Northern Vermont's camping spots near Newport offer natural lake access with varied terrain from flat shoreline to forested hills, spanning elevations from 682 feet at Lake Memphremagog to surrounding peaks over 2,000 feet. The camping season typically runs mid-May through mid-October, with temperatures ranging from daytime highs of 70-80°F in summer to overnight lows that can drop below 50°F even in August.
What to do
Hiking at Brighton State Park: Access multiple trail networks including the Shore Trail and Boreal Forest loop. One visitor noted, "Near by are all sorts of awesome hiking trails. Boreal forest. THE best. Some of my favorite photos from hiking, and the trail names/maps are below. The Moose Observation Platform is no lie. We saw one, crossing the road right by it when we were about to give up!"
Biking on area trails: The Prouty Beach Campground offers direct access to bike paths leading to Canada or downtown Newport. A reviewer mentioned, "There is a very nice bike trail that runs through the campground, to the city of Newport on one side and to Canada on the other!" The 35-acre park also includes tennis courts, disc golf, basketball courts, and boat rentals.
Paddling on multiple lakes: Kayak or canoe on Lake Memphremagog, Spectacle Pond, or Lake Willoughby. At Brighton State Park Campground, campers appreciate water access: "The easy boat access from right our our tent flaps basically, was awesome. I loved being able to just jump in the boat and float around, especially at night to look at the sky."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Loons are a major attraction at several area campgrounds. A Brighton State Park camper shared, "Love listening to the loons in the morning. My boyfriend & I camp here on a yearly basis with his fam." Another mentioned, "There were loons calling every night also which I love."
Spacious campsites: Some campgrounds offer unusually large sites. A visitor to Prouty Beach Campground observed, "The sites are HUGE! Probably the biggest we have ever seen in our travels thus far. We were treated to gorgeous views as well as sunsets!"
Clean facilities: Several campgrounds maintain high standards of cleanliness. A camper at Belview Campground commented, "There are showers and toilets on property, only two for M/F. You pay $.25 for 5 minutes of hot water, which unfortunately isn't always hot!" Despite this issue, they gave the campground five stars for its overall cleanliness and amenities.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly between locations. At White Caps Campground, a camper warned, "Absolutely no internet or phone service in the campground, WiFi worked only if you went up to the office."
Site sizes and privacy: Site dimensions and spacing vary dramatically between campgrounds. One visitor noted about White Caps, "The spots are so close to each other that I could hear my neighbor flush their toilet from inside my rv." In contrast, at Will-O-Wood Campground, a reviewer found, "The sites were relatively private and large, and the campground was quiet overall."
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds close by mid-October. At Lakeside Camping, the season runs "May 15 - Sep 8," while Will-O-Wood operates "May 1 to Oct 15." Brighton State Park explicitly operates "Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day weekend."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Choose campgrounds with dedicated family amenities. A visitor to Tree Corners Family Campground reported, "Massive campground made mostly for those with kids. They have two separate pools and hot tubs for kids and adults. Tons of other activities for kids- splash pad, water slides, playground, basketball court, etc."
Swimming areas: Lakes provide natural swimming opportunities, though conditions vary. At White Caps, a camper observed, "The lake bottom was murky sticky mud which is fine it's just not my favorite. My fiancé went swimming and got a leech or leech-like thing on his foot so swimming for him was pretty much over."
Noise considerations: Campgrounds near recreation areas may experience higher noise levels. One camper at Prouty Beach noted, "Being at the lake meant a lot of noise from others including the campers that use the facility, I mean like actual camp, like groups of kids and counselors. I don't mind kids but others might."
Tips from RVers
Electrical reliability: Monitor voltage during peak demand periods. At Prouty Beach Campground, a camper reported, "Our electric was problematic. Granted it was hot while we were there (in the high 80's and low 90's) our electric pedestal showed readings between 110 and 115 volts which was constantly cutting off our air conditioners."
Site access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult entry points for larger rigs. A visitor to Lakeside Camping warned, "The sites are extremely small had a 42 foot fifth wheel and took me 15 minutes to get set so I could disconnect. good thing there was no one next to me on both sides so I had room to move around otherwise I would've never made it in there."
