Camping spots near Jericho, Vermont offer access to both the Lamoille River watershed and the western slopes of Mount Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak at 4,393 feet. Winter temperatures in the region regularly drop below freezing from November through March, with summer highs rarely exceeding 85°F. Many primitive campsites in the area require walk-in access with distances ranging from 0.1 to 0.3 miles from parking areas.
What to do
Kayaking at reservoir sites: Indian Brook Reservoir offers tent platforms accessible by foot or boat. According to one camper, "The Reservoir lends itself to peaceful boating, nature watching and great fishing," making it perfect for paddlers seeking quiet waters.
Winter exploration: Several campgrounds remain accessible in colder months. At Smugglers Notch State Park Campground, winter camping is free during off-season. "Hike/snowshoe in to your site as the gate is closed and the area is not plowed. No facilities off season...Carry out all trash/waste. Right in the middle of great nordic and alpine backcountry skiing and snowshoeing," notes one winter visitor.
Historical trails: Little River State Park features remnants of abandoned settlements. "The hiking trails are really good--actually pretty steep. There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover," explains a visitor, making it an educational option for history buffs.
Golfing options: For those seeking non-hiking activities, Apple Island Resort offers a 9-hole par-3 golf course with putting green. "My husband enjoyed his time at the golf course," mentions one camper who appreciated the recreational variety.
What campers like
Site privacy and terrain: Underhill State Park features walk-in tent sites with natural separation. One visitor noted, "You get the feel of really being out in the woods, with your car a short distance away. They provide wheelbarrows for easy moving of your stuff, and the campsites are super clean and well organized."
Water access: Little River State Park Campground offers sites with reservoir views and swimming. "We stayed on the B side. The bathrooms were clean, the site was well maintained, and the reservoir was a great place to relax after a day of hiking!" according to a recent camper.
Affordable off-season options: Many campgrounds offer significant savings during shoulder seasons. "In October, you get a second night free!" reports a visitor to Shelburne Camping Area, though they caution "the campsites are pretty small and close together so noise can be an issue."
Tent platform locations: At Indian Brook Reservoir, the tent platforms are strategically placed. "Nestled in the woods are several tent platforms that you can access by foot or by boat. They are spacious but not too private. There is a shared privy among the sites," explains a visitor who explored the area in multiple seasons.
What you should know
Transportation logistics: Many primitive sites require planning for gear transport. At Indian Brook Reservoir, "It was a 15 minute hike to the site, so pack light. If you have a kayak, you can transport your stuff over," advises a family of four who tent camped there.
Shower facilities: Coin-operated showers are common at state parks. At Grand Isle State Park Campground, "Showers are coin-operated, but $0.50 will get you 5 minutes of hot water!" according to a recent visitor.
Noise factors: Road noise affects some campgrounds more than others. At Shelburne Camping Area, one camper notes "the site is close to the highway which is convenient but it also means you hear the traffic all night."
Reservation timing: Gold Brook Campground has strict cancellation policies. "Because I reserved over 90 days ago, they keep the full amount!" warned a customer who had to cancel, highlighting the importance of understanding refund policies before booking.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Lone Pine Campsites features multiple family amenities. "We had one right next to the playground so our daughter could walk straight to it without having to cross a road. And speaking of playground, it was large and very nice. The campground is close to the highway but we never noticed the road noise," notes a parent who stayed there.
Water activities: Several campgrounds offer swimming options for kids. According to a Little River State Park visitor, "We visited here with our 5 kiddos for 2 nights late July 2016. The facilities were clean, the small playground was great, and the small boat launch and beach kept us in the water."
Youth programs: Grand Isle State Park offers educational options. One visitor mentioned the park has "a cute little beach and nature center with youth programs," making it ideal for families wanting structured activities.
Site selection for families: At Apple Island Resort, sites vary greatly. "The front sections of the campground are where most of the transient RVs parked (and have the views of the lake) whereas the back section of the campground has a mix of transient RV sites and seasonal park models but no views," explains a two-week visitor who noted the layout differences.
Tips from RVers
Site hookup positioning: Gold Brook Campground offers full hookup sites that are level but has unique setup requirements. One RVer noted, "Our site was level and extremely spacious, FHUs, and featuring a fire pit," but at Apple Island Resort, "their hook ups are on the passenger side. You have to pull straight in with the truck and camper. This is because a lot of class A prefer this way."
Winter access: Shelburne Camping Area remains open year-round, with one camper noting, "Love that it's open year round!" This makes it one of the few options for cold-weather RV camping in the area.
Wifi reliability: Connectivity varies by season and occupancy. A Gold Brook camper reported, "Wifi was great over the week (was able to work without a problem), but collapsed when more people showed up on Friday."
Premium site value: At Apple Island Resort, one RVer cautioned about site selection: "The sites with the best views are the Platinum Plus which are also the most expensive. Some Platinum Plus sites are in the first row with unobstructed views; whereas, our site was three rows back. Not sure why they charge the same when our site was overlooking two rows of RVs."
