The Morrisville area sits in the Lamoille Valley of north-central Vermont, where elevations range from 700 to over 4,000 feet at nearby Mount Mansfield. The region experiences all four seasons distinctly, with snow typically covering the ground from December through March. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from May through mid-October, with limited winter camping available at select locations.
What to do
Hiking to fire towers: Elmore State Park offers trails leading to a fire tower with panoramic views. "Hiking trails at Elmore State Park provide paths leading to a fire tower atop Elmore Mountain," notes reviewer Desiree V. from Elmore State Park Campground.
Winter camping options: For adventurous cold-weather campers, Smugglers Notch State Park Campground provides off-season sites. "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," explains Ed M.
Paddle-accessible camping: Green River Reservoir offers remote sites requiring boat access. "It's private, quiet, and really gives you that 'forest bathing' escape. There is a lot of beautiful wildlife, and they do an amazing job at preserving the sites," shares Mackenzie B. about the paddle-in experience.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacious layout at campgrounds near Morrisville. "The sites are pretty well priced- all they had left for us were Lean-to sites which were 27/night. No complaints here!" reports Molly G. from Underhill State Park Campground, adding "the sites are super clean and well organized."
Swimming options beyond pools: Little River State Park offers reservoir swimming. "The reservoir was a great place to relax after a day of hiking!" notes Alison O. about Little River State Park Campground. The campground features boat-in sites in addition to traditional drive-in options.
River access for dogs: Brewster River Campground provides streamside sites where dogs can play. "I love how dark it gets and that you can hear the river beside you all night," says K.M., highlighting the appeal of this pet-friendly camping option near Morrisville, Vermont.
What you should know
Primitive camping considerations: Some locations have limited facilities. Green River Reservoir State Park offers truly remote experiences where "Each campsite includes a fire pit and access to an outhouse. Usually the outhouse is shared between 2 to 3 campsites, but there is plenty of space between each site," explains Tara S.
Site selection strategy: At Smugglers Notch, campsites vary significantly. "Some of the campsites on the outside ring you need to walk into (a very short distance), but it makes it feel very secluded and less like car camping," reports Jess O.
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the Morrisville region operate from mid-May through mid-October. Gold Brook Campground in nearby Stowe runs "May 23 to October 15" according to their seasonal information, typical for the area.
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly amenities: Mountain View Campground offers multiple activities for kids. "Nice family campground nestled in between route 15 and the Lamoille River. Great car accessible tent sites right on the water and plenty of amenities that the kids will love," explains Jason D.
Lean-to options for families: Covered structures make camping with kids easier. "My husband and I stayed in the lean-to with our two toddlers. It has 3 walls and netting on the fourth. Inside there are two queen sized platforms (we put an air mattress down) and it is right on the river," shares Kiarra M. from Brewster River Campground.
Short hiking trails: Little River State Park has history-focused trails suitable for children. "The hiking trails are really good--actually pretty steep. There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover," notes Rita M.
Tips from RVers
Site types and hookups: Mountain View Campground provides various RV accommodations. "Our site (#103) was long enough to fit our rig but we had to squeeze the car in front. The site was level and all the hookups were well-placed and worked fine. Despite the really hot weather and need to run three air conditioners, we did not have any power issues," advises Nancy W.
Accessibility for big rigs: Smugglers Notch RV Village can handle larger vehicles. "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," reports Alan B.
Internet connectivity: Gold Brook Campground offers reliable internet in most cases. "Wifi was great over the week (was able to work without a problem), but collapsed when more people showed up on Friday," shares Kara W., useful information for those needing to stay connected while pet-friendly camping near Morrisville, Vermont.
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