Best Campgrounds near Lake Elmore, VT
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.