Best Campgrounds in Vermont: 2026 Guide

Vermont is the fall foliage state, and camping during peak color — when the Green Mountains ignite in orange, red, and gold — is one of the great American outdoor experiences. But Vermont camping goes beyond autumn: the Green Mountain National Forest stretches along the state's spine with small, intimate campgrounds beside mountain ponds and rushing brooks. The Long Trail (America's oldest long-distance hiking trail) threads through the forest, and its campgrounds serve as base camps for ridge-walking adventures that predate the Appalachian Trail by decades.

Why Vermont Stands Out

Scale is part of the charm. Vermont's national forest campgrounds are small — typically 10-30 sites — meaning they feel more like backcountry camps than developed facilities. Grout Pond, Hapgood Pond, and Chittenden Brook each sit beside their namesake water in settings that define New England camping: birch and maple canopy, clear cold water, and trails that lead into the mountains within steps of your tent. The Green Mountain National Forest covers over 400,000 acres but manages to feel intimate, and the surrounding countryside — covered bridges, farm stands, small villages — adds a cultural dimension that few camping destinations can match.

Top Campgrounds to Explore

Grout Pond Campground

A popular destination for camping, hiking, paddling, and fishing near Manchester Center. Set in a mixed conifer and hardwood forest with 12 reservable sites beside a scenic mountain pond.

Hapgood Pond

Beside its scenic namesake pond, 13 miles east of Manchester. Canoeing, kayaking, fishing, swimming, and hiking in the heart of the Green Mountain National Forest.

Chittenden Brook Campground

In a beautiful northern hardwoods forest about seven miles from Rochester. A small, semi-remote campground perfect for those seeking quiet mountain camping and fall foliage immersion.

Moosalamoo Campground

A small remote campground at the base of Mount Moosalamoo near Rochester, with a mowed grass field and access to the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area trail network.

Planning Tips

Fall foliage peaks from late September through mid-October — this is the most popular and most magical camping season. Book early; Vermont's small campgrounds fill quickly during peak color. Summer (July-August) offers comfortable camping with warm days and cool nights. Mud season (April-May) makes many forest roads impassable. Most campgrounds open late May and close by mid-October. Bring layers year-round — Vermont nights are cool even in midsummer. The Long Trail and its shelters offer backpacking-camping connections between trailheads.

Find More

Browse all Vermont campgrounds on our Vermont camping page, or explore the full campground directory to plan your next trip.