Best Campgrounds near Essex Junction, VT

Essex Junction, Vermont has several developed campgrounds within a 30-minute drive, primarily focused along Lake Champlain's eastern shore. North Beach Campground in Burlington provides tent, RV, and cabin sites with beach access, while Lone Pine Campsites in Colchester features full hookups and amenities for both tent and RV camping. The Lake Champlain region offers a mix of state parks and private campgrounds, with options ranging from primitive tent platforms at Indian Brook Reservoir to glamping accommodations at Smugglers Notch State Park, approximately 25 miles east of Essex Junction.

Camping season in this region typically runs from May through mid-October, with most campgrounds closing for winter. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer months, particularly at waterfront locations like North Beach and Malletts Bay. Many campgrounds provide water and electric hookups, with several offering full RV services including sewer connections and dump stations. Access roads are generally well-maintained, though some state park camping areas have limitations for larger RVs. According to one visitor at Indian Brook Reservoir, "It was a 15 minute hike to the site, so pack light. If you have a kayak, you can transport your stuff over."

Lake Champlain dominates the camping experience in this area, with numerous sites offering water views or direct lake access. Campgrounds near Burlington provide convenience to urban amenities while maintaining natural settings. "Short walk to nice beach or you can drive a car. Right next to rails to trails path that goes onto a causeway over the lake," noted one North Beach camper, highlighting the integration of outdoor recreation with camping accommodations. Site privacy varies considerably across the region, with more secluded options available at state parks compared to the closer spacing at commercial campgrounds. Facilities range from basic (vault toilets and water spigots) to comprehensive (showers, laundry, and camp stores), with pricing generally reflecting amenity levels and proximity to water.

Best Camping Sites Near Essex Junction, Vermont (178)

    1. North Beach Campground

    28 Reviews
    Burlington, VT
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 862-0942

    $37 - $100 / night

    "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."

    "Sites 1 to 16 are close to each other. Sites 113 to 119 are bad. Very close to each other. No redeeming qualities.

    Sites have 30 amp electric and water but might need a longish cord or hose."

    2. Shelburne Camping Area

    17 Reviews
    Shelburne, VT
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 985-2540

    "This is a nice little private campground in Shelburne, just outside of Burlington. Close to Lake Champlain. Good place to spend the night and good access to activities."

    "Lastly, the location was perfect, just outside of Burlington made access to the area ideal."

    3. Grand Isle State Park Campground

    28 Reviews
    Grand Isle, VT
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 372-4300

    $6 - $28 / night

    "Beautifully set on Lake Champlain in Vermont! This is a relatively large campground but is well laid out and doesn't feel small even when it's packed to the gills."

    "Since the park is on a island in Lake Champlain in Vermont there is water all around. Good places to walk and ride."

    4. Smugglers Notch State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Stowe, VT
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 253-4014

    $20 / night

    "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"

    5. Lone Pine Campsites

    9 Reviews
    Winooski, VT
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 878-5447

    $8 - $12 / night

    "We had one right next to the playground so our daughter could walk straight to it without having to cross a road. And speaking of playground, it was large and very nice."

    "Cool little campground right in Mallets Bay on Lake Champlain. Campsites are kind of close together. Nice pool, game room, and little store. Its a fun place for families!"

    6. Little River State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Waterbury Center, VT
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 244-7103

    $19 - $28 / night

    "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."

    7. Apple Island Resort

    12 Reviews
    Grand Isle, VT
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 372-3800

    $55 - $105 / night

    "Visit this campground in the fall and experience quintessential Vermont in all its glory. The campground is nice. The people are friendly."

    "Brewery and vineyards close by"

    8. Mount Philo State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Charlotte, VT
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 425-2390

    $23 / night

    "the best part is every night its only a ten minute hike to the summit from where the sites are and you get to watch the sunset over Vermont and lake champlain as the sun falls behind the adirondack mountains"

    "apparently this is the first state park in Vermont. Only 8 campsites so try to book early. Nice trails that lead to scenic views of Lake Champlain. Bathrooms and showers were clean."

    9. Mallets Bay Campground

    4 Reviews
    Burlington, VT
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 863-6980

    "This is a smaller campground tucked away in the bayside of Colchester."

    "Right on the water, a nice breeze coming off of the lake, close to everything downtown, but still felt like we weren’t on top of our neighbors. Run by some great people! Highly recommend!"

    10. Ausable Point Campground

    11 Reviews
    Keeseville, NY
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 561-7080

    $22 - $40 / night

    "Take a walk up the path next to the chasm. So relaxing listening to the water falls. Great place to watch the sunset! "

    "They have some beach and river sites if you like to be close to the water. Showers and bathrooms were spacious."

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Recent Reviews near Essex Junction, VT

661 Reviews of 178 Essex Junction Campgrounds


  • Stuart M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Moscow Recreation Park

    Quiet & Safe in Stowe

    Quiet spot out of the way. Large sporting field car park suitable for big dogs. No 'no camping' signs. There was a portaloo on site.

  • Marc D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Shelburne Camping Area

    Nice Campground

    This is a nice little private campground in Shelburne, just outside of Burlington. Close to Lake Champlain. Good place to spend the night and good access to activities. Sides are somewhat small close together. Bathrooms spotlessly clean. Older couple is the staff, very friendly and unhelpful.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Woodbury Meadows Campground

    Family-Owned Campground Near Stowe

    With 6 sites, this family-owned campground was the perfect pit stop on our road trip to Stowe. Dig and kid friendly. Has showers, water, and electrical hookup.

  • Jenna L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Crown Point Campground

    Nice with a view

    Pretty nice campground all things considered, bathrooms are definitely rustic but kept clean. Some of the campsites are very close together, and others have a decent amount of space between them, not necessarily a lot of trees in between campsites for privacy. Beautiful views of the water, and surrounding mountains. Staff was extremely friendly!

  • R
    Oct. 10, 2025

    AuSable Chasm Campground

    Beautiful/Fun Campground

    I wish I had my bike!!! I didn’t know that this was a biking campground and there were SO MANY trails. Made the most of them with running, but overall, a fantastic campground. Showers were clean, staff was very friendly. Sites and attractions within walking distance (but busy roads to cross).

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Austin Brook

    Site is mislabeled as FR 25

    There are a handful of sites down Austin Brook road, I had trouble finding a level spot. Minimal ATT reception but overall pretty area

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Frontier Town Campground

    So clean!

    We stayed in site 33 which is in the equestrian camping area. It’s really open with little tree cover which is perfect for those who work remote using Starlink. We had fantastic connection. The sites in the equestrian camping area are huge and so clean. The bathrooms are the cleanest I’ve seen so far and we do this full time. The only disappointment was that the hot water doesn’t get very hot in the shower so you better do some jumping jacks to get pumped before showering during colder temps! The trails are well marked and well maintained. Overall, this is a fantastic campsite. There’s even a brewery a ten minute walk down the road. We didn’t go but looks nice. Get your supplies before you arrive! Not many places around to quickly grab charcoal if you need it.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Kampersville

    Nice

    The campsites are all in the trees with some sites not clearly defined. The sites seem good sized with new bathroom and showers, with individual showers with a toilet. There are a lot of monthly staying here. Overall a nice park


Guide to Essex Junction

Camping spots near Essex Junction, Vermont offer both secluded forest sites and waterfront locations at elevations ranging from 95 to 2,800 feet. The region experiences summer daytime temperatures typically reaching 75-85°F with cooler evenings dropping to 50-60°F. Fall camping season brings vibrant foliage from mid-September through mid-October, with most primitive sites lacking electrical hookups and requiring reservation at least 2-3 months in advance for summer weekends.

What to do

Kayak and paddleboard access: Several campgrounds provide direct water access for paddlers. At Grand Isle State Park Campground, "There is lake access for kayaking, sailing, swimming and fishing" according to Patricia E., making it ideal for water activities. The park also features a boat launch for easy equipment entry.

Explore local hiking trails: The region offers varied hiking options beyond the developed recreation areas. Smugglers Notch State Park Campground provides "easy access to the whole mt. Mansfield and Stowe area" as Matthew H. notes, with multiple access points to Vermont's highest peak trail system.

Biking opportunities: The area features extensive biking infrastructure connecting multiple recreation zones. John L. highlights that Grand Isle State Park provides "great biking" access, mentioning they "biked to this park from Burlington via the Island Line Trail. It was a super trip." Many campgrounds connect to regional cycling networks.

Historical exploration: Some parks contain historical sites with remnants of past settlements. At Little River State Park, visitors can discover "old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover" according to Rita M., providing educational opportunities beyond typical outdoor recreation.

What campers like

Swimming beaches: Multiple campgrounds feature swimming beaches with varying amenities. Ausable Point Campground includes a "public beach in campground [that] is beautiful" according to kimberly R., while Hollie G. notes that Lone Pine Campsites has a "nice pool" though "no lake access" directly from the campground.

Community events: Several campgrounds organize activities for guests throughout the season. At Apple Island Resort, "The large clubhouse hosts a variety of events like bingo, ice cream socials, dinners, etc." as Nancy W. describes, creating social opportunities for campers.

Site spacing and privacy: Privacy levels vary significantly between campgrounds. Ben C. appreciates that Smugglers Notch State Park offers "private camp sites and a beautiful area" and notes the "staff was helpful and very good about controlling excessive noise from other sites," making it ideal for those seeking quieter experiences.

Proximity to towns: Most campgrounds provide access to nearby communities. Laura L. found North Beach Campground to be the "Perfect location to explore Burlington and Lake Champlain" noting they "loved being able to walk down to the beach, as well as having full hookups."

What you should know

Reservation timing: Competitive booking windows exist for the most popular sites. Ben C. advises to "Reserve early, as [Smugglers Notch] doesn't have a ton of sites and it folds up quickly!" This applies throughout the region, especially for waterfront locations.

Shower facilities: Shower systems vary across campgrounds with many requiring coins. At Grand Isle, "Showers are coin-operated, but $0.50 will get you 5 minutes of hot water!" according to Tucker B., while Mount Philo offers "Coin-op shower with hot water is 50 cents for 5 minutes, 75 cents for 7:30, etc." as Drew Q. explains.

Seasonal camping options: The camping season generally runs May through October with limited winter access. Ed M. shares that Mount Philo State Park Campground offers free off-season use: "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."

Weather preparedness: Despite summer warmth, evening temperatures can drop significantly. Patricia E. recommends visitors to Grand Isle "Brush up on your French so you can converse with the many Canadian visitors" while enjoying the campground's amenities.

Tips for camping with families

Playground facilities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. Erin S. found that Lone Pine Campsites had sites "right next to the playground so our daughter could walk straight to it without having to cross a road" and noted the playground was "large and very nice," making it convenient for parents monitoring children.

Beach suitability: Not all beaches are equally suited for young children. Melissa L. cautions about Grand Isle having a "Very rocky beach with little to no sand to play in" and being "a bit of a walk to the water," factors that influenced their decision to look elsewhere despite an otherwise pleasant stay.

Educational opportunities: Several parks provide nature programs specifically designed for younger visitors. Grand Isle features "a cute little beach and nature center with youth programs" according to Jessica G., who found it to be a "lovely state park" with a "huge campsite that was comfortable for 3 tents and 6 adults."

Proximity to attractions: Campgrounds with easy access to regional attractions simplify family logistics. At Shelburne Camping Area, Mackenzie B. notes it's "very close to museums, the town, and farm areas," providing convenient access to rainy-day activities when outdoor plans need adjustment.

Tips from RVers

Electrical service reliability: Electrical service quality can vary between campgrounds. One RVer at Shelburne Camping Area encountered electrical issues where testing equipment "showed 25 amp coming out of it" instead of the expected 30 amps, highlighting the importance of having proper testing equipment.

Site orientation considerations: Site layout affects hookup accessibility and views. Nancy W. observed at Apple Island Resort that "Most of the waterfront sites are nose-in and suited well for motorhomes" and that "the hook-ups at our site were well-placed but the sewer pipe was high off the ground which did not let it drain even with a 'slinky.'"

Multi-night discounts: Extended stays often qualify for reduced rates. C O. recommends to "Check out their weekly rate, that cut our cost down. I think the daily rate is in the $40s" at Shelburne Camping Area, where they found the campground's "website does a great job explaining how close they are to all the area attractions."

Frequently Asked Questions

Is overnight camping allowed in public areas around Essex Junction?

Overnight camping is generally not permitted in public areas around Essex Junction, including parks, streets, and municipal properties. Instead, visitors should use established campgrounds. North Beach Campground in nearby Burlington offers a convenient alternative with reasonable prices and large sites, plus easy access to the city via bike paths. For a more secluded experience, Art and Health Chill Camping provides private land camping options including cabins, hives, or open locations for RV and tent camping. Always check with the Essex Junction Parks and Recreation Department for the most current regulations, as rules regarding overnight parking and camping in public spaces may change.

Where are the closest campgrounds to Essex Junction, VT?

Essex Junction offers several excellent camping options nearby. Mountain View Campground is one of the closest, located along the Lamoille River with tent sites directly on the water, two pools, and a well-stocked camp store. For those seeking a premium experience, Apple Island Resort provides upscale amenities just a short drive away. Other nearby options include North Beach Campground in Burlington (about 10 miles west), offering lakefront access and bike path connections, and Mallets Bay Campground in Colchester with full hookups for RVs. Grand Isle State Park and Little River State Park are also within 30-45 minutes, providing scenic state park camping experiences with water access.

What camping is available near Essex Junction, VT?

According to TheDyrt.com, Essex Junction, VT offers a wide range of camping options, with 178 campgrounds and RV parks near Essex Junction, VT and 16 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Essex Junction, VT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Essex Junction, VT is North Beach Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 28 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Essex Junction, VT?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 free dispersed camping spots near Essex Junction, VT.