Best RV Parks & Resorts near Lowell, VT

This is a small family-owned and operated campground just a few miles outside of St. Johnsbury, Vermont. The campground abuts the Moose River which makes for a pretty backdrop and wonderful place to dip your toes in the water. The shallow river is a clear flowing rocky river. 

The campground is a mix of seasonal and transient campers with sites large enough to fit big rigs. There is also a rental camper and cabin available. There were tent sites but the owner mentioned they may fade those out. We stayed in a large pull thru (well over 125’), full hook-up site in the center section of the campground. (Site 27 @ $47/night). 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. Cable television is available and produced 32 stations. Our Verizon hotspot and phone worked well. 

There are lots of activities at this park. It seems like every week there was a community bonfire where lots of palettes were set ablaze. During our stay, there was a potluck dinner in which the owners supplied roast beef and hosted us in a large covered pavilion. One evening they drove around the campground offering free ice cream sandwiches or drum sticks. Some mornings they supplied free bagels or donuts and always had free coffee. And, there were people always on the porch playing cards. Amenities include river access, a decent size dog park, large covered pavilion, bathhouse and laundry. When you arrive, you are given a swag bag with printed information about the surrounding area and businesses. This is a really nice touch because the reusable bag can be used in the grocery store as plastic bags have been banned in Vermont. 

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. Your patio opens to a neighbor but the sites are far enough away that it’s not a bother and you don’t feel like you are on top of them. Probably the nicest site in the park is #23 which is a back-in site with your patio facing the river. 

The campground is in a good location, just a few miles from downtown St. Johnsbury, just a mile or so from “Dog Mountain,” and about 15 miles from Littleton, New Hampshire. There is a town forest just a few miles away that has some nice hiking trails. The campground is pretty small so we were happy to find places to hike with our dog.

This is a county park in what Vermonters call the Northeast Kingdom. The campground sits on Lake Memphremagog overlooking downtown Newport. The park covers 35 acres with 75 campsites and many amenities that you would expect in a public park like tennis courts, playground, disc golf course, basketball court, shuffleboard, horseshoe pits, walking paths, and bike and boat rentals. Campground amenities include 50-amp, water, sewer, laundry, free showers and restrooms, and free wi-fi. 

Prouty Beach Campground is in a great location to downtown Newport and there is a biking/walking path to downtown which is about a half mile away. Since the campground is close to downtown and Newport is a fairly small town, you are close to restaurants, and stores. 

During our stay, there was an ongoing summer camp for kids which was a little annoying. While the kids were not in the campground, we constantly heard them and they used all parts of the park. because of the noise, their use of the beach and other parts of the park. 

Our electric was problematic. Granted it was hot while we were there (in the high 80’s and low 90’s) our electric pedestal showed readings between 110 and 115 volts which was constantly cutting off our air conditioners. Even though our generator is set to automatically come on, we did not leave our dog unattended just in case that safety measure failed. They kept saying someone would come by to replace the breaker but that never happened. At least the weather cooled off so the electrical grid was not as taxed. 

The park website needs to be updated to accurately reflect the degree of electricity. Despite what the website says, all campsites have 50 amps. The office hours are weird and we could never get a hold of anyone despite trying calling at all times of the day and varying days. Even during our stay, we noticed the office hours are more hit or miss than regular, The campground was very clean. The staff used push mowers and weed whackers to cautiously cut grass around campsites. There was no trash laying around and every morning we saw them rake beach grass and debris along the beach so it was very clean for swimmers.

The first thing that happened is you go over the train tracks to go to the office to register and you have to turn your rig around to go to Riverside which the sites are extremely small had a 42 foot fifth wheel and took me 15 minutes to get set so I could disconnect. good thing there was no one next to me on both sides so I had room to move around otherwise I would’ve never made it in there. The view is beautiful. The lake is pretty. They have seasonals set up on the lake and when we were there, they were pretty obnoxious and loud cursing every two seconds no one came around to check anything. They have a lot of rules, but they don’t enforce any of them. If you want to go to pull through you go on the other side of the camp where you have to climb a huge hill and then maneuver around to get into a pull through that’s only about 10 foot wide. So my suggestion would be if you have a small camper great if you have anything over 30 feet find somewhere else.

This campground is drive in and never touch the car again. Two huge sites that can be rented in tandem as a group site. Each site has a prep table, picnic table, fire pit, 5 gallons of fresh water, a raised platform for tents, and a porta potty. Very spacious sites. Easily two camoer vans and two tents on each site. Site is at the bottom of Kitchel and Herbs trails, atop the exit/entrance trails into the village of East Burke. Showers are a short walk away at Mike's Tiki Bar, in the Kingdom parking lot. The sites can be reserved, and usually are up to a year in advance. So call ahead! Sites are pet friendly and there's lots of space for big dogs to run around. Sites are super private from the outside world. This place is truly a hidden gem that can make your trip.

We have a “big rig” 40’ 5th wheel with 4 slide outs. Called them same day from Capital Region Welcome Ctr in NY, about 3 hrs away (below Albany). They had a full hook up, pull-thru corner space for us. Offered parking for our truck right across lane on separate site. Super nice owners! Went over COVID questions and after hour check-in instructions. We came in just after it got dark. Loved town of Shelburne. Awesome little shops and great, well stocked little local grocery store. Authentic Italian restaurant in grocery store parking lot...picked up delicious strombolis. Due to COVID, mostly call ahead/pick-up or drive thru for many things...incl. delicious coffee in town at Village Wine & Coffee and AWESOME cider donuts at Shelburne Orchards! Only a 20 min drive into downtown Burlington. Took narrated tour on Ethan Allen ferry on Lake Champlain. Shopped in artsy town. Extended our stay for TWO extra nights. Will def come back. Didn’t need to use, but noted that bathrooms were immaculately clean.

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! Leaf peepers were in full force and the grounds were absolutely spectacular- I really picked the perfect time of year to go. Nights got pretty brisk, but the foliage was breathtaking.

The Park, located along scenic Rte108, has about 20 tent sites and 14 lean-to’s well dispersed throughout the grounds. A couple spots were drive-in sites, accessible to those with disabilities; most had small pathways and/or stairwells leading to their platforms. There was not a bad site within the entire vicinity. All were fully shaded and extremely private. Although, I’d be curious about checking out Sites 1 or 16 next time around!

Bathrooms were clean and the main office sold firewood at the entrance. Facilities are also pet friendly. Plus, there are so many hiking trails and recreational opportunities in and around the Park-from Stowe Mountain Resort to the quaint shops in town and local craft breweries. And even with the Park seeming “full”, the grounds were perfectly quiet, without the incessant sound of generators you find at larger state parks.

Without a doubt, Smugglers Notch State Park is a favorite of mine!