Northern Vermont's Franklin region sits at approximately 500 feet elevation with a humidity-influenced climate from nearby Lake Champlain. Franklin typically sees heavy snowfall from November through March, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F. The camping season runs mid-May through mid-October, with many campgrounds closing for winter except for limited backcountry options.
What to do
Paddling adventures: Lake Carmi State Park features multiple boat launch areas for kayaks and canoes. "There are two boat launch areas, one in each loop. Great for kayaks, and canoes, and we saw what looked like a fishing boat," notes one visitor to Lake Carmi State Park Campground.
Island exploration: Burton Island State Park requires either a passenger ferry ($8 per person) or paddling 3/4 mile from Kamp KilKare State Park. "There are beautiful trails that cover the island. The south tip of the island gets more wind, and therefore waves, which my children greatly enjoyed for swimming," according to a camper at Burton Island State Park Campground.
Biking routes: The region connects to several bike paths, allowing extended rides without driving. "We biked to this park from Burlington via the Island Line Trail. It was a super trip," reports a cyclist who stayed at Grand Isle State Park Campground.
What campers like
Private sites: Many campgrounds offer well-spaced sites that provide seclusion without isolation. At Lake Carmi, "Our site, like all others, was generous in size and a back-in site. Most sites don't have clearly defined camper pads, and the surface is grass/dirt. There are plentiful trees, so each site has at least some shade and some are very shaded."
Waterfront access: Knight Island provides exceptional water access with no vehicle traffic. "Every remote campsite is waterside, with fabulous access to amazing swimming, gorgeous sunsets, and fantastic hikes across the island," says a reviewer of Knight Island State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: State parks maintain well-kept bathrooms and shower facilities. "The bathrooms were pretty good and cleaned often. VT state does a great job of keeping the campground very clean," notes a Lake Carmi visitor, though they add that "the beaches were rocky and almost a mud/sand mix."
What you should know
Off-season opportunities: Winter camping permits are available at some locations. "Knight Island is a summer camping oasis but you can obtain a permit from the Vt. State Parks to winter camp. There are some nice leantos on the east side of the island that give you access to the lake and some good fishing," according to a winter camper.
Weather preparedness: Even summer nights can get cold, and weather patterns can change rapidly. A Smugglers Notch camper advises, "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 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."
Limited services: Cell reception varies widely across the region. At Lake Carmi, visitors report "No cell service," while many campgrounds offer WiFi only near office areas.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly beaches: Swimming areas vary in quality and safety. At Campbell's Bay Campground, "There is a boat launch, gas for boats and docks to keep a boat. They rent boats there too. You can sit along the water in front of the office/store and chill. It's a nice view and peaceful," according to a visitor to Campbell's Bay Campground.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds enforce quiet hours strictly. At Mill Pond in Franklin, owners "strictly enforce noise hours which is good for young and older campers."
Wildlife encounters: Impromptu animal sightings add to the camping experience. One Lake Carmi visitor mentions, "A surprise was a family of ducks who visited our site when I was outside reading!"
Tips from RVers
Site sizes: RV length restrictions vary significantly between campgrounds. A Lake Carmi camper notes, "The only major drawback is lack of cell service & power... you can fill up the camper with water on the way in but no sites have any hookups. And there are few that are big enough for large rvs."
Full hookup options: Mill Pond Campground in Franklin accommodates larger rigs with basic services. "We reserved on line a month before as we were pulling a motorcycle behind our RV. Total distance of 38 feet. Site accommodated us nicely," reports a visitor to Mill Pond.
Water access: Many RV sites lack direct water views. At Alburg RV Resort, "The sites are tighter than we like. This resort has a lot to offer. The pool was packed yet felt good. The place is maintained well and very clean."
