Northern Vermont's Johnson area offers year-round camping options with elevations ranging from 600 to 4,400 feet at nearby Mount Mansfield. Winter camping is available at select locations, while summer temperatures average 65-80°F with cool nights in the 50s. Most campgrounds in the region operate from May through mid-October.
What to do
Hiking Mount Mansfield trails: Access Vermont's highest peak from Underhill State Park Campground, located 0.3 miles from the main trail system. "Campground is in a perfect spot. About a .3 mile hike to the main trail to climb the mountain. The camp sites are nice but a little close together," notes Sam T.
Winter camping adventures: Explore snow-covered landscapes from Smugglers Notch during off-season. "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. Hike/snowshoe in to your site as the gate is closed and the area is not plowed," explains Ed M.
Kayaking remote campsites: Paddle to primitive sites at Green River Reservoir State Park Campground for true seclusion. "There are 27 campsites and two group campsites. Most sites are within a mile of the boat launch, a few require closer to a 2-mile paddle," according to Tara S., who recommends sites #13, 24, and 30.
What campers like
Riverside relaxation: The Brewster River flows beside Brewster River Campground, providing natural white noise for sleep. "I love how dark it gets and that you can hear the river beside you all night. Simple bathrooms and showers," writes K M., who recommends thoughtful site selection.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear night skies impress visitors at Elmore State Park. "Because our lean-to was in a meadow with no tree coverage, we were treated to the most awesome night sky we've ever seen at a Vermont state park. It was mesmerizing!" shares Tara S.
Proximity to area attractions: Mountain View Campground serves as a central hub for regional exploration. "You are also close to the popular tourist towns of Stowe, VT and Littleton, NH. The nearby town of Morrisville has three craft breweries, one of which (Lost Nation) is located on the Lamoille River Trail which is a 90-mile rails-to-trails path," notes Nancy W.
What you should know
Limited facilities at primitive sites: Green River Reservoir offers basic amenities only. "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," explains Tara S.
Reservation requirements: Popular sites fill quickly, especially at Little River State Park Campground. "I would highly recommend this campground to anyone looking to visit the Stowe/Waterbury area. We had easy access to hikes in Stowe, plus the Ben and Jerry's shop is about 20 minutes down the road!" recommends Alison O.
Seasonal closures: Most area campgrounds operate May through October. "The sites are pretty well priced- all they had left for us were Lean-to sites which were 27/night," reports Molly G. about Underhill State Park, indicating the popularity during peak season.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Little River State Park offers family-friendly water features. "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," shares Rita M.
Dog friendly campgrounds near Johnson: Pets are welcome at multiple campgrounds with varying restrictions. "Dogs allowed on leashes. Bookmarking this site for next time I'm in the area," notes Shannon L. about Gold Brook Campground.
Cabin options for easier trips: For families not ready for tent camping, Black Creek Maple's Nature Escape offers alternatives. "Weather was not cooperative and my fiancé and I were able to rent one of the cabins for our second night. Clean water, fire wood and cooking rack are provided for your first night," explains Evan M.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup options: Mountain View Campground provides complete services for RVs. "Our site (#103) was long enough to fit our rig but we had to squeeze the car in front. The site was level and all the hookups were well-placed and worked fine. Despite the really hot weather and need to run three air conditioners, we did not have any power issues," reports Nancy W.
Limited big rig access: Not all area campgrounds accommodate large RVs. "When we first pulled into this campground and saw how close our site was to our neighbors, we were a little dismayed. But it turned out we had a really pleasant stay," notes a Mountain View Campground visitor who initially had concerns about site size.
Campground amenities: RVers appreciate facilities at pet friendly campgrounds near Johnson. "The campground is updated with a new laundry room and shower house. There are 2 pools (one for adults only) and a hot tub. There is mini golf, a playground, corn hole, and tube rentals for the river behind the campground," describes Michelle C. about Mountain View Campground.
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