Camping in Rochester, VT, US: 12 Best Campgrounds 2024

United States
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Vermont
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Rochester

97% (6206 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Rochester

Star Hosts in Rochester

Top camping destinations

Green Mountain National Forest

1582 campgrounds

Noonmark summit for sunrise, Adirondack High Peaks

Adirondack State Park

1366 campgrounds

White Mountain National Forest

1213 campgrounds

Springfield

223 campgrounds

12 top campgrounds near Rochester

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Green Mountain Trails

2 sites · Lodging600 acres · Pittsfield, VT

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.

Birds Eye View Vermont

7 sites · RVs, Tents8 acres · Bethel, VT

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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Camp Granville woods field valley

4 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Granville, VT

Learn more about this land: Pitch your tent or settle in in your camper enjoy listening to the brook across the field moose and deer and bear about hiking swimming nearby water from brook or garden hose outhouse for bathroom old sugar house to visit and enjoy company come visit camp Granville where social distancing is the norm! It can fit more than 4 sites so akways call and see depends on if you are tenting or RV

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Willoughby Farm Animal Rescue

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

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! (You do not need a "group" to reserve the group site -- it is just our biggest site and can accommodate groups!). 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 and 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 a little effort! Need gear? We have it for rent, from cast iron grill baskets and griddles to make cooking over a charcoal grill or fire a breeze to tents to 1- and 2- burner propane stoves to tarps to water containers. We even have an Anker Portable Power Station and Portable Kerosene Heater for rent! Need Supplies? Charcoal? Propane? We've got it. ----- We are a small non-profit (501c3). When you stay with us, rent equipment from us, or take a tour with us, 100% of the 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! ----- IMPORTANT: MAY 24-26 2024 IS OUR VOLUNTEER WEEKEND AT THE RESCUE. LOTS OF PEOPLE, LOTS OF ACTION, LOTS OF FUN, LOTS OF POOP SHOVELLING AND MORE . ----- CHECK-IN TIME: 3:00 p.m.—7:00 p.m. Please arrive within this time window. If absolutely necessary, you may purchase a check-in extension for $15 in advance or $30 on arrival.

Sky Hollow Farm

2 sites · Lodging120 acres · Rochester, VT

Nestled in the heart of the Green Mountains of Vermont, Sky Hollow Farm has a rich history spanning from an 1800s sheep farm to its transformation into a summer camp, and now our beautiful homestead where we keep pigs, horses, chickens, and a lush vegetable garden. This 120-acre property boasts 3 swimming ponds, a wood-fired sauna, a lovely creek, and miles of hiking and biking trails connecting directly to Rochester's network of Ridgeline mountain biking trails and the National Forest. Not to mention, Sky Hollow is minutes from Killington, Sugarbush, and Mad River Glen for world-renowned skiing and snowboarding. The Hunter Cabin or Creek Cabin are excellent choices for a tranquil nature retreat. These one-bedroom cabins offer a unique stay with minimalistic, quaint furnishings. Both kitchens are equipped with a refrigerator, stove-top, and cooking utensils. These spaces also offer outdoor amenities including an outdoor shower and outhouse. Dogs are welcome and must be leashed or under voice command at all times. A pet fee of $50 per pet for any length of stay is required. Sorry, but no cats allowed due to allergy concerns. There are free-range chickens on the property. All walking trails are available to guests and are marked. Please avoid areas around other buildings on Sky Hollow to allow all guests their privacy. All barns and sheds are also private. The Village of Rochester features great eateries for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, a bakery, a lovely public library, art gallery, antique store, a great playground at the elementary school, swimming holes, yoga studio, and more. It is within driving distance of larger towns like Rutland and Killington, Middlebury, Waitsfield, and Warren, and West Lebanon NH for day trips. Public transportation is a 20+ minute drive away - a vehicle is necessary (4-wheel drive and snow tires are required in the winter months). Parking for 1-2 vehicles is available. The owner has a golden retriever (Kodak) - he is friendly and (usually!) well-behaved but does bark and run to greet you, so please drive slowly and don't be alarmed! We also have 1 cat and several friendly horses who occasionally graze in view of the cabins. Please be aware of electrified fencing (especially with small children!). Maple syrup and eggs are offered for sale when available. Please consider that you may or may not have cell service during your stay - AT&T has good coverage, but Verizon is spotty... there is a nice rock (Lion King Rock) on the mountaintop where it works well! Check coverage maps for other carriers. While all of our spaces have high-speed WiFi, incredible views, shared access to the sauna, swimming pond, and trails; Sky Hollow Farm has the ability to offer a variety of experiences. Check all of our spaces on Sky Hollow Farm: The Apartment, The Guest House, The Creek Cabin, and The Hunter's Cabin can all be found at skyhollow.com, booking.com, VRBO, and AirBnB.

Four Springs Farm, Campground & Learning Center

8 sites · Tents70 acres · South Royalton, VT

Four Springs Farm is a working organic farm on a beautiful west-facing hillside in central Vermont. Walk-in tent camping sites are tucked away in private corners of the farm a reasonable distance from the parking areas. The centrally located Wash Houses have toilets and hot showers. A picnic pavilion, which has a spectacular view of the valley and the hills of the Green Mtns, is available for group gatherings and celebrations and have a sink area for guests to use. Visitors are invited to tag-along-on-chores and meet the poultry sharing the farm with all of us and explore the seventy acres of paths, fields, streams, and woods. Guests will be dazzled by star-studded skies, treated to spectacular sunsets, and entertained by the farm cat Luna. The farm is mosquito free but inhabited by millions of fireflies. It's nature's playground at her best. Our season opens the last weekend in April and closes around the end of October. Wildflower Tent Site is a mowed area in one corner of a hillside field. It is located near the Wash Houses with it's own back door path, Watercress Crossing, over a small stream. There are no lights on the farm and this open spot is perfect for star gazing. There is a 10 x 12 foot tent platform, picnic table and fire pit. Morning Sunrise is the largest site and can hold ten tents easily on a relatively level grass area. It is protected from the heat of a late summer day and open to accept the first sunshine hitting the farm in the morning. Groups of multiple families, friends celebrating a special occasion, cycling groups and scouting organizations as well as individuals use this site to be slightly set apart from the heart of the farm activities. There is a picnic table and a firepit with space around it for a gang. Hidden Meadow is the most isolated and smallest tent site accessed by it's own bridge and unseen from most of the farm. Though not in the woods it feels tucked away and is ideal for couples or singles as it has room for only one tent ( on a 10 x 12 foot platform) and has a picnic table and fire pit. Maximum guests- three. Plum Corner as indicated by it's name is accessed along a path through the plum orchard. It is tucked up next to an old barn site with a stately old yellow birch defining the corner. It is ideal for families because of it's spaciousness and multiple tent options. There is one tent platform - 10 x 12 feet, a picnic table and fire pitl.

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Free Verse Farm

4 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Chelsea, VT

***WE'RE CLOSED FOR THE SEASON. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CAME OUT IN 2023. WE LO0K FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU AGAIN IN 2024!!!*** Our farm & campground features stunning, panoramic views of the First Branch of the White River in the verdant hills of central Vermont. It overlooks the village of Chelsea, the shire town of Orange County. Free Verse Farm is a hilltop herb farm run by two art-making, herb-loving farmers. The property boasts twenty sloping, knoll-laden, open acres overlooking the First Branch of the White River as it passes through the scenic village of Chelsea, Vermont. We have incredible views, forest trails that offer magical woodland wanderings, and spacious campsites in our fields. We also invite you to explore our cultivated fields of herbs and vegetables and become acquainted with the wide variety of tea, culinary, and medicinal herbs that we grow and process on our farm. You can also visit with the cows that spend their summer munching our delicious green pastures. Our full line of herbs and herbal products are for sale via our website or at Free Verse Farm Shop, located just one mile from our farm in downtown Chelsea. Our Farm Shop offers a wide variety of fresh produce, provisions, fresh baked goods, alcoholic (& non-) beverages, and more to enjoy during your stay or as you continue on your journey. AMENITIES: we offer a hot outdoor shower & sink, as well as an outhouse with a composting toilet. Each campsite has a firepit and a picnic table. CAMPSITE DETAILS: We currently have 2 campsites open. They are located in meadows with beautiful views of the First Branch Valley and Chelsea village. 4 wheel drive is recommended, but not necessary, and you are always welcome to hike up to your site. The site is spacious and private. LOCAL ATTRACTIONS: We also run Free Verse Farm Shop (OPEN: Tuesday-Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 9am-3pm), a local grocery, café, and apothecary to serve our community and visitors to the area, while supporting local farms and artisans. You can also pre-order online (shop.freeversefarm.com) to pick up in store or ship your order around the USA. The village of Chelsea hosts a weekly summer farmers market May-September on Fridays from 3-6pm (mid-May through September). In downtown Chelsea there is also a pub (The Wagon Wheel), gas station (110 Quickstop), two town commons, a small library, and a general store (Will's Store), and a farm stand (Chicken Wiggle Farm). Within 20-45 minutes of our farm you can reach the larger towns of Montpelier (state capital), South Royalton, Randolph, Woodstock, White River Junction, and the Upper Valley Region (Dartmouth College), all of which offer a wide variety of attractions and services. Upon your arrival, you will be given a welcome packet with more detailed information about our area, and we'll be happy to provide you with any other tips you're looking for. We look forward to hosting Hipcampers and sharing our love of this land, and our region, with all who visit. We can't wait to meet you! -Taylor & Misha *VISIT our Farm Shop (shop.freeversefarm.com) in Chelsea to stock up on our herbal goods, fresh produce, baked goods, adult beverages, and other provisions. You can order online for pickup at the Farm Shop or ship your order anywhere in the USA. **TAG @freeversefarm in your photos on Instagram! We love to see your shots from the farm!

Dome@Meadows

2 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Tunbridge, VT

Looking for a campground with stunning views of the White River and mountains? Look no further than dome@meadows! This lovely campground offers plenty of open field spots for both tent and RV campers, complete with breathtaking waterfront views. Restrooms, showers, and water are all easily accessible, so you won't have to worry about disturbing your tent mate with any post-hike stink. Located in the charming village of Tunbridge, VT, this property is also conveniently close to the World's Fair, which takes place in September. Take advantage of the opportunity to explore nearby attractions and learn about the fascinating history of Tunbridge and its people. Your vacation promises to be full of fun, learning, and the natural beauty of Vermont. And in the evenings, be sure to catch the incredible sunsets from the comfort of your cozy spot at dome@meadows - whether that means lounging around the campfire or relaxing in a hammock.

Sugar Wood Meadow Camping

13 sites · Tents500 acres · Bethel, VT

Our family purchased the farm to milk dairy cows, but over the year moved away from dairy to beef cattle. The sites are located around our farm with some in the fields behind our farm and others located in some of our summer pastures! We have different site listed individually in hopes of making booking easier!

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Heart of Vermont Farm

2 sites · RVs, Tents75 acres · Braintree, VT

The Cleveland farm has been in the family for 7 generations! It's nestled in the heart of Vermont ten minutes from the quaint town of Randolph. We currently have 3 alpacas, 24 chickens, 2 kids, 2 dogs and 1 cat that thinks it's a dog. We grow a lot of our food, heat our home with wood we sustainably harvest, and build memories with children all on our farm. Learn more about this land: Pitch your tent, camper van or small camper trailer in our beautiful meadow located on a back road in Vermont. AWD or 4WD is required to park at the upper field. We can help transport you and your gear via our side by side up on the hill as needed so you can park in our easily accessible parking right off the town road. Enjoy a slower pace at our small family farm with alpacas and chickens. 10 minutes from beautiful quaint Randolph where you can catch a show at Chandler music hall or local drive in theater, play frisbee golf at the park or grab some delicious grub and libations from our many local eateries and breweries like Bent Hill just up the road to check out! Explore the outstanding local biking and hiking trails, fishing and much more nearby! (Let us know what your interested in and we will make you feel like a local) When a camper cancels a reservation we will now be keeping 20$ of it, no matter how many days ahead you reserve. It is to pay for upkeep expenses and the hip camp fees they charge. To be clear we will return all costs except 20$. Thank you for your understanding.

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Endless Grove

1 site · Lodging11 acres · Poultney, VT

Endless Grove is an 11 acre property tucked directly between the Endless Brook Trailhead (Slate Valley Trails) and Lake St. Catherine State Park. The property is a mix of mature Hemlock, Pine, and Maple trees overlooking a large clean seasonal pond and meadow. Gravel cyclists and mountain bikers alike will find world class cycling right from the front door. The Deane/Osborne Preserve, less than mile away, offers superior hiking with panoramic views of the Adirondacks. Just a short walk away, Lake St. Catherine is a classic Vermont glacial lake offering excellent swimming, fishing, and boating. From this property, one can ride or hike all day, swim in a glacial lake, and end the day with a campfire, all without stepping foot in the car. It doesn't get more Vermont than this. Endless Grove is centrally located on a gravel road between Poultney, VT and Granville, NY. Check us out on instagram @endless_grove

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Vermont Ranch & Riverside Retreat

3 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Moretown, VT

⛰ 🐦Wake to the sound of bird calls and water in this private retreat, situated squarely on the confluence of 2 rivers. Eventually, once part of a much larger working merino sheep farm owned by the Cobb family in the 1700s-1800’s, part of the land transitioned to a dairy cow farm operation, c.1940. Today, we steward 10 acres specially designed with horses in mind. Adjacent to a 40-acre cornfield on one side and Mt. Cobb on the other, with sweeping views our place overlooks the confluence of the Mad and Winooski Rivers. From here, you can mountain bike or hoof it to access miles of trails and bucolic scenery. Come visit this gateway to the Scenic Mad River Valley! 🌲🏊🐟The Swimming/Fishing/Tenting site ("site 1") is perched directly aside the Mad River and the Sweet Meadow Side site ("site 2") is just a 2-minute walk across the grassy meadow and down the secluded riverside path to our beloved Mad River beach. This is a semi-private beach, naturally divided and hidden from our other semi-private beach sites. Swim, tube, fish and relax up or down the river and confluence. 👢👓 Get curious about the history of this place by checking out the old abandoned Massey Furgeson hay baler tucked in the woods, the Cobb family cemetery, and more gems from many years gone by. Leave from either site on foot to access a sweet trail that travels along the river, over a private bridge, down a beautiful dirt road and into the forest. 🚴 Our property is located on the CROSS VERMONT TRAIL: "a multi-use path connecting communities, and the natural areas in between - across Vermont!" Check out their website (Cross Vermont Trail Association) for maps, guides, events and outings! Many adventurists also enjoy nearby, mountainous and beloved trails: Camel's Hump, The Long Trail, Mt. Mansfield, Stowe Pinnacle, Smuggler's Notch and more. There are a plethora of shorter, scenic and gentle hikes in our region, "the crossroads and recreation center of Vermont"! We are located just 2 miles from Interstate 89 and we reside on Vermont State Route 100B, allowing ease of access to points North, South, East and West Explore our on-site activity offerings: 🐴 Introduction Session: Get acquainted with our horses, tour the barn, and learn about equine-guided education and grooming. $45 for 1 hour for 1-6 people. 🐴 Horsemanship and Riding Lessons: Learn non-forceful bareback and bit-less leading and mounted techniques step by step. $100/hour or $150/1.5 hours for 1-2 people. 🐴 Family Team Building-Bonding (Most Popular): Enjoy an adventurous, fun, and challenging experience together as a family with exercises and activities facilitated by Lucinda. Non-mounted equine guided education at its best! $250 for 2.5 hours. These rates are discounted for our onsite Hipcampers 🙏🏼 Visit our website for more details: Horses and Pathfinders dot com. We'd love to hear from you! You are welcome to review all the varied, detailed and descriptive reviews and photos from other guests' experiences. This is a working ranch and sometimes equipment is running, but never for more than an hour at a time. Horses are on site and they have full access to this property. If you have an untrained, young or problematic dog, please consider a long lead line and read the dog rules carefully. This is not a deep-woods, wilderness site. Please review the map and note our proximity to the interstate and the route where we reside. ❤️ Many guests, families and couples return here year after year as their destination vacation and getaway. We welcome you to experience what they enjoy so much -- right on site and in this special region, the heart of Vermont. ❤️

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

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Green Mountain National Forest

East Middlebury, Vermont

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(4)

Gifford Woods State Park

Half Moon Pond State Park

Benson, Vermont

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(137)

Adirondack State Park

Long Lake, New York

The best sunsets over the Adirondacks - The beach at Button Bay Campground.

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(5)

Button Bay State Park

Vermont

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(4)

Little River State Park

Waterbury, Vermont

Shallow pond for fishing and paddling out to the rocks.

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(4)

Kettle Pond State Park

Marshfield, Vermont

Camping near Rochester guide

Overview

Rochester is a small town in central Vermont situated at the base of the Green Mountains. The White River flows right through town, as it makes its way to the Connecticut River as its longest undammed tributary. Despite its small population, Rochester has a thriving arts and culture scene with several galleries, frequent festivals and concerts, and a theatre company. Rochester’s proximity to camping, hiking, and biking trails in the Green Mountain National Forest and several ski areas makes it a great basecamp for outdoor adventures.

Where to go

Moosalamoo National Recreation Area

Nestled into the western slope of the Green Mountains just twenty minutes from Rochester, the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area offers hiking and mountain biking trails, several camping areas, and plenty of scenic views. The area’s highlight is the Robert Frost Trail, an interpretive trail that commemorates Robert Frost’s poetry and introduces hikers to the area's landscape.

Chittenden Reservoir

The Chittenden Reservoir is tucked into the Green Mountain National Forest about 45 minutes from Rochester. This pristine lake is a popular spot for motor boating, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and swimming. There’s also several miles of trails around the lake for hiking, cross-country skiing, and snow-shoeing adventures.

Branbury State Park

Located at the base of Mt. Moosalamoo, on the eastern shore of Lake Dunmore about 30 minutes west of Rochester, Branbury State Park is a great spot for boating, kayaking, fishing, and swimming. The park offers 36 campsites suitable for tents and trailers as well as seven lean-to sites for tent campers.

When to go

The Green Mountain National Forest surrounding Rochester, Vermont is open year-round. Summer is the best time for camping, hiking, and water sports as long as you come prepared for mosquitoes and other biting bugs. The Green Mountain National Forest is also one of the best places to see fall foliage in Vermont. The Lake Dunmore area is particularly pretty in fall and colors are best between late September and middle of October.

Know before you go

Rochester has a small grocery store, a few restaurants, and a bike shop.
Many national forest and state park campgrounds near Rochester offer advanced reservations online. Parks typically have a handful of sites on a first-come, first-served basis too.
Bears are common in the Green Mountains, so secure food in bear-proof containers.