Smugglers Notch State Park Campground sits at approximately 1,600 feet elevation in the Green Mountains of northern Vermont. The area experiences cool summers with average highs rarely exceeding 78°F and winter temperatures often dropping below freezing from November through April. Camping near Johnson, Vermont offers access to pristine wilderness areas with over 40 miles of hiking trails connecting various state parks and natural attractions.
What to Do
Trail exploration near waterways: Visitors to Little River State Park Campground can find hiking trails with historical significance. "There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover," notes Rita M. The park features access to a reservoir that's "a fun place to explore via kayak and cannoe as well as by motorboat!"
Winter adventure options: For cold-weather glamping near Johnson, Vermont, experienced outdoors people can access backcountry terrain. "Right in the middle of great nordic and alpine backcountry skiing and snowshoeing. Silent and starry nights, just make sure you have the gear/experience and a warm sleeping bag," advises Ed M.
Waterfront activities: Burton Island State Park Campground offers multiple water access points. "The south tip of the island gets more wind, and therefore waves, which my children greatly enjoyed for swimming. The northern part has shale beaches, and a few areas of mucky/pebbly beaches," explains Rita M. Visitors can also rent paddleboards from the island camp store.
What Campers Like
Privacy between sites: Campers at Maple Grove Campground appreciate the landscaping that creates separation. "The spaces are nice sized with full hookups on most. All the lots are beautifully landscaped," notes Tara N. The campground is small with only 30 RV sites plus 11 tent sites.
Clean facilities: Visitors consistently mention the well-maintained bathrooms. "The bathrooms were clean with two stalls. Soap and paper towels," reports Lee D. At Little River State Park, one camper mentioned "Bathrooms in 'B' were just redone," indicating ongoing improvements to facilities.
Access to transportation options: North Beach Campground receives praise for its location on bicycle routes. "Right on the Burlington bike path and across the beach, there is plenty to do and easy access to town and other attractions," says Michael G. Another camper adds, "Easy access to all of Burlington by bike. Reasonable price for campsites and the sites are large."
What You Should Know
Seasonal camping limitations: Availability varies widely by season. Burton Island State Park operates "from Memorial Day Weekend through the Tuesday morning after Labor Day." Many Vermont campgrounds close in mid-October.
Reservation requirements: Popular glamping sites near Johnson, Vermont fill quickly. "Waterfront sites book very quickly (like 11 months in advance)," notes Tara S. regarding Burton Island. For Singing Wood Farm, "It is a private landowners land, and she has up to 5-6 campers at any point in time."
Site conditions: Terrain can create challenges for equipment setup. At Singing Wood Farm, "The sites in the field are generally un-level, and we had to really work to level our trailer," reports Heather C. Some campgrounds have specific site types that may affect your experience.
Tips for Camping with Families
Water play options: Multiple campgrounds offer water recreation opportunities for children. At Little River State Park, "The reservoir was a great place to relax after a day of hiking!" One family mentioned, "We visited here with our 5 kiddos for 2 nights late July. The facilities were clean, the small playground was great, and the small boat launch and beach kept us in the water."
Kid-friendly spaces: Tree Corners Family Campground specifically caters to families with children. "They have two separate pools and hot tubs for kids and adults. Tons of other activities for kids- splash pad, water slides, playground, basketball court, etc.," reports Mallory P.
Nature exploration opportunities: Burton Island offers natural discovery experiences. "We caught frogs at our shoreline, rented a paddleboard, played in the waves, and enjoyed the icecream sandwiches from the camp store, skipped stones in the lake, and explored the island. Our kids can't wait to go back," shares Rita M.
Tips from RVers
Hookup considerations: North Beach Campground offers full hookups for RVs. "This has been one of our favorite campsites so far. We loved being able to walk down to the beach, as well as having full hookups," mentions Laura L.
Space limitations: Some campgrounds have restrictions on RV size. At Lake Carmi State Park Campground, one RVer noted "there are few [sites] that are big enough for large rvs." Ensure you check site dimensions before booking.
Leveling challenges: Pay attention to terrain when setting up. A visitor to Singing Wood Farm mentioned, "While we were there, there were car campers, tent campers, and a class C rv, in addition to us in our travel trailer." They added the warning about uneven sites that required significant work to level properly.
