Green Mountain National Forest, Vermont
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Rural parts of New England are as gorgeous as they are wild. They’re no secret, either. Parts of upstate New York and nearby New England get inundated with “leaf peepers” every fall in search of beautiful colors from the vast amounts of trees. Vermont is one of these places, and the Green Mountain National Forest has plenty of trees to speak of, but they’re gorgeous year-round—not just in the fall.
Visiting Green Mountain National Forest camping in your rental RV gives you a wealth of opportunities to enjoy vacation outside. Whether you choose to be active and engage in every recreational activity presented to you or simply lay in a hammock and read the whole time, is your choice. And, either way you go you can spend a week enjoying the best camping in Green Mountain National Park in these woods and not get bored with it.
There are more than 50 different trails scattered across the Green Mountain National Forest. They’re divided up among various districts, so you can choose one (or several) that are closest to where you’re camping. There’s also no need to stay in one place; as you camp in different sites throughout the park you’ll find other trailheads that are closer and ripe for exploring.
The three primary districts with listed hiking trails are the Finger Lakes - Hector District, the Middlebury/Rochester District, and the Manchester District. Some trails are actually gated, and you may share them with either mountain bikers or horseback riders. On any trail, you may come across beautiful cliffs, lush forests, and pastures full of wildflowers. Plus, part of the Appalachian Trail runs through the forest, so don’t miss your opportunity to set foot on it.
With both ponds and rivers throughout the forest, you’ll find a variety of different fishing opportunities—and different fish to catch. Regardless of whether you’re a technically efficient fly fisherman or a rookie angler, there are great fishing opportunities here for you. There are more than 20 popular fishing areas throughout the area, and those are only the ones well-known.
Most of the rivers and streams in the national forest are packed with brown and brook trout. You’ll also find a good number of smallmouth bass in the area. You can also catch sunfish, chain pickerel, and perch. If you’re planning to keep what you catch, make sure to look up limits, which should be available when you buy your fishing license.
Some of the protected wilderness areas may be closed to bicycles, but mountain biking in the Green Mountain National Forest is still very popular. In fact, there are more than 150 miles worth of mountain biking trails maintained throughout the area. There are about 14 different trails.
In both the Middlebury/Rochester District area and Manchester District, you’ll find designated trails. Otherwise, forest roads are also open. There are some trails (Appalachian, Long, and side trails) that don’t allow bicycles. Otherwise, check these out:
Green Mountain National Forest is home to a wide variety of wild animals. Keep an eye peeled, and you’re likely to see at least one species while you’re out and about. In fact, many of the hiking trails run right through these animals’ natural habitat.
If you come across any wildlife, always maintain distance. Beforehand, it’s a good idea to learn about other ways to deal with animals in case you have a closer-than-expected encounter. In any case, you can expect to see:
Getting out on (or in) the water is a perfect way to spend a day or so in the Green Mountain National Forest. Boats can only be non-motorized, but that makes the lake that much more enjoyable. Get out on the peaceful water of Grout or Hapgood ponds and take a spin around on a kayak or canoe. You may even want to take a fishing reel with you.
Swimming is also common in the forest, with several areas dedicated to it. Griffith Lake, Hapgood Pond, and Little Rock Pond are all designated swimming areas. Some spots are more accessible than others but finding a nice swimming pond off a beaten path has a lot of perks to it.
The Greendale Campground is remote, sitting just outside Weston, Vermont. Camping here will be “roughing it,” as least as far as RV camping goes. There aren’t any utility hookups and no potable water either. That said, RVs are made to “dry camp” so this would be a perfect time to try it out. This campground has 11 total sites and offers quick access to the Greendale Loop hiking trail.
The Hapgood Pond Recreation Area is another great space inside the Green Mountain National Forest that puts you in the midst of all the fun. This one sits on Hapgood Pond, which is open for swimming, boating, and fishing as well. There aren’t any utility hookups, but there is potable water and flush bathrooms. Each site also has a fire ring so you can get a roaring campfire and cook up s’mores.
Located across the state line in Lake George, New York, Ledgeview RV Park offers you more of what you might expect from an RV resort. As far as amenities go, you can expect full utility hookups, plus free Wi-Fi. There are restrooms and a laundromat. For the game-seekers, there’s shuffleboard, horseshoes, and bocce. You’ll also find a camp store and swimming pool.
Pine Hollow Campground offers a great blend of getaway with modern amenities. Along with full utility hookups, you’ll also get cable TV and free Wi-Fi, plus hot showers. The grounds have a pond onsite, where you can rent paddle boats and do some catch and release trout fishing. An onsite camp store can help keep you stocked as well.
This campground sits on 120 acres and is surrounded by beautiful forest. Greenwood Lodge & Campsites is technically inside the national forest; there are three ponds that are perfect for kayaking and fishing, plus plenty of other land to bike and hike. Full utility hookups, Wi-Fi, cable, and a nearby general store for all of your camping needs.
There aren’t any restaurants directly associated with the national forest, but there are plenty of good spots within it. You’ll find historic inns that date back to the 1800s and forest-bound lodges that cook up plenty of delicious meals. You can expect a lot of garden-fresh cooking, farmhouse-style dining, and even some seriously upscale food to satisfy your cravings.
Bennington, on the southwest side of the forest, is a small town with lots of fun dining options. There are family-friendly pizza joints and plenty of grill-focused places and diners. You’ll also find an abundance of alehouses and brewpubs, combining craft beer with elevated bar food. And of course, you can expect to find plenty of places that do incredible fish and chips.
Between Bennington and nearby Albany, you won’t have any trouble finding a good, filling meal when you’re heading to town. Of course, don’t forget you’re in an RV which comes with its own rolling kitchen. If you’re looking to save money, pack your refrigerator with food and meal plan ahead of time. But if eating out is your thing, there’s plenty of good, British-style pub food at the waiting.