Charlotte, Vermont camping areas sit between 200-400 feet above Lake Champlain with western-facing exposure ideal for sunset viewing. The region experiences warm summer days with temperatures averaging 75-85°F between June and August, while evenings can drop to 50-60°F even in peak season. Mosquitos are common near water features from June through August, particularly during evening hours.
What to do
Hiking Mount Philo trails: The summit provides panoramic views of Lake Champlain via a short hike. "Only 8 campsites, dispersed in the trees. $23/night. Picnic table and fire pit. Moderate cell service. Nice hikes and cool views of the area!" notes a visitor to Mount Philo State Park Campground.
Kayaking Lake Champlain: The lake offers extensive paddling opportunities with mountain backdrop views. "Bring your kayaks paddle boards or whatever you have and enjoy the lake! A gorgeous bike trail also runs right through the campground," explains a camper from North Beach Campground.
Burlington bike path access: Visitors can cycle into Burlington along the lakefront. "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," shares a North Beach Campground visitor.
Swimming in Lake Champlain: The clear waters provide relief during warm summer months. At Camp Skyland, "Small rocky beach is available for great swimming and kayaking/SUPs," according to a camper.
What campers like
Winter camping options: Off-season camping provides a different experience. "Stayed at a lean-to site here in March of 2019. 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," notes a visitor to Smugglers Notch State Park Campground.
Reservoir recreation: Waterbury area camping offers water activities beyond Lake Champlain. "The reservoir was beautiful. Took the kayak, only issue I had was getting to the lake. Most sites up on hill looking over lake, not easily assessable from camp site," shares a Little River State Park Campground visitor.
Beach proximity: Direct water access enhances summer camping. "Burlington is my favorite city by far, and this campground is right on the beach! You get the best of both worlds at this location," explains a North Beach visitor.
Yurt camping options: Charlotte, Vermont and surrounding areas offer yurt camping alternatives to traditional tents and RVs. "The views from the summit of the mountain overlook lake Champlain and the mountains of Vt and ny. Nice hiking trails, is quite popular for walks and hikes and can be crowded sometimes," reports a Mount Philo camper about the area where yurt camping is available.
What you should know
Shower facilities: Coin-operated showers are common at state parks. At Mount Philo, "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."
Limited cell service: Signal varies by location and carrier. "Moderate cell service" is reported at Mount Philo State Park.
Site reservations: Limited availability requires advance planning. "Great little campground at a beautiful state park. The campground had widely spaced wooded sites and was exceptionally quiet," reports a Mount Philo visitor.
Insects and weather preparation: Mosquitos and temperature fluctuations require preparation. At Camp Skyland, a visitor notes "mosquitos were intense here, so bring spray & plan accordingly! Our screened-in tent area saved us from being eaten up."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Button Bay State Park Campground provides multiple water recreation options. "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," a visitor shares.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "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!" notes a Button Bay visitor.
Family-friendly hikes: Short trails accommodate various ability levels. "The sites are very private and shaded," notes a visitor about Mount Philo, where the summit hike is manageable for most children.
Budget considerations: State parks offer affordable family options. Button Bay provides "wonderful state park, the waterfront sites are fantastic, they are wide so smaller units can be parked parallel to the lake."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Full service sites are limited in state parks. "Only 8 campsites and 3 Leanto so pretty secluded," notes a Mount Philo visitor, highlighting the limitations for RVs seeking full hookups.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. "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," reports a visitor to AuSable Chasm Campground.
Winter RV accommodations: Year-round camping is available but limited. "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," shares a local about Shelburne Camping Area.
