Camping near Guildhall, Vermont presents options throughout the White Mountains region at elevations ranging from 800 to 2,500 feet. Most campgrounds in this northern Vermont area experience a shorter camping season due to cold temperatures, with reliable camping weather from late May through early October. The Connecticut River forms the eastern border of Essex County, providing water recreation opportunities at several nearby camping destinations.
What to do
Hiking trails: Access mountain viewpoints via Burke Campground's trail system. "Burke mountain lean-to #1 [is] on the red trail...near the split for red-blue options. With fire pit," notes one visitor, while another mentions a "nice lean-to on the blue trail" that also features a fire pit.
Water activities: Enjoy lake recreation at Mountain Lake Camping Resort, which provides rental equipment for water sports. "Lake, hiking, canoeing, paddle boarding, bike riding, all of it is right here," reports one camper. The campground also features a "heated pool with water slides that even adults can enjoy."
Winter sports: Consider Cannon Mountain RV Park for cold-weather activities. One reviewer describes it as "perfect for ski bums. Access to xcs, downhill, and snow machine trails." Another camper notes it provides "a quick route to the summit for different views of the autumn colors."
Family attractions: Lancaster's surrounding area contains several family-friendly destinations. "Centrally located to Franconia Notch SP, Woodstock and Lincoln," states one camper about Country Bumpkins Campground. Another mentions it's "close to Santa's Village," making it convenient for families seeking entertainment beyond camping.
What campers like
River views: Many campers appreciate waterfront sites. At Country Bumpkins Campground and Cabins, "spots for both campers and tents right along the river" provide natural ambiance. Another camper confirms "the camping is small but it has the most beautiful location at the river."
Quiet atmosphere: Smaller campgrounds offer peaceful surroundings. "Such a nice well cared for campground. 39 sites with a combination of RV full hookup to primitive tent sites. Beautiful setting on a small babbling river and plenty of trees for shade," reports a visitor to Country Bumpkins Campground.
Well-maintained facilities: Riverside Camping & RV Resort in Lancaster gets high marks for cleanliness. "Easily one of the most well maintained sites we have visited. The host was attentive and gracious," states one reviewer. The campground operates on 75 acres with "beautiful nature trails behind the campground."
Organized activities: Family entertainment options exist at several locations. At Sugar Ridge RV Village & Campground, campers appreciate the "horse carriage rides, paved roads, 2 pools, playgrounds, mini golf, fireworks." Another reviewer confirms there are "crafts and fun things for the kids."
What you should know
Site sizes vary: Campgrounds accommodate different vehicle sizes. "Sites were spacious and well maintained," notes a camper about Fransted Family Campground, adding that "many sites along the river and nice grassy sites near the front" provide options for different preferences.
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds in the region operate on a limited schedule. Mountain Lake Camping Resort runs from "May 15 to October 15," while Riverside Camping & RV Resort operates from "May 1 - Oct 15." Plan accordingly as most facilities close after fall foliage season ends.
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially on weekends. Cannon Mountain RV Park has only "7 RV, full-hookup sites. Reservations are recommended in the summer, but from Columbus Day to mid May you may have a chance with walk-up."
Amenity limitations: Sunshine Valley RV Park has minimal facilities. "You'll need to provide your own power, whether solar or generator. You'll need to be self-contained, with no bathroom facilities available," explains a reviewer. The campground does offer "pull through sites, seasonal sites with sewer."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Cedar Pond Campground offers recreation options for children. "We always enjoy staying in this campground, ATV Access is a Big Plus!" states one camper. The campground provides a mix of accommodation types "From Tents To Deluxe Cabins Also a Great place For Full Service RV Sites."
Swimming options: Multiple campgrounds feature pools or natural swimming areas. At Mountain Lake Camping Resort, campers enjoy a "heated pool with water slides" while Sugar Ridge offers "2 pools" plus other recreational amenities for children.
Pet policies: Many campgrounds welcome pets but have specific rules. Sugar Ridge RV Village is described as "dog friendly" by one reviewer who highlighted their "amazing time" at the "park [with] most sites spacious and some good ones with privacy."
Rental accommodations: For families without camping equipment, several options exist. Mountain Lake Camping Resort offers "yurts, cabins, the tee pee and tents/trailers. Everyone was happy with their stay. The rental units were clean and some of the cabins even had bathrooms/kitchenettes."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Full-service RV sites are common at larger campgrounds. Rogers Campground offers "full hookups for a decent price" according to one RVer, who added it has "easy pull in sites" that accommodate various rig sizes.
Road access: Some campgrounds have challenging approaches for larger rigs. At Cannon Mountain RV Park, one camper noted "the sites are narrow, a little bigger than a parking space, especially because of the trees in between the sites."
Leveling considerations: Terrain affects setup at some campgrounds. At Country Bumpkins Campground, one RVer mentioned a site that "was slightly uphill, so we had to pull the RV all the way to the front of the site to be able to level."
Site mapping: Pay attention to campground layouts when booking RV camping near Guildhall, Vermont. A camper at Sugar Ridge noted the "site map is oriented upside down and would be helpful if corrected and updated" and suggested "labeling individual site power on map would be helpful" after discovering unexpected 50-amp service instead of 30-amp.