Vermont's southern Green Mountains surrounding Weston feature hardwood forests at elevations between 1,000-2,000 feet with campgrounds nestled in valleys and along waterways. The camping season typically runs from May through mid-October, with fall foliage season bringing cooler temperatures ranging from 30°F-65°F. Most campgrounds in this region close for winter due to snowfall that can exceed 80 inches annually.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 2.5 miles to Hamilton Falls from Jamaica State Park Campground. "Nice little weekend getaway. Clean bathrooms, roomy tent sites, nice staff. Fun playground and nature area for kids. Very family friendly place with beautiful hikes to Hamilton falls," reports Fransheska A., who recommends this as a primary activity.
River activities: Float or swim in the Battenkill River at Camping on the Battenkill. "My family and I have been camping here for 40 years. 4 of my 5 children learned to ride their bikes on the circle that surrounds the playground," shares David M. The river provides excellent swimming spots with "We sleep in tents so the sound of the river puts you to sleep at night," notes Heather P.
Quarry swimming: 10-minute drive from Tree Farm Campground to local swimming spots. "We needed some serious forest bathing and spontaneously decided to head to the green mountains," writes Emily H., who adds, "highlight was finding then awesome swimming hole at Buttermere falls next to Okemo."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Tree Farm Campground offers secluded spots with full hookups. "Plenty of room, busy on holiday weekends generally very quiet. Wooded and trees between sites. Fullhook up. Friendly staff. Clean," says Elizabeth M. The campground features hiking trails with natural features, as "the campground is clean and quiet, with sites that are spacious and private."
Tent sites along water: Many campers prefer riverside locations for the natural soundtrack. At Camping on the Battenkill, "We were at site 17, and it was a massive site. Lots of room would be great for a large family or group. The beach on the river is beautiful and clean! Easy swimming for all," explains Christina M. These waterfront sites typically fill first during peak season.
Clean facilities: Bomoseen State Park Campground maintains high standards for bathrooms and grounds. "Bathrooms were the cleanest of any campground we've ever stayed at. Sites are pretty close together but if you can score a lean to your right on the lake with good spacing between each," comments Jessica H. Several reviewers specifically mention facility cleanliness as a deciding factor in returning.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Book 6-9 months ahead for September and October stays. Popular sites fill quickly, especially waterfront locations. "We decided to make a last ditch effort of calling the gas company again, and it turns out the last package had been riding in Vicki's car for roughly the last day," shares Katie E. about challenges at Dorset RV Park.
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds have spotty coverage. "Find something that you dont like about this park... go ahead, ill wait. Small town general store, no cell service and a gorgeous back drop is a perfect spot to just unwind from the real world," explains Brittany B. about Jamaica State Park.
Weather preparedness: Pack for variable conditions even in summer. "If you plan on staying past campsites 1-3 bring extra socks and rain boots because it gets muddy," advises Jenny J. about Grout Pond Campground, noting that "the walk is pretty long to other campsites and getting through all the mud only added to the pain of bringing things back and forth."
Tips for camping with families
Look for playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Jamaica State Park, "Very family friendly place with beautiful hikes to Hamilton falls. Fun playground and nature area for kids," notes Fransheska A. This provides entertainment between outdoor adventures.
Consider lean-to sites: Gifford Woods State Park Campground offers these structures for easier setup with children. "We have stayed at this campground twice and have been so happy with it every time. The facilities are great for a state park and the sites are large. It's a smaller campground which is really great," explains Alyssa C., making this ideal for families with young children.
Swimming beaches with gradual entry: For younger swimmers, look for designated beach areas. "The beach was lovely - sandy and perfect for swimming. It was fun to watch the boats coming and going too," reports Tara S. about Bomoseen State Park. Many families prefer sites with walking distance to swimming.
Tips from RVers
RV site dimensions: Verify before booking as some loops have challenging turns. For Dorset RV Park, a review notes "The sites next to us were not occupied which was nice because otherwise it would have felt a little tight. We did notice a bit of road noise when sitting outside," according to Nancy W.
Hookup availability: Most state parks lack them while private RV parks Weston, Vermont provide full service. "We paid ($47/night) for our full hookup, 50-amp site," reports Nancy W. about her stay at Dorset RV Park, one of the area's options with complete utilities.
Level sites: Request specific numbers when making reservations at rv parks near Weston. "Our site was level but some definitely were not," observes Nancy W. about Dorset RV Park. Many RV campers recommend traveling with leveling blocks as several sites require adjustment for comfort.
