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The central Vermont landscape surrounding Northfield offers camping options ranging from established state parks to free dispersed sites in the Green Mountain National Forest. Little River State Park Campground, located 20 miles northwest in Waterbury, provides tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with boat-in access to Waterbury Reservoir. Closer to Northfield, Limehurst Lake Campground in Williamstown features full-hookup RV sites and tent camping from May through mid-October. For those seeking more primitive experiences, several dispersed camping areas exist along forest roads in the Green Mountains, including sites along Route 100 and Forest Roads 25 and 207, which require no reservations but have minimal amenities.
Vermont's camping season typically runs from late May through mid-October, with most state parks and private campgrounds closing during winter months. Spring conditions often bring muddy forest roads that may require high-clearance vehicles, particularly at dispersed sites. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with stronger signals near towns and limited coverage in mountain valleys. As one camper noted about Little River State Park: "It's an ideal location for jumping off on other adventures! The park is on the shoreline of Waterbury reservoir so there is boating and plenty of fishing. There is also a lot of hiking!" Advance reservations are strongly recommended for established campgrounds, especially during fall foliage season when facilities reach capacity.
Water access represents a significant draw for campers in the region, with several campgrounds situated on lakes, ponds, and rivers. Sites with water views tend to book quickly, particularly during summer months when swimming and boating are popular. The area's forested terrain provides natural shade at most established campgrounds, though privacy between sites varies considerably. Fall camping offers spectacular foliage viewing opportunities but requires preparation for cold nights, with temperatures sometimes dropping into the 20s by October. Many campgrounds feature traditional Vermont lean-tos as alternatives to tent sites, providing more weather protection during unpredictable mountain conditions. Proximity to hiking trails, including sections of the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail, makes the region particularly appealing to outdoor enthusiasts.
"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"All pretty much have access to the streams. Nice fire rings. Keep it clean!"
"This area is right next to FireRoad 25 rd. We did not camp here we camped on FR25."
from $49 - $100 / night
Check Availability"It is located in the mountains of Vermont and right next to a beautiful river. The only con was the highway noise since it's pretty close to the road."
"Entrance and exit are a little steep and tricky in the winter, lot wasn’t plowed so AWD/4x4 and good ground clearance are recommended."
"If you're considering a spot in Vermont to camp, come here! Also, make sure your car has a bit of clearance as some sports have dips in the ground."
"Able to see sunrise/sunset/moonrise over the surrounding rolling hills and crests. Upper meadows accessible with 4WD / high clearance vehicles."
from $24 / night
Check Availability"Limehurst Campground was perfect for our stay in Vermont. We had a site right on the beautiful lake with full hook-ups. Campground is well maintained."
from $30 - $150 / night
Check Availability"All the sites were full when I visited (6 to 8 sites, approximately, but i didn't go down a couple little gravel paths to check each spot as you couldn't turn around easily) , so I didn't get to camp there"
"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
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ScoutGenuinely one of the most fun weekends I had, staff was amazing and cordial and the other people were friendly; the only thing that I wasn’t a huge fan of was the proximity to other campers. While it’s far enough away for some privacy, at night you can hear people snoring rather loudly.
ScoutWe camped here in June of 2026. It is not as remote as some other locations, mainly because you are in Waterbury, VT and Waterbury can be quite busy with visitors.
We parked on Cotton Brook Rd and were told by multiple people that you need to be aware of rain. The parking lot can flood if you get days of rain. The days we camped we did have heavy downpours the morning of day 2 and by the time we left the reservoir was probably 6 ft higher. So it is a real thing. The benefit of that is tons of waterfalls lead into the reservoir and they are quite pretty.
It is a long canoe from the Cotton Brook lot and you need to go to campsite 14 to really get a campsite with a full view of the lake. We were on campsite 18 and it is surrounded by trees. Thats great if you want privacy, but not great if you want a view of the lake.
No loons while we were there. : (
In short, it is pretty good, but we would recommend others.
ScoutI love this place, nice atmosphere, clean showers and nice mountain range views. Recommended for anyone looking for a nice campground that has very good cell reception for the ones who are depending their stays to have it.
ScoutI've stayed on and off for 20 years, love the atmosphere, hospitality, pools, water slides. Laundry room and clean showers.
ScoutA little expensive but worth it. The pool and staff are awesome. Everything is clean.
ScoutWe have stayed here a few times. It’s always clean and quiet. Pool is nice but very family (kid) oriented. Love the trails to the water from both camp loops. Great place to stay with a kayak or paddle board!
TravelerTerrible. Only 1 bar of Verizon. They have WIFI but it’s useless. Plus way too crowded for me. Noisy
ScoutThe cleanest, nicest shower room we’ve ever experienced. The staff is exceptionally welcoming and friendly. The mini golf is decent but gold panning in the Wild Ammonusuc is the tourist draw. The salt water pool is sparkling cleaning. We enjoyed our visit very much and will come again.
GuideWe stayed only on weekdays. It was very quiet for having so many sites. Sites are very close together. Sites on the upper loop have less noise from the interstate. Showers on the upper loop at dated and have poor pressure and fickle temperatures, but the other bathhouses are newer. Two pools. Large laundry room. They even have rolls of quarters at the office. Most of the sites are seasonal and are very tidy and well-kept. The grounds are mowed and well-maintained.
Dispersed camping near Northfield, Vermont encompasses sites in the Green Mountain National Forest primarily along Route 100 corridor. Sites at FR25 average 4-8 primitive camping spaces each, with most located alongside small streams and brooks. Winter access requires higher clearance vehicles with proper tires, as forest roads are not maintained December through April and spring mud season often extends into May.
Kayak the Waterbury Reservoir: Little River State Park Campground offers direct water access for paddlers. "The reservoir is a fun place to explore via kayak and cannoe as well as by motorboat! We tend to hang at the site more than the beaches as the beaches are very small and full of children," notes reviewer Hannah H.
Explore historic foundations: Little River State Park provides access to abandoned settlements. "The hiking trails are really good—they're actually pretty steep. There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover," shares Rita M. after a July visit with her family.
Discover secluded swimming holes: Austin Brook offers riverside camping with natural swimming areas. "There's a few sites here! All pretty much have access to the streams. Nice fire rings," reports reviewer Thomas and James S., highlighting the proximity to water features.
Mountain views from elevated sites: Green Mountain National Forest FR207 offers ridge-top camping with panoramic vistas. "In the first large meadow, multiple fire rings/sites. Able to see sunrise/sunset/moonrise over the surrounding rolling hills and crests," notes Tim M., who also found cell service availability with "2 bars USCellular LTE."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms at established campgrounds. "The bathrooms in 'B' were just redone," reports Megan O. about Little River State Park, while others note regular cleaning schedules despite high summer usage.
Off-grid solitude: Dispersed sites provide true disconnection from crowds. "This is not a place to go without at least 9" of ground clearance. Views are spectacular, choose either sunrise or sunset and you should be able to get a site to fit your needs," advises Miccal M. about FR207 camping.
Limited winter services: Most established campgrounds close by mid-October. "I was looking for the Austin Brook campsite north of this one... Entrance and exit are a little steep and tricky in the winter, lot wasn't plowed so AWD/4x4 and good ground clearance are recommended," reports Chris D. about Route 100 dispersed sites.
Primitive conditions at dispersed sites: Bring everything needed for self-sufficiency. "Make sure to bring your own trash bag and water," advises Amanda about FR207, highlighting the lack of facilities at these free locations.
Security concerns: Some campers have reported theft at remote sites. "Make sure to lock your valuables. Our Jackery, Solar panels & toilet were stolen," warns Melissa M. after camping at Green Mountain National Forest FR25.
Reservation requirements: Book established sites well in advance, especially for waterfront locations. "Book in advance for the best availability!" emphasizes Neena B. regarding Ricker Pond State Park, noting favorite spots "fill up fast for the season."
Easy access swimming: Ricker Pond State Park Campground offers child-friendly water activities. "The tent only loop is so private and perfect for kids biking and swimming. Nice pavilion and the pond was wonderful for canoes and kayaks," shares Rita M.
Central location for day trips: Position your basecamp for regional exploration. "I would highly recommend this campground to anyone looking to visit the Stowe/Waterbury area. 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.
Quiet camping options: Some campgrounds specifically cater to adults seeking tranquility. "Lazy Lions Campground is a comfortable campground with an adults-only policy. Having spent time in plenty of campgrounds with screaming or unwinded children, I could see this as a positive draw for the RV'ing crowd," explains Jennifer L.
Limited full-hookup options: Few campgrounds offer complete services. "We had a site right on the beautiful lake with full hook-ups. Campground is well maintained. Swimming is allowed in the lake and there is also a pool. Camp Ground personnel take you to your site and help you back in your trailer," shares Elke P. about Limehurst Lake Campground.
Seasonal considerations: RV camping season runs shorter than tent options. "We had a pull through, and nice green grass sights," notes Craig F. about Lazy Lions Campground, which operates May 15-October 15 and offers clean facilities with pay showers (25¢ for 4 minutes).
Elevation challenges: Mountain roads can present difficulties for larger rigs. Upper meadows at FR207 are "accessible with 4WD/high clearance vehicles" according to Tim M., making them unsuitable for standard recreational vehicles without appropriate capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Northfield Campground?
Northfield area campgrounds offer various amenities depending on the specific location. Silver Lake Campground provides fairly private sites that aren't too close together, a clean lake with a concrete dock, boat rentals, and nature tours led by state park staff. For those seeking more facilities, Mountain View Campground offers tent sites along the Lamoille River, a well-stocked camp store, and two swimming pools that are perfect for families. Most campgrounds in the Northfield area include standard amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and restroom facilities, though specific offerings vary by location.
Where is Northfield Campground located and how do I get there?
Northfield Campground is located in central Vermont, approximately 10 miles south of Montpelier. The nearest major campground in the area is Little River State Park Campground, which is about 15 minutes north of Northfield. Access is convenient via Interstate 89, taking exit 5 for Northfield/Williamstown and following Route 12 south. For those seeking alternatives just across the border, Jacobs Brook Campground is located less than 2 miles from I-93 exit 13 in New Hampshire, making it another accessible option for visitors traveling through the region.
When is the best time of year to camp in Northfield, Vermont?
The best time to camp in Northfield, Vermont is typically late spring through early fall (May through October). Summer months (June-August) offer warm days perfect for enjoying water activities at places like Grand Isle State Park Campground, which features beautiful Lake Champlain settings. For spectacular foliage viewing, September through mid-October is ideal, with Gifford Woods State Park Campground offering some of the region's most vibrant autumn scenery. Many Vermont campgrounds close for the season by mid-October, with limited winter camping options. Weather can be unpredictable in spring and fall, so pack accordingly for potentially cool nights even during summer months.
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