The Belvidere Center area in northern Vermont features camping sites at elevations between 900-1,400 feet, nestled within the Green Mountains. Campers often experience temperature variations of 30-40°F between day and night, even during summer months. Most campgrounds near Belvidere Center operate from May through mid-October, with select primitive options available during winter.
What to do
Hiking Mount Mansfield: Access Vermont's highest peak from Underhill State Park Campground, where trails start just 0.3 miles from camp. "About a .3 mile hike to the main trail to climb the mountain. The camp sites are nice but a little close together," notes camper Sam T.
Winter camping adventures: Experience the quiet season at Smugglers Notch State Park when most tourists are gone. "Free of charge during off season, you just have to call a couple weeks ahead to reserve and make sure you park in the allotted area. Hike/snowshoe in to your site as the gate is closed and the area is not plowed. No facilities off season...Carry out all trash/waste," explains Ed M.
Kayaking on Green River Reservoir: Paddle out to remote sites on this 653-acre reservoir with 19 miles of shoreline. Green River Reservoir State Park offers boat-in only camping for complete isolation. "We have camped in several different sites - most recently, #12. This was definitely not our favorite. It was difficult to find a flat tent spot, and the site seemed very overused. Our favorite spots are # 13, 24, and 30," reports Tara S.
What campers like
Natural swimming spots: Multiple campgrounds feature water access, with Little River State Park Campground offering both a reservoir and river. "Had a great one week stay here on the reservoir. Staff was friendly and helpful. Bathrooms in 'B' were just redone," shares Megan O. The reservoir provides swimming, fishing and paddling options.
Private campsites: Brewster River Campground features secluded sites with natural sound barriers. "I've stayed here a few times and every time is quiet, beautiful, and cheap! I love how dark it gets and that you can hear the river beside you all night," says K.M., highlighting the natural sound of rushing water that masks noise from neighboring sites.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early mornings and evenings offer the best wildlife spotting chances. "Be sure to paddle out to the Beaver Meadow - we have seen moose there several times," recommends a Green River Reservoir camper. Sites near water features generally offer better wildlife viewing potential.
What you should know
Limited facilities at primitive sites: Many campgrounds prioritize natural settings over amenities. "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," explains Michael V. about Smugglers Notch State Park Campground.
Reservation timing matters: Book early for summer and fall weekends. "Reserve early, as this place doesn't have a ton of sites and it folds up quickly!" advises Ben C. about Smugglers Notch. Most campgrounds open reservations 11 months in advance.
Water quality concerns: Some lakes experience seasonal algae issues. "The beaches were rocky and almost a mud/sand mix. The lake had green algae and we spotted several dead fish floating. It made me nervous about the water," reports Melissa L. about Lake Carmi. Check water quality reports before swimming, particularly in late summer.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites near water features: Children enjoy waterfront activities at Mountain View Campground along the Lamoille River. "We spent the night at this beautiful campsite with a magnificent view of Mount Mansfield. The small amount of camping space made the experience quite unique and private," notes Émylie B.
Look for ranger programs: Many state parks offer structured activities for kids. "The ranger programming was exceptional, as are the views and the nearby areas for hiking and backpacking," shares Harry H. about Smugglers Notch. Programs typically run weekends in July and August.
Bring bug protection: Insects can be intense at some sites, particularly those near water. "Beautiful campsite in Smugglers Notch State Park. Central to everything in Stowe and minutes away from the resort. Really nice campsite with great staff. The only complaint is mosquitos were rampant in standing water near our site. Bring bug spray," advises Eleanor W.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Full-service sites are scarce in the region. Smugglers Notch RV Village offers modern amenities uncommon elsewhere. "They offer a variety of different sites to fit each campers needs, a beautiful well kept bath house and a small but well stocked store. The sites are good size and come with full hookups. They also have great WIFI," explains Alan B.
Prepare for narrow access roads: Many campgrounds have tight turns and limited maneuvering space. "About a 40 minute drive brings you to Stowe, which has breweries, places to grab food and some awesome rock climbing spots!" notes Molly G., highlighting the scenic but sometimes challenging roads in the area.
Seasonal restrictions: Most RV campgrounds close by mid-October. "As you all know if you LOVE camping…the weather doesn't matter. At Smugglers Notch RV Resort you have the Mountains as your Canvas and the beautiful campground your Palette for color," shares Catie B., who recommends booking during peak foliage season for the best views.
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