Camping in Vermont: Best Vermont Campgrounds 2023

Q: Where can I camp for free in Vermont?

In Vermont , you can find free camping in the Green Mountain National Forest . Dispersed camping is allowed in most areas of the forest, but it's important to follow Leave No Trace principles and be aware of any specific regulations. For more information about camping in Vermont , you can explore Hipcamp.

Q: Is it legal to camp anywhere in Vermont?

In Vermont , you cannot camp anywhere, but there are designated areas where you can camp legally. Dispersed or wild camping is allowed in Vermont 's Green Mountain National Forest , as long as you follow the rules and regulations. You must camp at least 200 feet away from trails, roads, and water sources. Additionally, there are numerous designated campgrounds, both public and private, throughout Vermont . You can find a variety of camping options on Hipcamp, including tent camping, RV parks, and unique accommodations like cabins and yurts.

Q: What state has the longest fall foliage?

Pennsylvania , Vermont , and Maine are known for having the longest fall foliage seasons in the United States, typically from mid-September through October. This is due to their diverse ranges of tree species and northern latitude. Check out the Hipcamp fall foliage prediction map to know exactly when to plan your fall foliage getaway to these northeastern states.

United States
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Vermont

97% (8050 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Vermont

Dog-friendly getaways

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Top camping destinations

Green Mountain National Forest

1468 campgrounds

Silver Lake State Park

1317 campgrounds

Brighton State Park

1065 campgrounds

Smugglers' Notch State Park

1131 campgrounds

12 top campgrounds in Vermont

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Old Moose Farm

9 sites · RVs, Tents43 acres · Lemington, Essex

An Overlanders, and Camper Van Enthusiasts Paradise! Enjoy beautiful views and the majestic wilderness of Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. Situated at the top of Todd Hill, the property includes a pond, apple orchard, and Christmas Tree Farm. There are several different sites at the Old Moose Farm ranging from inside the cozy apple orchard, to the top of Crom's Peak with it's 270° views of the Connecticut River Valley and the North East Kingdom of Vermont. There's also plenty of open space for those who would like to pick their own spot, message me for details. On a clear day you can see Vermont, New Hampshire, Canada, and even Maine! In my 40 plus acres of Christmas Trees and Apple Orchards you will feel at one with nature while also only being 3 miles from one of New England's finest microbreweries and all the ATV and hiking trails you can handle. The Property features several camping sites perfect for classic tent campers, smaller travel trailers and micro campers, and backpacking adventurers. Located 10 minutes from Colebrook NH and 30 minutes from Pittsburgh NH. The Great North woods of NH is also accessible from The Old Moose Farm.

Black Creek Maple Off Grid Camp

10 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents200 acres · Cambridge, Lamoille

Pitch your tent nestled along the edge of lush green forestry, surrounded in nature! Gorgeous views and the smell of the fresh Vermont air will amaze you. Start your day making coffee on the fire, sitting listening to the birds and watching the deer nibbling the grass. We welcome avid year round outdoors people to explore this land. Whether you love snow shoeing, hiking, biking or just sitting, spending evenings around the camp fire. Our family has the perfect getaway for your stay in a tent, cabin or camper. During July and August the wild raspberries and blackberries make a wonderful treat. Try your culinary skills over the campfire while the children play and explore nature. As night falls, a campfire with smores hosts a wonderful end to the days fun. Afterwards, tuck the children in and listen to the night sounds under the stars! Your site is only 1/4 mile from "The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail" used year round as recreational fun for biking and also part of the VAST system for snow mobiles. Only ten minutes to restaurants, shops, zip line, bike rentals, swimming, kayaking, fishing, ski, attractions and more! We are located, so close to the ski resorts and resort villages. Also, less than thirty minutes from the Canadian border! Each site is provided 5 gallons of clean well water, (more available for an up charge). Don't forget to check out the many extras available. Get back to basics and enjoy all that nature has to offer and create your own lasting memories!

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Willoughby Farm Animal Rescue

9 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents107 acres · Fairlee, Orange

We are a 107-acre forest and farm animal rescue. Sleep with the sheep, alpacas, donkeys, potbellied pigs, and rabbits when you pitch your tent or park your camper on our Vermont Farm! Reserve the group site and sleep in the middle of the action! Co-located in the open, grassy area with the free-roaming farm rescues is our RV site. Co-located sites share a community fire ring, so it's a great way to meet and make new friends! Don't have a tent or RV? Spend a magical night in "The Greenhouse" (it's a real, working greenhouse that doubles as accommodations for those looking for a more "glamping" experience). Want a little privacy? Reserve one of our two tricked-out Tent Deck sites, (Buddha North & Grandmother Pine) each with its own picnic table, private fire ring, and commercial-grade park grill. Nestled, discretely in the forest adjacent to the area where the animals are, you will feel like you are in the middle of nowhere even though you are less than a 5-minute walk from your car! Looking for something a bit more remote and spectacular? Hike a half-mile to the Big Sky Tent Deck. An incredible vista awaits you for just a little effort! We are a small non-profit (501c3). When you stay with us, rent equipment from us, or take a tour with us, 100% of money you pay goes directly for the care and feeding of the rescue animals. Thanks for supporting us in making a difference in the lives of neglected, abused, and abandoned farm animals! ----- CHECK-IN TIME: 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Please arrive within this time window. You may purchase a check-in extension for $15 in advance or $30 on arrival if absolutely necessary.

Feel Good Farm

9 sites · RVs, Tents150 acres · Wolcott, Lamoille

This 150-acre property has been in our family for 30 years and now houses three generations. Built in 1900 it was a traditional dairy farm until the 50's and 60's when potatoes were planted on the fields for the Boston and New York markets. By the 70's and 80's it became a gentleman's farm for a retired couple from New York City and the dairy farmers nearby hayed the fields. When we purchased the property in 1993 we continued offering the hay, built greenhouses, planted vegetable and flower gardens, ran a traditional Bed and Breakfast, now airbnb. We leased some of the fields to a local organic seed company for 13 years until they purchased their own property. The farm remains certified organic and is still being hayed by a local dairy farm, the gardens are community managed using regenerative and sustainable practices when ever possible. This year in the commercial garden, seed crops will be planted once again. Much of the cultivated agricultural land is protected under the Vermont Land Trust, to ensure that it remains used for agricultural purposes. We love to share our farm and forest with others. In addition to our very intentional farming operations, you can find wild edibles tucked away on forest trails. Wildlife and wildflowers abound. Views and sunsets. Check out the 968 acre wildlife management area that abuts the property. Plenty of trails through the woods leading to Wolcott Pond and hidden beaver huts and dams. Children 16 and under no charge but before booking please contact us to let us know how many children and we'll send a discount code. so you won't be charged when indicating number of people in your party. Our little pond behind the big greenhouse has filled up a bit more this spring which you are welcome to use for dipping or frog watching. Starting in June the outdoor kitchen and sun showers will be available for guests use. We can host large parties with advance notice.

Sunrise Farm

8 sites · RVs, Tents75 acres · Dover, Windham

Voted 3rd in Vermont by Hip Camp 2022 6 Sites are on Sunrise Farms 75 acre Conservation land with 50 mile view for Sites 1 and 2. Very quiet area with lots of wildlife and ponds and disc golf. Very quiet with great swimming and lots of hikes right from your sites. 2 of the Brookside Sites (Wishbone Left and Right) are close by (2.7 miles) where we have another 1/2 mile of river frontage and can handle bigger groups as Conservation land on Sunrise Farm only allows 4 campers per site. Sunrise Farm Sites 1 and 2 have oodles of space and Spectacular 50 mile views of Mount Monadnock with no house lights out there in the evening except the party string lights we provide. Site 1 (with entrance 70 yards south of the farmhouse) is best for camping in with up to 20 foot trailers or multiple tents …on the large flat spaces in the 25 acre field to choose from. Great Well water available near farmhouse. Biodegradable soaps Only if used in the ponds. Double Olympic sized Swim Pond we stock with Rainbow Trout to keep clear. We have been advised Not to allow imported firewood (can import Wood Beetle dangerous for our forest). - PLEASE use the Firewood bundle tubs we provide ($11) - pick up at the farmhouse or pull wood from the woods (and make it safer for use). Beautiful and plenty of wildlife nearby... as well as Port a Potties are marked on Map we provide with solar lights marking them at night. Do Not Leave food out when camping or away from site. Bears are rarely seen but it is wild country. Sites have locking garbage lids. Unique and lovely as well as being next to trails and roads to miles of remote spots with very few if any ... people. In Winter we request only AWD vehicles go down to this site or park up by farmhouse and hike in so you can easily get out. When wet park up by the road if you have 2 wheel drive. Always WISE to arrive When LIGHT out as we do not live at the site and are not able to show guests to their sites as a result.

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Timbertrail Farm

10 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents145 acres · Shaftsbury, Bennington

Come see Lake Shaftsbury State Park! This 200 year old farm is at the top of a dead end road on 150 acres. It sits in a region of Bennington County formerly called Healing Springs Vermont. The springs that flow off of West Mountain come down through the farm and across Route 7 where they feed the picturesque state park! Arrive at our 150 acre property at the top of this dead-end road.. (Please stay left all the way up to the top...the road becomes our driveway).. Step out onto this 200-year-old farm at your own private site all of which are several acres each minimum.. Walk to streams ponds and Lake Shaftsbury State Park.

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Birds Eye View Vermont

7 sites · RVs, Tents8 acres · Bethel, Windsor

Mountain top views surrounded by nature Enjoy a peaceful Vermont mountainside field with beautiful mountain views and amazing star gazing away from city lights. We offer well groomed, clean campsites, an outhouse and a fire ring. We are located on a minimally traveled no outlet wooded road. Pitch a tent near or next to your vehicle or park a small to medium sized camper and use it as a base camp while you explore Vermont. We are centrally located to Bethel, Royalton, Queechee, Woodstock, Rutland, Killington, Waitsfield, Randolph, Barre and Montpelier. What is there to do? Visit to our secret swimming hole located nearby...and White River access just down the road. Just up the road is the popular Silver Lake and State Park, great swimming, sunbathing, paddle boarding, kayaking or canoeing. We are close to interesting activities, such as the White River National Fish Hatchery, Billings Farm, the Queechee Balloon festival, and more. Near by farm stands sell fresh organic produce, eggs, grass fed meats, homemade food products and crafts. What is there to eat and drink? Nearby restaurants include The Barnard Inn, Cloudland, Toziers, Tessi’s Tavern, Locust Creek Diner, The Bethel Sandwich Shop, Cockadoodle and Village Pizza. Babe’s Bar in Bethel offers amazing creative cocktails in an old railway station. In the village of South Royalton 12 miles away is our local Co-op. There you can access lots of healthy food choices, many locally sourced and lots of drinks, it's our go to market. Three miles up Route 12 is the Barnard General Store and gas station they have just about everything a camper could want. They stock ice, fresh baked goodies, fruit and vegetables, prepared foods and many locally produced delights such as ice cream, kombucha and fresh baked goods. Their meat case features, sausages, thick pork chops, fresh air chilled chicken, local grass fed beef and they always have fresh Farro Island salmon. They also offer wine, beer and ciders. A mile away on 107 is the Locust Creek General Store and gas station, they uniquely offer block ice, diesel and kerosene, drinks, simple fresh sandwiches, many frozen foods and lots of newspapers. We have generous amounts of firewood available onsite for sale. Please join us for a Birds Eye View of the beautiful state of Vermont, we hope to see you soon....David and Lisa PS. Please visit our visitor comments and view the HipCamp photographer's photos of the star filled sky, what a nice gift, sent by HipCamp.

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Fox Farm Campground

8 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents8 acres · Brattleboro, Windham

Fox Farm is located on 8 magical acres in eclectic Brattleboro, VT. Pitch your tent in a sacred private white pine forest or closer to the trail-head with access to a charcoal grill, a huge fire circle and a picnic table. If you prefer a roof over your head, check Fox Farm Cottage @ Fox Farm. Located ideally on a trail-head that leads to the West River Trail (a 36-mile scenic trail through the West River Valley – eventually linking Brattleboro, Dummerston, Newfane, Townshend, Jamaica and South Londonderry) and the West River, offering opportunities to hike, fish, swim, ski, snow shoe and bike. The Marina Bar and Restaurant is a 2 mile hike or bike ride from the camp site (via the West River Trail) and is a fun way to see the beauty of Vermont and partake in some excellent indoor/outdoor dining with views of the water. Currently there are two areas available to campers; The Pine Forest and the Council of the Elders. The Pine Forest is a shaded circular area that is very spiritual and quiet. There are currently 3 camp sites in the Pine Forest. The Council of the Elders is a more open (again circular) area that abuts The Pine Forest and has a large fire pit as it's centerpiece, surrounded by the Elder Pine trees. I have had up to 2 campers and an occasional van/camper at the Council of the Elders. I have most recently had requests to book the entire Pine Forest for guests who are traveling together and want privacy- and I do my best to work with people to accommodate any needs. Please bring your own firewood if you intend to have a fire. I offered wood to guests in the past when I was able but found that tricky to manage as there are times I myself am out of wood. There is plenty of felled wood all around as the property is surrounded by a dense forest and guests are welcome to gather that to supplement fire making. In my experience as a host, I have noted that folks come together and build mini-communities, share food, fires and is generally a positive vibe. Some come for privacy and solitude, which has not been an issue thus far. All in all the energy is upbeat and folks make friends along the way- me too! Brattleboro is a funky, hipster town with many excellent restaurants and much to see and do. For winter enthusiasts Mount Snow is a 30 minute drive and folks can cross country ski and snowshoe right from their camp sites to the 36 mile trail. The Hipcamper can expect privacy yet easy accessibility to the homeowner for tips and ideas to support a positive experience. Campers may be greeted and visited my friendly Bernese Mountain Dog's, Loki Bear and Levi!

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Huntington Open Women's Land

7 sites · Tents50 acres · Huntington, Chittenden

Men are not allowed at HOWL (with the exception of trans men). Please let us know your pronouns when you book with us. Thanks! HOWL is a non-profit land trust held in perpetuity for the full diversity of women, regardless of gender assigned at birth, and transgender, non-binary, and gender expansive individuals. We are an intentional community working to create an alternative to systemic oppression and patriarchy. We work collectively to preserve and steward the land, to provide space for community building, service, and skill-sharing, and to collaborate in projects and programming that reflect our shared values of intersectional feminism, compassion, respect, sustainability, and love of the earth.

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Mount Norris Scout Reservation

16 sites · Lodging, Tents1000 acres · Lowell, Lamoille

The pristine mountain trails and and panoramic views of Lake Eden beckon adventurers of all ages and abilities to enjoy year-round visits to Mount Norris Scout Reservation. With 1,000 acres of wilderness terrain, a dozen secluded campsites and numerous cabins, lean-tos and shelters to suit your needs, Mt. Norris is big enough for any private event but perfect for your family or group. Ascend the 1,482-foot vertical 5-mile round trail to the summit of Mt. Norris or carve your own path in snow shoes or cross country skis to the shores of Lake Eden. We have 75 years of experience helping introduce families to the outdoors. Let us know how we can make your next experience unforgettable! Mt. Norris is a strictly substance-free facility. Thank you for helping us maintain a tranquil environment for our guests.

Fair Valley Camping

10 sites · RVs, Tents30 acres · Orange

You will be camping on the grounds of the Tunbridge World's Fair, there are multiple spaces for all sizes of RV's with electrical hookups and water with easy access and parking. Restrooms and showers available. Beautiful site with the First Branch of the White River passing through and 2 covered bridges within walking distance. Half mile dirt track for running or biking. Your site may be adjusted to better accommodate you depending on whatever else may be going on at the grounds, this will be discussed when you book.

Sunset Rock RV Park

24 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Isle La Motte, Grand Isle

Sunset Rock RV Park has camp sites for tenters and RVers alike. We also have cabins! We offer fun and games for everyone. Whether you are here for some quiet time by the lake, fishing off the pier, or here for a family gathering, Sunset Rock can accommodate all of your needs! Please note that there is a minimum night stay for the below holiday weekends. So if trying to book a reservation for any of the below please book with the number of the minimum number of nights in mind. Memorial Day Weekend - 3 nights minimum stay. 4th of July - 4 nights minimum stay. Labor Day Weekend - 3 nights minimum stay.