M.A.D. P.

swanton, VT

Joined September 2020

I am a photo intern for the Vermont State Parks. My wife and I love to camp, hike, kayak, canoe and explore Vt. And other beautiful areas of this country

One of the more popular Vt State parks

We showed up on a busy Memorial Day weekend without reservations and the staff was kind enough to give us their last leanto. This place has access to some of the best hiking and paddling in the state.

Winter camping with permit through the Vt State Park

Knight Island is a summer camping oasis but you can obtain a permit from the Vt. State Parks to winter camp. There are some nice leantos on the east side of the island that give you access to the lake and some good fishing. Deer, .turkey, fox and smaller animals can be seen throughout the island

Small open park

The Airfield Campground is a strip of land with several campsites and fire pits. It has pit toilets. These sites are close together with little to no shade. Some sites have access to a stream that flows behind the park. The real attraction is the huge Somerset Resevoir which is up the road. Plenty of fishing, paddling, hiking and picnicking opportunities. There are other dispersed sites down the road that are free

Large and friendly park with plenty of water activity opportunities

My first time experiencing a park in the New Hampshire Park system. We went down with a group. Pawtuckaway State Park offers a variety of landscapes, with something to do and see for everyone. The park includes a large family beach on the lake. There are many opportunities for hiking, with trails leading to many special points of interest, including a mountaintop fire tower; an extensive marsh where beavers, deer, and great blue herons may be seen.

The park lines the shore of beautiful Pawtuckaway Lake.  The 192 sites are wooded and many provide views of the lake.  Each campsite has an open fire ring, picnic table, flat areas for a tent, and a parking space. The bathhouses are equipped with running water, flush toilets, and 24 hour showers.  There are no hook-ups at any of the campsites. The park also has a camp store where canoe and kayaks are available, as well as a plublic canoe and kayak launch. Five cabins are available; each sleeps six people, has electricity, and includes a fire ring and picnic table. Pets are not allowed in the campground or beach area of the park.

Quiet and quaint Tentrr site

We took advantage of a Tentrr promotion and chose a Tentrr site close by. It was our first time glamping. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience! The tent and all it's amenities were excellent. We were very comfortable! The site is on the Missisquoi River which afforded us access with our kayaks. ( The landing could use some improvement ). The site is also accessible to the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail where we were able to use our bikes. The seclusion of our site allowed us to have plenty of privacy to relax and unwind

Remote camping on a secluded pond

My wife and I spent 10 days at this remote tent site. Our site was on the far western end of Kettle Pond and the only tent site in the remote camping area. A trail that goes around the pond is easily accessed from site 10. We were able to watch the Loons teaching it's chicks to hunt for food. A bit of work to get to this site but every bit worth the trade off for peace n quiet!

Huge park in the most remote area of Vermont

We brought our friends to this remote park in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. This park offers many outdoor recreational opportunities. We were able rent kayaks and explore the lake. Many looons and other waterfowl were spotted as well. The park also has a nice hiking trail that scales part of the lake. Because it is so remote from civilization we were also able to relax in our spacious and semi secluded sites.

Small little park with plenty to do

This park was a very pleasant surprise to us. The staff was very kind and accommodating. The park was clean and typical of all Vt. State Parks. The real surprise was the things to do at the park and close bye. Though Half Moon Pond is very small it offered a calm relaxing time on the water. 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

Large State Park with many lake front sites

Since this park is close to where we live, it has become our go to for a quick camping fix. Our family has camped here often. Our latest visit to camp was in July of 2021. July is a busy time of the year for them and most of the sites were taken. We managed to get a handicapped accessible site on the water. Our dog Mia loved the handicapped ramp. 

The park is large with 2 loops that can accommodate campers and tents. They have many leanto sites and a couple of cabins. Sites are spaced out for privacy and seclusion. The large lake is being revitalized by an aeration system which has brought back the use of the 2 nice beaches. The main beach is more for day use but there is a campers beach in loop B. There are 2 boat launches which makes for convenient access to the lake for varied recreation. Walleye fishing has always been good here. Sunsets aren't too bad either.

Since it is a large and busy park, it has been known to get a little rowdy at times. Law enforcement now patrols the park which has helped considerably.

Great place to enjoy nature in many ways

We have explored this park in the winter as well as the summer. There is an extensive trail system that is easy to navigate. Nestled in the woods are several tent platforms that you can access by foot or by boat. They are spacious but not too private. There is a shared privy among the sites The Resevoir lends itself to peaceful boating, nature watching and great fishing.

Great place to have a picnic and to enjoy the crystal clear water

Camp Plymouth has cabins to rent and there is space for group camping. The campground also has buildings to rent for large gatherings. Camp Plymouth honored our Gifford Woods State Park pass which gained us free entry into the park. From there we were able to access the small boat access and kayak beautiful Echo Lake. This Park has a huge beach and picnic area with a snack bar and boat rentals. We made a day of it and enjoyed the whole shebang! This park is especially clean and the staff extremely friendly

Small friendly park with an abundance of recreational opportunities

We camped here for the Fourth of July weekend. The park is small, clean and friendly. The sites are semi secluded and through hikers on the AT/LT can find rest and shelter at this park. There has been an increase in Black Bear activity but that won't deter us from ever coming back.

Great park for fall camping

This park is very small but it is nestled in one of the state's largest forest. There is plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities available in or near the park. The prime lean-to sites overlook the rugged terrain of the Green Mountains. It is especially beautiful in the fall. All sites are semi secluded. Our stay was quiet and peacefull.

Grout Pond

I visited Grout Pond Recreation area on 11/6/22 and found that it was closed to campers. The sites around the pond are being enlarged. The sites are framed in and filled with compacted sand. The sites near the water are beautiful. These will be welcomed improvement when the park reopens. The website for grout has more details

Chittenden Brook Campground dispersed campsites

Chittenden Brook Campground is in the Green Mountain National Forest off of Rt 73. Besides reserved site s and a cabin, the service road that leads to the campground has several free dispersed camping sites

Moosalamoo Campground

A friend and I camped at Moosalamoo. The camp host was very helpful in pointing out the prime first come first serve sites. We chose site 12 even though it was a short walk to unload n load our gear. The site was a little more secluded than most. It is large enough for the 2 tents we set up. Plenty of recreation opportunities as well

Greendale campground, Weston Vt.

Greendale Campground is a small remote campground located along Greendale Brook in Weston, VT.

There are 11 campsites available in a wooded setting. Each site has a picnic table, a fire ring with a grill, and a parking spur. Most sites can accommodate small campers as well as tents. There is also a vault toilet.

The campground offers easy access to the Greendale Loop, a 4.0 mile hike through a mixed forest of northern hardwood and conifer trees with long stretches bordering scenic streams. This loop includes approximately 2 miles of walking along town maintained roads open to vehicular traffic.

This site is not maintained for winter use. Deep snow often covers amenities at this site December – mid April. The nearest plowed parking area to the campground in the winter is approximately one mile away and access is via skis or snowshoes. My wife and I car camped in July and there were very few campers. Many sites are beside Greendale Brook. The water is clean, refreshing and soothing. Especially soothing while sitting by the campfire.

Our favorite Park in the whole Vt. State Park system

Quiet little park on Ricker Pond. I have been camping at this park for 50 years. 3 generations of our family get together when we can. The pond is great for swimming, kayaking, fishing and exploring. Plenty of things to do in the Groton State Forest as well. Plenty of prime lean-to and tent sites on the wate. Site #8 is our favorite but it is very popular

small and friendly State Park with plenty of things to do

Drove in on a whim and were pleasantly surprised by how well the staff accommodated us. We managed to get a prime leanto site right on the river. We were only there for an overnight but we will be back. In the Spring the water is released behind Ball Dam, creating a white water adventure. The prime lean-to sites on the water are beautiful and spacious.

There are also 4 remote sights for paddlers pn the Lake Champlain Paddlers Trail. You must call Burton Island State Park to make reservations

4 very nice remote campsites on the S.E. side of the island. Wake up to stunning sunrises and spectacular views of the Green Mountains. Spacious sites with fire rings. Shade is limited at certain times of the day. Nice hiking trails nearbye. These sites are separate from the State Park, even though reservations can only made by calling Burton Island. These sites are maintained by the park on behalf of Lake Champlain Paddlers Trail.