Camping spots near Johnson, Vermont offer varied terrain from wooded hillsides to waterfront sites, with elevations ranging from 600 to 1,000 feet in the Lamoille Valley region. Weather conditions fluctuate significantly between seasons, with summer highs averaging 75-80°F and nighttime temperatures sometimes dropping into the 40s even in July and August. Many campgrounds in this area permit stays between 14-21 days maximum during peak season.
What to do
Hiking from campsites: At Underhill State Park Campground, campsites are positioned about 0.3 miles from main trails to Mount Mansfield. A camper noted, "This is the best of car camping - 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."
Swimming in natural water: Green River Reservoir State Park offers remote swimming opportunities accessible only by paddle craft. "It's a primitive park, perfect for paddling, wild camping, swimming, and watching wildlife. The reservoir is 653 acres with 19 miles of shoreline," explains a reviewer who visits annually.
Winter camping options: Some camping areas near Johnson offer off-season opportunities. At Smugglers Notch State Park Campground, winter camping is free during off-season but requires advance reservation by phone. "Stayed at a lean-to site here in March of 2019. Free of charge during off season, you just have to call a couple weeks ahead to reserve and make sure you park in the allotted area," reports a winter camper.
What campers like
Remote boat-in sites: Green River Reservoir State Park Campground features 27 primitive campsites accessible only by paddle craft. "Each campsite includes a fire pit and access to an outhouse. Usually the outhouse is shared between 2 to 3 campsites, but there is plenty of space between each site," writes one reviewer who recommends sites #13, 24, and 30 as their favorites.
Stream-side camping: Brewster River Campground offers sites along moving water, particularly appealing for sound effects. A camper described the experience: "I love how dark it gets and that you can hear the river beside you all night. Simple bathrooms and showers. Put thought into choosing which site to reserve to enhance your experience!"
Lean-to structures: Many campgrounds in the Johnson area feature three-sided lean-to shelters. At Little River State Park Campground, visitors appreciate these structures during unpredictable Vermont weather. "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!" reports a satisfied visitor.
What you should know
Limited services: Most state parks near Johnson lack hookups or modern facilities. Underhill State Park Campground offers no showers and only pit toilets. One visitor explained, "Very primitive and quiet campground. Great staff and campsites. No shower but one of the best weeks I had camping in a while."
Seasonal closures: Most campground operations run from mid-May through mid-October, with exact dates varying by location. Elmore State Park Campground operates from Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day weekend. A visitor commented, "Early and late seasons are quiet. It's quite busy during the summer months as the lake is great for families and swimming."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Green River Reservoir offers wildlife sightings including moose. "Be sure to paddle out to the Beaver Meadow - we have seen moose there several times," recommends a regular visitor who notes the reservoir can get busy on weekends despite its remote nature.
Tips for camping with families
Pools and playgrounds: Mountain View Campground in Morrisville offers family-friendly amenities including two swimming pools. "There is mini golf, a playground, corn hole, and tube rentals for the river behind the campground," writes a visitor who found the campground well-situated for exploring the region.
Historic foundations: Little River State Park features educational hiking with historic remnants. One parent shared: "The facilities were clean, the small playground was great, and the small boat launch and beach kept us in the water. The hiking trails are really good--they're actually pretty steep. There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover."
Lean-to camping with kids: Brewster River Campground offers family-friendly lean-to structures. "My husband and I stayed in the lean-to with our two toddlers. It has 3 walls and netting on the fourth. Inside there are two queen sized platforms (we put an air mattress down) and it is right on the river," reports a parent of young children.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: Most state parks near Johnson lack full hookups. Smugglers Notch RV Village offers full-service RV sites with water, sewer, and electric connections. "They offer a variety of different sites to fit each campers needs, a beautiful well kept bath house and a small but well stocked store. The sites are good size and come with full hookups."
Leveling challenges: Terrain around Johnson often requires careful positioning. Singing Wood Farm has limited leveling options according to one RVer: "The sites in the field are generally un-level, and we had to really work to level our trailer. While we were there, there were car campers, tent campers, and a class C rv, in addition to us in our travel trailer."
Gravel roads: Many campgrounds have gravel access roads that can become dusty in dry weather. Mountain View Campground maintains well-groomed roads despite seasonal challenges. A reviewer noted, "The roads are gravel and despite it being very dry were not very dusty. Our gravel pad had a slight slope to it but we were able to get level."
