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Camping near Barre, Vermont ranges from full-hookup RV sites to primitive tent-only sites and cabin rentals, with state parks and private campgrounds spread across the region. Several facilities like Ricker Pond State Park, Little River State Park, and Lazy Lions Campground welcome visitors between May and October. The area includes RV-friendly locations with full hookups, tent-only sites, and cabin rentals. Groton State Forest contains multiple camping areas, offering both developed campgrounds and remote sites along ponds and waterways within a 20-mile radius of Barre.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from Memorial Day weekend through early October. Many Vermont state parks like Kettle Pond require advance reservations, especially during peak summer periods. "This is a nice, quiet, and secluded CG for an overnight stay," noted one visitor about Lazy Lions Campground. Access varies by location, with some campgrounds featuring well-maintained gravel roads while others have challenging entry points. A visitor mentioned that Onion River Campground has "a bridge in order to get to the campground which is ridiculously narrow and there are terrible potholes." Weather considerations include potential rain and cooler temperatures, particularly in spring and fall. Most facilities provide basic amenities like toilets and drinking water, though shower availability differs between locations.
Campers report high satisfaction with waterfront sites at places like Kettle Pond State Park, where remote lean-to shelters offer peaceful experiences. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, one visitor appreciated being able to "watch the Loons teaching its chicks to hunt for food" during their stay. State park campgrounds generally maintain better ratings than some private facilities, with cleanliness and natural setting being common positive attributes. Several campgrounds feature swimming opportunities in lakes or pools during summer months. For those seeking solitude, remote camping options require short hikes from parking areas, with sites spread around pond perimeters. Family-friendly amenities vary significantly between locations, with some campgrounds offering more activities than others. Seasonal considerations affect overall experience, with fall offering colorful foliage viewing opportunities throughout the region.
"Little River State Park is located just outside of Waterbury Vermont so it’s an ideal location for jumping off on other adventures!"
"Stopped by midweek without reservation after vehicle issues forced a stop by the nearby shops in Barre/Berlin. Very peaceful with ample hammock spots."
from $19 - $28 / night
Check Availability"This campground is easy to access, though owing to that one can hear traffic on the nearby road. The lake is beautiful, clear and clean, and there is a beach with sand for swimming."
"The campground has a small beach, boat launch and it's right on the Cross Vermont Trail. I stayed in October and it was really quiet and relaxing."
from $19 - $110 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $49 - $100 / night
Check Availability"Remote campsite #9 was a bit wet this spring but in truth everything has been wet here in Vermont this year. 3 night get away with son, and first time on Kettle pond."
"Kettle Pond is a classic northern pond set in Vermont's Groton State Forest."
"Check-in happens at Stillwater, purchase your firewood and drive the 2 min down to Big Deer. For Vermont, these sites felt close, but we could still get privacy."
"Very nice sites, most have good privacy and are rather large - many of them also have large boulders around them! Access to Boulder Beach is included, which is a short walk or drive down the road."
"Limehurst Campground was perfect for our stay in Vermont. We had a site right on the beautiful lake with full hook-ups. Campground is well maintained."
from $30 - $150 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $24 / night
Check Availability"Tucked away in a beautiful part of Vermont, the campground is right on Groton Lake with a swimming area and designated boat launch."
"**Campground Review **
Stillwater State Park in Groton VT is a delightful retreat, nestled on the shores of Lake Groton. The campground has a mix of lean-tos and tent sites."
from $30 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Easy access to a lake and a picnic pavilion. Noticed more than a few sites that I could hang at."
"There are hiking trails right from the campground, which we always appreciate. You can also go down to the water and rent a kayak or canoe from the rangers."
from $20 - $38 / night
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GuideSimply said, if you like a well maintained place with a swim beach, floating dock, grass galore, space to stretch out, and more, this is the place. It’s beautiful. As a bonus, it’s cost effective over other RV parks. If you want free, nope. If you want wild open spaces, nope. You a great lush big clean park that feels like your Owen estate, then come check this place out. We will be back.
TravelerNo toilet, no showers, no Wi-Fi, no electricity Love it I’ve been primitive camping since before I could walk and def glad this app exist
First use of the app and found the perfect spot away from my friends Airbnb and still close enough to go hangout with them. The site is the perfect size for a single or couple and it gives off the right kind of privacy
Thanks Dyrt
ScoutWent on a weekend and it was still very peaceful! Lots to do on such a beautiful back road. We stayed at two different sites each night we were there and both were equally beautiful and peaceful
GuideIt’s a nice relatively small campground in a pretty setting. Sites are fairly close, and there’s definitely some longer tempura residents, but it’s well kept and seems like a nice place to stay.
GuideGood size campground with three loops. 2 shower / restroom facilities. Many of the sites are simply grass. There are a few gravel ones. The staff has no problem with driving on the or parking on grass. All sites have a firepit. Wood can be obtained locally. There is no store at the camp. There is only one dump station. There is a boat launch with limited trailer parking although when we stayed (Aug 2026) the water was only 18 in to 2 ft deep at docks. Heavily choked with vegetation. Shower facilities were clean enough but could use more attention, heavy cobwebs at lights, corners and edges of shower pretty dark with mold. Plenty of fresh water spigots throughout the camp. Camp is on the banks of lake Champlain, although only a couple sites have a lake view. Ruins of two pre-revolutionary war forts are within walking distance and offer a great introduction to life in the early 18th century. Fort Ticonderoga is a 30 min drive and will take most of the day to tour. Well worth the trip. Only 3 min drive to Vermont. I would stay again.
TravelerIt was everything we were looking for, right on the river, quiet and clean, the section we stayed in was all tent camping so we weren’t sandwiched in between a bunch of RVs blocking the view. There was no lights, generators or loud music. Alcohol wasn’t permitted so that really cuts down on a lot of unnecessary nonsense. Pets are permitted and our dog loved it. It was very pleasant and relaxing. Can’t wait to go back.
ScoutVery nice campground with great modern facilities. Many of the RV lots have nice views of Lake Champlain.
ScoutPeaceful, quiet, relaxing space. Super friendly staff.
TravelerWe just got home from our week at Fransted Family Campground and am already looking forward to returning next year. The location of the campground was perfect - especially for exploring the Franconia Notch region. There is a nice mix of RV and tent sites. The tent sites are well shaded and felt spaced out compared to other places I have camped. We had a site on the stream which was nice. Fell asleep each night listening to the water. I only used one of the bathhouses, but it was clean. Showers were clean (separate rooms). Customer service was off the charts. So friendly and helpful. There was a number we could call to get firewood if the store was closed and they were also so nice about it too. There is free WiFi, but it really only works up near the front office. But there is a beautiful pavilion with nice furniture to relax on if you needed to go and use WiFi (or just relax for that matter). We didn’t have kids with us, but there are a lot of lawn games, a playground, courts and field available. Overall, very quiet but Al family friendly. I will definitely be back.
Vermont's Groton State Forest, a 25,000-acre protected woodland near Barre, contains multiple camping options within a 20-mile radius. The region's camping season typically runs from mid-May through mid-October, with most facilities closing after Indigenous Peoples' Day weekend. Summer temperatures average 70-80°F during daytime, while spring and fall visitors should prepare for overnight temperatures that can drop into the 40s.
Paddling opportunities: Ricker Pond State Park offers non-motorized paddling on a serene pond. "The pond is serene and a great place to swim, paddle, explore, and fish. If you paddle or swim to the other side of the camp ground, there is a huge rock with a rope swing," notes a visitor to Ricker Pond State Park.
Rail trail access: Several campgrounds connect directly to the Cross Vermont Trail. At Kettle Pond State Park, campers enjoy this multi-use path. "We took a half day bike trip on it one day to go to the town of Marshfield to visit Rainbow Sweets, home of some of the best French pastries in Vermont," shares a reviewer.
Historical exploration: Hiking trails in the Groton State Forest reveal remnants of past settlements. At Little River State Park, "the hiking trails are really good--the actually pretty steep. There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover," according to one visitor.
Remote water access: For those seeking solitude, several parks offer boat-in or hike-in sites. "Remote campsite #9 was a bit wet this spring but in truth everything has been wet here in Vermont this year. 3 night get away with son, and first time on Kettle pond," reports a visitor who appreciated the isolated experience at Kettle Pond State Park.
Lean-to accommodations: Many campsites near Barre feature traditional covered shelters. At Big Deer State Park, "lean-tos are large enough to accommodate 2 moderately sized free-standing tents (2-4 person, depending on the style). All sites have standard fire rings and large picnic tables."
Cell service limitations: Many campers appreciate the limited connectivity. "There is absolutely no cell service for miles, so plan accordingly," notes a Ricker Pond visitor, while another camper at Kettle Pond mentioned this helped their family disconnect during their stay.
Reservation requirements: Most state parks fill quickly, especially for premium sites. "I've been visiting Ricker Pond for nearly 20 years (except for the years that I don't book enough in advance and aren't able to secure a spot for my desired length of stay). My favorite lean to site is directly on the water, private, and fills up fast," advises one regular visitor.
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult entrances for larger vehicles. At Onion River Campground, "you need to go over a bridge in order to get to the campground which is ridiculously narrow and there are terrible potholes. Our 42 foot fifth wheel barely made it in."
Water considerations: Drinking water availability varies between parks. Kettle Pond has no running water, requiring campers to bring containers or filtration systems. Meanwhile, Little River offers potable water but with unthreaded spigots. "The spigots for the water are not threaded. We tried our water bandit, with messy wet results," reports a camper.
Swimming options: Several parks offer designated swimming areas. "The lake water was beautiful and clear. There was enough sand at the camper beach for sand castles and other beach games," writes a visitor to Stillwater State Park, though they noted seeing "a few leeches here and there--none right at the swimming area, but more to the side, close to the vegetated areas."
Wildlife viewing: Children can observe various animals in natural settings. At Kettle Pond, one family enjoyed watching "the Loons teaching it's chicks to hunt for food," while another noted, "We were able to watch the Loons teaching its chicks to hunt for food. A bit of work to get to this site but every bit worth the trade off for peace n quiet!"
Ranger programs: State parks often offer educational activities. One Stillwater visitor reported, "On our second day, there was an interpretive program at the the pavilion. The ranger led visitors in making bark boats out of materials found in the park. The project was a great idea, as the kids could test their boats right there in the lake."
Campsite surface variations: RV sites range from gravel to grass. At Lazy Lions Campground, a visitor noted, "Gravel roads and relatively level gravel sites. The FHUs were in good order. Slightly low water pressure."
Size restrictions: Many campgrounds have limited space for large rigs. "This is a small campground, just outside of Montpellier VT," explains an Onion River camper. "The sites are all grass, but even with a little rain overnight, we had no problem getting out."
Hook-up availability: Full hook-ups are limited in the region. Stillwater State Park has no electric hookups, while Little River provides water but no electric. At Lazy Lions, "We had a pull through, and nice green grass sights," reports one RVer who appreciated the full-service sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds near Barre, VT?
For camping near Barre, Vermont, Silver Lake Campground stands out as a favorite with spacious, private sites that aren't crowded together. It features a clean lake with a concrete dock perfect for swimming and jumping, plus boat rentals and ranger-led nature tours. Another excellent option is New Discovery State Park Campground near Marshfield, offering a range of access options including drive-in and walk-in sites with basic amenities. For those willing to travel a bit further, consider Ricker Pond State Park, Limehurst Lake near Williamstown, or Onion River Campground near Plainfield, all offering peaceful Vermont camping experiences within driving distance of Barre.
What amenities are available at Barre, VT campgrounds?
Campgrounds near Barre offer varying amenities to suit different camping styles. Limehurst Lake provides water, toilets, and accommodates big rigs, making it suitable for RV campers. Mountain View Campground offers exceptional amenities including two swimming pools, a well-stocked camp store, and tent sites along the Lamoille River. Some primitive campgrounds like Moosalamoo focus on natural features rather than facilities, offering stunning waterfalls and swimming holes instead of modern conveniences. State parks typically provide basic amenities including potable water, vault or flush toilets, and picnic tables with fire rings. Private campgrounds often add hot showers, electric hookups, dump stations, playgrounds, and Wi-Fi. Most campgrounds in the area offer at least basic amenities including picnic tables and fire rings.
How much does camping cost near Barre, Vermont?
Camping costs near Barre, Vermont typically range from $20-45 per night depending on the type of campground and amenities offered. Onion River Campground offers reasonably priced sites with water and toilet facilities, making it a good value option near Plainfield. North Beach Campground provides competitive rates considering its lake access and proximity to Burlington amenities. State parks like Ricker Pond and Big Deer typically charge $19-25 for basic tent sites and $25-35 for sites with more amenities. Private campgrounds generally cost more ($30-45) but often include additional facilities like showers, electric hookups, and recreational amenities. Many campgrounds offer discounts for extended stays, weekday camping, or off-season visits.
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