Camping opportunities near Lowell, Vermont span across the state's Northeast Kingdom and into neighboring regions. The area sits within Vermont's Green Mountains, with elevations ranging from 700 to 3,800 feet and temperatures that can drop below freezing even in summer months. Many campgrounds in this region offer seasonal operation from May through October due to harsh winter conditions.
What to do
Hiking trails: Elmore State Park Campground offers a popular trail to the fire tower atop Elmore Mountain with panoramic views. "Nice quiet space on a beautiful lake. Easy hiking trails with a fire tower on the mountain," notes a camper at Elmore State Park.
Swimming: Lake access provides cooling relief during summer months at several parks. "The sandy beach on Lake Elmore" impressed visitors, according to a review of Elmore State Park. Many families appreciate the combination of hiking and water activities at the same location.
Stargazing: Clear nights reveal spectacular night skies away from city lights. "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. It was mesmerizing!" reports a camper at Elmore State Park.
River access: Some campgrounds offer direct water access for cooling off. "This is a great spot to stop for a night with your RV and enjoy the river for a night," notes a visitor about Brookside RV Camping, mentioning it's "easy to get to, just off of a one-way paved road."
What campers like
Family-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds cater specifically to families with children. Sugar Ridge RV Village includes "mini golf, heated pool, two playgrounds, and crafts and fun things for the kids," according to a visitor who adds, "We truly enjoyed this park most sites are spacious and some good ones with privacy as well."
Well-maintained facilities: Clean, functional facilities rank high on camper priorities. A visitor to Riverside Camping & RV Resort calls it "easily one of the most well maintained sites we have visited" and mentions "beautiful nature trails behind the campground. I found one that lead to a beach by the river, perfect for reading and relaxing."
Off-season tranquility: Visiting during shoulder seasons provides quieter experiences. "Early and late seasons are quiet. It's quite busy during the summer months as the lake is great for families and swimming," notes an Elmore State Park visitor, suggesting to "book the loop away from the road for the quietest campsites."
Nature access: Proximity to natural features like mountains and water bodies appeals to outdoor enthusiasts. A camper at Woodbury Meadows Campground found this "family-owned campground was the perfect pit stop on our road trip to Stowe" and appreciated that it was "dog and kid friendly."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the region close for winter. Sugar Ridge operates from "May 1 to Oct 31" while Riverside Camping & RV Resort runs from "May 1 - Oct 15," so plan your trip accordingly.
Site selection matters: Privacy levels vary significantly between sites at the same campground. At Smugglers Notch RV Village, a camper notes they "offer a variety of different sites to fit each campers needs" and that "sites are good size and come with full hookups."
Bathroom facilities: Quality and amenities in restrooms vary by location. A visitor to Elmore State Park mentioned "the restroom in the campground loop we were in was very clean but outdated. The sinks are cold water only" which "made washing up a little bit painful" when temperatures dropped into the 20s.
Local supplies: Small stores on-site or nearby provide essentials. A visitor to Alburg RV Resort mentioned "a small store onsite and they sell some groceries, wood & ice there" and found "a farm stand on the main road" with "the best lettuce, strawberries and cilantro."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. A Sugar Ridge visitor mentioned "two playgrounds, and crafts and fun things for the kids" making it ideal for family camping trips with young children.
Swimming options: Water features provide entertainment for children. "The pool was packed yet felt good," noted a visitor to Alburg RV Resort, adding that "the place is maintained well and very clean" with "a big playground which keeps the kids busy."
Activities beyond camping: Look for campgrounds with organized events. Sugar Ridge offers unique experiences like "horse carriage rides" along with "2 pools, playgrounds, mini golf, fireworks" according to a visitor who appreciated these additional entertainment options.
Food options: Local food stands supplement camp cooking. Near Alburg RV Resort, a camper mentioned "Devyn's Creemee Stand is close we got ice cream, farm fresh eggs and Maple syrup from there," providing convenient treats for families.
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: RV camping near Lowell, Vermont requires attention to pad dimensions. At Shady Oaks Camping Resort, a visitor noted it's "great for big rigs" with "small but clean areas with electric at each site."
Connectivity: Internet access varies by location. Smugglers Notch RV Village features "great WIFI" according to a visitor, an important consideration for those needing to stay connected during their trip.
Seasonal camper presence: Many RV parks have long-term residents. A visitor to Shady Oaks observed "mostly seasonal sites with only one overnight site that I saw" and that "the families in the seasonal sites were very friendly."
Hookup specifications: Verify electrical capacity before booking. Sugar Ridge visitor noticed their neighbor "found their site had 50 amp service not the expected 30 amp and they needed to borrow an adapter cord" suggesting that "labeling individual site power on map would be helpful."
