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% (8395 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Vermont

Dog-friendly getaways

97%

(327)

Top camping destinations

Smugglers' Notch State Park

1126 campgrounds

Manchester

1216 campgrounds

Green Mountain National Forest

1470 campgrounds

Brighton State Park

1064 campgrounds

Silver Lake State Park

1318 campgrounds

Bennington

1211 campgrounds

Under $50

99%

(152)

Burke Line Farm

5 sites · Lodging, Tents148 acres · Burke, Caledonia

Burke Line Farm is located in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. We are a working horse farm. Lessons and trail rides are offered Mondays-Wednesdays. Along with the horses we have sheep and lambs for market and wool. Our land is relatively flat with many trails for riding or walking. A short drive will bring you to Willoughby Lake, Kingdom Trails, and Burke Mt.

Beer Naked Brewery

6 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Marlboro, Windham

Beer Naked Brewery is located in the old Skyline Restaurant. My partner Sara and I have been building and renovating the property for four years now. The brewery is now open along with Pizzapalooza our wood fired pizza restaurant. The property is great, we have a hundred mile view from the top of Hogback Mointain overlooking three states. Come join the fun, hope to see you soon. JP

Quarry Brook

4 sites · Lodging, Tents100 acres · Putney, Windham

It all started on a first date in Boston....Nick had to excuse himself to take a phone call. His cow had fled its pasture. Much to Tara's surprise in that moment, this man she had just met was finishing his engineering degree at Northeastern, but was simultaneously building a homestead in Vermont. Fast forward 7 years, and here we are, building the life we only dreamed of. We yearned for simplicity. Deeper connections to our surroundings and mother nature. A calmer sense of place. The satisfaction that comes from growing food. Creating with our hands. We're a working farm and homestead. Every day at Quarry Brook is a new adventure, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. We’re incredibly excited to share our little corner of southern Vermont and what we’re up to with you!

90%

(10)

Vermont Freedom Campground

40 sites · RVs, Tents21 acres · Greensboro Bend, Caledonia

The campground was built 15 years ago and open two years. Reopened in 2019. Learn more about this land:Clothing optional campground located on 21 acres in rural Stannard, Vermont. We are accepting of all sexes and sexualities. If you are able to treat other people with the same respect you wish to receive, you are welcome here.Your choice of wooded or full sun campsites. YOU PICK SITE UPON ARRIVAL. Grocery and gas 1 mile. 5 miles to Caspian lake. Beautiful sunsets. Barn to socialize with other campers.

95%

(142)

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.

12 top campgrounds in Vermont

89%

(50)

Bent Apple Farm

5 sites · Lodging100 acres · Londonderry, Windham

Once upon a time there was an old , darl, four bay garage with nothing in it but a dirt floor, a tractror & a bunch of trash. On day, a little VT elf started chipping away, turning the garage into the most beautiful cabin & working studio imaginable! Now you can stay at the elf’s home & kick back, relax & play some music. The kitchen is a dream and the loft bed will have you dreaming! Only 100 yards away is a brand new Sauna & beyond that, a stunning mountain hot tub! Instagram: @bentapplefarmYou’ll need 4x4 car in the winter time.

Quarry Brook

4 sites · Lodging, Tents100 acres · Putney, Windham

It all started on a first date in Boston....Nick had to excuse himself to take a phone call. His cow had fled its pasture. Much to Tara's surprise in that moment, this man she had just met was finishing his engineering degree at Northeastern, but was simultaneously building a homestead in Vermont. Fast forward 7 years, and here we are, building the life we only dreamed of. We yearned for simplicity. Deeper connections to our surroundings and mother nature. A calmer sense of place. The satisfaction that comes from growing food. Creating with our hands. We're a working farm and homestead. Every day at Quarry Brook is a new adventure, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. We’re incredibly excited to share our little corner of southern Vermont and what we’re up to with you!

Mt. Solitude Cabin Retreats

8 sites · Lodging150 acres · Brattleboro, Windham

We are in rural southern Vermont. Drive slow and enjoy the views! Located only 6 miles to downtown Brattleboro we are close enough for a night out on the town or far enough away to be able to soak up the tranquility of the forest! We run a wilderness summer camp throughout the height of summer season, and have ample space for others to come stay and explore on the shoulder seasons. We’re pet friendly! We have chickens who will adoringly eat any of your non-meat compost, and two friendly dogs on site. Enjoy the fall foliage from our summit trail looking out on Mt. Monadnock, Governor’s Mountain, and the valley of the Connecticut river. In the winter, we have snow shoes available to rent (or bring your own!) and well marked trails. We’re only 35 mins to Mt. Snow and 1 hr to Okemo. We have other cabins for rent on-site and live here, you will see a human or two, despite this it will feel like you have the place to yourself! This is a slow paced relaxed home away from home.

Hartshorn Hideaway

1 site · Lodging1 acre · Arlington, Bennington

This cabin has been in my family for over 20 years. When my sister purchased this cabin it was in rough shape, with a tar paper roof and a single bunk that was falling down. With help from our father's sawmill, and helping hands of friends and family, we were able to rebuild from the ground up. Ever since then, this cabin has been making memories for our family and friends. We hope whoever gets to experience our little piece of VT will also make great memories here. This cozy family owned cabin located in the town of Sunderland, Vermont. Surrounded by hundreds of acres of national forest, campers can enjoy the sounds of a swift stream flowing nearby, birds chirping in trees, and the rustling of leaves and branches in the breeze. This mountainous area has a rich array of wildlife, meadows, trails, and only a few miles away from the Battenkill River, a tributary of the Hudson River of New York. Once inside you’ll find a small kitchen and dining area complete with a wood burning stove for those cool Vermont nights. The sleeping area offers four generously-sized bunks, a loft area, and a queen futon. Enjoy the peace of nature with a cup of coffee on the porch, but don’t forget to cap off the night with smores around the fire pit! Access to Vermont’s Long Trail System is nearby, with its 272 mile footpath and 166miles of side trails. This offers endless hiking opportunities for the day-hiker, weekend overnighter and extended backpacker. The Long Trail follows the main ridge of the Green Mountains from the Massachusetts-Vermont state line to the Canadian border, crossing Vermont’s highest peaks. As for the daily adventures, take a drive to surrounding ski resorts, including Bromley Mountain being just 15 miles from the property, where you can enjoy various activities year-round. Take a 10 minute drive to visit Mount Equinox Skyline drive where you’ll take in incredible views. Just past Mount Equinox is The Village of Manchester, which is home to the famed Equinox Resort and Spa. In Manchester, guests can enjoy everything from shopping & dining to outdoor classes for ATV driving and fly fishing!

100%

(75)

Rooted Acres Farm

1 site · Lodging25 acres · Westfield, Orleans

Learn more about this land:Rustic, off-grid, tiny cabin on small farm. This 12x16 tiny cabin, sleeps 4-5. Has queen, full, and twin size mattresses. Wood stove to stay warm on chilly winter days/nights. Wood is provided for wood stove. Linens are provided. Oil lanterns for lights. Compost toilet(bucket/sawdust) in cabin. Fire pit, wood fired hot tub(open year round), outdoor shower(spring-fall). Outdoor kitchen setup with sink, charcoal grill and Coleman 2 burner propane stove(bring your own 1lb propane tank). 3 gallons potable water available, 5 gallons water available for kitchen, 2 gallons available in bathroom. Nearby activities; skiing and water park at Jay peak, Eden dog sledding, snowmobile adventures

99%

(222)

Green Mountain Trails

2 sites · Lodging600 acres · Pittsfield, Windsor

Hike or bike 2 miles into a completely secluded cabin on 600 acres with panoramic views of the Green Mountains. You’ll arrive to a cozy cabin that can comfortably sleep 2, or up to 4 if needed, equipped with a potbelly stove and basic cooking equipment.The mountain, once a source of wood for the Stanley Tool factory and a site for bridle trails in the summer and Nordic skiing in the winter, is now best known as a the birthplace of the Spartan Race and host of the infamous Death Races, as well being a popular mountain biking destination called the Green Mountain Trails. The trail system boasts 25 miles of flowy trails for all abilities as well as a stone staircase climbing from the base to the top of the trails at Shrek’s Stone Hut. Awake to an incredible sunrise and panoramic Green Mountain views after a night underneath a starry dome unblemished by city lights. Chilly evenings in the hut are easily tempered by a pot belly stove fed by seasoned wood. A built in bunk accommodates two people, but it’s possible to sleep up to four guests.

Beer Naked Brewery

6 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Marlboro, Windham

Beer Naked Brewery is located in the old Skyline Restaurant. My partner Sara and I have been building and renovating the property for four years now. The brewery is now open along with Pizzapalooza our wood fired pizza restaurant. The property is great, we have a hundred mile view from the top of Hogback Mointain overlooking three states. Come join the fun, hope to see you soon. JP

92%

(59)

New Leaf Organics

6 sites · Lodging5 acres · Bristol, Addison

We've been farming here for 16 years, growing 5 acres of vegetables and flowers, all marketed within 50 miles of the farm. The farm sits on 90 acres right up against the Hogbacks and is only 5 miles from quaint Bristol village and tons of outdoor recreation opportunities.Our cozy, private, rustic mountain yurt is a 30’ foot space located in an upper field tucked into a wooded hillside. Views facing east are great for watching the sunrise and a kitchen and outhouse mean you’ve got everything you need to get out of town for a few days.* The location provides a serene, intimate getaway for couples, artists or anyone looking for a bit of mindful downtime and introspection. The yurt is insulated and heated by a wood stove. It is equipped with a full-sized bed, couch, breakfast table with four chairs and night table. Linens included.Surrounding fields are available for tent camping should you want to host a larger event and use the yurt for its kitchen and gathering space (the furniture can be removed). The yurt and its verdant surroundings are great for day-long wellness retreats, sound baths, yoga workshops, art classes and more.Farm tours, floral workshops and personalized catered meals by Blossom Kitchen and Catering, the on-site vegetarian kitchen, are available upon request for delivery to the yurt with at least two days’ notice. This is a perfect relaxation spot for bikers and hikers - Just beyond the yurt you can enjoy, or even help to improve newly constructed mountain biking trails Addison County Bike Club’s members have been working on. Rivers and lakes with swimming holes are an easy drive away, as is the charming mountain village of Bristol, with a fully stocked supermarket, two breweries, restaurants of all price ranges, shops and more. We are 30 minutes from the Burlington International Airport, and the closest Amtrak train station in Rutland is an hour drive.It is best to arrive before sunset. Please do not arrive in the middle of the night.

Vermont Freedom Campground

40 sites · RVs, Tents21 acres · Greensboro Bend, Caledonia

The campground was built 15 years ago and open two years. Reopened in 2019. Learn more about this land:Clothing optional campground located on 21 acres in rural Stannard, Vermont. We are accepting of all sexes and sexualities. If you are able to treat other people with the same respect you wish to receive, you are welcome here.Your choice of wooded or full sun campsites. YOU PICK SITE UPON ARRIVAL. Grocery and gas 1 mile. 5 miles to Caspian lake. Beautiful sunsets. Barn to socialize with other campers.