Half Moon Pond State Park
A Crescent-Shaped Lake Hidden in Vermont’s Green Mountains
Half Moon Pond State Park sits on the shore of a small, perfectly curved glacial pond in Hubbardton, Vermont — a quiet, motor-free lake surrounded by dense hardwood forest that feels miles from civilization despite being just off Route 30. The park is a camping-first destination: this is not a day-use beach park, but rather a retreat designed for overnight visitors who want to wake up to loon calls echoing across still water.
Connected by trail to the much larger 3,500-acre Bomoseen State Park next door, Half Moon Pond offers the intimacy of a small campground with access to a vast network of hiking trails through Vermont’s western foothills.
Camping on the Water’s Edge
The park offers an excellent variety of overnight options, all set within a forested landscape along the pond’s shoreline:
- 52 tent/RV sites — a mix of waterfront and wooded settings
- 11 lean-tos — Vermont’s classic three-sided shelters
- 5 rental cabins for those who prefer a roof
- 1 cottage for families or groups
Facilities include restrooms with flush toilets, hot and cold running water, coin-operated showers, an RV dump station, and a playground. The season typically runs from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day weekend — perfectly bracketing Vermont’s summer and peak fall foliage season.
A Motor-Free Lake for Paddling and Fishing
No motorized watercraft are allowed on Half Moon Pond, keeping the lake peaceful and the water pristine. The park offers rentals for rowboats, kayaks, canoes, pedal boats, and stand-up paddleboards — everything you need for a quiet afternoon on the water.
Two small sandy beaches provide swimming access, and the fishing is surprisingly good: largemouth bass, yellow perch, and panfish inhabit the pond. The no-motor rule means fish are less pressured than in most Vermont lakes, creating excellent conditions for shoreline and kayak fishing.
Trails That Connect Two Parks
Half Moon Pond’s trail system ranges from easy lakeside walks to full-day hikes through the surrounding hills. The Half Moon Shore Trail circles the pond — a gentle, scenic walk perfect for morning or evening strolls. For more ambitious hikers, trails connect to High Pond and into the extensive trail network of adjacent Bomoseen State Park, where you can explore miles of forest, wetlands, and old slate quarries.
The forests around Half Moon Pond support healthy populations of white-tailed deer, and occasional moose sightings are reported — particularly in the boggy lowlands between the two parks. During fall, the surrounding hardwoods create a spectacular foliage display that rivals anywhere in New England.
