149 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping areas near Craftsbury Common, Vermont include several state parks and private campgrounds offering a range of accommodation options. Green River Reservoir State Park provides primitive boat-in campsites for tent camping, while established facilities like Mountain View Campground offer tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. The region includes both family-friendly campgrounds with amenities and more remote locations for those seeking a wilderness experience. Elmore State Park Campground, approximately 20 miles southwest of Craftsbury Common, features spacious tent and RV sites without hookups but provides access to Lake Elmore and hiking trails.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, typically from mid-May through mid-October, with Vermont's state parks generally closing after Columbus Day weekend. Summer months bring comfortable temperatures ideal for outdoor recreation, while early fall offers spectacular foliage viewing opportunities. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for weekend stays during peak summer months. Green River Reservoir State Park requires paddling to reach campsites, making advance planning essential. The primitive nature of some sites means limited amenities, with vault toilets being the standard at more remote locations. A camper noted, "Green River Reservoir is a primitive park, perfect for paddling, wild camping, swimming, and watching wildlife. Most sites are within a mile of the boat launch, a few require closer to a 2-mile paddle."
Campground experiences vary significantly across the region. Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings, with locations like Green River Reservoir offering secluded paddle-in sites where visitors can enjoy pristine waters. Family-oriented campgrounds such as Mountain View and Tree Corners provide extensive amenities including swimming pools, playgrounds, and camp stores. Several visitors mentioned the balance of natural beauty and convenient facilities. The camping options near Craftsbury Common showcase Vermont's natural beauty, with many campgrounds providing direct access to hiking trails and water activities throughout the camping season. According to one review, "Mountain View Campground is beautifully maintained with meticulously kept buildings and friendly staff." For those seeking a quieter experience, state parks generally offer more spacious sites with natural surroundings. Some campgrounds experience road noise, particularly those near major routes, so selecting sites deeper within campground loops is recommended for those prioritizing tranquility.
"It can get a bit noisy due to the proximity to the highway, but it's still a good option for car camping in this part of Vermont."
"Nice grass site with a large field behind, and Just a short walk to the river. Clean facilities and proximity for exploring Stowe and surrounding areas. Would love to camp here again."
"Our lean-to, Hickory is situated in a lovely meadow, but quite close to other campers and a view that overlooks the campground road. There is very little shade and no privacy."
"Great hiking trails from easy to difficult. Early and late seasons are quiet. It's quite busy during the summer months as the lake is great for families and swimming."
from $19 - $28 / night
Check Availability"I’d say this was one of Vermont’s best kept secrets, except I don’t think it’s exactly a secret. Even in October, the Park seemed full with visitors and Stowe was hopping!"
"They don't have all the usual amenities its more of a primitive set up. has great clean sites with multiple ways to access mount mansfields trail system which is the highest mountain in the state of Vermont"
from $20 / night
Check Availability"I love this location because you have to paddle out to a site for camping. It‘s private, quiet, and really gives you that “forest bathing” escape."
"Each campsite includes a fire pit and access to an outhouse. Usually the outhouse is shared between 2 to 3 campsites, but there is plenty of space between each site."
from $20 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Great place to go if you’re looking to go trail riding- trail is right across from the campground alongside the corn field."
from $42 - $100 / night
Check Availability"Camper.on the beach on a friends property on the lake, canoed and enjoyed the area. There are campgrounds on or near the lake as well. It was a very peaceful retreat."
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $19 - $28 / night
Check Availability"But the grass area and view of lake right in front of you is priceless. We were able to just walk our kayaks across street and put in right there."
"Cheaper than a hotel for kingdom trails though and right next to lake Willoughby"
from $35 - $75 / night
Check Availability"We got space 14 which is an easy drive through site for beginners like us. The bench around the fire ring and the spacing between other sites where great. The short walk to the beach was a plus."
"Lastly, there is a grill and picnic table at every site and they even have a waterfall on property with an available tent site nearby."
from $32 - $55 / night
Check Availability
GuideIt’s a nice relatively small campground in a pretty setting. Sites are fairly close, and there’s definitely some longer tempura residents, but it’s well kept and seems like a nice place to stay.
TravelerIt was everything we were looking for, right on the river, quiet and clean, the section we stayed in was all tent camping so we weren’t sandwiched in between a bunch of RVs blocking the view. There was no lights, generators or loud music. Alcohol wasn’t permitted so that really cuts down on a lot of unnecessary nonsense. Pets are permitted and our dog loved it. It was very pleasant and relaxing. Can’t wait to go back.
ScoutVery nice campground with great modern facilities. Many of the RV lots have nice views of Lake Champlain.
TravelerWe just got home from our week at Fransted Family Campground and am already looking forward to returning next year. The location of the campground was perfect - especially for exploring the Franconia Notch region. There is a nice mix of RV and tent sites. The tent sites are well shaded and felt spaced out compared to other places I have camped. We had a site on the stream which was nice. Fell asleep each night listening to the water. I only used one of the bathhouses, but it was clean. Showers were clean (separate rooms). Customer service was off the charts. So friendly and helpful. There was a number we could call to get firewood if the store was closed and they were also so nice about it too. There is free WiFi, but it really only works up near the front office. But there is a beautiful pavilion with nice furniture to relax on if you needed to go and use WiFi (or just relax for that matter). We didn’t have kids with us, but there are a lot of lawn games, a playground, courts and field available. Overall, very quiet but Al family friendly. I will definitely be back.
ScoutLove it here, great for swimming, kayaking and camping with your family
ScoutThis dirt road joins with Trudue rd to form a loop. There are pull in/back in sites with plenty of privacy. No cell service. Only a couple or of sites offer sun so use of solar can be difficult. Starlink does not work.
Sites are roomy, private and close to streams. There is hiker traffic that adds to the charm. A lovely place to camp. There
ScoutSpent a night here. Sites are grass for most part and level. Plenty of room. We did the water and electric site.
ScoutWe camped here in June of 2026. It is not as remote as some other locations, mainly because you are in Waterbury, VT and Waterbury can be quite busy with visitors.
We parked on Cotton Brook Rd and were told by multiple people that you need to be aware of rain. The parking lot can flood if you get days of rain. The days we camped we did have heavy downpours the morning of day 2 and by the time we left the reservoir was probably 6 ft higher. So it is a real thing. The benefit of that is tons of waterfalls lead into the reservoir and they are quite pretty.
It is a long canoe from the Cotton Brook lot and you need to go to campsite 14 to really get a campsite with a full view of the lake. We were on campsite 18 and it is surrounded by trees. Thats great if you want privacy, but not great if you want a view of the lake.
No loons while we were there. : (
In short, it is pretty good, but we would recommend others.
ScoutI love this place, nice atmosphere, clean showers and nice mountain range views. Recommended for anyone looking for a nice campground that has very good cell reception for the ones who are depending their stays to have it.
The landscape surrounding Craftsbury Common, Vermont offers camping opportunities set among rolling hills with elevations ranging from 900 to 1,500 feet. The region receives approximately 40 inches of annual precipitation with summer temperatures averaging 70-80°F during the day and dropping to 50-60°F at night. Campsites near Craftsbury Common vary from primitive water-access locations to family-oriented facilities with modern amenities.
Paddling access: 1-2 mile routes. At Green River Reservoir State Park Campground, campers must paddle to reach their sites. "The reservoir is 653 acres with 19 miles of shoreline. There are 27 campsites and two group campsites. Most sites are within a mile of the boat launch, a few require closer to a 2-mile paddle," notes a visitor.
Hiking: fire tower views. Elmore State Park provides trail access including a path to a fire tower. "Nice quiet space on a beautiful lake. Easy hiking trails with a fire tower on the mountain. Stayed in a lean to as well. Perfect for families," writes one camper. The summit offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Water recreation: river tubing options. Tube rentals are available at Mountain View Campground for floating on the Lamoille River. "There is mini golf, a playground, corn hole, and tube rentals for the river behind the campground," reports one visitor. The riverside location provides direct water access for multiple activities.
Waterfront sites: direct lake access. Sites near lakes receive consistent praise for their convenience. "We stayed in site #103) was long enough to fit our rig but we had to squeeze the car in front. The site was level and all the hookups were well-placed and worked fine," notes a camper at Mountain View Campground.
Natural surroundings: forest camping. Smugglers Notch State Park Campground provides a forest setting with spacious sites. "Pristine facilities, private camp sites and a beautiful area. Smuggler's Notch is close enough to Stowe to not be a hassle to drive to, but far enough away that it's quiet and remote," mentions one visitor.
Off-season experiences: quieter camping. Some parks offer different experiences outside peak season. "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," shares a Smugglers Notch visitor. Winter camping requires specific preparation but provides solitude.
Site spacing: variable privacy levels. Some campgrounds have closely placed sites while others offer more seclusion. At Little River State Park Campground, "Some of the best sites are up on a bluff with views over the lake and towards sunrise." This contrasts with more compact arrangements at other facilities.
Bathroom facilities: coin-operated showers. Many campgrounds charge for shower access. "There are showers and toilets on property, only two for M/F. You pay $.25 for 5 minutes of hot water, which unfortunately isn't always hot," notes a camper at Belview Campground.
Reservation requirements: variable policies. Booking requirements differ significantly between campgrounds. "Check-in was a breeze. We picked up our packet from the office mail box and headed to our site. Very laid back, hands off, which is nice after a long drive and during a pop up storm," reports a Gold Brook Campground visitor.
Playground access: recreation options. Gold Brook Campground provides family-friendly amenities. "There is a nice playground in the center and a creek that follows the tent sites. Our dog loved swimming in the creek and meeting his first bullfrog," mentions one visitor. These facilities keep children occupied during campground downtime.
Pool facilities: swimming alternatives. Multiple pools serve different age groups at some locations. "There are 2 pools (one for adults only) and a hot tub. There is mini golf, a playground, corn hole, and tube rentals for the river behind the campground," explains a Mountain View Campground visitor.
Local stores: supply access. Elmore State Park benefits from proximity to retail. "The Elmore Store just down the road has everything you need including AMAZING pizza (Fire Tower) and a great deli. Fun summer activities happen in Elmore and neighboring towns," shares a visitor. This access reduces packing requirements.
Site leveling: pad conditions. RV sites typically offer level surfaces. At White Caps Campground, "Campground was cozy and clean. Visitors were very friendly & courteous. Campground offered individual bathrooms, again well kept- very clean. Hosts were welcoming, present, and kind." Level sites simplify setup and stabilization.
Hookup limitations: electrical constraints. Some parks have minimal RV services. "When we first pulled into this campground and saw how close our site was to our neighbors, we were a little dismayed. But it turned out we had a really pleasant stay at the campground and came to like all the amenities and people and thought it was a nice campground," notes a Mountain View Campground visitor about adapting to site limitations.
Seasonal considerations: closures after October. Most campgrounds near Craftsbury Common close after mid-October. "The campground is located near the interstate for easy in and out but there are no pull-thrus so you will have to unhook no matter how long you are staying," advises a Mountain View visitor, highlighting logistical considerations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What outdoor activities are available around Craftsbury Common?
Craftsbury Common offers diverse outdoor recreation year-round. In summer, enjoy water activities on nearby lakes and rivers, with Stillwater State Park Campground providing access to Groton Lake for swimming and boating, plus connections to the Montpelier & Wells River Rail Trail for hiking and biking. The region is known for its extensive network of hiking trails, mountain biking paths (including the renowned Kingdom Trails network), and excellent fishing opportunities. Winter transforms the area into a paradise for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing. The surrounding Green Mountains provide scenic drives with numerous lookout points for photography and wildlife viewing.
When is the best time to visit Craftsbury Common for camping?
The prime camping season for Craftsbury Common runs from late May through early October, with July and August offering the warmest temperatures (70-80°F days) and lowest chance of frost. June features lush greenery and fewer crowds, while September brings spectacular fall foliage and cooler temperatures perfect for hiking. Little River State Park Campground and Grand Isle State Park Campground typically open in late May and close in mid-October, following Vermont's general camping season. Many campgrounds offer reduced rates in the shoulder seasons (late May-June and September-October), with more availability and less crowded conditions.
Where can I camp near Craftsbury Common, Vermont?
Several excellent camping options exist near Craftsbury Common. For a unique experience, Art and Health Chill Camping offers various accommodations including cabins, hives, and open locations for RV or tent camping on private land. The property spans 8 acres with beautiful views. For water-focused camping, Mountain View Campground provides tent sites along the Lamoille River, plus amenities like a camp store and two pools. State park options include Maidstone State Park and Green River Reservoir State Park, the latter offering peaceful, boat-in campsites perfect for paddlers seeking solitude.
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