Cabin rentals near Orleans, Vermont provide overnight accommodations in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. Located between Lake Willoughby and Lake Memphremagog, this region sits within the boreal forest zone at elevations ranging from 700-2,700 feet. Summer temperatures average 75-80°F during the day with cooler evenings around 55-60°F, making cabin camping comfortable even during July and August.
What to do
Hiking wilderness trails: Brighton State Park Campground offers several hiking options through boreal forest. "Great trails right in the park, including the Shore Trail and Boreal Forest loop. There are lots more trails to discover just a short drive from the park," notes a visitor who appreciated the variety of accessible paths.
Kayaking on tranquil waters: White Caps Campground provides direct lake access with equipment rentals. "You are a bit on top of your neighbors. But the grass area and view of lake right in front of you is priceless. We were able to just walk our kayaks across street and put in right there," explains one camper about the convenient water access.
Winter camping experiences: For adventurous off-season travelers, Smugglers Notch State Park Campground offers winter opportunities. "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 a winter visitor who enjoyed the solitude.
What campers like
Natural soundscapes: Campers consistently mention wildlife sounds as highlights. "Love listening to the loons in the morning," noted one visitor about Brighton State Park Campground, while another added "we went late to see or hear allot of loans but we still heard some."
Remote lake experiences: Maidstone State Park provides a peaceful wilderness experience. "The lake had to be the most pure and pristine lake in Vermont," one camper observed. Another mentioned "No cell service. Loved it... pretty far away though," highlighting the park's remote appeal.
Well-maintained facilities: Many cabins and campgrounds have updated amenities. "The campground is updated with a new laundry room and shower house. There are 2 pools (one for adults only) and a hot tub," reports a visitor to Mountain View Campground, also noting the availability of "mini golf, a playground, corn hole, and tube rentals for the river."
What you should know
Cabin availability timing: Many cabins require early booking, particularly during foliage season. "We visited just as the foliage season was getting underway, end of September is peak this year," noted one Brighton State Park visitor who planned ahead.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies widely between properties. "No cellular with either Verizon or AT&T but there is limited WiFi at check in building," reported a visitor to Maidstone State Park, while a Moose River camper noted "The WiFi is weak and inside the park is little to no service."
Site privacy considerations: Cabin and campsite privacy levels differ significantly. "The sites are pretty close keep in mind there is a big weekend crowd and we found that a number of people seemed to clear out on Sunday," observed a Mountain View Campground visitor, while another mentioned "Despite the rain our entire trip, White Caps Campground had all the amenities we needed."
Local provisions: Stock up before arrival. "This campground is remote and it's about 45 min. to the nearest town," warned a Maidstone State Park visitor, highlighting the need for advance planning.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-focused amenities: Some properties specifically cater to families with dedicated facilities. Tree Corners Family Campground offers "two separate pools and hot tubs for kids and adults. Tons of other activities for kids- splash pad, water slides, playground, basketball court," according to a recent visitor.
Educational opportunities: Local trails provide learning experiences. "We saw one, crossing the road right by it when we were about to give up! it was too dark for a good photo at that point, but at least we found one!" reported a Brighton State Park visitor who utilized the Moose Observation Platform.
Family-oriented scheduling: Plan around limited operational hours. "The waterslides are only open for 3 hours a day," noted a Tree Corners Family Campground visitor, important information for planning daily activities.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Electric service differs between campgrounds. Moose River Campground provides "a large full hookup pull through in middle of loop," reported one RVer, while others mentioned inconsistencies: "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."
Campground access: Some cabin properties have difficult entry roads. "Backing our car onto the narrow space, it was within a foot of the picnic table," noted one White Caps visitor, while a Maidstone visitor mentioned "The access road into the park is a well-maintained dirt road and about 5 miles long."
Site selection strategy: Research specific site locations before booking. "Probably the nicest site in the park is #23 which is a back-in site with your patio facing the river," advised a Moose River camper, while another recommended "If you can score a riverfront site those are nice to sit outside and enjoy a fire."