The Morrisville area sits in Vermont's Green Mountains at approximately 700 feet elevation, serving as a gateway to higher peaks including Mount Mansfield. The region features a mix of dense forest, open meadows, and multiple water bodies with camping options ranging from primitive backcountry sites to developed campgrounds with cabins. Most campgrounds in this area have a maximum stay of 14 days during peak season.
What to do
Hiking to Mount Mansfield: Smugglers Notch State Park provides direct trail access to Vermont's highest peak. "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," notes Michael V. The park operates from May 19 to October 15 with lean-to and tent sites available.
Winter backcountry camping: Smugglers Notch offers free winter camping opportunities during off-season. "Free of charge during off season, you just have to call a couple weeks ahead to reserve and make sure you park in the allotted area. Hike/snowshoe in to your site as the gate is closed and the area is not plowed. No facilities off season…Carry out all trash/waste," explains Ed M.
River activities: Mountain View Campground in Morrisville provides river access for tubing, fishing, and swimming. "You can rent kayaks and tubes from the store or bring your own and float down the river. There are multiple spots where you can put in and float down a little ways before reaching the other access point," according to Nancy W.
Paddle-in camping: Green River Reservoir State Park offers a unique experience with sites accessible only by boat. "The reservoir is 653 acres with 19 miles of shoreline. There are 27 campsites and two group camspites. Most sites are within a mile of the boat launch, a few require closer to a 2-mile paddle," writes Tara S. Sites include fire pits with outhouses shared between multiple sites.
What campers like
Quiet surroundings: Underhill State Park features well-spaced sites away from crowds. "This is the best of car camping - you get the feel of really being out in the woods, with your car a short distance away. They provide wheelbarrows for easy moving of your stuff, and the campsites are super clean and well organized," reports Ali T. Campers particularly appreciate sites near running water.
Dark night skies: Many campsites around Morrisville feature minimal light pollution. At Brewster River Campground, campers note the natural darkness: "I love how dark it gets and that you can hear the river beside you all night. Simple bathrooms and showers. Put thought into choosing which site to reserve to enhance your experience," advises K M.
Winter off-season opportunities: Smugglers Notch State Park provides unique winter experiences. "Silent and starry nights, just make sure you have the gear/experience and a warm sleeping bag," notes Ed M. about winter camping here. The area transforms into a hub for nordic and alpine backcountry skiing.
Water proximity: Lakeside camping ranks high among visitor preferences. At Little River State Park, "The reservoir was beautiful. Took the kayak, only issue I had was getting to the lake. Most sites up on hill looking over lake, not easily assessable from camp site, but still had a great time. Left kayak down at beach," shares Cindy L.
What you should know
Campsite spacing varies significantly: While some campgrounds feature close quarters, others provide more privacy. At Little River State Park, "Clean, quiet campground that feels like wilderness, but is accessible!" reports Brenna T. However, at Mountain View, sites can be compact: "When we first pulled into this campground and saw how close our site was to our neighbors, we were a little dismayed."
Limited winter facilities: Most campgrounds close completely in winter, with Smugglers Notch being an exception offering primitive camping. According to Ed M., winter campers should "Carry out all trash/waste. Right in the middle of great nordic and alpine backcountry skiing and snowshoeing."
Reservations essential: Booking well in advance is necessary for popular campgrounds. Gold Brook Campground in Stowe warns, "Reserve early, as this place doesn't have a ton of sites and it folds up quickly!"
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience highway sounds. At Mountain View, "While there is road noise from VT 15 it does calm down at night," notes Lisa D. Similarly, at Gold Brook Campground, "Road noise was moderate; I wouldn't want to stay in sites 1-11 due to the proximity to the road."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Elmore State Park offers family-friendly water access. "I was impressed with the sandy beach on Lake Elmore and the hiking trail up to the top of Elmore Mountain," shares Tara S. The beach area provides safe swimming options with gradual entry points.
Playground availability: Some campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. Rita M. notes that at Little River State Park, "The facilities were clean, the small playground was great, and the small boat launch and beach kept us in the water. The hiking trails are really good--they are actually pretty steep."
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer ranger programs and historical sites. "The ranger programming was exceptional, as are the views and the nearby areas for hiking and backpacking," says Harry H. about Smugglers Notch State Park.
Local attractions: Proximity to family-friendly activities enhances camping experiences. "We had easy access to hikes in Stowe, plus the Ben and Jerry's shop is about 20 minutes down the road!" shares Alison O. about Little River State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at some locations. At Singing Wood Farm, "The sites in the field are generally un-level, and we had to really work to level our trailer," reports Heather C.
Hookup availability: Smugglers Notch RV Village offers comprehensive options. "They offer a variety of different sites to fit each campers needs, a beautiful well kept bath house and a small but well stocked store. The sites are good size and come with full hookups. They also have great WIFI," notes Alan B.
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have limited large rig access. At Gold Brook, "This is definitely best for RVs/travel trailers where you can escape inside your unit because this place gets busy on the weekend," advises Whitney L.
Seasonal restrictions: Most RV campgrounds in the region operate from May through mid-October. Mountain View Campground's season runs "May 1 to Oct 15," while Gold Brook operates "May 23 to October 15."
