Best Campgrounds near Franklin, VT
The northern Vermont landscape surrounding Franklin offers diverse camping experiences, with Lake Carmi State Park serving as a centerpiece just minutes from the Canadian border. Mill Pond campground, located directly in Franklin, provides big-rig friendly sites with thirty-amp hookups for RV travelers. Within a 30-mile radius, campers find everything from waterfront sites along Lake Champlain at Grand Isle State Park to boat-access-only camping at Burton Island State Park. The region's proximity to Montreal (less than 90 minutes away) makes it particularly popular with Canadian visitors seeking Vermont's scenic countryside and lakeside recreation opportunities.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from May through mid-October, with limited winter camping options. Lake Carmi State Park's season typically runs from May 19 to October 9, while nearby Grand Isle State Park extends slightly longer from May 12 to October 16. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially for waterfront sites which often book months ahead. As one visitor to Lake Carmi noted, "The drive there was really pleasant. It took us mostly through very scenic routes in both Quebec and Vermont." Cell service can be spotty in more remote areas, though many campgrounds offer WiFi near their office areas. Nighttime temperatures can drop significantly even in summer, with fall camping requiring proper cold-weather gear.
Waterfront camping dominates the region's most sought-after sites, with Lake Champlain and Lake Carmi offering particularly scenic settings. Campers consistently praise the clean facilities and helpful staff at state parks. "This is one of the most beautiful and peaceful parks I have stayed in," wrote one visitor about Grand Isle State Park. Mill Pond receives high marks for its friendly owners who "strictly enforce quiet hours which is good for young and older campers." The region offers excellent biking opportunities, with Grand Isle visitors noting you can "bike directly from here all the way to Burlington without ever getting back in your car." Fall brings spectacular foliage viewing, though temperatures drop considerably, with bathhouses becoming quite chilly in October.
