Best Glamping near Essex Junction, VT

North Beach Campground and Camp Skyland provide distinctive glamping experiences near Lake Champlain, featuring comfortable canvas accommodations with modern amenities. Both locations offer glamping options among their accommodation types, giving visitors luxurious alternatives to traditional camping. The sites include electricity, comfortable bedding, and private outdoor spaces, elevating the camping experience with resort-style comforts. "This is one of the most beautiful and scenic areas in the world," noted one guest about North Beach, highlighting the panoramic mountain views across Lake Champlain. Shelburne Camping Area and Button Bay State Park Campground also feature glamping options with full hookups, providing a perfect balance of outdoor immersion with indoor comforts like climate control, cooking facilities, and stylish furnishings.

Lake Champlain serves as the backdrop for exceptional glamping experiences, with waterfront safari tents and geodesic domes positioned to maximize scenic views. Visitors can access the Burlington bike path directly from North Beach Campground for easy exploration of the city, while still enjoying glamping amenities. According to a camper, "Right on the Burlington bike path and across the beach, there is plenty to do and easy access to town and other attractions." Seasonal availability varies by location, with most glamping accommodations available from May through October. Several sites offer guided experiences including stargazing, beach access with lifeguards, and connections to local dining and cultural attractions. The proximity to Burlington's downtown area (about 1.5 miles from North Beach) makes these glamping options particularly appealing for those wanting both wilderness and urban experiences.

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Best Glamping Sites Near Essex Junction, Vermont (32)

    1. North Beach Campground

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

    $37 - $100 / night

    "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."

    "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."

    2. Shelburne Camping Area

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

    "We were near the pool (didn't feel warm, so we didn't partake) and office."

    "Called them same day from Capital Region Welcome Ctr in NY, about 3 hrs away (below Albany). They had a full hook up, pull-thru corner space for us."

    3. Smugglers Notch State Park Campground

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

    $20 / night

    "This campground just outside of Stowe on the way to the drive up and through Smugglers Notch."

    "This year we stayed in Hemlock, and it was so secluded and quiet. The whole place has a real wilderness feel, but it is very close to lots of hiking and the attractions in Stowe."

    4. Little River State Park Campground

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

    $19 - $28 / night

    "We fit two camper vans, two tents and put up a 20x20 rain tarp on Site 5. The site was freshly raked when we got there, and the leftover wood was stacked next to the fire pit."

    "Bathhouse/Shower: Basic but clean 

    Activities: Boating, swimming, and hiking. Plus a nature center."

    5. Mount Philo State Park Campground

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

    $23 / night

    "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."

    "Picnic table and fire pit. Moderate cell service. Nice hikes and cool views of the area!"

    6. AuSable Chasm Campground

    11 Reviews
    Keeseville, NY
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 834-9990

    "Upon arrival, the front desk clerk was very nice and helpful. We found our way to the tent sites, nestled in the very back corner which for us was exactly what we like."

    "3 night stay, tent camping on a site with water and electric. The site we had was quite large, I had booked an end site (#73) hoping it would be big!"

    7. Camp Skyland

    3 Reviews
    Burlington, VT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 372-4200

    $24 - $35 / night

    "My family of 4 tent camped at Camp Skyland in June ‘24 on a waterfront spot showcasing gorgeous Lake Champlain with a mountain backdrop - chef’s kiss!"

    "Great tent / RV / cabin site on an island in Lake Champlain. Tent area is a large field with cabins on the rock bluffs and RV row along the road. Staff was very friendly and accommodating."

    8. Burton Island State Park Campground

    8 Reviews
    North Hero, VT
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 524-6353

    "I've been exploring Vermont State Parks since before I could walk, and Burton Island State Park is my all time favorite!"

    "The island convenience store has awesome breakfast! You can swim anywhere you can find, and walk down their well-maintained trails."

    9. Maple Grove Campground

    3 Reviews
    Milton, VT
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 849-6439

    $25 - $40 / night

    "Site Quality: RV sites are arranged around an oval. Pads are gravel. Because the loop is on a hill, some sites are not quite level, but only slightly."

    "The laundry room is near most sites. The campground is in the perfect location to visit Lake Champlain. There is so much to do in the area."

    10. Button Bay State Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Westport, VT
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 475-2377

    "We selected it because it was nearby for our second outing with our new (used) R-Pod camper. Turns out it's a wonderful park."

    "There is a pool for swimming, paved roads are good for bikes & scooters, pavilion for activities, lake for swimming & fishing and hiking trails."

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Glamping Reviews near Essex Junction, VT

278 Reviews of 32 Essex Junction Campgrounds


  • Beau B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2018

    Mount Philo State Park Campground

    Great little park

    What a great little park! 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. Showers were quarter operated, 50 cents for 5 minutes. Firewood sold on site. Sites are well groomed and have a fire pit and picnic table.

  • T
    Sep. 1, 2018

    Little River State Park Campground

    One super state park campground for the entire family

    This is the only campground in the area I will stay at. It has so many benefits, I may not be able to do it justice in this review. The sites are huge. We fit two camper vans, two tents and put up a 20x20 rain tarp on Site 5. The site was freshly raked when we got there, and the leftover wood was stacked next to the fire pit. Picnic table easily seats 8. Lots of bathrooms around the park, each with showers. Firewood and Ice, along with some necessities are available at the office. Cell phone service is touchy depending on where you are in the park. There is fresh water available. Lots of activities to do here, from the Nature Center and hiking trails to seriously wicked mountain biking trails designed by Mr. Knight overlooking the reservoir where boating of all kinds is allowed. And the fishing in the river below is quite stellar. There's even an abandoned town up on top of the mountain for younto check out.

  • Andrea T.
    Aug. 7, 2018

    Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday

    was great, slipping some.

    I have done tent, cabin and t.v. camping here. a lot of family activity in my favorite place. the outdoor choices are plenty, but the campground is slipping trying to be too much and seems to let the infrastructure slip. it is owned by corporate KOA and it shows that the making money is more important than making it a home away from home that I use to love.. still will come back

  • Linsey S.
    Sep. 6, 2021

    Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday

    Great Campground, Full Amenities

    Spent 3 days, 2 nights here from a Wednesday-Friday. Very large and busy campground, close to Lake Placid and other cool activities to take in. Pros- hot showers, convenient laundromat, you are guided to your site by staff on golf carts. Cons- tent sites aren’t given much privacy, on the days we stayed we were put very close to the main building when we requested a spot near the back away from the busy area, kids allowed to run and yelling and screaming WELL after quiet hours.

  • Deborah W.
    Oct. 1, 2021

    North Beach Campground

    Nice location

    Excellent location due to proximity to north beach that offers beautiful views of the Adirondacks across Lake Champlain. The campground is adjacent to paved Burlington bike / walking trail with easy access to the trail and beach. The only sites with electric are RV sites that are packed in more than we prefer. Bath rooms are ok, but showers need deep cleaning or replacement. Bath house is vented but not heated so it’s rather cold in October. Hot water is just warm.

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 1, 2021

    Big Deer State Park Campground

    Nice Lean-To Sites but...

    This is one of many state parks all clustered around a few bodies of water in Vermont. The campground has a mix of standard tent/rv(no hook ups) sites and lean-to shelters. Sites are relatively close to one another but have a decent amount of vegetation between them to create a little more separation. That being said, we could hear our neighbors reading Harry Potter at bedtime to their kiddo. 

    Lean-tos are large enough to accommodate 2 moderately sized free-standing tents(2-4 person, depending on the style). All sites have standard fire rings and large picnic tables. The bath house is centrally located to all sites and was adequate as it relates to cleanliness and accommodations. Despite their being a ton of signage regarding mask wearing in the bathrooms, there were very few heading the request. 

    I was disappointed to see trash and cigarette butts left in our fire pit from the last campers. Additionally, our lean-to did not appear to have been swept out and tidied in between parties. 

    I would also say that the staff who checked us in were not super attentive or helpful. One thing to note: check in for this park happens up the road at Stillwater State Park. I would probably stay somewhere else before staying here again. But if the surrounding parks are full(common this summer), this location allowed us to still explore the area and enjoy some time outdoors.

  • Drew H.
    Aug. 28, 2024

    Stillwater State Park Campground

    Helpful staff, clean camp, kinda busy

    Great spot, especially for families, it is a bit expensive, at $30 for tent spot and $40 for lean to. the staff was helpful and kept the grounds clean. We ended paying more for the lean to because it was more secluded and quiet, the rest of the park was busy.

    Our spot was right on the brook which was peaceful and beautiful. It also had a fire pit with a grill grate and they sold firewood at the front gate.

  • Katy Z.
    Oct. 5, 2022

    Smugglers Notch State Park Campground

    Good place to stay in Stowe

    This campground just outside of Stowe on the way to the drive up and through Smugglers Notch. It’s only a campground with no access to trails unless you hike down a pretty steep road to Glen Falls parking area. They do have nice bathrooms and showers and it’s probably the cheapest place to sleep while visiting Stowe. We stayed at lean to Spruce. The spot was level and fit our van. Not much privacy between the other lean to’s next to us though.

  • Rita M.
    Sep. 16, 2019

    Stillwater State Park Campground

    Ranger Review: Banner and Oak hats at Stillwater State Park

    **Campground Review **    

    Stillwater State Park in Groton VT is a delightful retreat, nestled on the shores of Lake Groton. The campground has a mix of lean-tos and tent sites. There are waterfront, waterview, and regular sites. Depending on the site booked, the price can vary by a few dollars. I made a short notice reservation, and we managed to score a waterfront site that someone else had cancelled. 

    Having our own personal shoreline was wonderful. I was camping with a group of 12-14 year old girls. They enjoyed sitting on the large rocks, watching the ducks and fish in water. We also brought kayaks, which were fun to launch from our site. Our site(site 8) had two fire pits--an older, stone hearth one, and the newer round metal type with a grill. We ended up using the stone hearth to store wood and supplies, and primarily cooked over the round fire pit. The site was large enough for an 8 person tent, a 4 person tent, and a whole bunch of bikes.

     We were within easy walking distance of the beach and pavilion. The girls mostly biked everywhere. There is even a nice path through the woods to the local camp store. This was very helpful the first morning when I discovered the bowls had been left at home! The prices at the camp store are reasonable, and they sell many essentials, including ice cream!

    The lake water was beautiful and clear. There was enough sand at the camper beach for sand castles and other beach games.  We did see a few leeches here and there--none right at the swimming area, but more to the side, close to the vegetated areas.

    Stillwater's bathrooms were clean, and there were enough bathhouses that it was never far to one. On our second day, there was an interpretive program at the the pavilion. The ranger led visitors in making bark boats out of materials found in the park. The project was a great idea, as the kids could test their boats right there in the lake. Our group had varying degrees of success, but all the girls agreed it was a super fun activity.

    We stayed at the campground on a busy weekend when every site was booked. I was impressed by how quiet the campground ones considering the number of people. The resident campground staff do a good job patrolling to keep things quiet. He even came and check on us because the girls were a little too loud!

    In trying to come up with a list of cons, I am having trouble! It was a very positive experience. My only piece of advice would be to make sure you bring the right provisions. This area of VT is 25-30 minutes from any type of grocery store. There is the camp store, but their stock is limited. Just FYI. Also, there is cell service near the water, but it is very inconsistent. Generally, I like limited service since leaving technology is one of the things I love about camping!

    Overall, a highly recommended camground.  If you have a certain week you want to camp, make sure you book early in the spring, otherwise you might have to wait for a cancellation like I did. The proximity to hiking, boating, swimming, and biking in Groton State Forest makes this a very popular summer campground.

    Gear Review

    As a Ranger for the The Dyrt, I periodically am given gear to review. This trip, I was stoked to review gear from Banner and Oak.  I tested out their women's Pathfinder  hat during this trip.  I selected it because it had lighter colors, while still looking stylish. I was not disappointed! This hat is structured enough to stand up to abuse and still look good. It is a more feminine riff on the tradition trucker hat style.  The back is made out of a stiff mesh, while the front is made of cotton duck fabric. It adjusts with the classic plastic tab system on the back.  I loved this hat! It is perfect for throwing on over a braid or pony tail on those messy-hair camping days.  It also hides dreaded "helmet hair" after biking.  It is now a permanent part of my outdoor gear kit.  My 12 year old daughters want their own, and keep wearing mine.  

    The one area I see room for improvement is in the plastic mesh back. I felt it could be a bit softer, but overall found it comfortable. Definitely check out Banner and Oak if you are looking for solid options for hats!


Guide to Essex Junction

Lake Champlain serves as the backdrop for seasonal camping near Essex Junction, Vermont, with elevations ranging from 95 to 115 feet at most shoreline campgrounds. The region experiences humid continental climate with average summer temperatures between 65-85°F and frequent afternoon thunderstorms from June through August. Most campgrounds within 20 miles of Essex Junction offer access to the 363-mile Lake Champlain shoreline with both sandy and rocky beach areas depending on location.

What to do

Hiking nearby trails: At Smugglers Notch State Park Campground, campers can access multiple trail systems. "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 connects directly to Mount Mansfield trails, Vermont's highest peak.

Water activities: The reservoir at Little River State Park Campground offers multiple water recreation options. "The reservoir is a fun place to explore via kayak and cannoe as well as by motorboat," says Hannah H. The park maintains a boat launch and small beaches for swimming access.

Historical exploration: Several campgrounds feature remnants of early settlements. Little River State Park has hiking trails with historical significance. "There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover," explains Rita M. These ruins date back to early Vermont farming communities abandoned in the early 1900s.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate well-spaced sites at Mount Philo State Park Campground. "Only 8 campsites, dispersed in the trees. $23/night. Picnic table and fire pit," reports Kaelin P. The park's limited capacity means less crowding even during peak season.

Waterfront access: At Burton Island State Park Campground, campers enjoy shoreline proximity. "While we didn't technically have shore line access, there was a short path through the woods that led to a rocky shoreline where we left our canoe and kayak," explains Rita M. Water access points are within 300 feet of most campsites.

Off-season opportunities: Winter camping options exist for adventurous visitors seeking yurt camping near Essex Junction, Vermont. "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," explains Ed M. about Smugglers Notch. "No facilities off season…Carry out all trash/waste."

What you should know

Reservation timing: Popular waterfront sites book quickly. At Burton Island, "Waterfront sites book very quickly (like 11 months in advance)." The Vermont State Parks reservation system opens for the season on the first business day after January 1st each year.

Bug preparation: Mosquitoes can be intense, particularly at Camp Skyland and other lakeside locations. "Mosquitos were intense here, so bring spray & plan accordingly! Our screened-in tent room saved us from being eaten up," advises Whitney W. Bug activity peaks from June through August.

Yurt camping options: While traditional yurt camping in Essex Junction itself is limited, several campgrounds offer similar canvas structure accommodations. Whitney W. notes, "The owner (family owned and operated across generations) took my booking via phone" for alternative glamping accommodations at Camp Skyland.

Weather variability: Lake Champlain creates unpredictable weather patterns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Essex Junction, VT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Essex Junction, VT is North Beach Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 27 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Essex Junction, VT?

TheDyrt.com has all 32 glamping camping locations near Essex Junction, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.