Map showing campground location near Groveton, Vermont

Camper submitted image from Maidstone State Park — Maidstone State Forest

Maidstone State Park — Maidstone State Forest

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Five miles of well-maintained dirt road lead into Maidstone State Park, a remote campground in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom that sits on the shore of Maidstone Lake. The drive alone signals what's ahead: wildlife cutouts in forest clearings, no cell signal to speak of, and roughly 45 minutes of separation from the nearest town. No Verizon. No AT&T. Limited WiFi exists only at the check-in building.

The campground runs two loops, A and B, with meaningfully different characters. The A loop has newer facilities, while the B loop, as one returning visitor noted, features "vintage 1950s" bathrooms, simple and clean but not the same caliber. Sites on both loops have enough spacing to feel distinct from neighbors, though some reviewers find the terrain creates a closer feel than the site distances suggest. Several sites include lean-tos, which provide shade even when the lake-side spots are fully reserved. Firewood and ice are available on-site.

Maidstone Lake is the main draw. Kayak rentals are available, loons are a consistent presence, and the water draws strong reactions from campers year after year. Miccal M. keeps returning, noting simply, "the lake is wonderful." A small swimming beach and several public access points to the lake are within the park, along with hiking trails that trace portions of the shoreline. Campers hoping for lakeside sites should book early: no-show reservations do not automatically open up, so reserved waterfront sites can sit empty for days.

Holiday weekends bring noise from private properties around the lake, where fireworks restrictions don't apply. That's worth factoring into trip timing. The new bathhouse on the A loop is well-regarded, though at least one reviewer recommends shower shoes given drainage issues. The park runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend and accepts reservations. Pets are allowed. Nearby alternatives include Big Rock Campground and Hendersons Farm Rustic Cabins across the state line for those exploring campgrounds around Maidstone State Forest.

Maidstone works best for campers who prioritize lake access and genuine remoteness over convenience, and who can plan around the cell service gap and the competitive reservation situation for waterfront sites.

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Map & DirectionsMaidstone State Park is located in Vermont near Groveton

Public Campground

Directions

From Bloomfield: Go 5 miles south on Hwy. 102, then 5 miles SW on State Forest Hwy.

Address

5956 Maidstone Lake Road
Maidstone, VT 05905

Coordinates

44.63600066 N
71.64600067 W

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Connectivity

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Cabins
Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

Market
ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
WiFi
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

2 hrs 27 min from Manchester, NH
2 hrs 33 min from Burlington, VT
2 hrs 36 min from Lewiston, ME
3 hrs 10 min from Portland, ME

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Reviews12 Camper Reviews - Maidstone State Park

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.0

out of 5

12 Reviews

A remote campground featuring clean, spacious sites and new bathroom facilities that many visitors appreciated. The pristine lake with loons and hiking trails were highlights, though staff experiences varied and some sites felt close together.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Matilda A.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 21, 2025

QUERRS AND DISABLED AVOID!!!

AVOID MAIDSTONE STATE PARK

Being thrown out of Maidstone because Tom thinks he can make up the ADA, threatened to call the police over nothing and threw us out.

We have been in the state parks this summer since the 9th of may missed 7 days and us and our dogs have had zero issues until Maidstone

Great a transphobic park manager targeted us over service dogs and harassed a teenager who has major medical issues, purposely not going to the sight leader and harassing a disabled teenager when isolated from the rest of our site.

Maybe I’ll post the videos here, it’s unhinged.

Our lives are worth so much more then some unhinged manager trying to make up his own version of the ADA

Throw on transphobia was the motivation, awards Maidstone as the worst state park in the system so far.

My ex wife’s 3 sisters all worked for him at basin harbor club in there younger years and he was unhinged and problematic then, I remember how elated they were to see him move on to the state parks and out of the community.

Maidstone state park horrific transphobic and disability based discrimination was the most surprising, according to Maidstone one of our service dogs is not allowed in the state parks system. Yet Kathy up in the Ilands who runs that campground with an iron fist didn’t have any problems in the 46 days I spent there to open the season………

The documentation I have is shocking, way yo cut our time short by 2 weeks and have to panic pack and flee

0 stars

It’s also alarming how the manager and the staff are excited attendance it’s down 30%, 3 of the 5 employees stating they don’t want it busy and the collective goal of the campground was low attendance for less work.

What a disgusting audited to have. I’m way over qualified to run Maidstone state park, 1/3 of side A is closed, soon side B as soon as that bath house gives out.

It’s a small place, it should be packed with Vermonters, as a businesswoman it would be ridiculously easy to pack that campground week in and week out, quickly justifying new facilities and oping back up the loop

2 years at the helm, I’d be planing a summer of renovations at Maidstone

Instead it’s going to fizzle and fail under its current management.

Month of VisitJuly

Miccal M.

Legend

Reviewed Jul. 29, 2024

Still a great campground!

I come back to this area every year; I missed my spring trip this year though. A friend was camping and invited me to join them. We had a site on the B loop, I have only camped on the A loop...

The site was nice with some great rock features, the sites have enough space between them to give privacy, but you know you're not alone. The facilities on the B loop are vintage 1950s, simple clean but not new or the same caliber as the facilities on A loop. Plenty of water faucets on the B loop.

Both A & B are easy to get around on, all of the roads are dirt but well maintained. Both loops have their own Trash and Recyling. The access road into the park is a well-maintained dirt road and about 5 miles long. Look for the bears, and other cutouts creatures in the clearings on the way in.

This campground is remote and it's about 45 min. to the nearest town. There is no cell service, even with a booster. The lake is wonderful.

SiteB35

Month of VisitJuly

(15) View All

Sarah C.

Legend

Reviewed Sep. 6, 2023

AVOID on Holidays

We made the mistake of camping here for the 4th of July and should have known better, especially with a dog terrified of fireworks! While they aren't allowed in the State Park, much of the lake is private property...so between the rule breakers and the private land owners this was a cacophony of noise for days. The other bummer about this park in particular is that many of the sites were marked as reserved even though they sat empty for the three nights we were there and many of them were lakeside. Sadly, no shows don't forfeit their sites which was frustrating.

Our site, though not on the water, was nice and had a lean-to. The nice new bathhouse was also very much appreciated. Though it seemed that the drainage system could use some work, as the showers continually backed pretty far up. Thank goodness for shower shoes!

The campground employee was incredibly talkative and a little nosy but we didn't mind it so much sense we are generally well behaved campers.

Our site was spacious and we enjoyed having a lean-to for some shade. It easily accommodated two vehicles, two canoes, three dogs and four humans. Firewood and ice are readily available. Be prepared to drive a fair distance down gravel roads to get there.

There are a few hiking trails available in the park as well as several public access points to the lake. There is also a small swimming area/beach.

Month of VisitJuly

(21) View All

M.A.D. P.

Legend

Reviewed Dec. 31, 2022

Huge park in the most remote area of Vermont

We brought our friends to this remote park in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. This park offers many outdoor recreational opportunities. We were able rent kayaks and explore the lake. Many looons and other waterfowl were spotted as well. The park also has a nice hiking trail that scales part of the lake. Because it is so remote from civilization we were also able to relax in our spacious and semi secluded sites.

Sitet12, t14

Month of VisitJuly

(18) View All

Miccal M.

Legend

Reviewed Jun. 14, 2022

Excellent surprise!

Stayed for two night, and was very surprised at how nice the campground is. The facilities are new, with nice gendered bathrooms, a non-gendered single bathroom, coin-op showers and a dish pit.

The ranger was great to talk with and very helpful. I was with a large group exploring the wildlife refuge and natural areas nearby.

Site19

Month of VisitJune

(8) View All

Ted D.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 19, 2021

Love the Loons

Campsites not too close. Very nice new bathroom but coin showers. No cellular with either Verizon or AT&T but there is limited WiFi at check in building. Nice hiking trails and babbling brooks.

SiteT15

Month of VisitJuly

Kate S.

Scout

Reviewed Sep. 8, 2020

Maidstone

Very remote. Nearest town about 45 minutes away. Beautiful site- Shadblow. No cell service. Loved it... pretty far away though

Kyle B.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 30, 2020

I felt at home in Maidstone!

I've found my place of peace and tranquility and it's where I'd like to reside eventually, our stay here was to short for the beauty we found at the park. The lake had to be the most pure and pristine lake in Vermont, the park, trails, lake and community all make this and rememberable trip that'll always have you wanting to come back for more!

(16) View All

Kaelin P.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 21, 2019

Basic sites

Basic well spaced campsites. Flush toilets. No cell service. Allows dogs and cats. Dirt road to campground, friendly staff.

Emma B.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 20, 2018

Remote, loon filled, gorgeous cold, deep lake!

This campground is located down a long dirt road on which there are lots of summer houses. It is worth the drive. Although the sites are pretty big, and very clean, they feel a little close--maybe owing to the slope of the campground. Despite that, it is well maintained and nice. There are some trails to hike on and the lake is clear and beautiful. The loons are amazing. The fellow who checked us in was super helpful and told us to decide if we wanted to stay another night before paying the next day. All in all it was a great experience!!

Site43

Month of VisitAugust

Angelica H.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 6, 2018

Beautiful Area

The spots are very close together, no privacy whatsoever, but the lake is beautiful. Every site by the lake is sandy and great. Loons all night singing as well.

The host guy was awful, he was talking about how he needed to lay off the vodka...and he freaked out on us for dogs barking once or twice at him. But otherwise was great!

SiteHemlock

Month of VisitJuly

Nick P.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 15, 2016

Nice Weekend

It's hard sometime to get away from all the people in Vermont but this park is far enough out of the way where you can avoid a majority of the summer tourist. I was able to take advantage of this and go on a relaxing hike my girlfriend and our dog.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping options are available at Maidstone State Park?

Maidstone State Park offers traditional tent and RV camping with spacious, clean sites arranged in multiple loops, including A and B loops. Sites vary in terrain, with some featuring interesting rock formations. Lakeside sites are particularly desirable, offering sandy grounds and beautiful water views. The campground accommodates pets, allowing both dogs and cats. Facilities include modern bathrooms with gendered and non-gendered options, coin-operated showers, and a dish washing area. No hookups are mentioned, and the remote location means campers should come prepared for a rustic experience.

What does Maidstone Lake State Park look like and are there photos available?

Maidstone State Park features a stunning natural setting centered around a crystal-clear lake that visitors describe as one of the most pristine in Vermont. The campground sits on sloping terrain surrounded by woodland, with many sites offering lake views. Scenic features include babbling brooks, hiking trails through forested areas, and abundant wildlife including loons and other waterfowl. The grounds are well-maintained with a mix of wooded and more open camping areas. While photos aren't specifically mentioned in the available information, visitors can likely find images on the Vermont State Parks official website or social media channels to preview the park's natural beauty before visiting.

What do reviews say about camping at Maidstone State Park in Vermont?

Maidstone State Park offers a remote, peaceful camping experience in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. The campground features clean, well-maintained sites, though some campers note they feel close together with limited privacy. The pristine lake is a highlight, with loons often heard singing at night. Modern facilities include flush toilets, new bathrooms with coin-operated showers, and a dish washing station. The park has no cell service for Verizon or AT&T, but limited WiFi is available at the check-in building. Located down a long dirt road away from tourist crowds, Maidstone provides excellent hiking trails, kayaking opportunities, and wildlife viewing. Staff friendliness can vary, and holiday weekends may be noisy with fireworks despite park regulations.

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