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Best Campgrounds in Vermont

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Vermont's state park system provides a range of cabin camping accommodations across numerous locations, with options available at Grand Isle, North Beach, Little River, Quechee, Smugglers Notch, and Woodford State Parks. Most cabins feature basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and access to drinking water. State park cabins typically do not include electrical hookups, with the exception of North Beach Campground in Burlington which offers both electric and water hookups. Private campgrounds like Shelburne Camping Area supplement the state offerings with additional cabin options, often providing more amenities than their public counterparts.

Cabin availability is highly seasonal, with most Vermont state parks operating from mid-May through mid-October. Reservations are required at all state park cabin sites and should be secured well in advance, particularly for summer weekends and fall foliage season. Facilities vary significantly between locations, though most provide access to showers and toilets. A visitor at Grand Isle noted, "We had a huge campsite that was comfortable for 3 tents and 6 adults. The restrooms/showers are vintage but clean and functional."

Campers consistently mention the natural beauty surrounding cabin sites as a highlight of their Vermont experience. State parks with cabin options are strategically positioned near recreational opportunities, including hiking trails, swimming areas, and fishing spots. Several visitors commented on the family-friendly atmosphere at Vermont state parks, with amenities like beaches and nature centers enhancing their stays. The cabin experience at Vermont state parks strikes a balance between rustic camping and comfort, with clean facilities and well-maintained grounds frequently mentioned in reviews. For those seeking a more primitive experience, Green Mountain National Forest offers dispersed camping alternatives, though these lack the structured amenities of developed campgrounds.

Best Camping Sites in Vermont (231)

    1. Grand Isle State Park Campground

    29 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. Little River State Park Campground

    26 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."

    3. North Beach Campground

    28 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."

    4. Woodford State Park Campground

    25 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!"

    5. Quechee State Park Campground

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

    $38 / night

    "The Quechee Gorge, best accessed from the back of the lawn behind the bathhouse, is the deepest in Vermont.. which is kind of like saying the best bagel or most populous city in Vermont."

    "Got there close to the time the rangers left for the night, Nick was really kind to make sure I got situated before he left."

    6. 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"

    7. Jamaica State Park Campground

    22 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."

    "This was our second stay at this Vermont State Park. It was a great three days. The park rangers were tremendous in ensuring we had a delightful visit. They worked with us to get the right site."

    8. Emerald Lake State Park Campground

    20 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."

    9. 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."

    10. Gifford Woods State Park Campground

    17 Reviews
    Killington, VT
    Website
    +1 (802) 775-5354

    "Decent bathroom situation--I've seen better and I've seen worse in Vermont."

    "The park is amazingly clean, well run, located just of RT 4 and very near to Killington, Vermont. It has multiple lean-to sites which are in wooded areas."

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Recent Reviews in Vermont

949 Reviews of 231 Vermont Campgrounds


  • Joe K.
    Jul. 16, 2026

    Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites — Waterbury Center State Park

    Remote but most campsites aren't really on water

    We camped here in June of 2026.  It is not as remote as some other locations, mainly because you are in Waterbury, VT and Waterbury can be quite busy with visitors.  

    We parked on Cotton Brook Rd and were told by multiple people that you need to be aware of rain.  The parking lot can flood if you get days of rain.  The days we camped we did have heavy downpours the morning of day 2 and by the time we left the reservoir was probably 6 ft higher.  So it is a real thing.   The benefit of that is tons of waterfalls lead into the reservoir and they are quite pretty.

    It is a long canoe from the Cotton Brook lot and you need to go to campsite 14 to really get  a campsite with a full view of the lake.  We were on campsite 18 and it is surrounded by trees.  Thats great if you want privacy, but not great if you want a view of the lake.

    No loons while we were there.  : (

    In short, it is pretty good, but we would recommend others.

  • Joe K.
    Jul. 16, 2026

    Grout Pond Campground — Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests

    Beautiful and remote

    My family has camped here for three years and we love it.  We rent a canoe and paddle all the way down to the furthest campsites.  The ability to hike to your spot or canoe makes it a blast, and it is a nice stepping stone to full backpacking if you ever want to get there.    

    For the past two seasons there was a Loon on the which is always a plus. 

    The toilets are great and fresh water is available from a well were you park.  One of the greatest spots we have found.

  • Alex W.
    Jul. 16, 2026

    Maplewoods campground

    Recommended campground

    I love this place, nice atmosphere, clean showers and nice mountain range views. Recommended for anyone looking for a nice campground that has very good cell reception for the ones who are depending their stays to have it.

  • Alex W.
    Jul. 16, 2026

    Tree Corners Family Campground

    Recommended campground

    I've stayed on and off for 20 years, love the atmosphere, hospitality, pools, water slides. Laundry room and clean showers.

  • Paige M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2026

    Button Bay State Park Campground

    Love this state park!

    We have stayed here a few times. It’s always clean and quiet. Pool is nice but very family (kid) oriented. Love the trails to the water from both camp loops. Great place to stay with a kayak or paddle board!

  • A
    Jul. 14, 2026

    Woodford State Park Campground

    Site 73

    The campground is secluded and quiet, lots of trees and the pond is pretty. There is a good hike around the pond (2.5 miles or so) with cool pull offs for wildlife spotting (we saw two loons fishing for their baby).

    Site 73 itself had the camp beach access which brought some people in close proximity but they were all respectful. The beach is more of a muddy, rocky, bay but shallow enough for wading.

    Fire wood seemed expensive for what we got ($9 per bundle).

  • Carly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 13, 2026

    Molly Stark State Park Campground

    Great park

    We stayed at the park in our truck camper for two nights. It was very clean and quiet. We stayed in site five which was very secluded, large site that was level and perfect for a small camper or van. There are two trails right from the park that lead up to the Mount Olga fire tower, and a trail continues over that which ends at a local distillery, with a general store and a brewery with awesome pizza across the street as well. (~ 1.5 miles one way to the distillery). The views from the tower and the distillery/brewery/store are gorgeous. The bathrooms and showers were extremely clean, and it was only $.50 for five minutes of hot water. They also had firewood for sale. nearby Wilmington is very close and a cute town, and it is not far to Brattleboro and Bennington as well. We came up for some cycling training and there are multiple options for gorgeous gravel riding routes. The only slight downside was that Route 9 is a little busy and there was some occasional road noise, but it wasn’t too bad and not really noticeable at night at all. There were several really nice lean-tos, the loop with sites 2 through 12 are much nicer and more secluded and wooded, the loop with sites one through 23 are more open and in a field with less shade and privacy. Would not hesitate to stay again!


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.