Best Campgrounds in Vermont

Vermont is not only one of the best places to live and work in the U.S.; it’s also a hugely popular vacation destination. All seasons have their own charm in this freethinking New England state, from the long, snowy winters to gloriously sunny summers and, of course, the breathtaking fall foliage. It comes as no surprise that Vermont is popular among campers. Along with hiking, skiing and fishing, camping in Vermont is among the greatest things to do in this gorgeous state.

Vermont is one of the least populated American states, home to vast forests, accessible mountains, and picturesque villages. Whether you come for fishing or hiking, kayaking or skiing, Vermont has it all in world-class quality. Fishing on Lake Champlain can be done all year long – ice fishing in winter through boat trips in summer – while kayaks and canoes are welcome on most rivers and lakes. Hiking, however, is arguably the most practiced outdoor pursuit in the Green Mountain State. Trails crisscross across the land, running along the beautiful Lake Champlain shoreline and up to the highest Green Mountain peaks, such as Camels Hump and Mount Mansfield. Vermont is also home to the oldest long-distance trail in the United States, the Long Trail. This path runs from the Massachusetts border all the way north to Canada, following the crest of the Green Mountains. A section of the beloved Appalachian Trail cuts through the state’s southern part as well. Rest assured that you’ll find plenty of camping in Vermont on the way, along the trails, on riverbanks and lakeshores. Are you a winter camper, too? We sure hope so! Vermont happens to be one of North America’s best destinations for skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. With renowned resorts such as Killington, Sugarbush and Stowe, it’s a winter sports enthusiast’s paradise.

No matter what adventures you’re after, Vermont has you covered. And at The Dyrt, we’re always ready to help you find the best camping in Vermont.

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Best Camping Sites in Vermont (223)

    1. Grand Isle State Park Campground

    28 Reviews
    Grand Isle, VT
    Website
    +1 (802) 372-4300

    $6 - $28 / night

    "Beautifully set on Lake Champlain in Vermont! This is a relatively large campground but is well laid out and doesn't feel small even when it's packed to the gills."

    "Since the park is on a island in Lake Champlain in Vermont there is water all around. Good places to walk and ride."

    2. North Beach Campground

    27 Reviews
    Burlington, VT
    Website
    +1 (802) 862-0942

    $37 - $100 / night

    "We stay every year 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."

    "Sites 1 to 16 are close to each other.

    Sites 113 to 119 are bad. Very close to each other. No redeeming qualities.

    Sites have 30 amp electric and water but might need a longish cord or hose."

    3. Little River State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Waterbury Center, VT
    Website
    +1 (802) 244-7103

    $19 - $28 / night

    "Little River State Park is located just outside of Waterbury Vermont so it’s an ideal location for jumping off on other adventures!"

    "We came here to hike the Dalley Loop Trail (which is a great trail full of history), but we wish we had camped here instead of the private campground 45 minutes away where we did stay."

    4. Smugglers Notch State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Stowe, VT
    Website
    +1 (802) 253-4014

    $20 / night

    "I’d say this was one of Vermont’s best kept secrets, except I don’t think it’s exactly a secret. Even in October, the Park seemed full with visitors and Stowe was hopping!"

    "They don't have all the usual amenities its more of a primitive set up. has great clean sites with multiple ways to access mount mansfields trail system which is the highest mountain in the state of Vermont"

    5. Woodford State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Bennington, VT
    Website
    +1 (802) 447-7169

    "Woodford State Park is situated between Wilmington and Bennington VT in the southern part of the Green Mountain National Forest."

    "The views on some of the sites to the lake are beautiful. the grounds and facilities are well kept. and you are close to both Bennington and Wilmington. a great spot to camp at in Southern Vermont!"

    6. Quechee State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    Quechee, VT
    Website
    +1 (802) 295-2990

    "This is a nice state park located near the Quechee Gorge, a lovely place to explore and play. Vermont State parks often offer lean-to options and Quechee is no exception."

    "You really can't go wrong with a Vermont State Park. They are meticulously maintained and the folx that work there are super helpful."

    7. Jamaica State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Jamaica, VT
    Website
    +1 (802) 874-4600

    $20 - $42 / night

    "This tops our list for camping in Vermont. There is so much to do here, and yet the campground feels very private and quiet. There are 41 tent/RV sites to choose from and 18 lean-tos."

    "Great spot near the river with a flat trail and a waterfall near by."

    8. Camping On The Battenkill

    20 Reviews
    Arlington, VT
    Website
    +1 (802) 375-6663

    $45 - $57 / night

    "Our first time in Vermont and we picked an awesome campground. This place has a great layout with lots of great sites to choose from.

    There are several sites right on the river!

    Clean bath houses."

    "Site 16 had a path to the river and was slightly tucked away. Sites 13 and 14 were cool spots too, I’d imagine in the summer you may have less privacy because it’s near the swimming area."

    9. Emerald Lake State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    Danby, VT
    Website
    +1 (802) 362-1655

    "Beautiful campground in south central Vermont.  On a lovely emerald green small lake with nice beach. Good for fishing and kayaking.  Well kept."

    "The camp sites are quite a bit of a walk up the hill from the lake where there is swimming, kayaking, paddle boating and picnicking."

    10. Moosalamoo Campground

    16 Reviews
    Salisbury, VT
    Website
    +1 (802) 767-4261

    $15 / night

    "there are no amenities other than cascading waterfalls, mountain views, incredible swimming hole, a nearby lake, a picnic table and a fire ring. the easiest access to sites one and two is the Silver Lake"

    "Access to campground is on a gravel road but my van did okay. It is small and primitive and there is a camp host who is very nice."

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Recent Reviews in Vermont

891 Reviews of 223 Vermont Campgrounds


  • alicianlv The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Grout Pond Campground — Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests

    Grout Pond Loop

    Camping Grout Pond Loop is truly nice after Labor Day (Sept 5-7). Campsites 15 & 16 offer pull-out space to turn around truck campers --we lucked out w/ 4 wheel camper pop-up). Over hanging trees would make it difficult for larger equipment, plus saw posting that excludes trailers from certain roads. We reserved well in advance; however many fellow campers were trying to find first come sites and ended up hiking in to camp around pond sites. Sites are in eye-site of each other but you don't feel crowded. Temps during day around 65-70 F. Nights dipped to 45-55F.
    We saw deer & turkeys driving the surrounding woods after short hikes.
    We love chatting w locals and learned of a special shrine that was faithfully built from stone to resemble original in modern day Turkey. What a special & serene place.

  • Andy M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Statton Pond Camp on Forest Road 71

    Large Area with Fire Pit in the middle

    This was a great site.  I couldn't believe that the site was not being used at all, especially the just a couple of days before Fourth of July weekend.  Many other sites further south on 71 were filled and some were just TTs holding the space for the upcoming weekend.

    The site was very flat and could accommodate several small campers.  It was quiet during our overnight stay other than a car or two on Stratton-Arlington Rd.  There weren't many mosquitoes either.  Hiking trail to Stratton Pond close by.

  • Kenneth P.
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Fort Dummer State Park Campground

    Not So Bad

    We spent one night at site #20 and enjoyed our stay.  It was rather peaceful other than the hum of I-91. The staff was friendly and helpful. The sites were generally wooded, pretty level, and fairly spread apart from one another.  I saw no signs of the problems identified in the June 2025 review.  Yes, I must agree that the restrooms are old, but they were clean.  The other problems might happen anywhere and were obviously brought under control.  Clearly, the writer of the June 2025 post knew way more than any weekend camper would be aware of and this shows that is more to their story that should have been revealed in their post.

  • Greg D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 22, 2025

    Lazy Lions Campground

    Nice quiet place

    Nice campground with plenty of shade, well maintained and decent restrooms. The showers are ok and cost a quarter for 4 minutes. Our site was level and along with a picnic table, they also provide two Adirondack chairs (plastic) and a fire ring.

  • W
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Quechee State Park Campground

    Good location

    The park is in a good location; it is right next to the road. We were at sight #3.  We were able to walk to the gorge as well as to the Antique mall.  The staff was very friendly and accommodating with us. My wife really enjoyed it and had a lot of fun. The ice cream was really close and really good. 

    The issue I had was the camp next to ours had the generator on all night long and I had a hard time getting back to sleep after going to the bathroom. Next time I will get a volunteer or park ranger to get it turned off.

  • licia S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Somerset Airfield

    No Wifi, Resevoir Beautiful

    Enjoyed the stunning babbling brook and resevoir- saw happy people swimming, kayaking, and camping. It's been quiet and peaceful and sometimes generators running all night. I arrived after the 4th of July and a neighbor said it was rowdy during the holiday with illegal fireworks set off every night over the dry forest. These pics are from a weekday morning. It's great to see families camping. There are pit toilets. AT.T service at bridge prior to camp- short walk. SOS only in camp. Another camper told me Starlink works here.

  • Ricky H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed

    Not terrible

    Site was littered with places previous campers had left human excrement. While not in the site directly, it was all around it. Also had someone who decided to use the area to sight in his rifle. Which was very unexpected as it was incredibly loud with no warning at all. Was not aware this was a gun range. Tried to flag down a park ranger, but he just drove on by.

  • Willliam A.
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Woodford State Park Campground

    Good way to start my trip

    Came in here hoping to start off my weekend with a nice reserve site. Had plenty of room for my truck and RTT. Close enough to your neighbors to see but you’re not exactly on top of each other. Waterfront campsites are very scenic.

  • K
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Mount Philo State Park Campground

    Hidden gem!

    Great little campground at a beautiful state park. The campground had widely spaced wooded sites and was exceptionally quiet. Very well-maintained! Recommend nearby Charlotte town beach for swimming ($10 for non-residents).


Guide to Vermont

Camping in Vermont offers a unique blend of beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there's something for everyone.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore trails like the Dalley Loop Trail, which is rich in history and offers stunning views. One camper mentioned, “We came here to hike the Dalley Loop Trail... the park is beautifully maintained and there are many more trails to explore.”
  • Boating and Swimming: Many campgrounds, like Little River State Park Campground, provide access to lakes and reservoirs. A reviewer noted, “The campground has a nice swimming beach and several nice hikes right from the campground.”
  • Mountain Biking: The Moosalamoo Campground is close to great biking trails. One visitor shared, “If you like mountain biking they have multiple trails... it was perfect for a beginner/intermediate biker!”

What campers like

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful scenery. One said, “This campground is great! Located down a gravel forest road but easy to navigate... the sites are nice and spread apart with a lot of privacy.”
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds pride themselves on cleanliness. A camper at Lake Champagne RV Resort remarked, “Campground is very clean, friendly, peaceful and lots of room.”
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers appreciate the peacefulness of Vermont's campgrounds. A review stated, “This has become a favorite spot! Extremely quiet campground. Clean pit toilets.”

What you should know

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Moosalamoo Campground, have basic facilities. A visitor mentioned, “There were only 3 other campers... it was extremely peaceful and quiet!”
  • Seasonal Access: Many campgrounds are only open during specific seasons. For example, Little River State Park Campground operates from May 19 to October 22.
  • Dispersed Camping: If you prefer a more rustic experience, check out places like Green Mountain National Forest FR207. A camper noted, “Great mountain views, some sites right on the road, some in fields and some tucked away out of view.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with swimming areas and playgrounds. A family reviewer at Silver Lake Campground said, “The lake is clean and has a great concrete dock that the kids love to jump off.”
  • Plan for Privacy: Choose sites that offer some separation from others. One camper shared, “The sites are fairly private without being built too close together.”
  • Pack Essentials: Since some campgrounds have limited facilities, make sure to bring everything you need. A parent mentioned, “It’s a pack in pack out campground... pack out wisely fitting your abilities.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Some campgrounds are not suitable for larger RVs. A reviewer at Moosalamoo Campground advised, “I would not recommend this place for larger RVs, it's pretty tight with larger vans.”
  • Book Early: Popular spots can fill up quickly, especially on weekends. One RV traveler noted, “We went ‘first come, first serve’... had no problem getting a site.”
  • Know Your Vehicle: Ensure your RV can handle the terrain. A camper mentioned, “Make sure your car has a bit of clearance as some spots have dips in the ground.”

Vermont camping is all about enjoying nature, so pack your gear and get ready for an adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Vermont state parks offer the best camping facilities?

Grand Isle State Park Campground on Lake Champlain stands out with excellent facilities. Despite being a larger campground, it's thoughtfully designed so it never feels crowded. The park provides well-maintained amenities and convenient access to Vermont's extensive bike paths. Mount Ascutney State Park Campground is another excellent option with clean facilities and access to mountain biking trails. For campers seeking variety, Emerald Lake State Park offers drive-in sites with water access, toilets, and big-rig-friendly accommodations. Smugglers Notch State Park provides diverse access options (drive-in, hike-in, walk-in) with reservable sites and basic amenities in one of Vermont's most scenic areas.

What are the best campgrounds in Vermont for family trips?

Vermont offers exceptional family camping experiences with something for everyone. Jamaica State Park Campground tops the list with its 41 tent/RV sites and 18 lean-tos, providing privacy while offering numerous activities. The campground feels quiet despite having plenty for families to do. For water-loving families, Silver Lake Campground features clean swimming areas with a concrete dock perfect for kids to jump from, boat rentals, and ranger-led nature tours on the lake. Other family-friendly options include Mountain View Campground with riverside sites and amenities like pools and a well-stocked camp store, and North Beach Campground with its convenient access to Burlington's attractions via bike paths.

Is camping available year-round in southern Vermont?

Year-round camping in southern Vermont is limited, with most campgrounds closing for winter. Wilgus State Park Campground is notably the first Vermont state park to open each spring, well before Memorial Day. While traditional camping might be cold in early May, their four camping cabins offer an early start to the season. Brattleboro North KOA provides extended season camping opportunities with clean facilities and proximity to downtown Brattleboro. Camping On The Battenkill near Arlington may offer longer seasons for hardy campers. Most southern Vermont campgrounds typically operate from May through October, with precise opening/closing dates varying by location and weather conditions. Winter camping is generally limited to backcountry sites for experienced winter campers.

Where can I find the best primitive tent camping sites in Vermont?

Moosalamoo Campground offers an authentic primitive camping experience with no amenities beyond natural features. What it lacks in facilities, it makes up for with cascading waterfalls, mountain views, incredible swimming holes, and access to Silver Lake. Sites are accessible from the Silver Lake trailhead parking lot on Vermont Route 53. Another excellent primitive option is Hapgood Pond in the Green Mountain National Forest, offering an affordable camping experience in Vermont's beautiful wilderness. For those seeking island primitive camping, Woods Island State Park provides remote tent sites accessible only by boat, offering a true wilderness experience with basic facilities and stunning lake views.