue. Group A & C sites are also in the first two loops.
65, 67, 68 are walk-in sites, with the tent area lower, closer to the water. At the top of the hill, there are several yurts available.
Dump station and additional swimming/water activities are a little farther down the road at Lake Dennison .
RangerThe campground has 3 sections, located on different tiers of a hill. The lower level has RV sites, middle has tent sites, and upper has a few yurts. Each level has a bath house (3 toilet stalls and 1 shower in the lower level; it was run-down but clean enough). Outside the entrance station (near the RV sites) is a HUGE power station that emits a hum constantly. Super annoying and an eyesore. You’ll see many vehicles drive-by with boats or ATVs in tow as the state forest also has areas suitable for their use. Accessible from the campground are a few hiking trails. Monument Mountain is a popular hiking spot about 20 minutes away and Bash Bish Falls State Park is about 45 minutes away. Note: Massachusetts does not allow alcohol in their parks.
Traveler
I have stayed here a couple times and loved it. they sites are nice and private. 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!
Scout
We visited last year and were blown away by the beauty. So many things near by to exlore. Lake lauderdale state park and Vermont is just 20 mins away. We really enjoyed our stay and exploring the neighborhood.
Traveler
Beautiful campground in south central Vermont. On a lovely emerald green small lake with nice beach. Good for fishing and kayaking. Well kept. Was very quiet when we visited though I suspect it's much busier in mid summer. Near Manchester, which has numerous great restaurants and a fabulous bookstore.
LegendWe have camped at Woodford State Park in the summer and fall. It's a small park, but it never feels crowded. Most park activities are based around a small, 25-acre lake. You can rent canoes or kayaks, fish for trout, or hike the loop trail around the lake. Here's what we love most about camping here:
1)It's the highest elevation campground in Vermont, which means that when the temperatures soar in the valleys, you can come here for a noticeable temperature difference.
It's one of the most dog-friendly state parks. Dogs are allowed everywhere except three of the camping cabins.
The fall foliage is unreal!
There are great waterfront sites, cabins if it's too cold to tent, and the bathrooms are modern and clean.
GuideWe just finished six nights at Emerald Lake State Park. Camping at Vermont State parks is always top notch. We had a lean-to site and good privacy from the sites around us. There was plenty of room for our tent and screen tent. Everyone was respectful and quiet, even on the weekend when it was busier. Bathrooms were cleaned daily, showers were fine. 50 cents for 5 minutes and then extra time for each additional quarter. Two bars of AT&T. Manchester was an easy 10 minute drive away for provisioning, and we enjoyed a great hike to Lye Brook Falls (the trailhead was around a 20 minute drive). We would definitely come here again.
Legend
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. It’s always clean and very quiet, so this summer we decided to give camping a shot. We stayed in one of the lean-tos because it was threatening rain. I wish I could remember the name of it. We love the site. The only thing we didn’t like is that is was facing the neighbor’s campsite, and we felt like we were always staring at them. They were friendly, though, so it all worked out.
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. It’s also fun to explore the relics of the old Hogback Ski Resort. They are rested remnants of the ski lifts and warming huts, and they are slowing crumbling back to the earth. The trails from the park connect to the Hogback Mountain Conservation area trails, so there are actually many miles of trails you can explore without having to drive anywhere. If you do want to embark on a little road trip, check out the little town of Wilmington, which has an awesome lake for swimming, or the bustling town of Brattleboro, which is perfect for shopping and nightlife.
LegendWe stayed here as a stopover on our way home to NJ from Maine. It's 5 min down the road from Wilmington, one of our favorite towns to visit. 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. T16 is right next to bathrooms- unfortunately the map shows showers there too (there are not). We boondocked- there's a spot up top near the other bathrooms where you can fill your fresh water tank. We had a slight issue with our fresh tank overflow valve & the park worker was INCREDIBLE, helpful and so kind. I think his name was Jerry?. He came right over and even rigged up a fix for it in his workshop. We got him a 12pack as a thanks before we left :). Campground is quiet & nestled in the woods. We didn't see any bear, but it is an active bear area. Some tent sites have lean to structures as well. There's a large pavilion at the top of the campground for eating etc. If we stayed longer we would have definitely done the Mt Olga Fire-tower trail. This is no frills, primitive & refreshing camping. And yes- we would stay again!!
RangerWoodford State Park is situated between Wilmington and Bennington VT in the southern part of the Green Mountain National Forest. The park surrounds the Adams Reservoir and happens to be the highest elevation of all the Vermont state campgrounds. Woodford has two beaches- a larger day-use area with tables and grills and a smaller “campers” beach in the park’s third loop. There is also an approximate 2.5 mile trail that loops the reservoir and access to canoe and kayak rentals.
My sister and I stayed in site #2, which was smaller and less covered than some of the other sites. But I was lucky to book a spot just two weeks ahead of the Memorial Day holiday. Despite a couple days of rain, I really enjoyed myself and the park. The grounds seemed well kept and the staff were helpful. Plus there’s also looks to go and see in nearby Wilmington and historic Bennington.
After some exploration, I came to the conclusion that site #23 is the absolute best. It’s my go-to for my next visit! I judge this based on privacy, shade and water views, but of course preference is subjective. Sites #11, 21, 39, 40, 45, 56, 70, 72 and 84 were also pretty great.
Overall, Woodford was a great park and I definitely recommend it, particularly to those looking for dog and/or family oriented recreation!
GuideTrue story. We stopped at Molly Stark state park in Vermont on the way home after vacationing in Maine. The sign coming into the park said no vacancy. When we got to the parking area I went up to the office counter and said, “We’re just stopping through. My husband is going to ride his bike for a bit and we’ll eat lunch, but we’re not staying.” The guy working said, “You still need to pay something.” I said, “Of course. No problem.” He said $4, I paid & started to walk away. The woman working said, “We have very nice clean bathrooms if you need them.” Which I thought was nice. My husband rode for about 45 minutes and then we walked to the bathhouse for him to take a quick shower. He says, “Do you have 50 cents? It’s 10 minutes for fifty cents.” While he’s showering I’m walking around with our dog. She poos and now my husband is walking towards me with a bag to pick it up because his 50 cent shower is finished. Before we can pick up after our dog the office worker comes towards me quickly and says, “Here’s a poo bag. Now you’ve at least gotten your 4 dollars worth.” I said, “Excuse me?” And he says, “You tried to get out of paying in the first place and now you’re using our showers. You said you were just eating lunch and your husband riding his bike.” My husband says, “I paid fifty cents for that shower. I didn’t steal it.” The guy says, “You said you were just stopping in.” I say, “Do you want more money?” And he says he wants another 4 bucks. I walk up to the counter to pay and say, “I try to assume the best of people. I want you to know that I wasn’t trying to get out of paying. I saw the no vacancy sign and didn’t want you to think we were trying to stay the night.” He said that he’s tired of people with the nicest stuff … a multi thousand dollar bike and a nice RV trying to get something for nothing.” I reminded him that he said admission was 4 dollars and his coworker offered the bathrooms. He said, “So you don’t think you got 8 dollars worth of time in the park?” I told him, no, that we’d been there for an hour and 20 minutes and he’d told me admission was $4, but if the extra money would make things right for him then he could have it. I just didn’t appreciate him thinking I was trying to talk my way out of paying park entry, and I didn’t appreciate him assuming I had a character flaw. He told me again that it was rich people who tried to get out of paying, he was jaded & to keep my 4 dollars. What an odd experience.
Legend
General Notes:
After a long day we did a virtual version of throwing a dart at map to head out and do an overnight camping trip. Our dart landed on Erving and we literally had never heard of it … so we were … skeptical. However, we were absolutely delighted by this great spot in the beautiful Erving State Forest.
Pros / Cons:
This is a very small campground with only 27 sites and only 13 sites open during the 2020 / Covid Season.
Situated by a beautiful lake and access to several hiking trails.
Although you have good privacy to your left and right - you are not far from your camping neighbors across the way … and we quickly learned the names of their small children as parents yelled their names almost constantly.
There is also zero cell service (there is an operational pay phone at the showers) which is fine … but wished we knew ahead of time.
All pros outweigh the cons. We'll definitely be returning to this small hidden gem which is also situated by a lovely lake and has fantastic hiking trails.
ScoutWe grew up going to Laurel Lake and camping out there. It’s a great place to tent camp and a very relax quiet place to spend a long weekend.
LegendFriends told me about this little gem in north central Massachusetts, not far from Rt 2. The big draw here is the pond, with the public beach on one side and lined with private cabins on the other. Swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking will keep you busy. There's a separate boat launch at the far end of the road from the beach.
There are only 27 sites, but in 2020 many of the ones served by composting toilets are closed. You need reservations in advance. Fees in 2020 are only $17 for MA residents, but $55 for out-of-staters.
Campsites are laid out in a linear fashion along a one-way road that leaves from the parking area. It's a bit of an uphill hike from the beach to the campsites. Sites are large, wooded, generally level. It was quiet with a lot of families. I took site pictures, but for the closed sites, the numbers were not posted.
Download your maps for offline use! Cell connection was horrible heading up here.
Scout
Love it. Good bathroom ,nice people, great lake.
Guide
Sites along the river, pull thrus in the field, shaded along the edge of the field, completely wooded area towards the end of the campground. Playground, volleyball, horseshoes, game room. Kayaks and canoes for rent. Nice trail to let the dogs go off leash and get their energy out. Fire pits have a nice sturdy grate if you wish to cook over it. Rt 10 was a little loud, I didn't realize there was busy road on the other side of the river. Don't come in off of rt 10, there's a low covered, one lane bridge that you can't tow thru. Some of the turns aren't so friendly either, we weren't going to be able to make the right into pine st so it took a bit to find an area to turn around so you could get in.
ScoutEasy access site, riverside electric 30A and water. Nice people. Great for pets. They have pet poo drop boxes and bags. Super clean bathrooms. The sites are not very private, but spacing is decent. Getting there you have to follow directions on their website to avoid the two low covered bridges. u.s. cellular coverage 3 bars.
ScoutThe people at the office are so nice and welcoming. The campground is very clean. They are dog friendly and there aren't a ton of rules like other campgrounds. Everyone else camping were very quiet and friendly. There are trails to walk and fishing spots on the river. There are trout in there, but the river was moving too fast at the time of our stay to catch anything(there had just been a bad rainstorm the day before). This is the best campground we've stayed at so far.
TravelerWe stayed here for two nights. It was very busy but so peaceful! Hubby and I stayed in a grassy site up against a wooded area. The sites along the river were more private and wooded but they didn’t have full hookups, water and electric yes. Very clean, friendly helpful staff. We didn’t use the bathrooms but our neighbors said they were very clean. There is tubing (bring your own) canoe and kayak rentals. Not much of a store but it does have essentials. Very pleased and can’t wait to go back!
TravelerMy husband and I enjoyed our stay so much, we can't wait to return in a couple months. The staff are very friendly and accommodating. They keep the place maintained well and very clean. We are tent campers so the number of RVs was overwhelming, but it was much quieter than expected. People were very respectful throughout; no loud music, no obnoxious lighting, no dog poop or litter scattered about. The river is wide and looks great for floating when the weather is warmer. We didn't catch any fish but there's always next time. Thankful for our great weekend!
ScoutGreat riverfront location. Huge sites and a very helpful owner. What more could you want ?
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