Best Campgrounds near Derby Line, VT

If you want a place to nomadic camp that is near Stowe, but away from the hustle and bustle, then this place is for you.  It is a private landowners land, and she has up to  5-6 campers at any point in time.  Sites are set up with picnic or other small tables, and randomly spread out across the field.  There is good distance between sites, but all other sites are within view.  There is a porta potty at the entrance to the field.  Dogs are allowed.  The landowner is very responsive and helpful with questions.   Across the street from the camping field is another field with access to water via a hose, and a very large flower garden.  There is also a small store that sells honey

The sites in the field are generally un-level, and we had to really work to level our trailer.  While we were there, there were car campers, tent campers, and a class C rv, in addition to us in our travel trailer.  Dogs are allowed on the property.

In addition to being 20 minutes to downtown Stowe, you can gravel bike right from the field.  We built a number or rides with Ride with GPS, leaving from there site.  There are never ending hiking options, from easy to advanced, in the general area.  

We would gladly return to this camp, even though we had challenges leveling.

General: Large state park with two loops, both of which are lakefront. A mix of primitive sites (no w/e/s), lean-tos, and two cabins, one in each section. Sites/lean-tos are designated premium (lakefront) or non. There is also an ADA-accessible lean-to. Upon check-in, you are given a gate code to enter. 

Site Quality: Our site, like all others, was generous in size and a back-in site. Most sites don’t have clearly defined camper pads, and the surface is grass/dirt (or mud if it has rained recently). A large wooden picnic table and fire ring complete the site. There are plentiful trees, so each site has at least some shade and some are very shaded. Lakefront sites have a filtered view of the lake through the trees. 

Bath/Shower House: The one closest to us was very clean. Three stalls and one shower. Cold water only at both the sinks and the shower (at least I didn’t get any hot water). The showers do take quarters and although you get five minutes for each quarter (up to 15 quarters, although I can’t imagine taking that long of a shower), it was quite possibly the wimpiest shower I’ve experienced in quite some time. But, after I finished, I saw my quarter had been returned. The toilet paper was so thin, it was nearly transparent! 

Activities: Although swimming is allowed, the “beaches” are very small and there was a bacteria warning in place when we were there advising against swimming. There are two boat launch areas, one in each loop. Great for kayaks, and canoes, and we saw what looked like a fishing boat. There was one very annoying motorboat revving its engine while doing circles in the lake. The day-use area has a small, dated playground, fire pit, horseshoe pit, and volleyball net. There is a short nature trail and one other small walking trail. Nearby is access to the Missisquoi Rail Trail. 

A surprise was a family of ducks who visited our site when I was outside reading! Our stay was very quiet during the week after Labor Day, but I imagine the vibe is quite different during summer weekends, especially given the sign in the restroom stating that quiet hours are strictly enforced. We were annoyed by one loud boat so I can’t imagine what it would be like if the lake was filled with boaters. This is why we prefer shoulder-season camping!

Nice and quiet

I scouted this area a couple of years ago and stayed in one of the lean-tos, this is a great area in the winter when no-one else is around.

There is a parking lot near the main road where you can park.  The hike around the pond is nice, but wet, rocky and you need to be a sure-footed person.  Views are great, the pond is amazing, and the campsites are well maintained.

Most sites have a lean-to and a well-built fireplace as well as an outhouse.  Keep in mind this is a pack in pack out location.  You are not allowed to cut wood, and only fallen dead is available for use.

Pretty pond, good lean-to's, nice toilets, central put-in for canoes and kayaks, friendly people. Big groups in one area, individual remote sites far enough away to be private. Nicely maintained, friendly staff when you do see them. Went September 6 and 7 2024. Only 3 hours from Boston.

This easy-to-access campground has made it on my list of places to stay.

There are two loops of sites, some deep in the woods with great-looking trees, others in a field, and some in between. There are even sites with stalls if you're into horses.

The bathhouse looks typical and clean.

Not much cell service, but some in places.

Easy access to a lake and a picnic pavilion.

Noticed more than a few sites that I could hang at.

Our first time in Vermont, we were coming from Montreal, Quebec. And while there are many nice campsites to visit in Quebec... we've done them all, within a 2-hour radius. Well, guess what? Lake Carmi in Franklin (Enosburg?) Vermont, is less than 1 1/2 hours from Montreal! I think it must be the closest campsite to Quebec, in Vermont. The drive there was really pleasant too. It wasn't all highway. It took us mostly through very scenic routes in both Quebec, and Vermont.

After booking, I had read some bad reviews about the place - which gave me second thoughts. About the staff being very unpleasant, etc. Well I'm happy to say, that turned out to be absolutely untrue! To say that Kathy, Daniel and really, the entire staff that we met, was very friendly to us, is an understatement. They literally saved our bacon!

It's a long story, but in short... our car broke down at one point, and we had to get it towed. Our phone wouldn't work, and it was by the good graces of the Lake Carmi rangers and staff, and the use of their wireless, that we were eventually able to return back home to Canada.  I don't know what we would have done, if they weren't there to help us! So - big thanks to the amazing staffers at Lake Carmi.

We had reserved a site by the lake, and saw that the campground itself was quite nice. Just acres and acres of lush green forestation. Clean grounds and washrooms. A beautiful sunset over the lake. No electrical 'pollution'. No noise pollution - except for crickets, in the field. Other than the car trouble - quite a pleasant stay! We'll be returning next year.

I come back to this area every year; I missed my spring trip this year though.  A friend was camping and invited me to join them.  We had a site on the B loop, I have only camped on the A loop... 

The site was nice with some great rock features, the sites have enough space between them to give privacy, but you know you're not alone.  The facilities on the B loop are vintage 1950s, simple clean but not new or the same caliber as the facilities on A loop.  Plenty of water faucets on the B loop.  

Both A & B are easy to get around on, all of the roads are dirt but well maintained.  Both loops have their own Trash and Recyling. The access road into the park is a well-maintained dirt road and about 5 miles long.  Look for the bears, and other cutouts creatures in the clearings on the way in.

This campground is remote and it's about 45 min. to the nearest town.  There is no cell service, even with a booster.  The lake is wonderful.

We spent the night at this beautiful campsite with a magnificent view of Mount Mansfield. The small amount of camping space made the experience quite unique and private. The host, Dianne, was really friendly. Many amenities such as wood, water and outhouse nearby. Very nice experience.

Spent a few nights here as a base camp while hiking some of the mountains in the area. Camp spots were far enough away from one another, trees helped with privacy, and the tent site had a great area to setup the tent.

Facilities were accessible and clean. Quiet hours were definitely observed. Easily one of the best camp sites I’ve stayed at.

Pros: Full hookup (sewer, water, 50 AMP) 1.7 mile from #7 Ranked World's Best Disc Golf Course: Fox Run Meadows New fire ring New picnic table Gorgeous Mountain View

Cons: Grass site No amenities No Wi-Fi Soft ground, sinked during setup

There are a number of nice campsites right on the lake, but even if you don’t have a waterfront site, there is a public boat launch. There is a dishwashing station, laundry facilities, showers, and bathrooms, all very clean. Perfect for fishing, hiking, and kayaking.

Been camping here since I was a kid and will forever continue the tradition! So peaceful and beautiful

 There are hiking trails right from the campground, which we always appreciate. You can also go down to the water and rent a kayak or canoe from the rangers. Camp fees are $28/night, plus $5/day per adult for state park fees. 

There is a dump station and drinking water on site, but the spigots for the water are not threaded. We tried our water bandit, with messy wet results. (Apparently you can’t use those if the other end of the hose is pressurized.) Luckily, we found we could unscrew the head of the hose at the dump station and had no problem filling our tank with potable water. 

Each site is so different and may or may not fit an RV. Some sites are so sloped I don’t even know how a car would camp there. Some sites are out in the open grass where you just find a spot within the site that works for you. We saw fresh moose poop on a hike but sadly no moose or other wildlife. There are bears around the area though so please be bear smart when camping here. 

Showers are something like $1 for 8 minutes, quarters only. The lean-to sites are really cool, and if I was tent camping I think they’d be so fun to sleep in. They have food compost bins here, but the rangers keep forgetting to unlock the bin, so you just have to ask them. There’s also a book exchange library and adorable little gnome habitats set up in the campground. We had a pleasant stay here.

Private Field and Woods Camping in New Hampshire is a true paradise for lovers of nature and secluded recreation. After spending several days here, I was delighted with the beauty of nature and the comfort that this unique camp offers. The first thing that catches your eye is the amazing landscape.

Situated deep in the forests, the camp is surrounded by spacious fields and wild nature. Sunrises and sunsets at this place are a real miracle that makes you forget about the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy the moment. The camp itself provides unique opportunities for close contact with nature.

The opportunity to locate your tent camp in a private field surrounded by forest creates a unique atmosphere of comfort and privacy. The absence of city noise and light pollution allows you to enjoy the silence and sounds of nature. The camp infrastructure also deserves the highest praise. Ecologically built showers and toilets provide everything you need for a comfortable stay away from civilization. Fire pits and cooking areas allow you to enjoy delicious meals cooked outdoors.

Private Field and Woods Camping in New Hampshire is the perfect place for those who want a real getaway in nature, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. I left this place with a feeling of complete relaxation and deep gratitude to the team who created this unique corner of nature.

Great spot if you are looking for a simple place to stay.  Amazing location.  Can walk right into town and never use your car the entire time you are there.   Bike trails are right off the campground.

Nice, wooded sites. Staff was great and very helpful. I didn't see the restrooms with the showers on the one end of the campground, but the restrooms I did see on the end that I stayed were like outhouses but with flushable toilets--kinda meh.

we camped here in early October and it was gorgeous. Well spaced out sites. Friendly staff , flush toilets, showers, Quiet and peaceful. Good spot to summit Mansfield from.

We made the mistake of camping here for the 4th of July and should have known better, especially with a dog terrified of fireworks! While they aren't allowed in the State Park, much of the lake is private property...so between the rule breakers and the private land owners this was a cacophony of noise for days. The other bummer about this park in particular is that many of the sites were marked as reserved even though they sat empty for the three nights we were there and many of them were lakeside. Sadly, no shows don't forfeit their sites which was frustrating. 

Our site, though not on the water, was nice and had a lean-to. The nice new bathhouse was also very much appreciated. Though it seemed that the drainage system could use some work, as the showers continually backed pretty far up. Thank goodness for shower shoes!

The campground employee was incredibly talkative and a little nosy but we didn't mind it so much sense we are generally well behaved campers.

Our site was spacious and we enjoyed having a lean-to for some shade. It easily accommodated two vehicles, two canoes, three dogs and four humans. Firewood and ice are readily available. Be prepared to drive a fair distance down gravel roads to get there. 

There are a few hiking trails available in the park as well as several public access points to the lake. There is also a small swimming area/beach.

While reservations are not required, there is a registration page on the CT River Paddler's Trail Website that they ask folx to complete just so spots don't get overcrowded. 

There are several sites available here and a really nice rocky beach with easy access fo loading and unloading. It's also a nice spot to fish from. There is a site perched high on the hill where there is a picnic table and fire ring. There is also a spot lower down that is nice and flat and probably better spots for tents. We did have an ATV almost run over us at 1:00 a.m. that scared the dickens out of us. They were clearly unaware and intoxicated, it was a scary moment. But aside from that, it's a wonderful site. If you walk through the campsite, there is a massive cornfield, just beware that the ticks in the field are insane! They weren't bad in the campsite but in the grass, they were epic. There's nice shade available as well.