Camping in southern Vermont presents year-round options with summer highs around 78°F and winter temperatures frequently dropping below freezing. Wallingford sits at 722 feet elevation in the Otter Creek Valley with the Green Mountains rising to the east. Rainfall averages 43 inches annually which contributes to lush forests and good fishing conditions at nearby lakes.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Bomoseen State Park Campground features a lake known for good fishing. "We had a lean to site right on the water with good spacing between each. Swimming is also available," notes Debbi B. The park includes both fishing access and boat rentals during summer months.
Hiking trails: Various difficulty levels available throughout the region with options for all ability levels. At Jamaica State Park Campground, "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," says Chris D. The park connects to longer trail systems.
Slate Valley exploration: Historical slate quarries and mining sites dot the region. Lake St. Catherine campground puts you "in the heart of the Slate Valley recreation area" with "plentiful mountain bike trails being developed all over this area," according to Tony F. The Slate History Trail offers educational signage about local mining history.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Coolidge State Park Campground receives praise for its site layout. "The park was clean and typical of all Vt. State Parks. Each site is separated with trees, offering some privacy and a greater sense of nature," writes M.A.D. P. Most sites have natural barriers creating separation from neighbors.
Waterfront access: Direct lake or pond access for many campsites. At Half Moon Pond State Park Campground, "Sites are a good size and we were able to snag a water front site which was really beautiful. We fished and kayaked right from our site," reports Rebecca D. Multiple waterfront sites allow direct launching of small watercraft.
Clean facilities: State parks maintain high standards for bathhouses and common areas. "Bath houses were very clean and updated," mentions Michele S. about Half Moon Pond, while Cynthia K. adds that "Restrooms are modern and clean. Everyone seems to adhere to quiet hours so it was easy to get a good night's sleep."
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds operate from Memorial Day through Columbus Day or Labor Day. "The park is small, quiet and very well cared for," notes Cynthia K. about Half Moon Pond, but like most Vermont state parks, it closes for winter.
Wildlife considerations: Active wildlife requires proper food storage. "We were advised that there was an active bear in the campground, but we took the advice of Sean the park ranger," explains Michael L. from Coolidge State Park. Bears, raccoons and other wildlife may approach campsites with accessible food.
Road noise factors: Gifford Woods State Park Campground receives good reviews overall but "it is wedged between two major highways. Initially we pulled up to the site 'Poplar' after driving 4+ hours and I could have cried," reports Elena A. Select sites further from roads when possible.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Multiple swimming options for children of different ages. "There's 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," notes Tara S. about Emerald Lake.
Educational opportunities: Historical sites complement camping trips. Jamaica State Park offers "a great three days. The park rangers were tremendous in ensuring we had a great visit," shares Keith L. Many campgrounds offer junior ranger programs during summer months.
Playground access: Several campgrounds include play structures. Lake Bomoseen "has a nice play area, overall a nice camping area," according to Erica H., while Fransheska A. adds Jamaica State Park has a "Fun playground and nature area for kids. Very family friendly place with beautiful hikes."
Tips for RVers
Site selection considerations: Larger rigs face limitations at some campgrounds. For pet friendly camping near Wallingford, Vermont, RVers should note Dorset RV Park has "sites that are relatively spacious and you aren't too close to your neighbor, but the sewer lines were a bit close to you and your picnic table in the loop," according to one reviewer. Call ahead to verify site dimensions.
Access roads: Narrow roads with tight turns present challenges. At Dorset RV Park, "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 Katie E. Many Vermont campgrounds were designed before large RVs became common.
Full-hookup availability: Limited full hookup options in the region. Lake Bomoseen KOA offers full hookups but Rick G. notes the "access to far end of Lake Bomoseen with boat rental and dock space but area pretty overgrown with lake weeds." Most state parks offer water and vault toilets only.
Scout
