RV Parks In Arlington, Vermont
43.0748° N, 73.1540° W
Quick Overview
Arlington is a small southern Vermont town in Bennington County, strung along US-7 between Bennington and Manchester with the famous Battenkill River running right through it. This is classic Green Mountain country: covered bridges, fly-fishing water, Norman Rockwell history, and blazing fall color. For RVers, Arlington makes a lovely base, with a full-hookup riverside campground in town and a ring of Vermont state parks in the surrounding hills. If your trip is about slow mountain roads, trout streams, and leaf-peeping rather than big resort amenities, this is your kind of place.
The public-versus-private split here comes with one fact you must plan around: Vermont state parks have no hookups. On the private side, Camping on the Battenkill sits right on the river in Arlington with full-hookup RV sites, and Dorset RV Park nearby offers water hookups for larger rigs. On the public side, Woodford State Park east of Bennington and Emerald Lake State Park up near Dorset give you gorgeous no-hookup camping with dump stations. So the choice is real: hookups and river access at the private park, or high-country scenery and a dump-station-only stay at the state parks.
Because of that, hookups drive the decision here more than almost anywhere. If you need 30 or 50-amp power, water, and sewer at your site, Camping on the Battenkill is the clear pick, with full-hookup sites among its 111 developed spots along the river, plus tubing, trout fishing, and a swim area. If you can dry-camp with a dump station, Woodford, the highest-elevation state park in Vermont on Adams Reservoir, and Emerald Lake, with its swimming lake near Manchester, are beautiful and quieter. Match your setup to your power needs before you book.
Reservations matter most in fall. Southern Vermont foliage in late September and October is a bucket-list draw, and those weekends book months ahead, rivaling midsummer for demand. Vermont state parks open reservations up to 11 months out through the Vermont State Parks portal, and private parks book direct. If you want a foliage weekend, reserve early or come midweek. Below we cover the notable campgrounds, what they cost, the season-by-season reality, and what to do while you are parked in the valley.
Top Rated Dump Stations in Arlington
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Gear for Your Trip to Arlington
All Dump Stations Near Arlington
| Station Name | Distance | Rating | Category | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howell's Camping Area | 0.6 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Camping On The Battenkill | 0.8 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Arlington Parks & Recreation | 3.6 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Battenkill Riversports & Campground | 8.9 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Us Forest Service | 10.2 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Lake Lauderdale Campground | 10.9 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Dorset RV Park | 11.5 mi | N/A | RV Park | Free |
| Grateful Acres Vermont | 11.6 mi | 4.8 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Greenwood Lodge & Campsites | 14.1 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Greenwood Lodge & Campsites | 14.1 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
Howell's Camping Area
0.6 miCamping On The Battenkill
0.8 miArlington Parks & Recreation
3.6 miBattenkill Riversports & Campground
8.9 miUs Forest Service
10.2 miLake Lauderdale Campground
10.9 miDorset RV Park
11.5 miGrateful Acres Vermont
11.6 miGreenwood Lodge & Campsites
14.1 miGreenwood Lodge & Campsites
14.1 miTraveling to Arlington by RV
Getting to Arlington is easy on the main road and trickier on the mountain routes. US-7 is the rig-friendly north-south corridor through the valley, running past Arlington between Bennington to the south and Manchester to the north, and it handles any size RV without drama. The old parallel route, VT-7A, is more scenic and passes through the pretty village centers, but it is narrower, so a big rig is happier on US-7. VT-313 follows the Battenkill west toward the New York line and is lovely but tight.
The road to think hard about is VT-9, the Molly Stark Trail, which climbs east from Bennington over Woodford to reach Woodford State Park and continue toward Wilmington. It is a steep, twisty mountain grade, and while plenty of RVers drive it, you should take it slow, use low gears on the descents, and scout it first if you are towing something large. For most Arlington-area trips you can stick to the valley on US-7 and only tackle VT-9 deliberately when Woodford is your destination.
Position-wise, Arlington is well connected for a small town. Bennington is about 15 miles south, Manchester about 8 miles north, and Albany, New York, roughly 40 miles west, which makes a fly-and-rent trip out of the Albany area realistic. Fuel, groceries, and propane are available in Manchester and Bennington, and the outlet shopping and services in Manchester mean restocking is easy. Just plan your longer mountain legs for daylight and dry weather.
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Before You Go: RV Trip Essentials
Dump stations are only one piece of the trip puzzle. Before you set out for your trip to Arlington, Vermont, it's worth taking thirty minutes to check that the basics are in place — the four areas below are where unprepared RVers most often get stung.
Check your RV insurance coverage
A standard auto policy rarely covers a Class A, Class C, or travel trailer the way a dedicated RV insurance policy does. If you're financing a motorhome, lenders typically require comprehensive and collision; full-timers should additionally price in vacation liability and personal belongings coverage. Rates vary widely by state and travel pattern — compare quotes from multiple RV-focused carriers before each season.
Know your roadside assistance options
RV-specific roadside plans tow motorhomes and trailers that regular AAA coverage won't touch — flat beds, mobile mechanics, tire service for duallies, and even emergency lockouts at remote campgrounds. Good plans cover your spouse and trailer even if you're driving a separate vehicle, and some include trip interruption reimbursement if a breakdown costs you a reservation.
Decide about an extended warranty early
Original manufacturer warranties on new RVs typically run 12–24 months — shorter than most buyers realize. An extended service contract (essentially a mechanical breakdown policy) covers the appliances, slides, levelling systems, and drivetrain components that can run $3,000–$10,000 to replace. The time to price one is before the factory coverage expires, not after something breaks.
Set up a travel rewards card for fuel and fees
A no-annual-fee travel or gas rewards card pays for itself on a single month of RV travel. Expect to spend $400–$800 per week combined on fuel, campgrounds, and propane — 3–5% cash back on gas alone covers the next oil change. For bigger trips, a sign-up bonus can offset campground fees for the whole season.
RVingLife is supported by advertising. Third-party ads on this page may include insurance quotes, roadside plans, warranty coverage, or financial products relevant to the topics above. We don't endorse any specific provider — compare multiple offers before you commit. Privacy policy.
Dump Station Costs in Arlington
Camping costs around Arlington divide along the public-private line, and the trade is amenities versus price. Vermont state parks, Woodford and Emerald Lake, sit at a moderate nightly rate that reflects what they are: no-hookup sites with flush toilets, showers, and a dump station in beautiful settings. For that money you get scenery and quiet rather than power and sewer, which is a genuine value if you are set up to dry-camp. Add the state reservation fee to your total when you book online.
The private parks are the premium tier because they are where the hookups live. Full-hookup riverside sites at Camping on the Battenkill run at the higher end of the local range, reflecting the 30/50-amp power, water, sewer, and the river amenities like tubing and the swim area. Dorset RV Park, with water hookups, tends to land a bit lower. During foliage season, expect peak pricing and minimums at the private parks, so budget more for a late-September or October stay than for a midsummer weeknight.
A couple of honest budget notes for this valley. There is little truly free camping close to town, though the surrounding Green Mountain National Forest has dispersed sites that are not big-rig friendly. Your cheapest legitimate option near Arlington is a no-hookup state park site in the shoulder season, while the private full-hookup parks are worth their higher rate when you need power or a longer, more comfortable base. If you are cost-conscious, mix a couple of full-hookup nights with state park nights across a trip to keep the average down.
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Prices may vary. Always confirm with the station before visiting.
What RVers Are Saying About Arlington
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Best Time to Visit Arlington by RV
Winter
Nov - Feb
12F - 30F
Crowds: Low
State parks and most private campgrounds are closed and mountain snow is deep. Plan winter trips around ski-town lodging, not RV sites.
Spring
Mar - May
35F - 55F
Crowds: Low
Mud season and cold, wet trails; campgrounds generally open by late May, when black flies also arrive.
Summer
Jun - Aug
55F - 80F
Crowds: High
Warm valley days, cool mountain nights; riverside full-hookup sites book ahead. Prime Battenkill fishing and tubing season.
Fall
Sep - Oct
40F - 62F
Crowds: High
Foliage is the marquee event; late September into October books months out and rivals summer. Crisp, spectacular, and worth reserving early.
Explore the Arlington Area
Treat fall like the main event and book accordingly. Southern Vermont foliage from late September through October is world-famous, and the riverside full-hookup sites and the best state park spots book months in advance for those weekends. Vermont state parks open reservations 11 months out, so mark your calendar if a foliage trip is the goal. If you cannot plan that far ahead, aim for midweek in the shoulder or come in high summer instead, when the valley is warm and the fishing is prime.
Let your hookup needs pick your park. This is the one place people get caught out: Vermont state parks like Woodford and Emerald Lake have no electric, water, or sewer hookups at all, only dump stations and showers. If you run air conditioning, need to charge, or want to plug in, book Camping on the Battenkill or another private park. If you are comfortable dry-camping with good batteries or a generator during allowed hours, the state parks reward you with quieter, higher, prettier sites.
Mind the roads and the bugs. Route big rigs on US-7 and think twice before hauling a large trailer up the steep VT-9 grade over Woodford, scout it first. Spring brings mud season and then black flies in late spring, so early-season camping can be buggy and wet, with many campgrounds not opening until late May. Bring layers year-round: even in summer the mountain nights get cool, and Woodford at 2,400 feet is noticeably chillier than the valley floor. And do not miss the Battenkill itself, it is one of the great trout streams in the East.
National Parks Nearby
Frequently Asked Questions About Dump Stations in Arlington
What are the best RV parks near Arlington, VT?
The standout in town is Camping on the Battenkill, a 111-site private campground right on the Battenkill River with full-hookup RV sites, tubing, trout fishing, and a swim area. For no-hookup public camping in gorgeous settings, Woodford State Park east of Bennington is the highest-elevation state park in Vermont on Adams Reservoir, and Emerald Lake State Park near Dorset offers lake swimming. Dorset RV Park provides water hookups for larger rigs. The best choice comes down to hookups: pick the private Battenkill campground if you need full connections, or a state park if you are set up to dry-camp.
Do campgrounds near Arlington, VT have full hookups?
Some do, but here is the crucial catch: Vermont state parks have no hookups at all, no electric, water, or sewer, only dump stations and showers. That means full hookups near Arlington are a private-park feature. Camping on the Battenkill offers full-hookup RV sites with both 30 and 50-amp electric, water, and sewer, which makes it the go-to for anyone who needs to plug in. Dorset RV Park has water hookups. If you plan to run air conditioning, charge batteries, or connect sewer at your site, book a private park, because Woodford and Emerald Lake state parks cannot provide those connections.
How much does RV camping cost near Arlington, VT?
It splits along the public-private line. Vermont state parks like Woodford and Emerald Lake run a moderate nightly rate for no-hookup sites with flush toilets, showers, and a dump station, plus a state reservation fee, which is good value if you can dry-camp. The private parks are the premium tier because they carry the hookups: full-hookup riverside sites at Camping on the Battenkill run at the higher end of the local range, more during foliage season when peak pricing and minimum stays kick in. Dorset RV Park with water hookups lands a bit lower. Mixing site types across a trip keeps the average down.
How far ahead should I reserve a campsite near Arlington, VT?
For fall foliage, months ahead, because late September and October are as busy as midsummer in southern Vermont. Vermont state parks open reservations up to 11 months out through the state parks portal, and the popular sites at Woodford and Emerald Lake go early for foliage and summer weekends. Camping on the Battenkill and the other private parks also fill their best riverside sites well ahead for peak dates. If planning that far out is not realistic, target midweek stays or a high-summer weeknight, which are far easier to book. Spring and late fall are the quietest windows.
When is the best time to go RV camping near Arlington, VT?
Two windows shine. Summer, June through August, brings warm valley days, cool mountain nights, and prime Battenkill fishing and tubing, and everything is open. Fall is the marquee season: the foliage from late September into October is spectacular and draws crowds that rival summer, so reserve early. Spring is quiet but comes with mud season, cold wet trails, and late-spring black flies, with many campgrounds not opening until late May. Winter effectively closes the state parks and most private campgrounds under deep mountain snow, so cold-weather visitors usually choose ski-town lodging over RV sites.
Can big rigs camp near Arlington, VT?
Yes, with attention to both sites and roads. Camping on the Battenkill has a variety of sites and full hookups, and Dorset RV Park is noted as suitable for larger rigs, so the private parks are your best big-rig options. The state parks tend to suit mid-size rigs better. Roads matter as much as sites here: US-7 through the valley handles any RV, but VT-9 east over Woodford is a steep, twisty mountain grade, and VT-7A and VT-313 are scenic but narrow. Route a big rig on US-7 wherever possible, and scout the mountain roads before towing something large over them.
Are there free or first-come camping options near Arlington, VT?
Close to town, options are limited and reservation-based. The Green Mountain National Forest surrounding the valley has dispersed camping, but those forest roads and sites are generally not suitable for big rigs. Vermont state parks and the private campgrounds all run on reservations rather than first-come, especially in the busy summer and foliage seasons. Your cheapest legitimate near-town option is a no-hookup state park site in the shoulder season. For true dispersed or free camping you would need to venture into the national forest in a smaller, self-contained rig and confirm the rules before setting up.
Do Vermont state parks near Arlington have RV hookups?
No, and this is the single most important thing to know about camping in Vermont. State parks such as Woodford and Emerald Lake do not provide electric, water, or sewer hookups at any site. What they do offer is flush toilets, token-operated hot showers, and an RV sanitary dump station, so you can dump and refill but not plug in at your site. Woodford sits at about 2,400 feet on Adams Reservoir and Emerald Lake has a swimming lake, both beautiful. If you need hookups, book Camping on the Battenkill or another private park instead of a state park.
What is there to do while camping near Arlington, VT?
A lot, and much of it is on the water or in the hills. The Battenkill River running through Arlington is one of the Northeast most famous trout streams, and it is also excellent for tubing and canoeing. Manchester, about 8 miles north, has outlet shopping, the Orvis flagship, and Hildene, the Robert Todd Lincoln estate. The surrounding Green Mountain National Forest offers hiking including the Long Trail and Appalachian Trail. Arlington itself has Norman Rockwell history and covered bridges. In fall, the foliage alone is reason enough to come, with scenic drives in every direction.
Which roads should RVers use around Arlington, VT?
US-7 is the main rig-friendly route, running north-south through the valley between Bennington and Manchester, and it handles any size RV comfortably. VT-7A is the scenic old road through the village centers but is narrower, so big rigs are better on US-7. VT-313 follows the Battenkill west toward New York and is pretty but tight. The route to approach carefully is VT-9, the Molly Stark Trail, a steep and twisty mountain grade east from Bennington over Woodford. Take it slow, use low gears, and scout before towing a large rig, or stay in the valley on US-7 for most trips.
Does Camping on the Battenkill have full hookups and river access?
Yes to both, which is why it is the premier RV base near Arlington. The campground spans more than 40 acres of woods and fields along the Battenkill River, with 111 developed sites that include full-hookup RV sites offering both 30 and 50-amp electric plus water and sewer. Right on the river, you can fish for trout, kayak, canoe, or tube, and there is a swim area, a playground, walking trails, and a dog run for families. It books up for summer and foliage weekends, so reserve your full-hookup site early if you want a riverside spot in peak season.
Is Arlington a good base for exploring southern Vermont?
Yes, it is well placed for it. Arlington sits on US-7 midway between Bennington and Manchester, which puts covered bridges, fly-fishing water, historic estates, and Green Mountain hiking all within a short drive. You can camp with full hookups on the Battenkill or dry-camp at a high-country state park and use either as a hub for the Molly Stark Trail, the outlets and Hildene in Manchester, and foliage drives throughout the region. Services in Manchester and Bennington cover fuel, groceries, and propane. Just plan mountain routes on US-7 where possible and book foliage weekends far ahead.
Do I need to empty my tanks near Arlington, VT?
It depends on where you stay. At the no-hookup Vermont state parks like Woodford and Emerald Lake, there is no sewer connection at your site, so you will rely on the park RV dump station, filling your fresh tank beforehand and dumping on your way out. At Camping on the Battenkill, the full-hookup sites let you connect sewer directly and dump as you go. Plan your waste handling around the site type you book, since the state parks are dump-station-only. Need to empty your tanks here? See our guide to RV dump stations in Arlington for the nearby options and their fees.
What are the best RV parks near Arlington, VT?
The standout in town is Camping on the Battenkill, a 111-site private campground right on the Battenkill River with full-hookup RV sites, tubing, trout fishing, and a swim area. For no-hookup public camping in gorgeous settings, Woodford State Park east of Bennington is the highest-elevation state park in Vermont on Adams Reservoir, and Emerald Lake State Park near Dorset offers lake swimming. Dorset RV Park provides water hookups for larger rigs. The best choice comes down to hookups: pick the private Battenkill campground if you need full connections, or a state park if you are set up to dry-camp.
Do campgrounds near Arlington, VT have full hookups?
Some do, but here is the crucial catch: Vermont state parks have no hookups at all, no electric, water, or sewer, only dump stations and showers. That means full hookups near Arlington are a private-park feature. Camping on the Battenkill offers full-hookup RV sites with both 30 and 50-amp electric, water, and sewer, which makes it the go-to for anyone who needs to plug in. Dorset RV Park has water hookups. If you plan to run air conditioning, charge batteries, or connect sewer at your site, book a private park, because Woodford and Emerald Lake state parks cannot provide those connections.
How much does RV camping cost near Arlington, VT?
It splits along the public-private line. Vermont state parks like Woodford and Emerald Lake run a moderate nightly rate for no-hookup sites with flush toilets, showers, and a dump station, plus a state reservation fee, which is good value if you can dry-camp. The private parks are the premium tier because they carry the hookups: full-hookup riverside sites at Camping on the Battenkill run at the higher end of the local range, more during foliage season when peak pricing and minimum stays kick in. Dorset RV Park with water hookups lands a bit lower. Mixing site types across a trip keeps the average down.
How far ahead should I reserve a campsite near Arlington, VT?
For fall foliage, months ahead, because late September and October are as busy as midsummer in southern Vermont. Vermont state parks open reservations up to 11 months out through the state parks portal, and the popular sites at Woodford and Emerald Lake go early for foliage and summer weekends. Camping on the Battenkill and the other private parks also fill their best riverside sites well ahead for peak dates. If planning that far out is not realistic, target midweek stays or a high-summer weeknight, which are far easier to book. Spring and late fall are the quietest windows.
When is the best time to go RV camping near Arlington, VT?
Two windows shine. Summer, June through August, brings warm valley days, cool mountain nights, and prime Battenkill fishing and tubing, and everything is open. Fall is the marquee season: the foliage from late September into October is spectacular and draws crowds that rival summer, so reserve early. Spring is quiet but comes with mud season, cold wet trails, and late-spring black flies, with many campgrounds not opening until late May. Winter effectively closes the state parks and most private campgrounds under deep mountain snow, so cold-weather visitors usually choose ski-town lodging over RV sites.
Can big rigs camp near Arlington, VT?
Yes, with attention to both sites and roads. Camping on the Battenkill has a variety of sites and full hookups, and Dorset RV Park is noted as suitable for larger rigs, so the private parks are your best big-rig options. The state parks tend to suit mid-size rigs better. Roads matter as much as sites here: US-7 through the valley handles any RV, but VT-9 east over Woodford is a steep, twisty mountain grade, and VT-7A and VT-313 are scenic but narrow. Route a big rig on US-7 wherever possible, and scout the mountain roads before towing something large over them.
Are there free or first-come camping options near Arlington, VT?
Close to town, options are limited and reservation-based. The Green Mountain National Forest surrounding the valley has dispersed camping, but those forest roads and sites are generally not suitable for big rigs. Vermont state parks and the private campgrounds all run on reservations rather than first-come, especially in the busy summer and foliage seasons. Your cheapest legitimate near-town option is a no-hookup state park site in the shoulder season. For true dispersed or free camping you would need to venture into the national forest in a smaller, self-contained rig and confirm the rules before setting up.
Do Vermont state parks near Arlington have RV hookups?
No, and this is the single most important thing to know about camping in Vermont. State parks such as Woodford and Emerald Lake do not provide electric, water, or sewer hookups at any site. What they do offer is flush toilets, token-operated hot showers, and an RV sanitary dump station, so you can dump and refill but not plug in at your site. Woodford sits at about 2,400 feet on Adams Reservoir and Emerald Lake has a swimming lake, both beautiful. If you need hookups, book Camping on the Battenkill or another private park instead of a state park.
What is there to do while camping near Arlington, VT?
A lot, and much of it is on the water or in the hills. The Battenkill River running through Arlington is one of the Northeast most famous trout streams, and it is also excellent for tubing and canoeing. Manchester, about 8 miles north, has outlet shopping, the Orvis flagship, and Hildene, the Robert Todd Lincoln estate. The surrounding Green Mountain National Forest offers hiking including the Long Trail and Appalachian Trail. Arlington itself has Norman Rockwell history and covered bridges. In fall, the foliage alone is reason enough to come, with scenic drives in every direction.
Which roads should RVers use around Arlington, VT?
US-7 is the main rig-friendly route, running north-south through the valley between Bennington and Manchester, and it handles any size RV comfortably. VT-7A is the scenic old road through the village centers but is narrower, so big rigs are better on US-7. VT-313 follows the Battenkill west toward New York and is pretty but tight. The route to approach carefully is VT-9, the Molly Stark Trail, a steep and twisty mountain grade east from Bennington over Woodford. Take it slow, use low gears, and scout before towing a large rig, or stay in the valley on US-7 for most trips.
Does Camping on the Battenkill have full hookups and river access?
Yes to both, which is why it is the premier RV base near Arlington. The campground spans more than 40 acres of woods and fields along the Battenkill River, with 111 developed sites that include full-hookup RV sites offering both 30 and 50-amp electric plus water and sewer. Right on the river, you can fish for trout, kayak, canoe, or tube, and there is a swim area, a playground, walking trails, and a dog run for families. It books up for summer and foliage weekends, so reserve your full-hookup site early if you want a riverside spot in peak season.
Is Arlington a good base for exploring southern Vermont?
Yes, it is well placed for it. Arlington sits on US-7 midway between Bennington and Manchester, which puts covered bridges, fly-fishing water, historic estates, and Green Mountain hiking all within a short drive. You can camp with full hookups on the Battenkill or dry-camp at a high-country state park and use either as a hub for the Molly Stark Trail, the outlets and Hildene in Manchester, and foliage drives throughout the region. Services in Manchester and Bennington cover fuel, groceries, and propane. Just plan mountain routes on US-7 where possible and book foliage weekends far ahead.
Do I need to empty my tanks near Arlington, VT?
It depends on where you stay. At the no-hookup Vermont state parks like Woodford and Emerald Lake, there is no sewer connection at your site, so you will rely on the park RV dump station, filling your fresh tank beforehand and dumping on your way out. At Camping on the Battenkill, the full-hookup sites let you connect sewer directly and dump as you go. Plan your waste handling around the site type you book, since the state parks are dump-station-only. Need to empty your tanks here? See our guide to RV dump stations in Arlington for the nearby options and their fees.
Are there free dump stations in Arlington?
Yes — there are free RV waste disposal options available near Arlington.
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