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

United States
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Vermont
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Rochester

98% (8129 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Rochester

Star Hosts in Rochester

Top camping destinations

Noonmark summit for sunrise, Adirondack High Peaks

Adirondack State Park

White Mountain National Forest

1253 campgrounds

The descent from Slide Mountain during peak fall foliage

Catskill State Park

1460 campgrounds

Green Mountain National Forest

1584 campgrounds

Springfield

236 campgrounds

12 top campgrounds near Rochester

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The Hummingbird Center

43 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents200 acres · NH

The Hummingbird Center is an recreation destination and permaculture farm nestled in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. We offer a variety of lodging options ranging in cost from tent camping and shared bunk rooms to private indoor lofts, tiny homes, and school buses. In May of 2024, Nourish restaurant will be open during weekends at HBC, providing organic farm-to-table meals for the public and our guests–both indoor and outdoor seating is available. Thanks to our farm’s extensive perennial food system, Nourish has a rotating seasonal menu featuring fruit, herbs, and wild greens grown onsite. Call ahead for up-to-date details on hours and what’s in bloom! HBC is a retreat destination for mountain biking, skiing, and hiking, with private access to Green Woodland’s 23,000 acres of public trails next door! Our trails feature hand and machine-built features for riders of all skill levels. Under an hour of driving will get you to Mt. Moosilauke on the Appalachian Trail, renowned climbing at the Rumney Crags, and dozens of pristine NH lakes. Back on the farm, our swimming holes, hammocks, and communal fire pit offer peace and community connection after a full day of outdoor adventures. Guests are encouraged to recreate and restore amidst the natural beauty of our rural property, explore our orchards and vegetable gardens, and enjoy open-air, leisurely dining at our on-farm restaurant. Search for The Hummingbird Center of NH online to view our restaurant hours and learn more about our ongoing community events, including weekly yoga classes in summer of 2024. Quiet hours after 10pm please! Find us online at thehummingbirdcenter.com and @thehummingbirdcenternh on Instagram. 603-786-2366 No sewer hookups. Secluded spots for vehicles require high clearance and dry conditions.

Fern Hollow

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents80 acres · Waitsfield, VT

Our property is nestled in the foothills of the Mad River Valley, close to the headwaters of the river. The property is composed of wetlands, agricultural meadows, old apple trees, and hardwood forest with 700 feet of elevation. All structures on the property are solar-powered and a rainwater system feeds the sink in the outdoor kitchen. There are a handful of individual camp sites available in the spring, summer and fall, as well as a communal outdoor kitchen with lighting, a fire pit, a stone pizza oven and a sitting/yoga deck. We also offer more of a "glamping" experience in our 14 ft yurt, which comfortably sleeps 2-3 people with wood stove heat and a solar battery for lighting. We love sharing this space with others and offering a rustic forest getaway.

Art and Health Chill Camping

8 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents8 acres · Cabot, VT

Fall is now upon us and stick season blooms with shadows of trees magnificent branches dance under the moon and Milky Ways shadow.. The crisp and clean air is a contrast to the sunset warmth. The scurry of nut gathering and sparkeling frosts on grasses delight the senses. Winters snows and all the festive activities abound. The sauna beckons and then snow shies and sleds awaIt your enjoyment. For those wanting to be creative or explore a new art inside next to the woodstove the studio awaits. The art studio has many supplies and i offer pottery classes to a group or individuals. Roam around the Sacred Geometry Gardens, one x country skis all connected by pollinator fields of flowers and mowed walking paths. There are veggies for sale from the hoophouse fresh eggs and medicinal herbs salves and teas. Sauna is beautiful cedar shaped like a bee hive. hu -um is a beautiful new rock sauna stove. New benches and 1 way glass door. Massages vary from hot stone to medical scar removeal. CBD oils.. Herbs.. Maple salt scrub....you know! The variety of camping options are sure to suit your fancy from swinging in a hammock, to tenting around huge pines. There are open meadows of wild flowers to being tucked into a cozy alcove of ferns next to the woods. Some sites can fit up to 3 tents for a group. Most sites have a fire pit lots of wood branches to burn and campwood is also available. Some sites have tables and benches. Some have electric. The Hive Designs are cozy and have a queen bed Hive 2 is 4 Season heated and air conditionedand. Once here at Back Roads Farm your adventure begins. If your up for music and a night out the Den Hardware store offers music and craft beer. There are resturants and venues within 20 miles. The Village store 2 miles away. Or sink in and lite a fire. Spend the day riding your bike or the Vt Rail Trail , or explore all the walking paths throughout Cabot. Enjoy the view of the Green Mt range to the west... Amazing Camels hump and Mt Mansfield views. All the way to Sugarbush. To the East. The Horton Forest and then the White Mountains. There are many events planned here this Winter from. c I he a dance music at Highland Arts oh here at the Den. We are in the center of a 30 mile radious if many ski resorts bike trails hikes and cultural events. The sauna is an extra charge but oh so worth it. Pottery classe,, yoga space and fresh greens from the greenhouse await. To top off the weekend enjoy a hot stone massage! (Urban Farm Road) Urban Rd, is named after the original owner of this farm and surrounding land. The original barn burned, although they saved the milk house where my art gallery currently is . The barn has been rebuilt, which is a meeting place. And pottery studio. We also have 100 ft hoop house. Enjoy finding all the original farm implements around the property. After a long day of canoeing Joe's Pond, hiking to the top of Mt I am now offering a shower and flush toilet. Unique offerings include a health component from meditation classes to sauna and masssage.The pottery studio is available for classes or private lessons including Raku firings. Singing Bowls and tunning forks are available on massage or outside. Movement classes are also available in the barn, in the fields or in the Flower of Life meditation garden and labyrinth. The outside garden and 100 ft hoop house is filled with organic vegetables and edible flowers for your enjoyment. The Herb Barn is for drying flowers and creating tinctures and ointments. The Art Gallery in the old milk house is filled with pottery and art work. Bring your easel and paint brushes, learn a new craft, or relax in the sauna. Bike trails are being established throughout Cabot, right out the front door. There are ponds for swimming within a few miles., There are many options for water sports minutes away at Joe's Pond, and many others. The rail trails are less than 10 minutes. Organic beef, raw milk and fresh eggs are around the corner at Molly Brook Farm. Maple Sugar at Goodrich's and fresh blueberries and veggies at Blossoms and Berries, as well as Burtt's Apples and of course Cabot cheese The land is diverse with large open meadows to fields to quiet pine forest. As you walk the tree line you will find old farm implements, old bottles and even an old Ford coop. I would love to restore and use them on the farm. The land is on the crest of the ridge looking East to Danville and the White Mts, and a few feet to the West the entire Green Mts splay before you. The water tastes wonderful, and bubbles up here and there on the property. Our neighbors who also offer camping have sheep, to berries... I offer the healing arts, massage, scar release, the sauna, and other art learning experiences. Please call for arts schedule. * Ps please do not say you will arrive at 5 and show up after dark! Respect goes both ways. I appreciate great campers who pick up and discard their pets poop and respects my time a well. Ps no smoking cigarettes on the property. Thank you to all my great campers! And blessings to those few bad apples!

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.

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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! ----- CAMP FOR FREE WEEKENDS: MAY 9-11 2025 & SEPT 19-21 2025 Come for the weekend and make a difference in the lives of Rescues. Spend the weekend helping us prep for Winter, maintaining and building fencing, planting daffodils, clearing brush, pitchforking manure (important and necessary work), hoof trimming, painting, and everything in between. Watch the sunset from the Big Sky Tent Deck on the Equinox. Sit around campfires with new friends. Eat great food -- we'll make you dinner each evening! Just (1) message us that you are interested or (2) sign up on the event page on our Facebook profile. ----- 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.

Green Mountain Getaway

1 site · Lodging150 acres · Weathersfield , VT

A former farm now a 150 acre forested retreat. Mt Ascutney, a 3500' monadnock is to the north and view in excess of 60 miles to the south. The beautiful Weathersfield meeting house is our neighbor as you drive in. Fall is just around the corner and cooler weather, book now before it’s too late. Dogs, we have inherited a dog that is not fond of other dogs. If you are coming to the pond or just walking by please let us know so we can make sure our dog is inside. Phone numbers on the wall of the cabin. The road has gotten quite rough with all the wet weather. 4wd with ground clearance is recommended. Total trip from our house is 320yd if your car is not up to the trip in. Curl up in front of the fire and relax. Marsh Billings farm museum in Woodstock has lots of Vermont Country store is close and Woodstock has unique shopping. Spacious one room camp, bunk bed, dinning table, and chairs. Sweeping view to the South. Swimming pond 5 minute walk. LP burner and some cooking utensils. Wood stove for those chilly nights. No electricity but LED battery lighting. l. Note that we do not charge a cleaning fee like some sites. We appreciate our guest leaving the camp as found. So far so good! Camp has the following: LP 2 burner cook top, pots and pans, dishes, flat ware, some spices and such. Fresh clean water will be at the camp when you arrive. The furnished jugs have been cleaned. If you still wish to bring your own drinking water please do so in reusable jugs. We are trying to limit plastic use. NOTE: Using GPS, Google map, or other device our address may come up as Perkinsville, Ascutney, or even Springfield even though the town is Weathersfield. Check the map and just confirm that Center Grove Rd is shown or called out as off of Weathersfield Center Rd. We DO NOT furnish wood for the outside fire pit. There is plenty of wood to scavenge on site. There is a small buck saw in the cubby. However if it has rained or raining you may want to bring kindling wood. We now have slab wood for sale if you do not want to rummage for wood in the forest PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN KINDLING WOOD FOR THE STOVE. Chunk wood is furnished for the inside stove. There is a splitting maul, snow shovel, and hatchet Check in and out times are flexible if no one is booked on either side. And last but not least if wedding bells are in your future your host is a Justice of the Peace and can perform wedding services!

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ELM TREE FARM

2 sites · RVs, Tents150 acres · Lebanon, NH

Our ancestor Ebenezer Cole, settled in our little corner of Lebanon, NH., in 1847. Eight generations of our family have lived, and farmed here since. Although once almost totally cleared for crops and grazing, most of our land is now devoted to forestry, but some land remains open and devoted to forage crops. We also have a modern hillside maple orchard. Although we no longer actively farm full time, the stewardship of our farm is of upmost importance to our family. We encourage people to visit our property and enjoy it fully. We host a Boy Scout Troop campsite on another part of our property. We are located in the heart of the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Region with countless cultural, and recreational opportunities just minutes away. We hope you will come for a visit and learn to love our farm and community as much as we do.Learn more about this land:Shaded Brookside Glen is a private, stream side, level, pull through site for a small RV, trailer, or tent. This is the private campsite we developed on our farm several years ago for when my wife and I need a little getaway, but don't have the time to travel. Shaded Brookside Glen is a level, mowed lawn surrounded by mature trees and bushes. Dry camping only, but a nice composting outhouse is easily available nearby. Water is available from the year round trout stream, but drinking water must be carried in. Shaded Brookside Glen has a picnic table, a metal fire pit, and limited fire wood is supplied. The drive to the site is across a grassy, mowed, well drained field, but can be effected by long periods of rain.

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Bent Apple Farm

7 sites · Lodging100 acres · Londonderry, VT

Often described as being the most relaxing, romantic, dreamy and unique farm you'll ever stay in!!! Bent apple farm is natures perfect scape, thanks to my husband and I efforts to create a sanctuary to share with others. From apple trees, beautiful pond and a rustic cabins. Our farm is at the edge of VT natural forest, with often gifts us the visit of wild deers, moose and turkeys. Our property has 5 cabins total that give a small little village feel to it, but spaced enough that each has its privacy. This quiet piece of heaven is our little treasure, built and cared by us to share with you. Instagram: @bentapplefarm You’ll need 4x4 car in the winter time.

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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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Glamping with Goats - Tent or Park

2 sites · RVs1 acre · Essex Junction, VT

We live in this 1830's farmhouse and travel with our Airstream Basecamp 20X. Often boondocking, and knowing the need for an easy-access place to park our RV, whether it be for a night or a week, we decided to open our driveway to help our fellow RV-travelers explore both the Burlington, VT area and enjoy the great outdoor adventures the Green Mountain State has to offer. In the Fall of 2023, we added a glamping bell tent to our location as an additional option for Hipcampers. Learn more about this land: COMING OCTOBER 2023 - FAINTING GOATS AND FALL FOLIAGE GOAT YOGA.

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Greenbush Farm

3 sites · RVs, Tents82 acres · Weathersfield, VT

History: Family hay farm, 82 acres, owned since 2004, back in the 1940's they had pigs, goats, horses. In 1970 it was used to train trotters. Come enjoy!We have 3 tent sites along the North Branch of the Black River on the perimeter of our 82 acre hay farm. Main house is a five minute walk. There are countless fun activities within a 20 mile radius:- Ascutney Trails for hiking and mountain biking- Okemo Adventure Zone 12 miles away- Harpoon Brewery and CT River for canoeing and tubing 11 miles away- Live music and awesome food available in the Upper CT River Valley- Shopping in Woodstock. The recreational possibilities are endless. We can't wait for you to come and stay!

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ADK Mountain View

9 sites · RVs, Tents150 acres · Westport, NY

This was a very old dairy farm owned by the Duntley Family. Old farming equipment dispersed throughout the property. An old foundation from a sugaring house. Beautiful old rock walls. Deer and wildlife galore. Pitch your tent or bring your camper to our 150-acre working farm oasis. Beautiful views of the Adirondack Mountains. Easy drive to great hiking spots. Easy access in Essex for the ferry to Vermont. Lake Placid, high peaks 30 minutes. Or just relax at your campsite with a fire. There is a water spigot to the left of the big brown metal building with easy access with the driveway in front of the building. Each site has its own outhouse, picnic table, two Adirondack chairs, fire ring with a cooking grate. Snow mobile access during winter months. Happy Camping!

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

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Green Mountain National Forest

East Middlebury, Vermont

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Gifford Woods State Park

Half Moon Pond State Park

Benson, Vermont

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Adirondack State Park

Long Lake, New York

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

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Button Bay State Park

Vermont

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Little River State Park

Waterbury, Vermont

Shallow pond for fishing and paddling out to the rocks.

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Kettle Pond State Park

Marshfield, Vermont

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

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.