Several camping spots near Jonesville, Vermont provide access to Vermont's iconic terrain at elevations between 500-2,000 feet. Local campgrounds range from primitive sites requiring boat access to established facilities with full amenities. Winter camping opportunities exist at select locations, with Smugglers Notch State Park offering free off-season camping for those willing to hike in to unplowed sites.
What to do
Hiking from camp: Mount Mansfield's trail system connects directly to Smugglers Notch State Park Campground, providing immediate access to Vermont's highest peak. "We are minutes from some amazing hiking, which is great when you don't feel like driving long distances after a day hike," notes Ben C. The area features multiple difficulty levels from casual walks to challenging summit routes.
Water activities: Paddling opportunities abound on Waterbury Reservoir where Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites offers boat-in camping spots. "These remote sites are so peaceful. Be sure to launch from cotton brook road if your site r11-27," advises Julia S. Paddlers should allocate approximately 30 minutes from the Cotton Brook launch to reach remote sites.
Off-season exploration: Winter camping options exist for properly equipped visitors. At Smugglers Notch, "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.
What campers like
Private campsites: Underhill State Park Campground features walk-in sites that create a more secluded experience. "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," shares Ali T., who appreciated waking to stream sounds from campsite 6.
Historic exploration: Little River State Park contains remnants of abandoned settlements. "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," reports Rita M., highlighting family-friendly discovery opportunities.
Night sky viewing: Mount Philo State Park Campground offers exceptional stargazing conditions. With only 8 sites total, the campground provides tranquil conditions for night sky observation. "Only 8 campsites, dispersed in the trees. $23/night. Picnic table and fire pit. Moderate cell service. Nice hikes and cool views of the area!" notes Kaelin P.
What you should know
Bathroom facilities: Campground bathroom quality varies significantly across the region. At Underhill State Park, expect basic facilities: "Campground review: What can i say about this lovely state park campground? Totally beautiful, private spots, pit toilets and a night sky to die for!" mentions Molly G. Meanwhile, Gold Brook Campground offers "clean showers, laundry, sites on the grass. No frills but fine," according to Kathy L.
Reservation requirements: Popular sites book quickly, especially waterfront locations. Whitney L. advises about Gold Brook Campground: "This is definitely best for RVs/travel trailers where you can escape inside your unit because this place gets busy on the weekend. We visited in early June before the high season, so the crowds were minimal during the week but busy on the weekend."
Boat-in logistics: When accessing remote Waterbury Reservoir sites, careful planning is essential. "We made the mistake of parking at little River rd the first time and the paddle to r14 from there was way too long," warns Julia S., highlighting the importance of selecting the appropriate launch point.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Lone Pine Campsites offers extensive recreation facilities. "We had one [site] 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," reports Erin S., who also noted the campground's pool, mini golf, game room, and go-carts.
Educational hiking: Family-friendly trail exploration opportunities exist throughout the region. At Little River State Park, "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.
Lean-to camping: Several campgrounds offer lean-to structures that provide shelter advantages for family camping. At Mount Philo, "Only 7 tent sites and 3 Leanto so pretty secluded," notes Thomas B., while Smugglers Notch features "true to northeast tradition many of the camp sites are lean-to style," according to Harry H.
Tips from RVers
Site sizing: RVers report variable site sizes across campgrounds. At Gold Brook Campground, Whitney L. notes, "Our site was level and extremely spacious, FHUs, and featuring a fire pit." This contrasts with Lone Pine Campsites where Arno W. found "the sites are open, so no privacy and the sites are fairly small."
Connectivity considerations: Internet access varies significantly between campgrounds. Gold Brook receives positive connectivity reports: "Wifi was great over the week (was able to work without a problem), but collapsed when more people showed up on Friday," shares Kara W., indicating weekday visits are preferable for those needing reliable connectivity.
