The best camping near Emerald Lake State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Emerald Lake State Park adventure.

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Emerald Lake State Park: A Gem for Nature Lovers and Campers Alike.

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Public campgrounds in the park

Stay at a public campground in Emerald Lake State Park

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Emerald Campground

67 sites · RVs, Tents In Emerald Lake State Park

Explore camping beyond Emerald Lake State ParkDiscover 200+ magical spots to camp in State Parks

Top-rated campgrounds near Emerald Lake State Park

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Grateful Acres Vermont

5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents12 acres · West Dover, VT

Learn more about this land: Please note the road leading to the property is currently a bit of a mess due to mud season, we recommend a 4wd vehicle to get to the property if possible. Welcome to Grateful Acres Vermont, a 420 friendly, Grateful Dead inspired camping destination in the heart of the Green Mountains. We have space available for tents, campers, and trailers. Kayaks available to rent for use at the reservoir located just up the road. Just a family with some land in Vermont that we would like to share. PLEASE OBSERVE THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT

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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.

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Slateville Farm Secluded Camps

9 sites · RVs, Tents350 acres · Granville, NY

7 Extremely Private Sites ~ Outdoor Private Hot Shower, Flush Toilet, Sink Available Sweeping pastoral hillsides mixed with densely wooded private acres make our camp sites unique with each one offering a different experience. We have developed a network of trails to enjoy and offer swimming in our red slate quarry, catch release fishing, hiking, and biking is nearby at the Slate Valley Trails or Merck Forest. Lots of places to picnic and enjoy the sunset. We have a farm stand, unlimited firewood, ice, and free flowing spring water for you to enjoy. Our bucolic farmland was originally for milking cows, it was leased at times for mining red slate when Granville was at its peak. Technology changed and the industry left us with beautiful abandoned quarry holes that have filled with natural spring water. Our farm currently offers firewood, bagged spring ice, spring water, and we operate a farm stand on the weekends seasonally selling our own pesticide produce and free range eggs and camp related supplies. We consider 1 night reservations on week days and for our repeat guests, Inquire. Oak Tree - Pastoral with expansive views, Extremely Private Owl - Wooded, Hammocks, walkable to Quarry, our original site. Guest Favorite Pines - Wooded, Most Remote, Viking Chairs, Picnic Table Ridgeline - Open Pastoral, Covered Pergola with Pit & ADK Chairs, Great for Groups, RVS, Kids, Pets. Sunset Views Hops - Newly Renovated, Metal Pit, ADK Chairs, Combination Site Wooded/Open, Suitable for an RV, Graveled Quarryside - Close to Quarry Hole, smaller site, room for 2 tents on the trail network, Shaded, No Grill On Farm Activities: Large Red Quarry Swimming Hole, Catch Release Bass, Hiking, Biking, Yoga Pergola, Sunset Pergola, Farm Stand, Enjoy feeding carrots to the Scottish Highland Cows! We also have a 40 acre parcel with a Lookout Tower and Cabin that is Incredible. "Slateville Retreat" No words to describe!

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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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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. 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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Vast private oasis

1 site · RV, Tent260 acres · Hampton, NY

Amazing location with panoramic views of the Vermont Green Mountain range, this property adjoins a public 9 hole golf course. Located on over 260 private and secluded acres, property also has a 2 acre pond for swimming, paddling or just relaxing. There are several miles of maintained hiking trails meandering throughout the forest, ranging from an easy walk, to hilly and somewhat challenging. Many varieties of tent locations or places to park an RV, pop up, or car. This is considered a "Primitive camp site". There is no shower, toilet or electric available at this time, but well water can be had from our residence, via a hose spigot on the side of our home. This is our 3rd year of hosting, and due to the overwhelming popularity of having an abundance of privacy, we will continue to be only hosting one party at a time. Which means you'll get the privilege of not having to share your surroundings with anyone else! Your own private camp ground! We are hoping this all works out and intend to continuously improve amenities, activities and overall experience. We are hoping to provide an exceptional value and experience that will bring back repeat campers, that we can trust and build a rapport. We are looking forward to meeting you! There will be a picnic table, two Adirondack chairs, and a firepit on site, for your convenience. Firewood will be available on site as well, for an additional $4.00 night, as an extra.

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Sweet Song Acres

4 sites · RVs, Tents100 acres · NH

Sweet Song Acres is 100+ acres of secluded forest nestled along the Little Sugar River, at the base of Perry Mountain. Located in rural Unity, NH and Charlestown, NH, just across the Vermont state line. Southernmost point, located in Charlestown is one of two campsites. The other is Shady Grove, located in Unity. The two sites, located in bordering towns share the same entrance and are connected by a 1/4 mile trail. Both are very large sites. Campers would drive to both sites down a trail so we highly recommend a vehicle with decent clearance and 4WD or AWD. Southernmost Point is a fully drive-in site. Shady Grove campers park above the site and the campsite is down a short path, just a few hundred feet or so. The property consists of varied terrain of rock ledges, lush moss, streams, and panoramic views at the summit. There are many options of local outdoor activities in the area or if you prefer, just sit and "listen to the river sing sweet songs to rock your soul".

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Sunrise Farm

9 sites · RVs, Tents75 acres · Dover, VT

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, VT

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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Quarry Brook

4 sites · Lodging, Tents100 acres · Putney, VT

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!

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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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Berkshire Beech House

2 sites · Lodging6 acres · Monroe, MA

This tiny A frame is proudly nestled in a truly secluded camp in the Berkshires and Vermont border of Monroe, MA. Features an off grid heated and lightly electrified solar power. Enjoy the near silence in the forest with the convenience of being only 15 minutes from the town of North Adams. Relax around the cook top fire pit, go on a white water rafting adventure, hike the Appalachian trail, see Mass MoCA art, and the necessary visit to maple sugar shacks. Explore the area and you will find breathtaking views, especially if you make it up here at prime leaf peeping days.

The best camping near Emerald Lake State Park guide

Overview

About

Emerald Lake State Park is conveniently located between Manchester and Rutland, just a stone’s throw from Route 7. The lake is aptly-named for its water’s greenish birds-eye hue. The 20-acre lake is limited to non-motorized watercraft, providing superb swimming, paddling and fishing. Boat rentals are available for your ‘yakin satisfaction. The sandy shores are adjacent to picnic tables, a concession stand, a playground and even a nature center. Peeps can take refuge from the noonday sun in the park’s ample wooded campground or many lean-tos which are divided into two types: “prime” and, well...regular. Take your pick (they all have cute tree names, though).

The lake is a favorite oasis for Appalachian and Long Trail hikers. And for the day-trotters, there are plenty of trails within the park’s 430 acres. On your jaunt, you might even stumble upon the North Dorset Cemetery, located on the hill overlooking the park’s contact station and parking lot. Fun fact: many of the headstones in the cemetery are made from local marble, extracted from the quarries that once stippled the hillsides.

Notable campgrounds

Emerald Lake Campground - Offers a serene camping experience with easy access to the lake's pristine waters.
Lakeside Campsites - Ideal for those who love to wake up to the sound of gentle waves and enjoy quick dips.
Forest Campsites - Tucked away amid towering trees, these sites are perfect for privacy and shade lovers.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Book early to secure your spot, especially during peak summer months when the park is most popular.
Consider visiting during the weekdays for better availability and a quieter experience.
Keep an eye on cancellation policies; last-minute openings can be your opportunity to reserve a prime site.
Explore nearby camping options if the park's campgrounds are fully booked to still enjoy the area's natural splendor.

When to go

The best time to visit Emerald Lake State Park is during the summer and early fall, when the weather is warm and the park is fully operational. Spring can be wet and muddy, while winter brings snow and limited access. Plan your trip from late May to early October for the ideal experience.

Know before you go

Check the park's operating schedule as it varies seasonally, with full services available from late spring to early fall.
Be prepared for varying weather conditions and pack accordingly for your outdoor adventures.
Review the park's safety guidelines, especially if you plan to engage in water activities or hiking.
Accessibility options are available; contact the park in advance for specific needs.
Day-use amenities include picnic areas and restrooms, ensuring a comfortable visit.

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4 ratings · 2 reviews

June 2016

Sprawling, wooded sites offer plenty of privacy. There are trails to the beach from every loop in the campground, and the trails are beautifully - straight downhill to the campground to the lake, though, so by the time to huff it back to the campground, you're ready for another swim. Highlights: Vista Trail, super rope swing, swimming in the clearest turquoise water, and the little old graveyard off the meadow trail. Favorite site: Hawthorne Lean-to.

Tara S.

18 reviews

September 2015

Just got back from a weekend at Emerald Lake State Park.. what an awesome spot! I came back feeling like a kid again. This place is the perfect spot for a weekend getaway with friends. The lake is absolutely beautiful and clean with an island you can swim to that has a rope swing! There are tons of local hiking trails, along with a picturesque New England town about 7 miles away with shops, restaurants, coffee shops, all with mountain views! I will definitely be coming back to Emerald Lake!