Willsboro serves as a gateway to both the Adirondack Mountains and Lake Champlain, with elevations ranging from 95 feet at the lake to rolling hills reaching 1,100 feet. Campgrounds in this transitional zone experience wider daily temperature fluctuations than areas deeper in the mountains, with summer evenings typically dropping to 50-60°F even after 80°F days. Many campgrounds near Willsboro remain open through mid-October when fall foliage reaches peak colors.
What to do
Hike the shorter trails: Mount Philo State Park Campground offers accessible hiking with significant payoff. "The best part is every night it's only a ten minute hike to the summit from where the sites are and you get to watch the sunset over Vermont and lake Champlain as the sun falls behind the Adirondack mountains, it's quite an amazing site," notes Thomas B. The park opens seasonally from Memorial Day through Columbus Day.
Kayak the river access points: AuSable Chasm Campground provides direct water access. "We had a great time on this camping trip! The camp ground is within minutes of Ausable Chasm, which offers great hiking trails and rafting/tubing," explains Heather M. Rentals are available on-site or you can bring your own equipment.
Explore the bike paths: The region features extensive bike-friendly infrastructure connecting multiple campgrounds. "Bring your bikes! You're tucked away in the woods on gorgeous lake Champlain and can bike into Burlington for meals and city street strolls," recommends Mackenzie B. from North Beach Campground. The Lake Champlain Bikeway connects multiple communities with predominantly flat, family-friendly terrain.
Try disc golf courses: Several campgrounds offer this increasingly popular activity. AuSable Chasm Campground has "a small store and rec room for kids. I think they are making improvements always. This camp ground is a short drive to Lake Placid, Plattsburgh, Vermont State and so much more," according to Susan S.
What campers like
Waterfront access diversity: North Beach Campground provides both beachfront camping and urban amenities. "Burlington is my favorite city by far, and this campground is right on the beach! You get the best of both worlds at this location. Biking into Burlington takes 5-10 minutes and you're also right on the beach of Lake Champlain," writes Brittany R. Swimming areas include both natural beaches and pools, depending on the campground.
Year-round availability: Some locations maintain winter operations. According to Laura L., "This has been one of our favorite campsites so far. We loved being able to walk down to the beach, as well as having full hookups. We also met the nicest people here." Shelburne Camping Area stays open throughout winter with full hookup sites.
Scenic sunrise spots: Many campgrounds feature east-facing sites with unobstructed views. "You can't beat them in the Summer, Spring, Fall, or even snowshoeing in the winter," reports Meag F. about Mount Philo views. These locations often require booking 3-6 months in advance during peak season.
Privacy options: Mount Philo State Park Campground receives praise for its secluded sites. "We love how private the camp sites were. There are less than 20 sites total, and all sites are near walk-in paths to excellent views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks or the Green Mountains," explains Rita M. The limited site availability means reservations are essential.
What you should know
Seasonal operation windows: Most dog friendly campgrounds near Willsboro operate on limited seasons. "Only stayed for one night, but it was a beautiful campground. Very clean. Big sites," notes Ashley I. about Lone Pine Campsites. Most lakeside campgrounds close between mid-October and early May.
Shower coin operations: Prepare quarters for shower facilities. "Showers are quarter operated, 50 cents for 5 minutes," explains Beau B. at Mount Philo State Park Campground. Most state park facilities require similar payment systems.
Campsite density varies significantly: Shelburne Camping Area features more compact sites. One visitor noted, "This campground was convenient for us. The place is more like a trailer park with a lot of long term RV rentals. Bathrooms were clean." However, others found it "well kept, but we prefer staying in and north of Burlington when we come back to the area."
Pet-specific facilities: Dog friendly campgrounds near Willsboro typically provide designated areas. AuSable Chasm Campground offers "a large, gravel back in, 30 amp, full hookup. We were near the pool and office." Most pet-friendly sites require dogs to be leashed at all times.
Tips for camping with families
Off-peak timing benefits: Visit during shoulder seasons for less crowded experiences. "We stayed for the Vermont City Marathon. It is a convenient bike ride down the bike path to the waterside park. Easy access to all of Burlington by bike," shares Jess O. about North Beach Campground. Late May and early September offer similar temperatures with significantly fewer crowds.
Multi-activity campgrounds: Button Bay State Park Campground provides diverse options in one location. "This is a good campground for families that are not too rowdy. There is a pool for swimming, paved roads are good for bikes & scooters, pavilion for activities, lake for swimming & fishing and hiking trails," explains Lacy C. Families can enjoy different activities without driving between locations.
Playground proximity selection: Request sites near play areas to maintain sight lines. "We had one right next to the playground so our daughter could walk straight to it without having to cross a road. And speaking of playground, it was large and very nice," shares Erin S. about Lone Pine Campsites. Many campgrounds allow specific site requests.
Nature center programs: Several parks run scheduled activities. "This state park is so fun to camp at! It has a great playground for kids and a nice swimming pool! You can hike on the trail and Lake Champlain is right there!" describes Debbie S. about Button Bay State Park. Most programs run between 10am and 4pm daily during summer.
Tips from RVers
Hook-up positioning awareness: Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday requires specific setup. "There are two distinct sections of this campground– the 'Resort' section and the '100-Acre Woods' section. We stayed in site #73 of the 100-Acre section and would highly recommend staying in this area as opposed to the other," shares Nancy W. Some sites have hookups on unexpected sides.
Length restrictions on mountain roads: Several campgrounds have limited access. "The road is steep and winding, it's not suitable for RVs," notes Tara S. about Mount Philo. Always call ahead to confirm access for units over 30 feet.
Electric power testing: Verify electricity before setup. "My husband is a licensed electrician and of course had his own testing equipment. It showed 25 amp coming out of it," reported one camper at Shelburne Camping Area. Bringing a simple circuit tester can prevent equipment damage.
Marina proximity advantages: Look for campgrounds with boat facilities. "Across the street is a marina with rental boats/kayaks and a boat launch. We launched our paddleboard and kayak there," explains a visitor about Apple Island Resort. RVers can often leave watercraft at marinas overnight rather than returning them to campsites.
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