The Montpelier region offers diverse camping options between 750-1,500 feet elevation, with seasonal temperatures ranging from 70-85°F in summer to below freezing in late fall. Many camping sites near Montpelier, Vermont operate under strict seasonal constraints with limited cell service in more remote locations. Weather patterns can change rapidly in this part of the Green Mountains, especially during the transition seasons.
What to do
Hiking on established trails: At New Discovery State Park Campground, campers can access hiking trails directly from the campground. "There are hiking trails right from the campground, which we always appreciate. You can also go down to the water and rent a kayak or canoe from the rangers," notes a visitor who appreciated the convenience.
Kayaking secluded ponds: Kettle Pond State Park Campground offers remote paddle-in sites around a pristine glacial pond. "We rented canoes and paddles across Kettle Pond to one of the shelter sites in early September and it was incredible. Each site has access to a fire pit, lean-to, and outhouse but no immediate running water," reports one camper who enjoyed the paddle-in experience.
Mountain biking nearby: Several trail systems are accessible from camping areas, with the Millstone Mountain Bike area located near some campgrounds. The Cross Vermont Trail provides additional recreational options, with one camper describing their experience: "We took a half day bike trip on it one day to go to the town of Marshfield to visit Rainbow Sweets, home of some of the best French pastries in Vermont."
What campers like
Remote lean-to sites: Smugglers Notch State Park Campground receives praise for its secluded sites. "Pristine facilities, private camp sites and a beautiful area. Smuggler's Notch is close enough to Stowe to not be a hassle to drive to, but far enough away that it's quiet and remote," explains one visitor who appreciated the balance of access and privacy.
Access to multiple recreation areas: Staying at one campground often provides access to other nearby facilities. "Camping here gets you into all the nearby state parks for free! Bonus exploration!" notes a camper at Ricker Pond State Park Campground, highlighting the value of a single campsite reservation.
Night sky viewing: The limited light pollution in Vermont's rural areas creates exceptional stargazing opportunities. "Dog friendly and quiet campground with gorgeous views of the milky way galaxy," reports a camper at Big Deer State Park, emphasizing the clear night skies.
What you should know
Limited water access: Many remote sites require planning ahead. At Kettle Pond, "There is not ANY running water. The running water is accessed by going to New Discovery Campground, which is about 3 miles down the road... so bringing several large water vessels is important."
Wildlife awareness: Bears and other wildlife are active in the region. "There are bears around the area though so please be bear smart when camping here," cautions a camper who visited New Discovery State Park.
Off-season availability: Some campgrounds offer unique winter opportunities. At Little River State Park Campground, "Stopped by midweek without reservation after vehicle issues forced a stop by the nearby shops in Barre/Berlin. Very peaceful with ample hammock spots."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access considerations: When camping with children, beach facilities can be important. "The campground has a small beach, boat launch and it's right on the Cross Vermont Trail. I stayed in October and it was really quiet and relaxing," notes a visitor to Ricker Pond State Park.
Playground availability: Some campgrounds offer more family-friendly amenities than others. "They don't have all the usual amenities its more of a primitive set up," explains one camper about Smugglers Notch, while another campground visitor mentioned, "There is a nice playground in the center and a creek that follows the tent sites."
Fishing opportunities: For families with young anglers, fishing access can provide entertainment. "The fish were bitting all day long for catch and release fishing for our scouts which was perfect because some of them kids never fished before," reports a group leader at Kettle Pond State Park.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Most state park camping options near Montpelier lack full hookups. At Gold Brook Campground, "Our site was level and extremely spacious, FHUs, and featuring a fire pit. There is a nice playground in the center and a creek that follows the tent sites."
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult access roads. "The bridge which is ridiculously narrow and there are terrible potholes. Our 42 foot fifth wheel barely made it in," warns one RVer about Onion River Campground.
Water fill considerations: Unusual water spigot configurations can cause issues. "The spigots for the water are not threaded. We tried our water bandit, with messy wet results... Luckily, we found we could unscrew the head of the hose at the dump station and had no problem filling our tank with potable water."
