229 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Wells, Vermont range from developed state parks to private RV parks, with most facilities concentrated around nearby lakes and ponds. Camping near Wells spans waterfront tent and RV sites to cabin rentals, with options like Emerald Lake State Park Campground situated approximately 10 miles southwest and Lake St. Catherine State Park Campground about 5 miles northwest. The region includes several mixed-use campgrounds accommodating both tent and RV campers, with some facilities like Dorset RV Park and Lake Bomoseen KOA also offering cabin rentals for those seeking more comfort.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, typically from Memorial Day weekend through mid-October, with state parks closing after Labor Day or Columbus Day weekend. A review mentioned, "Weather is amazing, the lake is just amazing. A lot of owls at night!" Road access to camping areas varies, with some campgrounds requiring navigation on rough entrance roads. Emerald Lake State Park features hilly terrain with some sites "perched on a steep ledge," according to reviews. Visitors should check seasonal availability and make reservations well in advance, especially for summer weekends when waterfront sites fill quickly. Cell service can be limited at more remote locations, though AT&T coverage was reported at Emerald Lake State Park.
The lakes dominate the camping in this region of Vermont, with several visitors highlighting swimming and paddling opportunities. Emerald Lake receives consistent praise for its clear, turquoise waters and swimming beach. One camper noted it's "a great place to cool off in" with "a small, sandy beach at one end of the lake." The area offers hiking trails ranging from lakeside paths to more challenging terrain in the surrounding Green Mountains. When searching for the perfect campsite near Wells, visitors will find camping areas provide varying levels of privacy, with some campgrounds offering well-spaced, wooded sites while others have more open layouts. The region experiences typical New England seasonal patterns with moderate summer temperatures and cool nights, making it particularly popular for family camping during July and August.
"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."
"Golf cart rentals (4 and 6 person) were expensive so we just walked the park multiple days. Each site is gigantic and well thought out and can easily say there is not a bad site in the place."
"The park is very large so if you want to be near the pool/entertainment area or nearby bathrooms, pick your site accordingly."
"Lake St. Catherine state campground is located in the heart of the Slate Valley. There are 50 tent/rv sites and 11 leantos. This lake is known by anglers and boaters alike."
from $55 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Site 16 had a path to the river and was slightly tucked away. Sites 13 and 14 were cool spots too, I’d imagine in the summer you may have less privacy because it’s near the swimming area."
"Our first time in Vermont and we picked an awesome campground. This place has a great layout with lots of great sites to choose from. There are several sites right on the river!
Clean bath houses."
from $45 - $57 / night
Check Availability"The roads and campsites are gravel and a little tight to get around because of all the trees but we were able to manage in our 45’ motorhome."
"The location was very good in allowing us to visit family in nearby village and go into nearby Manchester Center. Much more of an RV Park (name is on the money) than camping where we had our site."
"No ATM on site to get cash… The sites are spacious enough, but are very close to each other. Zero buffer between neighboring sites means encroaching slide outs."
"family camping Kabins, rv, and tent sites, arcade, store, ice cream, and Lake Bomoseen. Easy to get to, close to Castleton, Rutland, and Hubbarton Battlefield. Great spot for a family get-a-way."
"We rented a golf cart from an outside course which was SUPER expensive, so it would be nice if the campground offered their own rentals, but if that's our only complaint, we're happy campers."
"**Lake George RV Park may be the greatest campground we’ve stayed at yet!"
"It was during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are happy to report that everyone wore masks in public spaces (restrooms), and that there was plenty of room for social distancing. "
"We had a nice private site, close to amenities and the lake, the beach area was nice, kind of rocky, but had sand for the beach. The play area has a nice set up, overall a nice camping area."
"They even have flower beds sprinkled around that are well manicured. The campground host is awesome. And they charge $10 for firewood for the length of your stay. Not by the bundle."
"Great facilities/location."
from $30 - $60 / night
Check Availability
TravelerThis is a good spot if you don’t mind being social. The main camping area is a large grassy opening where multiple people park and camp together, and there is a bathroom, but there isn’t much privacy between sites. If you continue farther down the forest road, there are several smaller pull-offs with much more private dispersed camping spots. I’d recommend checking those out if you’re looking for a quieter experience.
TravelerDyrt 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.
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.
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.
GuideGood size campground with three loops. 2 shower / restroom facilities. Many of the sites are simply grass. There are a few gravel ones. The staff has no problem with driving on the or parking on grass. All sites have a firepit. Wood can be obtained locally. There is no store at the camp. There is only one dump station. There is a boat launch with limited trailer parking although when we stayed (Aug 2026) the water was only 18 in to 2 ft deep at docks. Heavily choked with vegetation. Shower facilities were clean enough but could use more attention, heavy cobwebs at lights, corners and edges of shower pretty dark with mold. Plenty of fresh water spigots throughout the camp. Camp is on the banks of lake Champlain, although only a couple sites have a lake view. Ruins of two pre-revolutionary war forts are within walking distance and offer a great introduction to life in the early 18th century. Fort Ticonderoga is a 30 min drive and will take most of the day to tour. Well worth the trip. Only 3 min drive to Vermont. I would stay again.
LegendWe spent a long weekend at Moose Hillock in Fort Ann, New York, to visit Lake George. This is a difficult place for me to review. But I’ll do my best to share my experience.
The pool is the main attraction here and probably the largest and most ridiculous I’ve ever seen at a campground. Great for young kids.
THINGS I LIKED:
— The sites are enormous and private, probably the biggest sites we’ve ever seen at any campground we’ve stayed at.
— The mature trees are everywhere, great for privacy.
— It’s located about 25-minutes to the heart of Lake George. Easy drive away but not in the loud and busy area.
— The camp store is pretty good and sells snacks, drinks, basic supplies, and souvenirs.
THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
— Our site(# 709) was sloped, so much that even with leveling boards under the rear wheels, rear jacks fully extended and front jacks fully retracted, we couldn’t level. That’s annoying and so easily fixed by a campground this size with this array of equipment and resources.
— Except for the entry roads, the rest of the park is gravel and dirt, which was extremely dusty. Our vehicles and our stuff were instantly covered by this dusty dirt which was a never-ending battle to keep outside.
— I’m ok paying premium money for a great site, but this site wasn’t matched to the price. I paid$647.38 for 3-nights. That’s$215.79 per night.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
Probably not. For me, having a level site that’s not covered in dirt and dust is important— especially when it costs$215 per night. There’s a much nicer park about 10-minutes away(closer to Lake George) where we’ve stayed in the past. The sites are smaller, but they’re level.
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!
ScoutVery welcoming... great place. Upkept everything is up to par. Showers are prolly the nicest as far as campgrounds goes.
ScoutPeaceful, quiet, relaxing space. Super friendly staff.
Camping near Wells, Vermont offers access to multiple fishing and swimming spots within 20 miles. The region sits at the western edge of the Green Mountains where terrain transitions from mountain foothills to valley lakes. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 500-1,000 feet, creating cooler evening temperatures even during summer months.
Swimming at state parks: Emerald Lake State Park Campground features deep water swimming with unique turquoise waters. A camper noted, "Swimmers can swim out to a small island in the middle of the lake and check out the rope swing." This park sits 10 miles southwest of Wells.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Bomoseen KOA offers boat rentals and dock space for anglers, though "area pretty overgrown with lake weeds" according to a visitor. The campground provides direct lake access for fishing from shore or boat.
Hiking trails: Half Moon Pond State Park Campground features walking paths with wildlife viewing. A reviewer mentioned, "There are some hiking trails right from the campground and we saw lots of efts!" Nearby trails in the Green Mountains range from flat pond loops to more challenging elevation gains.
Kayaking flat water: Local waterways support paddling for beginners and experienced paddlers. A Camping On The Battenkill camper shared, "We sleep in tents so the sound of the river puts you to sleep at night...We also tube down the river."
Private camping sites: Moose Hillock Camping Resorts earns praise for spacious, separated campsites. According to a visitor, "The sites at this park are huge. You could have parked three RVs in our site. Added bonus is that there is nice separation between sites with trees and shrubs that block out your neighbors and provide lots of privacy."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the region maintain well-kept bathrooms and common areas. A camper at Half Moon Pond State Park noted, "Restrooms are modern and clean. Everyone seems to adhere to quiet hours so it was easy to get a good night's sleep."
Lake activities: Bomoseen State Park Campground features a sandy swimming area for families. One visitor wrote, "The beach was lovely - sandy and perfect for swimming. It was fun to watch the boats coming and going too."
Waterfront campsites: Several parks offer sites directly adjacent to water. A camper at Half Moon Pond State Park Campground shared, "We stayed in site T06, which is right on the water. We were easily able to go straight from the tent to our kayak, which was so awesome."
Seasonal timing: Most campgrounds operate between Memorial Day and mid-October, with state parks closing earlier. Operating seasons vary by facility with lake water temperatures warming slowly through June.
Cell service limitations: Multiple campgrounds report connectivity challenges. A Lake Bomoseen KOA visitor noted, "Cell services on ATT and TMobile were nonexistent. Campground WiFi is a joke (less than 1mbps)."
Shower facilities: State parks typically charge for showers. A camper at Emerald Lake State Park advised, "Don't forget to bring quarters for the shower."
Site topography: Camping areas feature varied terrain that may challenge level setup. A Dorset RV Park camper reported, "Our site was level but some definitely were not."
Lean-to options: Several state parks offer lean-to structures for easier camping with children. A visitor to Bomoseen State Park wrote, "we stayed 2 nights me my mom and 7 kids all my moms grandkids it was alot of fun we got 2 leantos they are great it was my kids first time camping EVER they loved it."
Playground access: Some campgrounds provide play structures for younger campers. According to a Bomoseen State Park visitor, "our spot was close to the beach which had a fantastic park it was clean not busy at all."
Educational opportunities: Lake George RV Park offers structured activities for families. A camper noted, "Free shows every night at the playhouse kids loved. Animal shows kept daytime events going strong."
Kid-friendly swimming: Lakes in the region typically feature gradual entry points for younger swimmers. A Half Moon Pond visitor mentioned, "The swimming beach is small but perfect."
Site selection guidance: RVers should research specific site dimensions before booking. A Dorset RV Park visitor cautioned, "Initially offered site 1 but wanted to be out of the way. After being on site, my 35' rig wouldn't have fit at all, may have been without site and likely w/o refund."
Entrance road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. A Moose Hillock camper advised, "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."
Water and electric hookups: Check specific site utilities before booking. One Camping On The Battenkill visitor explained, "There are closer campgrounds to the town of Lake George but none of them are as nice and the sites are so much closer together you feel like you are camping with your neighbor."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Wells, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Wells, VT offers a wide range of camping options, with 229 campgrounds and RV parks near Wells, VT and 37 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Wells, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Wells, VT is Emerald Lake State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 20 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Wells, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 37 free dispersed camping spots near Wells, VT.
What parks are near Wells, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Wells, VT that allow camping, notably Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests and Green Mountain National Forest.
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