Courtney L.
Scout
ScoutMagic Pines
Feels like home
This is my first year seasonal at Magic Pines and my fiance and I love it. It's quiet, everyone is friendly, it's pet friendly and has a beautiful nature vibe to it.
Camping near Montpelier, VT
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
The terrain surrounding Montpelier, Vermont supports a diverse range of camping experiences within a short drive of the state capital. Little River State Park Campground and Ricker Pond State Park Campground offer developed camping areas with tent sites, RV spaces, and cabins within 15-20 miles of downtown. Additional options extend through the Groton State Forest area, where camping areas like Kettle Pond and New Discovery State Park provide more secluded alternatives. Most campgrounds in this region are seasonal, typically operating from mid-May through mid-October, with many closing after Columbus Day weekend.
Most Vermont state parks near Montpelier require reservations, particularly during summer months and fall foliage season when visitation peaks. "This is one of our favorite places to camp in Vermont. The sites are fairly private without being built too close together," noted one visitor about camping in the region. While many campgrounds offer water access for swimming and boating, facilities vary significantly between locations. Cell service can be inconsistent throughout the area, especially at more remote sites like Kettle Pond. Winter access is extremely limited, with most campgrounds and their access roads closing entirely during snow season. Several campgrounds provide sanitary dump stations, though hookup availability is limited outside of private campgrounds like Lazy Lions and Onion River.
Lake access represents a significant draw for campers in the Montpelier region, with several camping areas situated on waterways like the Waterbury Reservoir, Groton Lake, and various ponds. A camper observed that Ricker Pond features "a beach with sand for swimming" and described the lake as "beautiful, clear and clean." The rail-trail system connecting various parts of the region provides additional recreational opportunities, with the Montpelier-Wells Rail Trail accessible directly from some campgrounds. Many sites accommodate various camping styles, from primitive tent sites to partial-hookup RV spots. While some private campgrounds offer full amenities including electric, water, and sewer connections, state park facilities typically provide more basic services balanced with greater natural immersion.
Best Campgrounds near Montpelier (219)
1. Little River State Park Campground
"Little River State Park is located just outside of Waterbury Vermont so it’s an ideal location for jumping off on other adventures!"
"We came here to hike the Dalley Loop Trail (which is a great trail full of history), but we wish we had camped here instead of the private campground 45 minutes away where we did stay."
from $19 - $28 / night
Check Availability2. Ricker Pond State Park Campground
"This campground is easy to access, though owing to that one can hear traffic on the nearby road. The lake is beautiful, clear and clean, and there is a beach with sand for swimming."
"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."
from $19 - $110 / night
Check Availability3. Smugglers Notch State Park Campground
"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!"
"They don't have all the usual amenities its more of a primitive set up. has great clean sites with multiple ways to access mount mansfields trail system which is the highest mountain in the state of Vermont"
from $20 / night
Check Availability4. Kettle Pond State Park Campground
"Remote campsite #9 was a bit wet this spring but in truth everything has been wet here in Vermont this year. 3 night get away with son, and first time on Kettle pond."
"Kettle Pond is a classic northern pond set in Vermont's Groton State Forest."
5. Lazy Lions Campground
from $49 - $100 / night
Check Availability6. Gold Brook Campground
"While we were next to the creek at site 12, it was blocked by brush and trees.
Check in was easy, and the staff were present enough in case you had questions or needed to buy firewood.""It’s centrally located to many wonderful sites around Stowe and Waterbury. Check-in was a breeze. We picked up our packet from the office mail box and headed to our site."
7. Big Deer State Park Campground
"Check-in happens at Stillwater, purchase your firewood and drive the 2 min down to Big Deer. For Vermont, these sites felt close, but we could still get privacy."
"Very nice sites, most have good privacy and are rather large - many of them also have large boulders around them! Access to Boulder Beach is included, which is a short walk or drive down the road."
8. Brookside RV Camping (Electric hookup only)
from $24 / night
Check Availability9. Onion River Campground
from $30 - $55 / night
Check Availability10. New Discovery State Park Campground
"Easy access to a lake and a picnic pavilion. Noticed more than a few sites that I could hang at."
"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."
from $20 - $38 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 35 min from Burlington, VT
- 1 hr 51 min from Manchester, NH
- 2 hrs 9 min from Glens Falls, NY
- 3 hrs 20 min from Lewiston, ME
Recent Camping Photos near Montpelier, VT
403 Photos of 219 Montpelier Campgrounds
Lucinda N.
Vermont Ranch and Riverside Retreat
Jennifer L.
Lazy Lions Campground
John T.
Meadowcrest Campground
The Dyrt
Tentrr Signature Site - Bluejay Boulevard
Caitlin M.
Little River State Park Campground
Rick S.
Kettle Pond State Park Campground
Raj T.
Camel's Hump State Park — Camels Hump State Park
Rick S.
New Discovery State Park Campground
Reid B.
Groton Forest Road Campground
Drew H.
Stillwater State Park Campground
Sarah C.
Big Deer State Park Campground
Lynn L.
Brook Run Dog Retreat
Recent Reviews near Montpelier, VT
884 Reviews of 219 Montpelier Campgrounds
- N
Nicole Z.
TravelerLast light on Michigan Brook
Upper Michigan dispersed sites
Private, large site. This was the first site in the road. We have a low clearance car and it was a bit bumpy. This site was amazing, clean and easy pull in pull out.
Campbell I.ScoutLost River Valley Campground
Honestly great for the price and had a blast
Genuinely one of the most fun weekends I had, staff was amazing and cordial and the other people were friendly; the only thing that I wasn’t a huge fan of was the proximity to other campers. While it’s far enough away for some privacy, at night you can hear people snoring rather loudly.
Joe K.ScoutWaterbury Reservoir Remote Sites — Waterbury Center State Park
Remote but most campsites aren't really on water
We camped here in June of 2026. It is not as remote as some other locations, mainly because you are in Waterbury, VT and Waterbury can be quite busy with visitors.
We parked on Cotton Brook Rd and were told by multiple people that you need to be aware of rain. The parking lot can flood if you get days of rain. The days we camped we did have heavy downpours the morning of day 2 and by the time we left the reservoir was probably 6 ft higher. So it is a real thing. The benefit of that is tons of waterfalls lead into the reservoir and they are quite pretty.
It is a long canoe from the Cotton Brook lot and you need to go to campsite 14 to really get a campsite with a full view of the lake. We were on campsite 18 and it is surrounded by trees. Thats great if you want privacy, but not great if you want a view of the lake.
No loons while we were there. : (
In short, it is pretty good, but we would recommend others.
Alex W.ScoutMaplewoods campground
Recommended campground
I love this place, nice atmosphere, clean showers and nice mountain range views. Recommended for anyone looking for a nice campground that has very good cell reception for the ones who are depending their stays to have it.
- Alex W.Scout
Tree Corners Family Campground
Recommended campground
I've stayed on and off for 20 years, love the atmosphere, hospitality, pools, water slides. Laundry room and clean showers.
Matt L.ScoutMoose Hillock Camping Resort
Amazing
A little expensive but worth it. The pool and staff are awesome. Everything is clean.
Paige M.ScoutButton Bay State Park Campground
Love this state park!
We have stayed here a few times. It’s always clean and quiet. Pool is nice but very family (kid) oriented. Love the trails to the water from both camp loops. Great place to stay with a kayak or paddle board!
- TTaylor C.Traveler
Haystack Road
Site 11
Amazing spot, great area! Plentyyy of room. Between sites 10 & 11 is the longest distance out the bunch and enjoyed that because it was easy to run a generator at any hour of the day with no one able to be disturbed by it. Loved Haystack Road overall. Had strong AT&T reception even with 1 - 2 bars.
Guide to Montpelier
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
What RV parks and facilities are available near Montpelier, Vermont?
What RV parks and facilities are available near Montpelier, Vermont?
Onion River Campground is a clean RV-friendly option close to Montpelier with water and electric hookups. Sites are arranged around a large field, providing easy access for vehicles of various sizes. Brookside RV Camping offers electric hookups and is another option for RV travelers in the region. For those willing to travel a bit further, Gold Brook Campground near Stowe accommodates big rigs and provides water and toilet facilities. Most state parks in the area including Big Deer and Stillwater State Parks have drive-in access but may have limited hookup availability, so it's advisable to check specific site details before booking.
What amenities does Meadowcrest Campground near Montpelier offer?
What amenities does Meadowcrest Campground near Montpelier offer?
Meadowcrest Campground is not included in the available review data. However, other campgrounds in the area offer various amenities. Silver Lake Campground provides fairly private sites, a clean lake with a concrete dock, boat rentals, and nature tours led by state park staff. Mountain View Campground offers car-accessible tent sites along the Lamoille River, a well-stocked camp store, and two swimming pools. For specific information about Meadowcrest Campground's current amenities, it's best to contact them directly or check their official website for the most up-to-date details.
Where are the best campgrounds near Montpelier, VT?
Where are the best campgrounds near Montpelier, VT?
Several excellent campgrounds are located near Montpelier. Stillwater State Park Campground is a fantastic option situated on Groton Lake with swimming areas, boat launches, and access to the Montpelier & Wells River Rail Trail. Ricker Pond State Park Campground offers beautiful lake views with clean, clear water for swimming and direct access to the Cross Vermont Trail. Other notable options include Kettle Pond State Park for a more secluded experience and New Discovery State Park with its family-friendly amenities. For those wanting the closest proximity to Montpelier itself, Onion River Campground provides basic accommodations with water and electric hookups just minutes from downtown.
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