Pleasant Valley Campground

🌄 OVERVIEW

Tucked away in the quiet hills of Ryegate, Vermont, along the peaceful shores of Ticklenaked Pond, Pleasant Valley Campground is a hidden gem for campers seeking stillness, simplicity, and true connection with nature. With its private waterfront, forested campsites, and a welcoming, family-run atmosphere, this low-key retreat offers the perfect escape from the noise of daily life.

Here, mornings begin with mist rising off the pond, and evenings end with crackling campfires under star-strewn skies. Whether you’re looking to fish, paddle, swim, or simply unplug, Pleasant Valley lives up to its name — a place where the pace slows, the air feels cleaner, and the world feels a little more like it should.

🌲 THE CAMPGROUND

Pleasant Valley Campground is small, friendly, and thoughtfully maintained — a quiet, wooded setting that offers both seclusion and community. Many campsites are just steps from the water, and the campground layout ensures privacy, space, and a real sense of retreat.

Campground features include:

• Tent sites, wooded and lakeside
• RV sites with water and electric hookups
• Rustic cabins and seasonal sites (limited availability)
• Fire rings and picnic tables at every site
• Clean bathhouses with flush toilets and hot showers
• Potable water stations throughout the campground
• Private access to Ticklenaked Pond
• Boat launch for non-motorized boats
• Pet-friendly (dogs welcome on leash)
• Quiet hours observed for a truly peaceful environment

This is a campground for nature lovers — no blaring parties or packed amenities, just the pure Vermont camping experience, with gentle sounds of loons and the rustle of wind through the trees.

🛶 LAKE LIFE & LOCAL NATURE

At the heart of Pleasant Valley is Ticklenaked Pond, a crystal-clear, spring-fed body of water known for its peaceful charm and excellent paddling. With no motorboats allowed, the pond remains calm and quiet — ideal for swimming, canoeing, kayaking, or fishing right from shore.

Things to enjoy onsite and nearby:

• Paddling or canoeing across the still waters of Ticklenaked Pond
• Fishing for perch, bass, and sunfish (bring your license)
• Swimming in clean, cool water — no crowds, no waves
• Stargazing with no light pollution and an open sky
• Picnicking or painting along the shoreline
• Wildlife watching — loons, herons, eagles, turtles, and more
• Short drives to Groton State Forest, Harvey’s Lake, and local hiking trails

The campground is also within reach of charming small towns, covered bridges, and scenic backroads that make Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom such a special place to explore.

🔥 CAMPFIRES & CLASSIC VERMONT VIBES

Campfire life is alive and well at Pleasant Valley. Each site has its own ring and picnic table, and the smell of woodsmoke at dusk is a near-daily pleasure. Whether you’re grilling dinner, toasting marshmallows, or just watching the embers glow, it’s all part of the rhythm here.

The campground community is welcoming but never intrusive. Expect friendly waves from neighbors, help from the owner if you need it, and plenty of quiet time when you want it.

🎯 WHO IT’S FOR

Pleasant Valley Campground is ideal for:

• Couples and solo travelers seeking quiet, lakeside solitude
• Families looking for a peaceful and natural place to unplug
• Fishermen and paddlers who want low-key access to a private pond
• Tent campers and RVers who appreciate simplicity over flash
• Artists, writers, and nature lovers needing space to think and breathe

This isn’t a place for noisy parties or packed amenities — it’s a place to rest, reconnect, and remember how good the simple things can be.

📍 CAMPGROUND ADDRESS

Pleasant Valley Campground
421 Ticklenaked Pond Rd
Ryegate, VT 05042

Located just off US Route 302, and minutes from I-91 Exit 18. A scenic drive from Montpelier, St. Johnsbury, or Littleton, NH.

🕐 SEASON & RESERVATIONS

Seasonal Operation:
Open May – October (weather permitting)

Check-in: 2:00 PM | Check-out: 11:00 AM
Quiet Hours: 10:00 PM – 7:00 AM
Day-use access available (inquire for details)

Reservations recommended during summer weekends and foliage season. Call or visit the campground's website or Facebook page for availability and seasonal stays.

🌄 WHY PLEASANT VALLEY CAMPGROUND?

Because sometimes, what you need most isn’t more — it’s less.
Less noise. Less rush. Less screen time.
And more of what matters: water, woods, stars, firelight, and stillness.

At Pleasant Valley, you’re not just camping — you’re coming home to nature. Whether you're floating on the pond or curled up in a hammock with a good book, it’s the kind of place that stays with you — long after you pack up and head back to the road.