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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
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"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."
from $32 - $55 / night
Check Availability"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
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ScoutMy brother and I hadn’t camped together since we were teenagers. Decided to bring the tents out again and see if we still knew what we were doing. Setup took longer than either of us would admit, but we had a blast.
ScoutAusable Pines was our first stop on a much longer RV trip, so there was a lot of excitement when we pulled in. We got connected, opened a bottle of wine, pulled out the map and started talking about everywhere we were headed next. Great way to start the trip.
ScoutMy parents joined us and the kids for this trip, which meant five people sharing a camper and somehow still getting along by the end of it. The grandparents took mornings slow while the kids were ready to go almost immediately. Everyone eventually met back at the campsite for meals. It was a different kind of family vacation for us and one we’ll probably remember much longer than another hotel trip.
GuideSimply said, if you like a well maintained place with a swim beach, floating dock, grass galore, space to stretch out, and more, this is the place. It’s beautiful. As a bonus, it’s cost effective over other RV parks. If you want free, nope. If you want wild open spaces, nope. You a great lush big clean park that feels like your Owen estate, then come check this place out. We will be back.
ScoutWe wanted to visit Lake Placid but preferred bringing our RV instead of booking a hotel for the whole trip. We spent a full day around Lake Placid and the surrounding area, then drove back to Ausable Pines that evening. I liked having some separation between the busy sightseeing part of the day and where we were staying. The next morning we took our time making breakfast before heading out again. It gave the trip a nice balance between exploring and camping.
ScoutThis was our first longer trip with our new fifth wheel and we were definitely nervous about taking it somewhere unfamiliar. We had plenty of room for our setup and having full hookups made the whole experience much easier than expected. By the end of the stay we were already talking about where to take it next.
GuideIt’s a nice relatively small campground in a pretty setting. Sites are fairly close, and there’s definitely some longer tempura residents, but it’s well kept and seems like a nice place to stay.
ScoutWe stayed here because we wanted to spend a few days exploring the Adirondacks without moving the RV every night. It worked perfectly for that. We headed out early each morning, explored somewhere new, and had our camper waiting for us when we got back.
ScoutVery nice campground with great modern facilities. Many of the RV lots have nice views of Lake Champlain.
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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