Best Campgrounds near Milton, VT
Milton, Vermont and the surrounding Lake Champlain region contain several developed campgrounds with varied accommodations. Grand Isle State Park Campground, about 15 miles northwest of Milton, offers tent, RV, and cabin camping with lake access. Other notable options include Apple Island Resort in South Hero and North Beach Campground in Burlington, both providing waterfront camping experiences within a 20-mile radius of Milton. These mixed-use campgrounds typically feature amenities such as showers, toilets, and electrical hookups, with many sites accommodating various camping styles from primitive tenting to full-service RV sites.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through mid-October, with limited winter camping options. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for waterfront sites and holiday weekends. According to one visitor, "Waterfront sites book very quickly, like 11 months in advance, but if you don't mind being farther from the main campground and running water, you can almost always rent one of the primitive sites." Road access to camping areas varies significantly, with some campgrounds featuring paved roads while others require navigation on gravel or dirt surfaces. Weather conditions in the region can change rapidly, with spring bringing potential flooding along Lake Champlain and fall temperatures often dropping below freezing at night.
Lake access represents a major attraction for camping in the Milton area. Several campgrounds provide direct waterfront access to Lake Champlain, offering swimming, boating, and fishing opportunities. One camper noted, "The best aspect of this campground is being right on Lake Champlain. In addition to the dock, there is a short flight of steps leading to the water." Many camping areas connect to recreational trails, with the Burlington bike path accessible from North Beach Campground and trails through Smugglers Notch State Park providing hiking opportunities. Campgrounds like Burton Island State Park, reached only by boat, offer a more remote experience despite being relatively close to Milton. Cell service can be inconsistent throughout the region, with better coverage near Burlington and spottier reception in more remote camping areas.
