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Best Campgrounds near Swanton, VT

323 Reviews

Camping opportunities in the Swanton area of Vermont include a mixture of developed campgrounds and island camping experiences on Lake Champlain. Lakewood Campgrounds offers RV and tent sites near the water, while Woods Island State Park provides a more remote camping experience accessible only by boat. The region features several state parks with cabin options, including Burton Island State Park, Knight Island State Park, and Lake Carmi State Park, all within reasonable driving distance. Many campgrounds in this area cater to both tent campers and RV users, with varying levels of amenities and hookups.

Access to camping near Swanton varies significantly based on location and season. Most state parks in the region operate seasonally, typically from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend or early October. Island campgrounds require boat transportation, with some parks offering ferry service while others like Woods Island require private watercraft for access. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for waterfront sites which tend to book up to 11 months in advance. Winter camping is possible at some locations with special permits. As one camper noted, "Knight Island is a summer camping oasis but you can obtain a permit from the Vt. State Parks to winter camp."

The camping experience in this region is defined by Lake Champlain and its islands. Waterfront sites are particularly sought after, offering swimming, boating, and fishing opportunities. Burton Island State Park stands out as a car-free destination that provides a unique experience compared to mainland campgrounds. Several campgrounds offer rental options for watercraft to enhance visitor experiences. Campers consistently mention the privacy found at island sites and the natural beauty of the lake environment. According to visitor feedback, "Every remote campsite is waterside, with fabulous access to amazing swimming, gorgeous sunsets, and fantastic hikes." While some campgrounds like Campbells Bay accommodate full-time seasonal campers, others focus on providing short-term stays for visitors exploring Vermont's northwestern lakes region.

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Best Camping Sites Near Swanton, Vermont (83)

    1. Grand Isle State Park Campground

    28 Reviews
    Grand Isle, VT
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 372-4300

    $6 - $28 / night

    "Beautifully set on Lake Champlain in Vermont! This is a relatively large campground but is well laid out and doesn't feel small even when it's packed to the gills."

    "Since the park is on a island in Lake Champlain in Vermont there is water all around. Good places to walk and ride."

    2. Lake Carmi State Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Franklin, VT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 933-8383

    $29 / night

    "Our first time in Vermont, we were coming from Montreal, Quebec. And while there are many nice campsites to visit in Quebec... we've done them all, within a 2-hour radius. Well, guess what?"

    "Lakefront sites have a filtered view of the lake through the trees.  Bath/Shower House: The one closest to us was very clean. Three stalls and one shower."

    3. Burton Island State Park Campground

    8 Reviews
    North Hero, VT
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 524-6353

    "I've been exploring Vermont State Parks since before I could walk, and Burton Island State Park is my all time favorite!"

    "Burton Island is a 2.5 mile long island state park off of the shoreline of Lake Champlain."

    4. Lakewood Campgrounds

    2 Reviews
    Swanton, VT
    5 miles
    +1 (802) 868-7270

    "I couldn’t find a specific option for this campground, so I used a nearby one. This is Lake Willoughby near Lakewood. There are tons of primitive camping spots here."

    "I rented a stand up paddle board at a place nearby for the day and had fun playing in the water. The weather was perfect in the summer. Definitely bring bug spray would be my only complaint!"

    5. Campbells Bay Campground

    2 Reviews
    Swanton, VT
    3 miles

    "It had a view of the water yet it's a distance away. We had water and electric and a small dump station. There was a tree in our site which gave us a little shade yet no privacy in-between the sites."

    "It’s always a great time, cabins are clean, neat & very close to the water. Everything is clean, no litter on grounds or in water. Boat access is very easy, docks can be a bit shakey lol."

    6. Knight Island State Park Campground

    3 Reviews
    North Hero, VT
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 524-6353

    "There are some nice leantos on the east side of the island that give you access to the lake and some good fishing. Deer, .turkey, fox and smaller animals can be seen throughout the island"

    "It doesn't host a ton of amenities other than outdoor toilets, but it doesn't need to because every remote campsite is waterside, with fabulous access to amazing swimming, gorgeous sunsets, and fantastic"

    7. Apple Island Resort

    12 Reviews
    Grand Isle, VT
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 372-3800

    $55 - $105 / night

    "Visit this campground in the fall and experience quintessential Vermont in all its glory. The campground is nice. The people are friendly."

    "Brewery and vineyards close by"

    8. Woods Island State Park Campground

    1 Review
    North Hero, VT
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 524-6353

    "One of three neighboring island parks in Lake Champlain’s “inland sea”(along with Burton Island and Knight Island), Woods Island became Vermont's forty-fifth state park in 1985."

    9. Alburg RV Resort

    1 Review
    Swanton, VT
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 796-3733

    $33 - $45 / night

    "This is one big Rv Resort on Lake Champlain. 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."

    10. Goose Point Campground

    2 Reviews
    North Hero, VT
    7 miles
    +1 (802) 796-3711
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Recent Camping Photos near Swanton, VT

130 Photos of 83 Swanton Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Swanton, VT

323 Reviews of 83 Swanton Campgrounds

  • R
    Oct. 10, 2025

    AuSable Chasm Campground

    Beautiful/Fun Campground

    I wish I had my bike!!! I didn’t know that this was a biking campground and there were SO MANY trails. Made the most of them with running, but overall, a fantastic campground. Showers were clean, staff was very friendly. Sites and attractions within walking distance (but busy roads to cross).

  • nThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites — Waterbury Center State Park

    State park

    Little river st park wide flat camp sites no hookups limited gen. Use hours 8am/10am and 4pm/6pm. Rough road coming5th to campground. Very quite. cell phone t mobile works fine. Site could hold big rig we have a 28ft 5th wheel plenty of room for 35/40

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Brewster River Campground

    A regular

    Been coming here for a few years now and it’s my favorite place to go in Vermont so far.

  • Mindie C.
    Sep. 14, 2025

    North Beach Campground

    Ok for the night

    It’s basically a public park with beach access. The views on the beach are absolutely beautiful. No frills sites.

  • K
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Mount Philo State Park Campground

    Hidden gem!

    Great little campground at a beautiful state park. The campground had widely spaced wooded sites and was exceptionally quiet. Very well-maintained! Recommend nearby Charlotte town beach for swimming ($10 for non-residents).

  • E
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Indian Brook Reservoir

    Family of 4 tent camping

    I mistakenly assumed they had drive up campsites. They do not. It was a 15 minute hike to the site, so pack light. If you have a kayak, you can transport your stuff over. Site was gorgeous and private, right on the reservoir. Really lovely setting!

  • Snooz H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Shelburne Camping Area

    Oh My God. NO!

    Electricity would not work. We got an error on our control panel that said stop! Power source is not correct! Dan, one of the owners, said that somebody must have tried to hook a 50 amp into the 30 amp. box. He went about a half block to check breaker said that it was not flipped but it was wobbling pretty loose in there.

    My husband is a licensed electrician and of course had his own testing equipment. It showed 25 amp coming out of it. So he said move to spot 50. Well before we moved our vehicle, we went down there and checked it. He took off before we could. And guess what the exact same problem. We did not even hook into the second one. (#50)
    So he proceeded to tell us that it was our equipment that had gone bad. Even though we never plugged into spot 50!

    I had planned on one night thank God! He did refund our $52. we had to drive down the road and try to find someplace else at 7:00 in the evening. Another thank God, the Walmart about 10 or 15 miles down the road would allow overnight.

    So we are now on our way to our next location which is about a 7 hour drive. We are just hoping that they did not damage our equipment. It has been extremely stressful if you go there you better watch out!

  • J
    Jul. 11, 2025

    Grand Isle State Park Campground

    Great family friendly park

    What a lovely state park! We had a huge campsite that was comfortable for 3 tents and 6 adults. The restrooms/showers are vintage but clean and functional. Showers are coin operated. It was a quiet, family friendly campground with a cute little beach and nature center with youth programs. The only small drawback is that the water front sites are overgrown with trees on the other side of a fence. You could see the water in some parts but not all of the site. Overall- a great place!

  • B The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 3, 2025

    Little River State Park Campground

    Tranquil

    Stopped by midweek without reservation after vehicle issues forced a stop by the nearby shops in Barre/Berlin. Very peaceful with ample hammock spots. They sell wood stacked in cribs, wish I'd planned for that as I ended up using my only towel to haul it. Good price on the wood, though.

    I'd come back here if it were just to quietly meditate or read or something, but don't know if there's much to do. I didn't experience the same issues others did with bathroom as some other reviews and surprised to learn there are campers who require a full kitchen sink- I just use a couple of rags.

    Bottom line, a lovely but unmemorable stay.

Guide to Swanton

Camping near Swanton, Vermont, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors.

What to do:

  • Hiking: There are numerous trails nearby, including those around Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday. One reviewer mentioned, "There are plenty of hikes nearby to wear them out if you desire."
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds, like Button Bay State Park Campground, provide access to fishing spots. A visitor noted, "Gorgeous views of Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains."
  • Swimming: Campgrounds such as Grand Isle State Park Campground offer swimming opportunities. One camper shared, "The cleanliness of the facilities was excellent."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Little River State Park Campground stated, "The restroom is a bit dated and dingy, but clean."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campgrounds have helpful staff. A visitor at Pine Ridge Park Campsite said, "The whole time they are open they have activities planned for the kids all summer long."
  • Scenic Views: Campers love the beautiful surroundings. One review for Apple Island Resort mentioned, "The views of Lake Champlain are amazing."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Wilmington Notch, may not have electric hookups. A camper noted, "The campground is only a place to sleep."
  • Privacy Concerns: Campsites can be close together. A review for North Beach Campground mentioned, "The campground is ok, but it is only a place to sleep."
  • Seasonal Availability: Many campgrounds are only open during specific months. For example, Grand Isle State Park Campground operates from May 12 to October 16.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with planned activities. One parent at Pine Ridge Park Campsite said, "The staff is always smiling and welcoming you into the campground."
  • Dog-Friendly Options: Many campgrounds allow pets. A review for Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday mentioned, "The dog park was very small."
  • Safety First: Ensure the campground is safe for children. A visitor at North Beach Campground noted, "Very safe and super close to town."

Tips from RVers:

  • Space for Big Rigs: Check if the campground is big rig friendly. A review for Button Bay State Park Campground mentioned, "Huge spaces for RVs and very private lean-tos."
  • Hookup Availability: Make sure to confirm if electric and water hookups are available. A camper at Smugglers Notch State Park Campground said, "No amenities, no Wi-Fi."
  • Road Conditions: Be aware of the access roads. A review for Wilmington Notch mentioned, "The roads are really tight for big rigs."

Camping near Swanton, Vermont, has something for everyone, from families to seasoned RVers. With beautiful landscapes and a variety of activities, it’s a great spot to unwind and enjoy nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Swanton campground?

Campgrounds in the Swanton area offer various amenities to enhance your camping experience. Mountain View Campground features a well-stocked camp store, two swimming pools, and car-accessible tent sites along the Lamoille River. This family-friendly destination offers numerous amenities that children will enjoy. Another option in the region, Lake Carmi State Park Campground, provides clean facilities with hot showers and is surrounded by water, making it ideal for boating and water activities. Most campgrounds in the area offer basic amenities like toilets, water access, and reservable sites.

How much does it cost to stay at Lakewood Campgrounds in Swanton?

Lakewood Campgrounds in Swanton offers camping at competitive rates for the area. While exact pricing information is limited in recent reviews, camping fees in the Swanton area generally range from $25-35 per night for basic tent sites and $35-50 for sites with hookups. For comparison, nearby North Beach Campground is noted for its reasonable pricing with spacious sites. For current and exact pricing at Lakewood Campgrounds, it's recommended to call the campground directly as rates may vary by season, site type, and number of occupants.

What do visitor reviews say about Lakewood Campgrounds in Swanton?

While specific reviews for Lakewood Campgrounds are limited, visitors to Vermont campgrounds in the region generally praise the beautiful lakeside settings and natural surroundings. For those seeking similarly-rated experiences in the area, Grand Isle State Park Campground receives excellent reviews for its peaceful atmosphere, clean facilities, hot showers, and friendly staff. Visitors particularly appreciate its location on Lake Champlain, offering beautiful views and excellent opportunities for walking and biking. The campground is noted for being well-designed with spacious sites that don't feel crowded even during peak seasons.

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