Camping spots near Monkton, Vermont range from primitive forest sites to developed campgrounds with varying levels of amenities. The region lies within the Champlain Valley at approximately 400 feet elevation, with surrounding mountains reaching 2,000+ feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-85°F, while spring and fall can drop to near freezing at night, especially at higher elevations.
What to do
Kayaking at North Beach Campground: Access Lake Champlain directly from shore with rental equipment available. "Burlington is my favorite city by far, and this campground is right on the beach! Biking into Burlington takes 5-10 minutes and you're also right on the beach of Lake Champlain. Take your kayaks paddle boards or whatever you have and enjoy the lake," notes one visitor to North Beach Campground.
Hiking historical trails: Explore abandoned settlement ruins at Little River State Park, located 40 minutes from Monkton. "The hiking trails are really good--actually pretty steep. There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover," reports a camper at Little River State Park Campground.
Sunset viewing: Mount Philo offers exceptional evening light shows over the Adirondacks. A camper explains, "Every night it's only a ten minute hike to the summit from where the sites are and you get to watch the sunset over Vermont and lake champlain as the sun falls behind the adirondack mountains, it's quite an amazing site."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Moosalamoo Campground offers exceptional spacing between campsites. "The campsites are well spaced and staggered for maximum privacy. Hosts are pleasant and very helpful," writes one visitor to Moosalamoo Campground.
Year-round availability: Unlike most regional campgrounds, Shelburne Camping Area operates throughout winter. "Camped here for the Burlington Questival. Perfect place to hang out with friends and be outdoors. Love that it's open year round!" shares a camper at Shelburne Camping Area.
Waterfront sites: Button Bay State Park offers prime lakeside camping spots. "The waterfront sites are fantastic, they are wide so smaller units can be parked parallel to the lake. Bathrooms are clean, facilities are great. Easy access to the lake," notes a reviewer.
What you should know
Seasonal shower operations: Many campgrounds close bathroom facilities after mid-October. "Coin-op shower with hot water is 50 cents for 5 minutes, 75 cents for 7:30, etc.," explains a visitor to Mount Philo State Park.
Challenging forest roads: Access to dispersed camping requires careful vehicle consideration. A camper at Lincoln Dispersed Camping reports, "FR 291 is a somewhat primitive road - lots of big puddles. I would want some clearance for a vehicle. Our Toyota Highlander made it easily."
Reservation requirements: Most developed campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. "Reserve early, as this place doesn't have a ton of sites and it fills up quickly!" warns a visitor to Smugglers Notch State Park. Sites are typically bookable 11 months in advance through Vermont State Parks' reservation system or recreation.gov for national forest campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Button Bay offers both lake and pool swimming options. "There is a pool for swimming, paved roads are good for bikes & scooters, pavilion for activities, lake for swimming & fishing and hiking trails," explains a reviewer at Button Bay State Park Campground.
Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain play areas for children. "The small playground was great, and the small boat launch and beach kept us in the water," notes a family with five children who visited Little River State Park.
Educational opportunities: Ranger programs enhance kids' camping experiences. "The ranger programming was exceptional, as are the views and the nearby areas for hiking and backpacking," mentions a visitor to Smugglers Notch State Park Campground.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Many campgrounds cannot accommodate larger rigs. A visitor to Mount Philo State Park Campground advises, "Because the road is steep and winding, it's not suitable for RVs."
Full hookup availability: Limited campgrounds offer complete RV services. "We didn't advance book, so we were in one of the last available spots. Site 2 is a flat, gravel back in, 30 amp, full hookup," explains an RV camper at Shelburne Camping Area.
Dump station locations: Know where to service your RV tanks. North Beach Campground offers a sanitary dump station, while one visitor notes, "No hookups but have a dump station" at Button Bay State Park Campground.
