3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
The area around Lake Elmore, Vermont includes several established campgrounds with diverse accommodation options. Elmore State Park Campground, located directly on Lake Elmore, offers 45 tent and RV sites with no hookups but provides a dump station and bathroom facilities with paid showers. Mountain View Campground in nearby Morrisville features tent sites, RV sites with full hookups, and cabin rentals. Other notable options within a short drive include Little River State Park Campground in Waterbury and Smugglers Notch State Park Campground in Cambridge, both offering tent, RV, cabin, and glamping accommodations.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from mid-May through mid-October, with Elmore State Park specifically open from Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day weekend. Reservations are recommended, especially for summer weekends and holiday periods when sites fill quickly. The area experiences typical New England seasonal variations with warm summers and cold winters. Fall foliage season attracts many visitors, making advance planning essential. Facilities vary significantly between campgrounds, with state parks generally offering more basic amenities compared to private campgrounds. A camper noted, "The campground was nearly empty during our stay so it felt extremely private. No hookups are available but there is a dump station and a bathroom facility with paid showers."
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors to the Lake Elmore area. Elmore State Park Campground provides direct access to a sandy beach on Lake Elmore and hiking trails, including a popular route to the fire tower atop Elmore Mountain. Several campers mentioned the exceptional night sky viewing opportunities, particularly from sites situated in open meadows. One reviewer wrote, "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." While some sites offer excellent privacy, others are more exposed and closer to campground roads. Green River Reservoir State Park, located north of Lake Elmore, provides a more remote experience with boat-in only access to primitive campsites.
"I’d say this was one of Vermont’s best kept secrets, except I don’t think it’s exactly a secret. Even in October, the Park seemed full with visitors and Stowe was hopping!"
"They don't have all the usual amenities its more of a primitive set up. has great clean sites with multiple ways to access mount mansfields trail system which is the highest mountain in the state of Vermont"
from $20 / night
"Little River State Park is located just outside of Waterbury Vermont so it’s an ideal location for jumping off on other adventures!"
"We came here to hike the Dalley Loop Trail (which is a great trail full of history), but we wish we had camped here instead of the private campground 45 minutes away where we did stay."
from $19 - $28 / night
"This beautiful, small state park has a beach on the shores of Lake Elmore and a hiking trail to the fire tower atop Elmore Mountain. There are 45 spacious tent/RV sites."
"Our lean-to, Hickory is situated in a lovely meadow, but quite close to other campers and a view that overlooks the campground road. There is very little shade and no privacy."
from $19 - $28 / night
"It can get a bit noisy due to the proximity to the highway, but it's still a good option for car camping in this part of Vermont."
"Nice grass site with a large field behind, and Just a short walk to the river. Clean facilities and proximity for exploring Stowe and surrounding areas. Would love to camp here again."
"While we were next to the creek at site 12, it was blocked by brush and trees.
Check in was easy, and the staff were present enough in case you had questions or needed to buy firewood.""It’s centrally located to many wonderful sites around Stowe and Waterbury. Check-in was a breeze. We picked up our packet from the office mail box and headed to our site."
"I love this location because you have to paddle out to a site for camping. It‘s private, quiet, and really gives you that “forest bathing” escape."
"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."
from $20 - $50 / night
"If you want a place to nomadic camp that is near Stowe, but away from the hustle and bustle, then this place is for you. "
from $30 - $125 / night
"They ask that you limit your driving on the path to the site- so we were sure to go into town to get all we needed before we settled into camp- which wasnt hard to do."
"Camp spots were far enough away from one another, trees helped with privacy, and the tent site had a great area to setup the tent.
Facilities were accessible and clean."
"So close to Stowe and a lot to do…and then you come back “home” to relax and do nothing but enjoy the time away from everyday life. Truly the only time I totally relax. "
"Very close to Smuggs and only a short but beautiful ride to Stowe. I look forward to watching this campground grow as they continue to expand and will be camping here several times each season."
from $50 - $79 / night
from $32 - $55 / night
ScoutFirst trip with our new RV and we were a little nervous about getting everything set up. Having full hookups made it way less complicated than we expected. Once we were settled, we just enjoyed the area and took a few day trips. Would definatly come back for another Adirondack trip.
ScoutWe came up for a quick Adirondack getaway and ended up spending most of our time outside. A little disc golf, some time by the pool, dinner at the site and plenty of walks with the dog. Pretty much everything we wanted out of the trip.
ScoutOne of the best parts for us was not having to pack up the RV every time we wanted to go somewhere. We stayed put and explored the Adirondacks from here. Lake Champlain, Ausable Chasm and a bunch of other spots were all easy to get to.
ScoutHaving the river and Adirondacks nearby made for a really nice change of scenery. We spent our days exploring and came back to the campground for dinner and a fire.
GuideThere was a few sites 5-6 we didn’t get to the eastern loop. But the sites we saw were very secluded. All had fire pits ours had a picnic table. And was right next to the creek. Would highly recommend if you want to get away from city lights. All sites are not maintained. We had a small off road camper it was easy In and out some sites could be hard with larger pull behinds. Some sites might need 4wd to get in and out we had lots of mud after a lot of rain.
GuideMost sites are secluded. There is a creepy old cemetery in walking distance. Nice showers on site !!
GuideWe had the upper sites all drive in or small camper. And or Tent. Amazing rolling brook beautiful sites we had site 32. The lower ones are rv. The owner gave us free wood as it was end of season. We were there Oct 10 I’m not sure but think they close the 13
ScoutCampground was clean and quiet. We arrived late but information was taped to the window at the office. Will was very helpful also and checked to make sure we arrived.
ScoutWe were looking for somewhere to stay while checking out Ausable Chasm and this worked out really well. Easy drive over, then back to the camper in the afternoon. Made the whole trip alot easier.
Camping sites near Lake Elmore, Vermont range from secluded primitive spots to family-friendly grounds with modern amenities. The region sits within Vermont's northern Green Mountains at elevations between 700-2,000 feet, creating microclimates that can differ significantly from valley forecasts. Water access varies considerably between campgrounds, with remote sites requiring boat transportation and others offering drive-up convenience.
Hike to fire towers: The trail to Elmore Mountain's fire tower provides panoramic views across the region. "Nice quiet space on a beautiful lake. Easy hiking trails with a fire tower on the mountain. Stayed in a lean to as well. Perfect for families," notes a visitor to Elmore State Park Campground.
Winter camping: For off-season adventurers, some sites offer winter access. At Smugglers Notch State Park Campground, a camper reports: "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. Hike/snowshoe in to your site as the gate is closed and the area is not plowed."
Paddle-in camping: For solitude, consider boat-in campsites. A camper at Green River Reservoir State Park shares: "I love this location because you have to paddle out to a site for camping. It's private, quiet, and really gives you that 'forest bathing' escape. There is a lot of beautiful wildlife, and they do an amazing job at preserving the sites."
Remote camping accessibility: Many appreciate the blend of wilderness feel with reasonable access. At Little River State Park Campground, a visitor notes: "Clean, quiet campground that feels like wilderness, but is accessible!"
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds offer excellent wildlife observation opportunities. "We were able to watch the Loons teaching its chicks to hunt for food. A bit of work to get to this site but every bit worth the trade off for peace n quiet!" shares a camper who spent 10 days at Kettle Pond State Park.
Meadow sites for stargazing: Some open sites offer exceptional night sky views. "Most sites were mostly private," reports a camper at Elmore State Park, while another mentions the unique benefits of meadow sites: "At Smugglers Notch State Park Campground, this campground is great. Nice and quiet. Campsites are well spaced. Some of the campsites on the outside ring you need to walk into (a very short distance), but it makes it feel very secluded and less like car camping."
Water access varies: Not all campgrounds provide on-site water sources. At Kettle Pond State Park Campground, "Kettle Pond State Park is primitive. There is not ANY running water. The running water is accessed by going to New Discovery Campground, which is about 3 miles down the road."
Cancellation policies: Some private campgrounds have strict rules. A frustrated camper at Gold Brook Campground warns: "Made the reservation on 2/15, and today May 23 had to cancel because of the uncertainty with diesel. Reservation was for August 7-10 (2 1/2 months from now). Deposit was payment in full... $171.00. Refund was $0.00!"
Site leveling challenges: Terrain can be uneven at certain locations. A visitor to Singing Wood Farm reported: "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."
Kid-friendly water activities: Shallow water areas offer safe play spaces. At Little River State Park, a visitor noted: "Had a great one week stay here on the reservoir. Staff was friendly and helpful. Bathrooms in 'B' were just redone."
Biking opportunities: For active families, some campgrounds connect to larger trail networks. "The Cross VT trail is a multi-use bike path that travels much of the width of VT on old farm roads, snowmobile trails, railroad beds, and occasional roads," explains a camper describing activities from Kettle Pond.
Campground amenities: Some sites offer family entertainment beyond natural features. A visitor to Mountain View Campground shared: "There is mini golf, a playground, corn hole, and tube rentals for the river behind the campground."
Site selection: Choose carefully based on privacy needs. At Mountain View Campground, an RVer notes: "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 at the campground and came to like all the amenities and people and thought it was a nice campground."
Hookup availability: RV amenities vary widely between state and private parks. At Smugglers Notch RV Village, a visitor reports: "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. They also have great WIFI."
Winter storage: Plan ahead for seasonal needs. Many campgrounds in the Lake Elmore area close by mid-October, with most beginning to shut down after Columbus Day weekend, requiring seasonal campers to find storage alternatives during winter months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping facilities are available at Elmore State Park?
Elmore State Park Campground offers 45 spacious tent/RV sites in a beautiful setting on Lake Elmore. The campground has no hookups but does provide a dump station. Facilities include a beach area, hiking trails to the fire tower atop Elmore Mountain, and lean-to options such as the Hickory site located in a meadow. While some sites offer little shade or privacy, others are situated in more wooded areas. The park provides picnic tables, fire rings, and basic amenities in a peaceful environment that can feel quite private, especially during less busy periods.
When is the best season to camp at Lake Elmore?
The prime camping season at Lake Elmore runs from late May through mid-October, with peak conditions in July and August when the lake is warm enough for swimming. Early fall offers spectacular foliage viewing opportunities with fewer crowds. For a more secluded experience, consider camping in late May or early June when Mountain View Campground, located nearby along the Lamoille River, reports lower visitor numbers but pleasant temperatures. Early fall weekdays are ideal for those seeking tranquility, while summer weekends provide the full Vermont lake experience with warmer water and more recreational activities.
How do I reserve a campsite at Lake Elmore State Park?
Reservations for Elmore State Park Campground can be made through the Vermont State Parks reservation system online or by phone. Sites are reservable up to 11 months in advance, and it's recommended to book early for peak summer weekends and holidays. When reserving, you can choose from tent/RV sites or lean-to options, selecting specific site numbers based on your preferences for shade, privacy, or location within the campground. For those seeking alternatives in the region, Little River State Park Campground also offers reservable sites through the same system.
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