Tent campsites near Essex Junction, Vermont feature various terrain types from rocky lakefront sites to elevated mountain platforms. While most campsites remain open from late May through mid-October, remote reservoir sites can extend later into fall when weather permits. Winter camping options are limited to primitive backcountry sites at locations like Camel's Hump State Park where proper cold-weather equipment is required.
What to do
Hiking from camp to mountain summits: At Underhill State Park Campground, campers can access trails directly from their sites. "About a .3 mile hike to the main trail to climb the mountain. The camp sites are nice but a little close together," notes Sam T. The park serves as an ideal base camp for tackling nearby peaks.
Fishing from shoreline sites: Valcour Island provides boat-in only camping with excellent fishing opportunities. "Excellent bass fishing and miles of hiking," reports LauraandJosh W. The island's remote nature means less fishing pressure than more accessible locations.
Paddling to remote sites: Waterbury Reservoir offers watercraft-accessible camping with pristine surroundings. "These remote sites are so peaceful. Be sure to launch from cotton brook road if your site r11-27... It was about 30 minutes from the cotton brook launch to the site," advises Julia S. Sites must be reserved in advance through Vermont State Parks.
What campers like
Natural privacy barriers: Mount Philo State Park Campground features well-separated sites. "The campground had widely spaced wooded sites and was exceptionally quiet," writes K G. Only eight total campsites spread throughout the forested area create natural sound buffers.
Primitive bathroom facilities: Many campers appreciate the well-maintained basic facilities. Drew Q. notes about Mount Philo, "Bathrooms were very clean. Coin-op shower with hot water is 50 cents for 5 minutes, 75 cents for 7:30, etc." Most primitive sites offer composting toilets rather than flush facilities.
No-car camping experiences: Burton Island State Park Campground provides a unique car-free environment. "There are no cars on the island. You have to paddle yourself out or take the VT State Park passenger ferry from St. Albans," explains Tara S. This creates a quieter, more natural setting than drive-up campgrounds.
What you should know
Reservation timing requirements: Popular campsites book quickly. Tara S. notes about Burton Island, "Waterfront sites book very quickly (like 11 months in advance), but if you don't mind being farther from the main campground and running water, you can almost always rent one of the four primitive sites."
Site access challenges: Indian Brook Reservoir requires effort to reach campsites. "It was a 15 minute hike to the site, so pack light. If you have a kayak, you can transport your stuff over," explains Erin B. Plan accordingly with minimal gear or water transportation.
Weather considerations: Late season camping requires preparation. At Camel's Hump State Park, temperatures can drop significantly after September, while spring camping often means muddy conditions until late May. Waterbury Reservoir sites remain accessible until water levels drop in late fall.
Tips for camping with families
Select sites with child-friendly features: Burton Island accommodates families particularly well. According to Tara S., "It's super family friendly - maybe it's because there aren't cars all over the place, but the island is full of free range kids, and they're having a blast." The car-free environment creates safer exploration spaces.
Look for amenities that reduce packing needs: Black Creek Maple's Nature Escape and Tent Haven provides essentials on-site. "Clean water, fire wood and cooking rack are provided for your first night. There's extra fire wood for sale along with a sink to do dishes," reports Evan M. This reduces what families need to transport.
Choose sites with activities within walking distance: Mount Philo offers accessible recreation. Rita M. mentions, "We love how private the camp sites were. There are less than 20 sites total, and all sites are near walk-in paths to excellent views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks or the Green Mountains." Having nearby activities minimizes driving with children.
Tips from RVers
Understand generator restrictions: Most tent-focused campgrounds near Essex Junction restrict generator use. Burton Island prohibits generators entirely due to its boat-access only setup, while Underhill State Park maintains strict quiet hours that limit generator operation to morning and early evening hours.
Know campground road conditions: Access to many campgrounds involves unpaved roads. Nicholas G. notes about Waterbury area sites, "Rough road coming to campground. Very quite. Cell phone t-mobile works fine." RVs over 25 feet may have difficulty navigating certain campground roads, particularly after rain.
Consider RV size limitations: Most tent-focused campgrounds cannot accommodate larger rigs. Sites suitable for RVs typically have length restrictions under 30 feet. Nicholas G. advises that some sites "could hold big rig we have a 28ft 5th wheel plenty of room for 35/40," but these are exceptions rather than the rule for Essex Junction area campgrounds.
