Charlotte, Vermont sits along the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, providing access to several notable camping destinations within a short drive. Mount Philo State Park Campground, located directly in Charlotte, offers a small but highly-rated camping experience with just 10 sites (7 tent sites and 3 lean-tos) and spectacular views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains. Within 30 minutes, campers can reach North Beach Campground in Burlington, Shelburne Camping Area, and Button Bay State Park in Vergennes. These established campgrounds accommodate various camping styles from tent camping to RVs, with many offering waterfront or water-view sites. The proximity to Lake Champlain creates opportunities for swimming, boating, and fishing, while nearby hiking trails provide additional recreational options.
Most campgrounds in the Charlotte area operate seasonally from May through mid-October, with state parks typically opening Memorial Day weekend and closing around Columbus Day weekend. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially for waterfront sites which can book up to 11 months in advance. Mount Philo State Park, while centrally located, has limitations for larger vehicles due to its steep, winding access road. As one camper noted, "The best part is every night it's only a ten minute hike to the summit from where the sites are and you get to watch the sunset over Vermont and Lake Champlain as the sun falls behind the Adirondack Mountains." Cell service varies throughout the region, with some campgrounds offering Wi-Fi access at central facilities. Weather can change quickly, with summer temperatures generally pleasant but occasional cool nights even in peak season.
Lake access represents a defining feature of camping in this region, with many campers highlighting waterfront views as a primary attraction. Grand Isle State Park, though slightly farther north, receives consistent praise for its lake setting and bike-friendly environment. According to one visitor, "You can bike directly from here all the way to Burlington without ever getting back in your car! Take the bike ferry across a small section of Lake Champlain and keep on riding." Fall brings spectacular foliage viewing opportunities, with campgrounds like Apple Island Resort described as offering "quintessential Vermont in all its glory." Sites with shade are valued during summer months, while open meadow sites can provide stargazing opportunities. Many campgrounds are pet-friendly, though specific rules vary by location. Privacy between sites differs significantly across campgrounds, with state parks generally offering more secluded options than private facilities.
$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."
"Sites 1 to 16 are close to each other. Sites 113 to 119 are bad. Very close to each other. No redeeming qualities.
Sites have 30 amp electric and water but might need a longish cord or hose."
"This is a nice little private campground in Shelburne, just outside of Burlington. Close to Lake Champlain. Good place to spend the night and good access to activities."
"Lastly, the location was perfect, just outside of Burlington made access to the area ideal."
$23 / night
"Recommend nearby Charlotte town beach for swimming ($10 for non-residents)."
"the best part is every night its only a ten minute hike to the summit from where the sites are and you get to watch the sunset over Vermont and lake champlain as the sun falls behind the adirondack mountains"
"The first is where you'll find the lean-tos and the dog trail/beach. This area is super quiet, offers a bit of shade, and plenty of privacy."
"We selected it because it was nearby for our second outing with our new (used) R-Pod camper. Turns out it's a wonderful park."
"This camp ground is a short drive to Lake Placid, Plattsburgh, Vermont State and so much more. The Chasm has their own store and cafe"
"Sites were a medium distance apart but still spacious enough to not be close to neighbors."
"Close to hiking trails, Whiteface Mt Parkway & Lake Placid. Nice, helpful staff. It is NOT wheelchair accessible. There are steep steps to the office, no grab bars in the bathrooms."
"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."
$19 - $28 / night
"Little River State Park is located just outside of Waterbury Vermont so it’s an ideal location for jumping off on other adventures!"
"We came here to hike the Dalley Loop Trail (which is a great trail full of history), but we wish we had camped here instead of the private campground 45 minutes away where we did stay."
$6 - $28 / night
"Beautifully set on Lake Champlain in Vermont! This is a relatively large campground but is well laid out and doesn't feel small even when it's packed to the gills."
"Since the park is on a island in Lake Champlain in Vermont there is water all around. Good places to walk and ride."
$8 - $12 / night
"We had one right next to the playground so our daughter could walk straight to it without having to cross a road. And speaking of playground, it was large and very nice."
"Cool little campground right in Mallets Bay on Lake Champlain. Campsites are kind of close together. Nice pool, game room, and little store. Its a fun place for families!"
$22 - $40 / night
"Take a walk up the path next to the chasm. So relaxing listening to the water falls. Great place to watch the sunset! "
"They have some beach and river sites if you like to be close to the water. Showers and bathrooms were spacious."
GuideWe loved camping at Crane Pond. It was a little over 3 miles to hike into the waterfront sites. There is an outhouse nearby, several campsites, fire pits, and we went for a swim in the pond. Overall great experience!
TravelerFree dispersed camping right off of the road. Includes picnic tables and a fire ring. It is located in the mountains of Vermont and right next to a beautiful river. The only con was the highway noise since it's pretty close to the road. But, it's free, and in the beautiful mountains of vermont so cant really complain.
ScoutEasy to find, quiet & scenic with the river
ScoutMy folks used to take me an my younger brothers there when we were younger to fish an camp or just spend time with family or friends always a piece full place to stay
ScoutWhen camping in VT it is usually our goal to hike, rest, cook, and relax at camp. We live in a busy/loud city so we really love a rural spot where we can just unplug and enjoy nature. Gifford Woods has great access to the AT and the Long Trail, nice bathrooms, and kind staff... but campers beware- it is wedged between two major highways. Initially we pulled up to the site "Poplar" after driving 4+ hours and I could have cried, this site faces a large DOT/Parks Dept. parking lot with a huge building and trucks everywhere. Luckily the (very sweet) staff said they understood that this was an issue and that they do get lots of complaints about that site. They moved us to T02 which was dramatically better. Unfortunately, you can still hear trucks/car honking/ambulances from that site and I assume all other sites. I understand now that people camp here just for AT access, but I would probably not go back due to the sheer volume of the neighboring highways and quieter camping options nearby.
ScoutQuiet spot out of the way. Large sporting field car park suitable for big dogs. No 'no camping' signs. There was a portaloo on site.
GuideThis is a nice little private campground in Shelburne, just outside of Burlington. Close to Lake Champlain. Good place to spend the night and good access to activities. Sides are somewhat small close together. Bathrooms spotlessly clean. Older couple is the staff, very friendly and unhelpful.
TravelerWith 6 sites, this family-owned campground was the perfect pit stop on our road trip to Stowe. Dig and kid friendly. Has showers, water, and electrical hookup.
GuidePretty nice campground all things considered, bathrooms are definitely rustic but kept clean. Some of the campsites are very close together, and others have a decent amount of space between them, not necessarily a lot of trees in between campsites for privacy. Beautiful views of the water, and surrounding mountains. Staff was extremely friendly!
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.
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best camping spots near Charlotte, NC?
The Charlotte area offers exceptional camping options. Mount Philo State Park Campground provides widely spaced wooded sites in a quiet setting with beautiful views. It's exceptionally well-maintained and gives easy access to Charlotte town beach for swimming. Another excellent option is Grand Isle State Park Campground, beautifully situated on Lake Champlain with a thoughtful layout that prevents overcrowding even during peak season. The park is ideal for cyclists, offering access to Vermont's extensive bike path network. For those seeking private campgrounds, Shelburne Camping Area and Button Bay State Park also offer quality camping experiences within easy reach of Charlotte.
What amenities are available at Charlotte area campgrounds?
Charlotte area campgrounds offer diverse amenities to suit different camping styles. North Beach Campground provides electric hookups at RV sites and convenient access to the adjacent beach with stunning views of the Adirondacks across Lake Champlain. It connects directly to Burlington's paved bike/walking trail. For family-oriented amenities, Mountain View Campground features riverside tent sites, a well-stocked camp store, and two swimming pools that kids will love. Many public campgrounds like Little River State Park offer basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, clean restrooms, and access to water activities, while private campgrounds typically provide additional conveniences like laundry facilities and camp stores.
When is the best season for camping around Charlotte?
The prime camping season around Charlotte runs from late May through early October, with summer (June-August) offering warm temperatures perfect for swimming and water activities. Barber Homestead Park is particularly enjoyable in summer, providing direct access to Lake Champlain and serving as a great base for exploring regional attractions. Early fall brings spectacular foliage, making September an ideal time to visit Silver Lake Campground, where the colorful leaves reflect beautifully on the clean lake. Some campgrounds close by mid-October, while others remain open with reduced services through late fall. Spring camping (May) offers fewer crowds but potentially cooler and wetter conditions, especially at higher elevations.
Keep Exploring
