Camping sites near Eden, Vermont offer access to diverse outdoor environments including lakeshore, mountain, and forest settings within the Green Mountains region. Elevations range from 800 feet at lake level to over 2,600 feet in surrounding mountains, creating distinct seasonal conditions for campers. Most camping areas experience high precipitation in spring and peak foliage colors from mid-September through early October, requiring advance planning for prime sites.
What to do
Lake activities: access at Green River Reservoir State Park Campground: 27 remote campsites accessible only by paddle craft, located 11 miles southwest of Eden. "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. There is a lot of beautiful wildlife, and they do an amazing job at preserving the sites," notes Mackenzie B.
Mountain exploration: trails at Smugglers Notch State Park Campground: Sites connect to Mount Mansfield trail system, Vermont's highest peak at 4,395 feet. "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," states Michael V.
Off-season activities: winter camping opportunities: Some parks permit winter camping with modified access. "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. Hike/snowshoe in to your site as the gate is closed and the area is not plowed," reports Ed M. about Smugglers Notch State Park.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: natural spacing at Little River State Park Campground: Located 30 miles southwest of Eden with sites spaced for privacy. "Had a great one week stay here on the reservoir. Staff was friendly and helpful. Bathrooms in 'B' were just redone," shares Megan O.
Clean facilities: well-maintained amenities: Many regional campgrounds maintain high standards for bathrooms and shower facilities. "This beautiful, small state park has a beach on the shores of Lake Elmore and a hiking trail to the fire tower atop Elmore Mountain. There are 45 spacious tent/RV sites. The campground was nearly empty during our stay so it felt extremely private," reports Trip Over Life about Elmore State Park Campground.
River access: waterfront sites at Mountain View Campground: Located 15 miles southeast of Eden with riverside camping options. "A lovely family camp ground with rv and tent sites, all near the bathrooms, amenities galore, and a great camp store. Visited in early October and was not disappointed. A wonderful stay," says Sara M.
What you should know
Seasonal closures: limited winter access: Most campgrounds in the region operate from May through mid-October, with specific opening dates varying by location. "Imagine the Mountain as your Canvas and the campground as your color palette. Make it what ever you want. We will becoming back this year. The only time I TRULY RELAX. I even cook lol," shares Catie B. about Smugglers Notch RV Village.
Reservation requirements: book early for lean-to sites: Sheltered structures at Elmore State Park Campground require advance booking. "Elmore state park is perfect for all types of campers. The lean-tos are on a sunny open hill. Bathrooms are clean, staff is friendly. Great hiking trails from easy to difficult. Early and late seasons are quiet," advises Gail C.
Site selection: waterfront options: Research specific sites when booking to secure preferred locations. "The sites were long and spacious," reflects positive feedback at developed campgrounds throughout the region. At Gold Brook Campground, "The sites along the brook are treated to the babbling brook sites and sounds. While most sites are relatively wide open, they are well spaced out with tons of room," notes Ian P.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: summer swimming options at Gold Brook Campground: Located 25 miles southwest of Eden with family amenities. "Gold Brook is clean and quiet small campground just outside of the village of Stowe. The campground features a nice pool and spacious level camp sites," reports Jeff W.
Child-friendly activities: playground facilities: Several campgrounds provide dedicated play areas for children. "The small playground was great, and the small boat launch and beach kept us in the water. The hiking trails are really good--the actually pretty steep. There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover," says Rita M. about Little River State Park Campground.
Educational opportunities: ranger programs: Select parks offer educational activities for children. "The ranger programming was exceptional, as are the views and the nearby areas for hiking and backpacking. Relatively modern campsite but still a simple state park setup with one exception: true to northeast tradition many of the camp sites are lean-to style," Harry H. notes about Smugglers Notch State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: leveling considerations at Brewster River Campground: Located 20 miles west of Eden, offering various site types. "I've stayed here a few times and every time is quiet, beautiful, and cheap! I love how dark it gets and that you can hear the river beside you all night. Simple bathrooms and showers. Put thought into choosing which site to reserve to enhance your experience!" advises K.M.
Hookup availability: utilities vary by campground: Research utility connections when planning. "This is new campground opened this past season. This is our 3rd visit and it gets better each time. They offer a variety of different sites to fit each campers needs... The sites are good size and come with full hookups," states Alan B. about Smugglers Notch RV Village.
Access considerations: road width restrictions: Some campgrounds have limited access for large RVs. "If you want to visit Stowe, VT, this is a great place to camp. It's also only an hour from Burlington, so this could be a good home base for visiting there. The campground is updated with a new laundry room and shower house... The sites are gravel and seem pretty level," notes Michelle C. about Mountain View Campground.
