Cabin rentals near Lake Elmore provide shelter in Vermont's Northern Green Mountains, where elevations range from 850 to over 2,000 feet in the surrounding peaks. These rustic accommodations serve as base camps for exploring nearby attractions like Smugglers Notch State Park and Little River State Park. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing, while summer averages 70-80°F during peak cabin rental season.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Several campgrounds near Lake Elmore connect directly to Vermont's extensive trail systems. At Smugglers Notch State Park Campground, cabins position you "minutes from some amazing hiking, which is great when you don't feel like driving long distances after a day hike." The park offers "multiple ways to access Mount Mansfield's trail system which is the highest mountain in the state of Vermont."
Winter camping options: Off-season cabin stays provide unique winter recreation opportunities. Some Lake Elmore area cabins remain accessible through winter months. At Smugglers Notch, a visitor noted, "Stayed at a lean-to site here in March. 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."
Water activities: Lake access enhances cabin camping experiences. At Ricker Pond State Park Campground, "The pond is serene and a great place to swim, paddle, explore, and fish. If you paddle or swim to the other side of the camp ground, there is a huge rock with a rope swing." Another visitor mentioned that "Paddling out on the lake has to be the best way to enjoy this wonderful area. With boats available for rent, you don't even need to bring your own."
What campers like
Privacy levels: Cabin sites offer varying degrees of seclusion. At Little River State Park Campground, "Some of the best sites are up on a bluff with views over the lake towards sunrise." Other parks feature more secluded options, as one camper at Smugglers Notch noted: "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."
Local exploration: Cabins serve as central bases for regional exploration. A visitor at Little River State Park Campground shared, "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!" Another camper noted, "This is a great park to just relax."
Well-maintained facilities: Recent renovations and upkeep across properties enhance cabin experiences. At Mountain View Campground, "The campground is updated with a new laundry room and shower house. There are 2 pools (one for adults only) and a hot tub." Another visitor noted the site was "beautifully maintained" with staff who were "incredibly friendly."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Advance booking is essential, especially for cabin accommodations. At Singing Wood Farm, a visitor reported, "It is a private landowner's land, and she has various camping options including a cabin, hives, or open locations for rv or tent camping." The property limits occupancy to "5-6 campers at any point in time."
Connectivity limitations: Cell service and WiFi vary significantly between locations. A camper at Ricker Pond State Park advised, "There is absolutely no cell service for miles, so plan accordingly." Similarly at Smugglers Notch, expect limited connectivity, though some sites like Singing Wood Farm provide access points: "There is a common area building on the property with Wi-Fi...We used it to check email and make phone calls, as cell access is spotty in this general area of Vermont."
Seasonal operations: Most cabin facilities follow strict seasonal schedules. A visitor to Smugglers Notch noted, "No facilities off season...Carry out all trash/waste." Similarly, Mountain View Campground operates "May 1 to Oct 15" with no winter accommodations. Check each location's specific dates as they vary widely, with most state park cabins closing after Columbus Day weekend.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Several cabin providers offer specific family-focused features. At Sugar Ridge RV Village & Campground, families appreciate that it "has everything! Horse carriage rides, paved roads, 2 pools, playgrounds, mini golf, fireworks." One visitor with children reported, "We stayed here and were VERY happy! Dog friendly, mini golf, heated pool, two playgrounds, and crafts and fun things for the kids!"
Educational opportunities: Some Lake Elmore area cabins provide unique learning experiences. Smugglers Notch features "ranger programming" that was described as "exceptional," while Little River State Park offers hiking trails with "lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover."
Waterfront considerations: Choose cabin sites based on water access needs. At Ricker Pond, "The tent only loop is so private and perfect for kids biking and swimming. Nice pavilion and the pond was wonderful for canoes and kayaks." For those seeking supervised swimming, some parks provide this service: "There are life guards on duty at the beach and a playground and grills."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: RV cabins near Lake Elmore offer varying utility connections. At Moose River Campground, visitors appreciate "a large pull thru (well over 125'), full hook-up site in the center section of the campground. The electric worked fine and the sewer was easily reached with my 20' sewer hose. The pad was gravel (as were the roads) and the patio was nice grass."
Site positioning: Consider cabin and RV site location when booking. A visitor to Moose River Campground advised, "If you can score a riverfront site those are nice to sit outside and enjoy a fire. The pull thru sites are very close on one side as each RV pulls in the opposite direction; however, the sites are so long that if you pull up far enough you are not looking at your neighbor."
Leveling requirements: Some cabin and RV areas require extra leveling gear. At Singing Wood Farm, "The sites in the field are generally un-level, and we had to really work to level our trailer." Similarly, at Mountain View Campground, "Our gravel pad had a slight slope to it but we were able to get level. The pad was long enough to fit our RV with just enough room to fit the car in front."
