Camping options near Bolton, Vermont range from developed facilities to remote water-accessible sites in the Green Mountains at elevations between 500-4,000 feet. The region experiences warm summers with temperatures typically 70-85°F from June through August, and cool nights that often drop below 60°F even in midsummer. Most campgrounds operate May through mid-October due to Vermont's seasonal climate constraints.
What to do
Hiking access from camp: Mount Philo State Park Campground offers convenient trail access to scenic overlooks. "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 one camper who visited with children.
Winter camping options: Smugglers Notch State Park Campground remains accessible during winter months for experienced cold-weather campers. "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. Right in the middle of great nordic and alpine backcountry skiing and snowshoeing," reports a winter visitor.
Water activities: Remote sites at Waterbury Reservoir provide a secluded experience for paddlers. "These remote sites are so peaceful. Be sure to launch from cotton brook road if your site r11-27. We made the mistake of parking at Little River rd the first time and the paddle to r14 from there was way too long. It was about 30 minutes from the cotton brook launch to the site," advises a camper who recommends planning your water access points carefully.
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Underhill State Park Campground receives praise for its well-designed layout. "This is the best of car camping - you get the feel of really being out in the woods, with your car a short distance away. They provide wheelbarrows for easy moving of your stuff, and the campsites are super clean and well organized," notes a visitor who appreciated the balance between accessibility and seclusion.
Stream-side locations: Austin Brook in Green Mountain National Forest offers free dispersed camping along water. "There's a few sites here! All pretty much have access to the streams. Nice fire rings. Keep it clean!" explains a visitor to these primitive sites. Another camper notes the area has "minimal ATT reception but overall pretty area."
Quiet atmosphere: Gold Brook Campground near Stowe provides a peaceful setting. "The tent only section is really nice too. Facilities are well taken care of, small pool, playground for kids, and the owners are great," reports a camper who appreciated the well-maintained grounds and spacious sites.
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary: Campgrounds in the Bolton region have diverse restroom options. At Mount Philo, "Bathrooms were very clean. Coin-op shower with hot water is 50 cents for 5 minutes, 75 cents for 7:30, etc. The toilets are composting toilets, but from the user experience, it's very close to a regular toilet in that it's in a stall in a nice, well maintained proper bathroom."
Seasonal considerations: Most sites close by mid-October. "Little River State Park is open from May 19 to October 22 and Smugglers Notch from May 19 to October 15," according to park schedules. For off-season camping, Shelburne Camping Area operates year-round, though with limited amenities during winter.
Reservation policies: Some campgrounds have strict cancellation rules. Gold Brook Campground requires payment in full when reserving and has a non-refundable policy for reservations made more than 90 days in advance, even with substantial notice of cancellation.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Little River State Park features play areas for children. "We visited here with our 5 kiddos for 2 nights late July 2016. The facilities were clean, the small playground was great, and the small boat launch and beach kept us in the water. The hiking trails are really good--they actually pretty steep," notes a family visitor.
Historical exploration: Little River State Park Campground offers educational opportunities beyond camping. "There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover," explains a family who visited with five children and found the historical remnants engaging for kids.
Swimming options: North Beach Campground provides lifeguarded swimming areas suitable for families. "The beach is very well maintained, there are lifeguards on duty at the beach and a playground and grills (claim them early if you want them)," advises a visitor who found the supervised water access beneficial for family outings.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for big rigs: North Beach Campground accommodates larger RVs with full hookups. "We loved being able to walk down to the beach, as well as having full hookups. We also met the nicest people here. You can purchase firewood at the office, and there are also propane options," notes an RVer who appreciated the amenities.
Level sites: Gold Brook Campground offers flat parking suitable for RVs. "Our site was level and extremely spacious, FHUs, and featuring a fire pit. Wifi was great over the week (was able to work without a problem), but collapsed when more people showed up on Friday," reports an RV camper who was able to work remotely during their stay.
Access restrictions: Some of the best places to camp near Bolton, Vermont have limitations for larger vehicles. Smugglers Notch State Park notes they are "not big-rig friendly" and Mount Philo specifically cautions that "because the road is steep and winding, it's not suitable for RVs."
