Burlington is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Burlington is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Find the best campgrounds near Burlington, VT. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.
$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."
"The water/electric sites in the middle of the campground were a bit snug."
"We were near the pool (didn't feel warm, so we didn't partake) and office."
"Called them same day from Capital Region Welcome Ctr in NY, about 3 hrs away (below Albany). They had a full hook up, pull-thru corner space for us."
"Upon arrival, the front desk clerk was very nice and helpful. We found our way to the tent sites, nestled in the very back corner which for us was exactly what we like."
"3 night stay, tent camping on a site with water and electric. The site we had was quite large, I had booked an end site (#73) hoping it would be big!"
$23 / night
"apparently this is the first state park in Vermont. Only 8 campsites so try to book early. Nice trails that lead to scenic views of Lake Champlain. Bathrooms and showers were clean."
"Sites 1, 6 and 8 and the best if you're only camping with those at your site as they're the most secluded and private."
$20 / night
"This campground just outside of Stowe on the way to the drive up and through Smugglers Notch."
"This year we stayed in Hemlock, and it was so secluded and quiet. The whole place has a real wilderness feel, but it is very close to lots of hiking and the attractions in Stowe."
$24 - $35 / night
"My family of 4 tent camped at Camp Skyland in June ‘24 on a waterfront spot showcasing gorgeous Lake Champlain with a mountain backdrop - chef’s kiss!"
"Great tent / RV / cabin site on an island in Lake Champlain. Tent area is a large field with cabins on the rock bluffs and RV row along the road. Staff was very friendly and accommodating."
$19 - $28 / night
"We fit two camper vans, two tents and put up a 20x20 rain tarp on Site 5. The site was freshly raked when we got there, and the leftover wood was stacked next to the fire pit."
"It was fairly priced and in a great location for visiting both Stowe and Burlington. The river was beautiful to walk by and our group had a great stay!"
"I have done tent, cabin and t.v. camping here. a lot of family activity in my favorite place. the outdoor choices are plenty, but the campground is slipping trying to be too much and seems to let the infrastructure"
"Very large and busy campground, close to Lake Placid and other cool activities to take in. Pros- hot showers, convenient laundromat, you are guided to your site by staff on golf carts."
$17 - $24 / night
"New bath house. Some sites with electric. Even with a windy, cold, rainy day it is still beautiful. But when it is sunny out it is great. Definitely will go back again"
"The grounds: This place looks like the place to be, great facilities (with real flush toilets near the beach), and great grassy sites which met of are in the shade!"
"I've been exploring Vermont State Parks since before I could walk, and Burton Island State Park is my all time favorite!"
"The island convenience store has awesome breakfast! You can swim anywhere you can find, and walk down their well-maintained trails."
TravelerExcellent location due to proximity to north beach that offers beautiful views of the Adirondacks across Lake Champlain. The campground is adjacent to paved Burlington bike / walking trail with easy access to the trail and beach. The only sites with electric are RV sites that are packed in more than we prefer. Bath rooms are ok, but showers need deep cleaning or replacement. Bath house is vented but not heated so it’s rather cold in October. Hot water is just warm.
GuideWhat a great little park! apparently this is the first state park in Vermont. Only 8 campsites so try to book early. Nice trails that lead to scenic views of Lake Champlain. Bathrooms and showers were clean. Showers were quarter operated, 50 cents for 5 minutes. Firewood sold on site. Sites are well groomed and have a fire pit and picnic table.
GuideThis is the only campground in the area I will stay at. It has so many benefits, I may not be able to do it justice in this review. The sites are huge. We fit two camper vans, two tents and put up a 20x20 rain tarp on Site 5. The site was freshly raked when we got there, and the leftover wood was stacked next to the fire pit. Picnic table easily seats 8. Lots of bathrooms around the park, each with showers. Firewood and Ice, along with some necessities are available at the office. Cell phone service is touchy depending on where you are in the park. There is fresh water available. Lots of activities to do here, from the Nature Center and hiking trails to seriously wicked mountain biking trails designed by Mr. Knight overlooking the reservoir where boating of all kinds is allowed. And the fishing in the river below is quite stellar. There's even an abandoned town up on top of the mountain for younto check out.
ScoutI have done tent, cabin and t.v. camping here. a lot of family activity in my favorite place. the outdoor choices are plenty, but the campground is slipping trying to be too much and seems to let the infrastructure slip. it is owned by corporate KOA and it shows that the making money is more important than making it a home away from home that I use to love.. still will come back
GuideSpent 3 days, 2 nights here from a Wednesday-Friday. Very large and busy campground, close to Lake Placid and other cool activities to take in. Pros- hot showers, convenient laundromat, you are guided to your site by staff on golf carts. Cons- tent sites aren’t given much privacy, on the days we stayed we were put very close to the main building when we requested a spot near the back away from the busy area, kids allowed to run and yelling and screaming WELL after quiet hours.
LegendThis is one of many state parks all clustered around a few bodies of water in Vermont. The campground has a mix of standard tent/rv(no hook ups) sites and lean-to shelters. Sites are relatively close to one another but have a decent amount of vegetation between them to create a little more separation. That being said, we could hear our neighbors reading Harry Potter at bedtime to their kiddo.
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. The bath house is centrally located to all sites and was adequate as it relates to cleanliness and accommodations. Despite their being a ton of signage regarding mask wearing in the bathrooms, there were very few heading the request.
I was disappointed to see trash and cigarette butts left in our fire pit from the last campers. Additionally, our lean-to did not appear to have been swept out and tidied in between parties.
I would also say that the staff who checked us in were not super attentive or helpful. One thing to note: check in for this park happens up the road at Stillwater State Park. I would probably stay somewhere else before staying here again. But if the surrounding parks are full(common this summer), this location allowed us to still explore the area and enjoy some time outdoors.
GuideGreat spot, especially for families, it is a bit expensive, at $30 for tent spot and $40 for lean to. the staff was helpful and kept the grounds clean. We ended paying more for the lean to because it was more secluded and quiet, the rest of the park was busy.
Our spot was right on the brook which was peaceful and beautiful. It also had a fire pit with a grill grate and they sold firewood at the front gate.
RangerThis campground just outside of Stowe on the way to the drive up and through Smugglers Notch. It’s only a campground with no access to trails unless you hike down a pretty steep road to Glen Falls parking area. They do have nice bathrooms and showers and it’s probably the cheapest place to sleep while visiting Stowe. We stayed at lean to Spruce. The spot was level and fit our van. Not much privacy between the other lean to’s next to us though.
Ranger**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. There are waterfront, waterview, and regular sites. Depending on the site booked, the price can vary by a few dollars. I made a short notice reservation, and we managed to score a waterfront site that someone else had cancelled.
Having our own personal shoreline was wonderful. I was camping with a group of 12-14 year old girls. They enjoyed sitting on the large rocks, watching the ducks and fish in water. We also brought kayaks, which were fun to launch from our site. Our site(site 8) had two fire pits--an older, stone hearth one, and the newer round metal type with a grill. We ended up using the stone hearth to store wood and supplies, and primarily cooked over the round fire pit. The site was large enough for an 8 person tent, a 4 person tent, and a whole bunch of bikes.
We were within easy walking distance of the beach and pavilion. The girls mostly biked everywhere. There is even a nice path through the woods to the local camp store. This was very helpful the first morning when I discovered the bowls had been left at home! The prices at the camp store are reasonable, and they sell many essentials, including ice cream!
The lake water was beautiful and clear. There was enough sand at the camper beach for sand castles and other beach games. We did see a few leeches here and there--none right at the swimming area, but more to the side, close to the vegetated areas.
Stillwater's bathrooms were clean, and there were enough bathhouses that it was never far to one. 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. Our group had varying degrees of success, but all the girls agreed it was a super fun activity.
We stayed at the campground on a busy weekend when every site was booked. I was impressed by how quiet the campground ones considering the number of people. The resident campground staff do a good job patrolling to keep things quiet. He even came and check on us because the girls were a little too loud!
In trying to come up with a list of cons, I am having trouble! It was a very positive experience. My only piece of advice would be to make sure you bring the right provisions. This area of VT is 25-30 minutes from any type of grocery store. There is the camp store, but their stock is limited. Just FYI. Also, there is cell service near the water, but it is very inconsistent. Generally, I like limited service since leaving technology is one of the things I love about camping!
Overall, a highly recommended camground. If you have a certain week you want to camp, make sure you book early in the spring, otherwise you might have to wait for a cancellation like I did. The proximity to hiking, boating, swimming, and biking in Groton State Forest makes this a very popular summer campground.
Gear Review
As a Ranger for the The Dyrt, I periodically am given gear to review. This trip, I was stoked to review gear from Banner and Oak. I tested out their women's Pathfinder hat during this trip. I selected it because it had lighter colors, while still looking stylish. I was not disappointed! This hat is structured enough to stand up to abuse and still look good. It is a more feminine riff on the tradition trucker hat style. The back is made out of a stiff mesh, while the front is made of cotton duck fabric. It adjusts with the classic plastic tab system on the back. I loved this hat! It is perfect for throwing on over a braid or pony tail on those messy-hair camping days. It also hides dreaded "helmet hair" after biking. It is now a permanent part of my outdoor gear kit. My 12 year old daughters want their own, and keep wearing mine.
The one area I see room for improvement is in the plastic mesh back. I felt it could be a bit softer, but overall found it comfortable. Definitely check out Banner and Oak if you are looking for solid options for hats!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best season for glamping in Burlington, Vermont?
Late summer through early fall (August-October) offers the ideal glamping experience near Burlington with comfortable temperatures and spectacular foliage. Stillwater State Park Campground shines during this period with waterfront and water-view accommodations on Lake Groton. Summer (June-August) is also excellent, especially at Little River State Park Campground, which features spacious sites and excellent facilities. Spring brings beautiful greenery but can be muddy and buggy, while winter glamping is limited to specialized accommodations with proper heating. Most glamping sites operate seasonally from May through October.
Where can I find glamping sites near Burlington, VT?
The Burlington area offers several glamping options within easy reach of the city. North Beach Campground provides an excellent location with beautiful views of the Adirondacks across Lake Champlain and convenient access to Burlington's bike paths. Just a short drive away, Mount Philo State Park Campground offers scenic views of Lake Champlain in a historic setting as Vermont's first state park. For those willing to venture slightly further, several state parks around the region feature lean-to shelters that offer a step up from traditional tent camping while maintaining a connection to nature.
What types of glamping accommodations are available in Burlington?
The Burlington area offers a variety of elevated camping experiences. Traditional lean-to shelters are available at several state parks, including Lake Carmi State Park Campground, which features both lakefront and standard lean-tos with amenities like fire rings and picnic tables. For those seeking more amenities, Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday offers cabin accommodations with varying comfort levels, from rustic to more luxurious options. Some locations provide sites with electricity for glampers bringing their own setups, while others feature cabins with modern conveniences. The region continues to expand its glamping options as this style of outdoor accommodation grows in popularity.
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