Best Campgrounds near Charlotte, VT

Camping near Charlotte, Vermont offers lakeside opportunities on both sides of Lake Champlain within a 30-minute drive. The elevation of Charlotte at approximately 200 feet above sea level creates moderate temperature fluctuations between day and night, even during summer months. Late September through October brings temperatures ranging from 35-65°F with colorful foliage displays that attract campers seeking quieter camping experiences.

What to do

Water activities beyond swimming: Ausable Point Campground provides multiple water recreation options with dedicated areas for different interests. "Popular with kite surfers, kayakers, boaters, and fishermen. Awesome for families with tons of things to do nearby. Located at the mouth of the Ausable river and marsh it has beautiful views everywhere you go," notes LauraandJosh W.

Winter camping options: Unlike seasonal state parks, Shelburne Camping Area remains open year-round, making it valuable for off-season visits. One camper mentioned this benefit: "We used to live in shelburne and recommended the campground to family staying in the area to visit. It's very close to museums, the town, and farm areas."

Biking access: The dedicated bike infrastructure around Lake Champlain provides car-free transportation options from several campgrounds. At Grand Isle State Park Campground, John L. mentions, "We biked to this park from Burlington via the Island Line Trail. It was a super trip. The lakeside lean-to was awesome."

What campers like

Morning views: Early risers appreciate watching sunrises over Lake Champlain from elevated campsites. As Tara S. notes about camping at Mount Philo State Park Campground: "My favorite part about camping here is getting up early and hiking the short trail to the top for a spectacular sunrise."

Multi-day base camps: Campers value locations that provide convenient access to surrounding attractions without moving their setup. At North Beach Campground, Michael G. shares, "Right on the Burlington bike path and across the beach, there is plenty to do and easy access to town and other attractions. Other than the beach itself, this is not a resort campground but it is in an outdoor paradise with plenty to do in the area."

Privacy levels: Site selection significantly impacts seclusion, with some campgrounds offering notably better separation between sites. Drew Q. shares this insight about Mount Philo: "Sites 1, 6 and 8 are the best if you're only camping with those at your site as they're the most secluded and private. Sites 2 and 3 are more open, to both each other, and to those en route to the bathrooms."

What you should know

Shower systems: Coin-operated showers are common at state parks with varying costs. At Little River State Park Campground, one camper noted, "Coin-op shower with hot water is 50 cents for 5 minutes, 75 cents for 7:30, etc."

Waterfront site limitations: Despite being on Lake Champlain, not all "waterfront" sites have direct water access or unobstructed views. One reviewer at Grand Isle State Park noted: "The only small drawback is that the water front sites are overgrown with trees on the other side of a fence. You could see the water in some parts but not all of the site."

Road conditions: Interior campground roads vary significantly in quality, affecting RV access. At Shelburne Camping Area, a reviewer mentioned: "The road through the campground is dirt and rutted but the speed limit is 5 mph, so it wasn't that bad, but it would be a mess if it was raining."

Tips for camping with families

Swimming alternatives: When lake conditions aren't ideal, some campgrounds offer pool options. A family who stayed at Button Bay State Park Campground shared: "This is a good campground for families that are not too rowdy. There is a pool for swimming, paved roads are good for bikes & scooters, pavilion for activities, lake for swimming & fishing and hiking trails."

Playground considerations: Several campgrounds feature playgrounds, but quality and maintenance vary. A visitor to Button Bay observed: "This state park is so fun to camp at! It has a great playground for kids and a nice swimming pool! You can hike on the trail and Lake Champlain is right there!"

Bathroom proximity: Families with young children should consider bathroom distance when selecting sites. As one camper noted at Shelburne Camping Area, "The grounds had gravel walking paths to the bathhouse that cut through the sites and had landscape lighting so there was barely a need for flashlights if heading there at night."

Tips from RVers

Hookup reliability: Electrical service quality varies between campgrounds and even within the same facility. At Shelburne Camping Area, one RVer experienced significant issues: "Electricity would not work. We got an error on our control panel that said stop! Power source is not correct!"

Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds with RV sites have sewer hookups, but many offer dump stations. At Button Bay State Park, one reviewer mentioned: "No hookups but have a dump station."

Site leveling: Some campgrounds have significantly uneven sites requiring substantial leveling equipment. A visitor to Ausable Chasm Campground reported: "RV site 8 is so out of level that we couldn't get our Airstream level unless we put 10" of blocking under both axles."