Camping spots near Addison, Vermont cluster around two major waterbodies – Lake Champlain to the west and Lake Dunmore to the east. The Champlain Valley creates a moderate microclimate with summer temperatures averaging 5-10 degrees warmer than surrounding mountain areas. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 100-500 feet, resulting in longer camping seasons than Vermont's higher-elevation parks.
What to do
Cycling adventures: The Lake Champlain Byway provides excellent road biking opportunities from Button Bay State Park Campground. "Nice park for cycling the Lake Champlain Byway," notes one visitor, who also mentions the park has "swimming pool with life guard" for post-ride relaxation.
Water activities: Rent kayaks and canoes for $10-$15 per day at Branbury State Park Campground. "The day use section has a wonderful beach with a swimming area and boat launch. Large trees provide shade on a grassy lawn, and grills are available," reports a regular visitor who appreciates the concession stand that operates during day use hours.
Historical exploration: Visit the ruins of Fort Douglas near Crown Point Campground. "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 one camper who also enjoyed ice cream across the bridge.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the thoughtful layout at Moosalamoo Campground, where "the sites are well spaced and staggered for maximum privacy." Another visitor noted, "Each site is spaced from each other with good tree/brush coverage and beautiful forest surroundings. It was secluded and dark at night, one of the best campsites to date!"
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness receives consistent praise across multiple campgrounds. At Rivers Bend Campground, "The restrooms and shower houses are maintained and cleaned daily, which is good because some campers are just inconsiderate and disgusting." Similarly, a Moosalamoo visitor was impressed with "surprisingly clean vault toilets. No showers."
Sunrise/sunset views: Waterfront sites at Bridgeview Harbour Marina offer exceptional dawn perspectives. "While you do not have direct access to the lake for swimming, it is very private with many trees providing shade. And waking up to that sunrise every morning was incredible," shares one visitor. At Crown Point, another camper notes, "Walking around you can see sunrises, sunsets, boats, forts, the bridge, history."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Peak season bookings require advanced planning, especially for waterfront sites. For D.A.R State Park Campground, one visitor notes, "I was there Thursday through Sunday. The weekend was definitely more busy, but it didn't feel crowded." At Button Bay, a camper advises, "Book early for the best sites."
Bear awareness: Food storage protocols should be strictly followed. "There are bears in the area, so be aware and store all food properly," warns a Branbury State Park camper. Moosalamoo provides bear storage lockers, though one visitor noted, "I did not use them as I had my bear keg with me."
Cell connectivity: Reception varies significantly between campgrounds. At Rogers Rock, "Cell phone coverage is spotty, I was getting 1-2 bars with Verizon." However, at Moosalamoo, visitors report very limited connectivity, with service improving only when approaching larger towns like Middlebury.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: For families with children, Button Bay State Park offers dual swimming environments. "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 an enthusiastic family visitor.
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer designated play areas. "This is a good campground for families that are not too rowdy. There is a pool for swimming, paved roads are good for bikes & scooters, pavilion for activities, lake for swimming & fishing and hiking trails," notes a camper at Rogers Rock Campground.
Educational opportunities: Mount Philo provides natural learning experiences with minimal crowds. "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," shares a family who visited with children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose RV sites based on shade and privacy needs. At Button Bay State Park, "Everything from sunny meadow sites to more wooded private sites. Nice pool. No hookups but have a dump station," notes one RVer sharing insights about the layout.
Hookup availability: Full-service options vary significantly between parks. "Wonderful state park, the waterfront sites are fantastic, they are wide so smaller units can be parked parallel to the lake," reports an RV camper at Button Bay who also noted the clean bathrooms and easy lake access.
Setup considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for larger rigs. At Mount Philo, campers note "the road is steep and winding, it's not suitable for RVs." However, at Barber Homestead Park, RVers report "very quiet, well maintained campground. Easy to maneuver our rig into. Restrooms & laundry room were very nice."
