223 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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.
"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 Availability"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 Availability"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 Availability"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."
from $49 - $100 / night
Check Availability"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."
"There is a creepy old cemetery in walking distance. Nice showers on site !!"
"Easy access to a lake and a picnic pavilion. Noticed more than a few sites that I could hang at."
from $20 - $38 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $24 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $30 - $55 / night
Check Availability
ScoutWe came up for a quick Adirondack getaway and ended up spending most of our time outside. A little disc golf, some time by the pool, dinner at the site and plenty of walks with the dog. Pretty much everything we wanted out of the trip.
ScoutOne of the best parts for us was not having to pack up the RV every time we wanted to go somewhere. We stayed put and explored the Adirondacks from here. Lake Champlain, Ausable Chasm and a bunch of other spots were all easy to get to.
TravelerHad a great time camping here this weekend! There are quite a few small sites spread throughout the area, with a decent amount of space between them, especially for New England. Some of the sites are easily accessible, while others require navigating some more technical terrain, which is a nice bonus if you’re looking for a little off-roading. Not every site is fully surrounded by woods, so privacy definitely varies depending on which one you choose. Luckily, the spot we stayed at was pretty secluded and gave us the privacy we were looking for. The fire pit was in good shape, and the area was relatively clean. Overall, a great spot with a nice variety of sites depending on your vehicle and how much privacy you’re looking for. Would definitely camp here again!
ScoutHaving the river and Adirondacks nearby made for a really nice change of scenery. We spent our days exploring and came back to the campground for dinner and a fire.
GuideThere was a few sites 5-6 we didn’t get to the eastern loop. But the sites we saw were very secluded. All had fire pits ours had a picnic table. And was right next to the creek. Would highly recommend if you want to get away from city lights. All sites are not maintained. We had a small off road camper it was easy In and out some sites could be hard with larger pull behinds. Some sites might need 4wd to get in and out we had lots of mud after a lot of rain.
GuideMost sites are secluded. There is a creepy old cemetery in walking distance. Nice showers on site !!
GuideWe had the upper sites all drive in or small camper. And or Tent. Amazing rolling brook beautiful sites we had site 32. The lower ones are rv. The owner gave us free wood as it was end of season. We were there Oct 10 I’m not sure but think they close the 13
LegendThis is a great campground for families! Conveniently situated for skiing, climbing, hiking and leaf peeping. Amenities include; swimming pool, dog park, horseshoes, arcade, disc golf, basketball and more! They also have a propane fill station. As KOA’s go, you will pay for these amenities, but you get a lot of bang for your buck.
ScoutCampground was clean and quiet. We arrived late but information was taped to the window at the office. Will was very helpful also and checked to make sure we arrived.
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.
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."
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.
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."
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.
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?
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?
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?
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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