The Eden Mills area sits at around 1,000 feet elevation in Vermont's northern highlands, surrounded by the Green Mountains with forested hills and small river valleys. Most campsites in the region sit near bodies of water like Lake Elmore or Green River Reservoir, creating varied microclimates where summer temperatures typically reach the 70s-80s during the day but can drop into the 50s at night. Winter camping is limited as temperatures often drop below freezing from November through April.
What to do
Hiking Mt. Mansfield trails: At Smugglers Notch State Park Campground, access multiple routes up Vermont's highest mountain. "You are minutes from some amazing hiking, which is great when you don't feel like driving long distances after a day hike," notes Ben C. The park provides "direct access to the whole Mt. Mansfield and Stowe area."
Winter camping adventures: For cold-weather enthusiasts, some parks offer off-season camping. "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," explains Ed M. about Smugglers Notch. Sites aren't maintained in winter, so "carry out all trash/waste."
Paddling Green River Reservoir: Green River Reservoir State Park Campground offers pristine remote paddling with 27 campsites accessible only by boat. "We try and make our way north to Green River Reservoir every summer. It's a primitive park, perfect for paddling, wild camping, swimming, and watching wildlife," reports one camper. Most sites require less than a mile paddle from the boat launch.
What campers like
Secluded, private sites: Many campers value Mountain View Campground for its riverfront tent areas. "Nice family campground nestled in between route 15 and the Lamoille River. Great car accessible tent sites right on the water," notes Jason D. These tent sites provide easier water access than the main camping areas.
Winter stargazing opportunities: The lack of light pollution creates exceptional night viewing. "Silent and starry nights, just make sure you have the gear/experience and a warm sleeping bag," advises Ed M. about winter camping at Smugglers Notch State Park.
River-based activities: The Lamoille River offers recreational opportunities at several campgrounds. At Mountain View Campground, "one of the most popular amenities is the river access. You can rent kayaks and tubes from the store or bring your own and float down the river," explains Nancy W. The campground provides multiple river entry and exit points.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly, especially during foliage season. "Reserve early, as this place doesn't have a ton of sites and it folds up quickly!" warns Ben C. about Brewster River Campground, which takes advance reservations only and "they don't do walk-in's."
Seasonal operating schedules: The camping season generally runs mid-May through mid-October. "Little River State Park is open May 19 to October 22," while Green River Reservoir operates "May 19 to Columbus Day weekend." Some campgrounds like Mountain View open slightly earlier on May 1.
Variable bathroom facilities: Amenities differ significantly between campgrounds. Mountain View has "a new bathhouse, laundry" while more remote sites have primitive facilities. At Green River Reservoir, "each campsite includes a fire pit and access to an outhouse. Usually the outhouse is shared between 2 to 3 campsites."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Elmore State Park Campground offers family-friendly swimming. "The sandy beach on Lake Elmore" is popular, and the park has "easy hiking trails with a fire tower on the mountain. Perfect for families," says Desiree V. The beach area provides safe swimming for various ages.
Educational hiking options: Several campgrounds offer history-focused trails. At Little River State Park, "the hiking trails are really good. There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover," notes Rita M. These historic settlement ruins make engaging exploration for children.
Lean-to accommodations: For families new to camping, lean-tos offer a good introduction. "We stayed in the lean-to with our two toddlers. It has 3 walls and netting on the fourth. Inside there are two queen sized platforms," explains Kiarra M. about Brewster River Campground. These structures provide more protection from weather while maintaining an outdoor experience.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: At Little River State Park Campground, RV sites vary in accessibility to water. "Most sites up on hill looking over lake, not easily assessable from camp site," notes Cindy L. Some campers leave kayaks at the beach rather than carrying them up and down.
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at many campgrounds. At Singing Wood Farm, "the sites in the field are generally un-level, and we had to really work to level our trailer," reports Heather C. Bringing additional leveling blocks is recommended.
Hookup availability: Full-service RV sites are limited in the Eden Mills region. Mountain View Campground offers complete hookups where "the site was level and all the hookups were well-placed and worked fine. Despite the really hot weather and need to run three air conditioners, we did not have any power issues," reports Nancy W.
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