Graniteville sits in central Vermont's Washington County at approximately 1,165 feet elevation with cool summer nights even in July and August. Campgrounds in the area operate within mountainous terrain characterized by rolling hills and granite outcroppings. Fall temperatures can dip below freezing starting in late September, requiring proper insulation for extended stays.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: The Millstone Mountain Bike area near Lazy Lions Campground offers technical riding opportunities through granite terrain. "Though they are nearby to Millstone Mountain Bike area, there is little else to do here," notes one visitor who recommends using the campground as a base for daily riding excursions.
Paddling opportunities: Ricker Pond State Park Campground provides calm water recreation on a motor-restricted pond. "A quiet camp ground on Ricker Pond, a motor free pond, is a wonderful way to spend the weekend. The pond is serene and a great place to swim, paddle, explore, and fish," reports a regular visitor who enjoys the tranquility.
Hiking access: Branbury State Park Campground connects to multiple trail systems of varying difficulty. "A five minute hike—though it is quite a rocky, boulder-y hike—from the sites leads to a small river and swimming hole," explains one camper who appreciated the proximity to natural features.
What campers like
Natural water features: Many campers appreciate the small streams and ponds throughout the region. At Brookside RV Camping, visitors note: "This is a great spot to stop for a night with your RV and enjoy the river for a night. Easy to get to, just off of a one-way paved road."
Privacy between sites: Woodbury Meadows Campground maintains spacious site separation despite its small size. "With 6 sites, this family-owned campground was the perfect pit stop on our road trip to Stowe. Dog and kid friendly. Has showers, water, and electrical hookup," reports a satisfied camper.
Recreational amenities: Sugar Ridge RV Village offers activities beyond standard camping. "This campground has everything! Horse carriage rides, paved roads, 2 pools, playgrounds, mini golf, fireworks," explains an enthusiastic visitor who found plenty for their family to do during their stay.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. At Ricker Pond State Park, "There is absolutely no cell service for miles, so plan accordingly," warns one visitor who recommends downloading maps before arrival.
Bathroom facilities: While most rv campgrounds near Graniteville, Vermont provide shower access, quality and cost varies. "Showers, which we did not use, were $0.25 for four minutes. There was a microwave and wash sink as well for dishes," mentions a visitor describing the facilities at Lazy Lions.
Seasonal operation: Most Graniteville area campsites have limited operating seasons. At Smugglers Notch RV Village, a visitor notes: "This is new campground opened this past season. This is our 3rd visit and it gets better each time," indicating ongoing improvements during their operational months.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming access: Branbury State Park offers supervised swimming areas suitable for children. "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 frequent visitor who appreciates the family-friendly setup.
Playgrounds and activities: Look for campgrounds with built-in entertainment options. "Kids love to play here and mini golf on site makes it even better," mentions a Sugar Ridge visitor who found the structured recreation valuable for keeping children engaged.
Wildlife awareness: Properly secure food to prevent unwanted animal encounters in Graniteville camping areas. "Just make sure you put your food and trash away—there are black bears in the area!" cautions a Branbury State Park camper who observed evidence of wildlife activity.
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: Not all RV parks near Graniteville accommodate larger vehicles equally. "We had a pull through, and nice green grass sights," reports a visitor to Lazy Lions, though site dimensions can limit larger rigs.
Hookup verification: Confirm exact hookup specifications before booking at Vermont RV campgrounds. "Decent cell phone signal (Verizon)" mentions a visitor to Sugar Ridge who found their site's power connection didn't match what they expected: "Family staying next to us found their site had 50 amp service not the expected 30 amp and they needed to borrow an adapter cord."
Seasonal site preparation: For those planning extended or recurring stays, sites fill quickly. "We loved it so much we camped here twice last year," notes a visitor at Smugglers Notch RV Village who secured early bookings to ensure availability during peak periods.