Best Campgrounds near Wells, VT

Campgrounds near Wells, Vermont range from developed state parks to private RV parks, with most facilities concentrated around nearby lakes and ponds. Emerald Lake State Park Campground offers tent and RV sites with lean-tos available, situated on a scenic lake approximately 10 miles southwest of Wells. Lake St. Catherine State Park Campground provides waterfront camping with boat-in access about 5 miles northwest of Wells. 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 experience 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. 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.

Best Camping Sites Near Wells, Vermont (218)

    1. Emerald Lake State Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Danby, VT
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 362-1655

    "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."

    2. Moose Hillock Camping Resorts

    22 Reviews
    Queensbury, NY
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 792-4500

    "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."

    3. Dorset RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Dorset, VT
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 867-5754

    "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."

    4. Lake St. Catherine State Park Campground

    1 Review
    Poultney, VT
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 287-9158

    "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."

    5. Slateville Secluded Campsites

    1 Review
    West Pawlet, VT
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 248-0336

    $45 - $65 / night

    6. Camping On The Battenkill

    20 Reviews
    Arlington, VT
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 375-6663

    $45 - $57 / night

    "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."

    7. Bomoseen State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Bomoseen, VT
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 265-4242

    "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."

    8. Lake George RV Park

    20 Reviews
    Queensbury, NY
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 792-3775

    "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!"

    9. Lake Bomoseen KOA

    10 Reviews
    Bomoseen, VT
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 273-2061

    "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."

    10. Half Moon Pond State Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Bomoseen, VT
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 273-2848

    "Bomoseen State Park is right down the road, but I recommend staying at Half Moon and taking advantage of the large swimming area at Bomoseen, as well as all the cool ponds, lakes, and hiking trails nearby"

    "We found several trails to hike at and near the park as well. Each site is separated with trees, offering some privacy and a greater sense of nature"

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Recent Reviews near Wells, VT

808 Reviews of 218 Wells Campgrounds


  • Marc D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Mount Ascutney State Park Campground

    Great state park

    This is a beautiful state park at the base of Mt ascutney. The campground is lovely. Forest Ed and beautiful fall colors in October. Good facilities. Friendly staff. Some noise from the interstate but not terrible. There is a 3.7 mile road that is extremely steep but paved, and goes to the summit of the mountain. Less than 1 mile hike from there to the observation tower. Great views. Lots of hiking trail trails.

  • S.D.G
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Quechee State Park Campground

    Great stop on any trip

    Clean, good facilities. Price has gone up to $38 a night. Got there close to the time the rangers left for the night, Nick was really kind to make sure I got situated before he left. Walking distance from the antique mall which is a stop everyone should make as well as good food and pizza right nearby. Great spot to stop at on any trip

  • Carroll K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Gus's Gardens Camping

    It was quite and peaceful

    We enjoyed our stay with Gus very much. With the email to confirm our stay, there were excellent directions to get there. It is behind his home by a lake with creek nearby. There is also a hiking trail. We had no problems. If we are in the area again, we would camp here again.  Thanks

  • Jenna L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Crown Point Campground

    Nice with a view

    Pretty nice campground all things considered, bathrooms are definitely rustic but kept clean. Some of the campsites are very close together, and others have a decent amount of space between them, not necessarily a lot of trees in between campsites for privacy. Beautiful views of the water, and surrounding mountains. Staff was extremely friendly!

  • Keith L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Jamaica State Park Campground

    Great Camping Experience at Jamaica State Park

    This was our second stay at this Vermont State Park. It was a great three days. The park rangers were tremendous in ensuring we had a great visit. They worked with us to get the right site. The bathroom facilities, while rustic, were clean. There is a plethora of things to do in the park itself and in the local community. Nonetheless, it starts and ends with the management of the campground. Lauren, the campground manager, and her team of professionals, do a great job. We will definitely return.

  • B The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Quechee State Park Campground

    Beautiful, road noise, not a lot there

    Big, flat, beautiful sites. Road noise isn't super loud, but it's constant. Might be the nicest bathrooms I've seen in decades of camping.

    The weird thing is that there just isn't much here. The Quechee Gorge, best accessed from the back of the lawn behind the bathhouse, is the deepest in Vermont.. which is kind of like saying the best bagel or most populous city in Vermont. Prepared to be whelmed.

    It's a ~30 minute hike, you can access some slow semi-rapids at the bottom.

    Camping at the SP does give access to another trail that's moderately challenging and has both some level spots and a nice overlook.

    Don't regret the trip at all but it seems more like an awesome stopover than a worthwhile destination. Some decent restaurants in the area and even more in nearby Lebanon/White River Junction.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Frontier Town Campground

    So clean!

    We stayed in site 33 which is in the equestrian camping area. It’s really open with little tree cover which is perfect for those who work remote using Starlink. We had fantastic connection. The sites in the equestrian camping area are huge and so clean. The bathrooms are the cleanest I’ve seen so far and we do this full time. The only disappointment was that the hot water doesn’t get very hot in the shower so you better do some jumping jacks to get pumped before showering during colder temps! The trails are well marked and well maintained. Overall, this is a fantastic campsite. There’s even a brewery a ten minute walk down the road. We didn’t go but looks nice. Get your supplies before you arrive! Not many places around to quickly grab charcoal if you need it.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Kampersville

    Nice

    The campsites are all in the trees with some sites not clearly defined. The sites seem good sized with new bathroom and showers, with individual showers with a toilet. There are a lot of monthly staying here. Overall a nice park


Guide to Wells

Camping near Wells, Vermont, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a quiet retreat or a place packed with fun, there are several campgrounds to check out.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Jamaica State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "The kids were able to safely ride bikes on the camp roads, sites were large and well spaced out from each other, great playground and fun playing in the river."
  • Swimming: Enjoy the refreshing waters at Emerald Lake State Park Campground. A visitor shared, "The lake and beach is lovely, clean, and the water is warm and clear."
  • Fishing: Cast a line at Camping On The Battenkill. One happy camper said, "Great hikes and fishing! Love emerald lake! Clear waters, calm lake."

What campers like:

  • Spacious Sites: Campers appreciate the roomy sites at Moose Hillock Camping Resorts. A review noted, "For a private campground, the sites are large and well spaced out."
  • Clean Facilities: Many enjoy the cleanliness at Lake George RV Park. One reviewer stated, "The staff treated us so nicely and the array of resort-level amenities are beautifully maintained and clean."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Lake George Escape Campground is known for its activities. A visitor mentioned, "There is a FULL schedule of themed activities for the kiddos, weekly."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy. A camper at Rogers Rock Campground said, "This was a huge issue because the campers next to us were partying extremely loud until 5:30 a.m."
  • Limited Amenities: At Moose Hillock Camping Resorts, one camper noted, "For the price of this place, we expected a packed schedule of activities."
  • Road Access: The road to Emerald Lake State Park Campground is rough, as one visitor pointed out, "The road into the campground is super rough though."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose the Right Campground: Look for family-friendly spots like Jamaica State Park Campground, where one reviewer said, "Amazing programming options from the ranger staff each day."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to check out the activities available at Lake George Escape Campground. A camper mentioned, "There are tons of activities, lots of families and 'stuff' going on all the time."
  • Pack for the Weather: Be prepared for rain at Emerald Lake State Park Campground. One family found it helpful to have a lean-to during a very rainy weekend.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site at Moose Hillock Camping Resorts. A reviewer noted, "Some campsites were pretty small and would not fit large RVs."
  • Be Mindful of Noise: If you're in an RV, consider quieter campgrounds like Lake George RV Park. One camper said, "The park was not very crowded when we were there."
  • Plan for Amenities: Look for campgrounds with full hookups, like Camping On The Battenkill. A visitor mentioned, "There’s also showers and laundry if you need that."

Camping near Wells, Vermont, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to check the reviews and plan accordingly!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Wells, VT?

According to TheDyrt.com, Wells, VT offers a wide range of camping options, with 218 campgrounds and RV parks near Wells, VT and 34 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 19 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Wells, VT?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 34 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.