Near Calais, Vermont, the central Vermont region averages 40 inches of annual rainfall with summertime temperatures typically ranging 65-78°F. RV campgrounds near Calais sit within the rolling Green Mountains, with many sites positioned at elevations between 700-1,200 feet. Seasonal operation from May through October limits availability, with most facilities closing before the first significant snowfall.
What to do
Hiking trails and fire towers: Elmore State Park Campground features a popular hiking trail to a fire tower atop Elmore Mountain. "Nice quiet space on a beautiful lake. Easy hiking trails with a fire tower on the mountain," notes one visitor. The trail provides panoramic views but gets crowded on weekends.
Water activities at Waterbury Reservoir: Little River State Park Campground offers multiple water recreation options. "Canoeing or kayaking on the lake is great and there are paddle only sites available. Some of the best sites are up on a bluff with views over the lake towards sunrise," reports one camper. Kayak and canoe rentals are available during peak season.
Historical exploration: Little River State Park contains remnants of an abandoned settlement. "There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover," explains a visitor. These historical ruins date to early Vermont settlements from the 1800s and require moderate hiking to access.
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Elmore State Park Campground receives praise for its layout. "The lean-tos are on a sunny open hill. Bathrooms are clean, staff is friendly. Book the loop away from the road for the quietest campsites," advises one regular visitor. Sites without tree coverage offer exceptional stargazing opportunities.
Proximity to local attractions: Campgrounds serve as convenient bases for regional exploration. "I would highly recommend this campground to anyone looking to visit the Stowe/Waterbury area. We had easy access to hikes in Stowe, plus the Ben and Jerry's shop is about 20 minutes down the road!" shares a visitor to Little River State Park Campground.
Remote feel with amenities: Campsites balance wilderness experience with practical conveniences. "Clean, quiet campground that feels like wilderness, but is accessible!" notes one camper about Little River State Park. Most state parks maintain shower facilities with modest usage fees.
What you should know
Limited shower facilities: State park campgrounds provide basic amenities. "The restroom in the campground loop we were in was very clean but outdated. The sinks are cold water only, which normally wouldn't mind, but the temps dropped into the 20s during our trip," explains a visitor to Elmore State Park.
Small campground options: Woodbury Meadows Campground offers a more intimate setting. "With 6 sites, this family-owned campground was the perfect pit stop on our road trip to Stowe. Dog and kid friendly. Has showers, water, and electrical hookup," mentions a traveler.
Weekend crowding at popular locations: Plan accordingly for busy periods. "Because this is the only trail within the park, it does get really busy on the weekends, and I found it nearly impossible to give 6-feet of space to other hikers because of how narrow the trail is," cautions an Elmore State Park visitor regarding trail conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Sugar Ridge RV Village & Campground caters to families with various recreational options. "We stayed here and were VERY happy! Dog friendly, mini golf, heated pool, two playgrounds, and crafts and fun things for the kids!" reports an enthusiastic visitor. Activity schedules are posted weekly.
Riverside camping access: Riverside locations provide natural entertainment for children. "Great campground for hanging out and a place to bring your boat. The reservoir is a fun place to explore via kayak and canoe as well as by motorboat!" notes a visitor to Little River State Park. Supervised swimming areas have varying depth markers.
Local store convenience: Access to supplies minimizes packing requirements. "The Elmore Store just down the road has everything you need including AMAZING pizza (Fire Tower) and a great deli," shares a camper at Elmore State Park. Most local stores operate 8am-8pm during peak season.
Tips from RVers
Full-hookup availability: Smugglers Notch RV Village provides comprehensive services for larger vehicles. "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 a recent visitor.
Site selection strategies: Choose carefully for level parking. "Site map is oriented upside down and would be helpful if corrected and updated. Our site looked angled on map so thinking it would be easier to approach from a certain direction to back in, drove in as I needed but found site was perpendicular to road," advises an RV camper at Sugar Ridge. Most sites require leveling blocks on at least one side.
Seasonal considerations: Weather patterns affect RV camping in Calais, Vermont area. "Stayed at site four. Site seven looks to be the best because no trees on one side lets you have some room. We were able to extend our slide out, but not our awning," notes a visitor to Cannon Mountain RV Park. Late season campers should prepare for overnight temperatures dropping into the 30s by mid-September.