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.
What to do
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."
What campers like
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."
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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."
Tips from RVers
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."
