Camping spots near Ferrisburg, Vermont offer access to both Lake Champlain's shoreline and Green Mountain forests within a short drive. The region sits at an elevation of approximately 200 feet above sea level with moderate summer temperatures averaging 75-80°F during peak camping months. Lake Champlain water temperatures reach swimming comfort levels by late June, typically around 68°F, making water recreation practical during the main camping season.
What to do
Swimming at alternate beaches: Charlotte town beach provides a swimming alternative for campers at Mount Philo State Park. "Recommend nearby Charlotte town beach for swimming ($10 for non-residents)," notes a visitor to Mount Philo State Park Campground.
Biking on local routes: The Burlington bike path connects directly to camping areas and provides paved surfaces suitable for family cycling. One North Beach camper explains, "There is a pool for swimming, paved roads are good for bikes & scooters, pavilion for activities, lake for swimming & fishing and hiking trails." The Lake Champlain Byway also offers dedicated cycling routes. A camper at Button Bay State Park Campground mentions it's a "Nice park for cycling the Lake Champlain Byway."
Historical exploration: Crown Point historic site preserves colonial war ruins within walking distance of campsites. "The ruins of Fort Douglas and the bridge were both amazing views. Biking across the bridge was a great workout as well as a tour of the fort. So much history," shares a visitor at Crown Point Campground.
What campers like
Secluded camping options: Several campgrounds offer private sites separated by natural vegetation. At Moosalamoo Campground, "The campsites are well spaced and staggered for maximum privacy. Hosts are pleasant and very helpful." Another camper notes, "Each site is spaced from each other with good tree/brush coverage and beautiful forest surroundings."
Access to multiple trail systems: Interconnected hiking networks allow campers to explore without driving. "Lots of great hiking accessible from the campground, or within a short drive. Silver Lake and Lake Dunmore are nearby," explains a Moosalamoo visitor. Similarly, behind the 100-Acre section of Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA "are trails that lead to Whiteface Mountain so you don't have to get in the car to start a hike."
Clean facilities despite rustic settings: Even primitive campgrounds maintain good standards. "Bathrooms are small and clean with hot showers," notes a Mount Philo visitor. At Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday, "Each section has their own bathhouses, laundry, and game rooms," and "bathrooms and showers were clean."
What you should know
Limited hookup availability: Many state parks lack electrical service. At Button Bay, there are "No hookups but have a dump station," and most sites offer basic amenities only. Moosalamoo provides even fewer services with "the basic outhouse toilets, and parking for about 2 cars. There is also a few spouts to get some fresh water."
Reservation timing strategies: Peak season requires advance planning, especially for waterfront sites. "Book early for the best sites," advises a Button Bay visitor. For Mount Philo, with only "8 campsites, dispersed in the trees," visitors should reserve well ahead since "this is the first state park in Vermont" and quite popular.
Non-peak season advantages: Late season camping offers fewer crowds and different experiences. At North Beach Campground, "There is a nice pool, but it closes after Labor Day weekend," yet September camping at Button Bay is particularly appealing: "there is no place we'd rather be in September!"
Tips for camping with families
Site selection for group activities: Choose campgrounds with central gathering spaces. Moosalamoo features "a grassy area in the center of the campground—great for kids, gatherings, etc." North Beach is "good for families that are not too rowdy. There is a pool for swimming, paved roads are good for bikes & scooters, pavilion for activities."
Entertainment backup options: Button Bay offers structured activities beyond standard camping. "This state park is so fun to camp at! It has a great playground for kids and a nice swimming pool! You can hike on the trail and Lake Champlain is right there!" shares one family camper.
Pay attention to site spacing: Campgrounds vary significantly in privacy between sites. "Sites 1, 6 and 8 and the best if you're only camping with those at your site as they're the most secluded and private. Sites 2 and 3 are more open, to both each other, and to those en route to the bathrooms," explains a visitor to Rivers Bend Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site orientation considerations: Some waterfront sites allow for optimal positioning. At Button Bay, "the waterfront sites are fantastic, they are wide so smaller units can be parked parallel to the lake." This allows for better views directly from your RV.
Power limitations: Check electrical capacity before hooking up. Some campgrounds have unreliable power sources or limited amperage. Full hookup sites with adequate power are more common at private campgrounds than state parks around Ferrisburg.
Tree clearance challenges: Several campgrounds have tight access roads with low-hanging branches. At Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA, "there were lots of tree limbs that needed to be trimmed. Maneuvering through the park was pretty tight for us and we had to take it really slow."
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