Morrisville sits in the heart of Vermont's Green Mountains at around 700 feet elevation where winter temperatures often drop below 10°F. The surrounding campgrounds range from state parks to family-owned resorts, with most locations closing from mid-October through April. Campers staying at rv parks near Morrisville, Vermont can access the nearby Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, a 93-mile recreational path running through northern Vermont.
What to do
Hiking at Elmore Mountain: The 2-mile trail to the fire tower at Elmore State Park Campground offers panoramic views. "Nice quiet space on a beautiful lake. Easy hiking trails with a fire tower on the mountain," notes Desiree V. The trail can get crowded during peak season as it's the only main trail within the park.
River relaxation: Explore nature trails behind Riverside Camping & RV Resort that lead to secluded spots. "I found one that lead to a beach by the river, perfect for reading and relaxing," shares Rebecca Y. These trails provide quieter alternatives to the more populated park areas.
Winter activities: Many Morrisville campgrounds close for winter, but the region transforms into a snow sports destination. The area around Sugar Ridge RV Village has multiple cross-country ski trails within a 20-minute drive. Winter visitors should check ahead for seasonal road closures and plowing schedules.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms and grounds at Morrisville area rv parks. "This beautiful, small state park has a beach on the shores of Lake Elmore and a hiking trail to the fire tower atop Elmore Mountain," writes one camper about Elmore State Park. The park maintains 45 spacious tent/RV sites with clean shower facilities.
Proximity to attractions: The location provides easy access to both Stowe and Smugglers Notch. "Very close to Smuggs and only a short but beautiful ride to Stowe," mentions Alan B. about Smugglers Notch RV Village. This makes it a convenient base for exploring multiple Vermont destinations.
Stargazing opportunities: Some campsites offer exceptional night sky viewing. "Because our lean-to was in a meadow with no tree coverage, we were treated to the most awesome night sky we've ever seen at a Vermont state park," reports Tara S. from Elmore State Park. The open meadow sites provide unobstructed views of constellations.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Booking ahead becomes essential not just during fall foliage but throughout summer. Woodbury Meadows Campground has only 5 sites, making advance planning crucial. "With 6 sites, this family-owned campground was the perfect pit stop on our road trip to Stowe," shares Alison L.
Wi-Fi reliability varies: Internet connectivity differs significantly between campgrounds. "Wifi at campsite was inconsistent and unreliable. Had to work from rec center and pool which was ok but not what we were told," notes Kirsty W. about Iroquois Campground. Those needing consistent connectivity should confirm service availability before booking.
Privacy considerations: Site layouts vary widely between campgrounds. At Elmore State Park, "Some of the wooded tent sites are quite private, but most are not," explains Tara S. The lean-tos are positioned in open meadows with limited privacy but excellent stargazing opportunities. Campers seeking seclusion should request specific site recommendations when booking.
Tips for camping with families
On-site recreation: Children enjoy campgrounds with built-in activities. At Sugar Ridge RV Village & Campground, "Kids love to play here and mini golf on site makes it even better," reports Chris H. The campground also offers horse carriage rides and two pools.
Beach access: Several campgrounds provide swimming areas for hot summer days. "The sandy beach on Lake Elmore" at Elmore State Park receives positive mentions from families. During peak summer months, the beach areas become quite busy, especially on weekends.
Seasonal activities: Special events occur throughout the camping season. "They have a great little store and now they have Vermont Maple soft serve ice cream from my understanding," notes Chris H. about Sugar Ridge. Checking event calendars before visiting helps families plan their stays around kid-friendly programming.
Tips from RVers
Site specifications: RVers should verify exact hookup details before arrival. "Our site looked angled on map so thinking it would be easier to approach from a certain direction to back in, drove in as I needed but found site was perpendicular to road," explains Russ V. about Sugar Ridge RV Village. He suggests checking individual site power specifications, as his neighbors "found their site had 50 amp service not the expected 30 amp and they needed to borrow an adapter cord."
Small campground options: Not all RV parks near Morrisville, Vermont are large resorts. Brookside RV Camping offers just two sites with electric hookups. "This is a great spot to stop for a night with your RV and enjoy the river for a night," mentions Miccal M. These smaller locations often provide a quieter experience but with fewer amenities.
New facilities: Some campgrounds in the area have recently opened or undergone renovations. "This is new campground opened this past season. This is our 3rd visit and it gets better each time," shares Alan B. about Smugglers Notch RV Village. New facilities often offer modern amenities but may still be developing infrastructure and activities.
