Little River State Park Campground in Waterbury, Vermont serves as the main access point for exploring the scenic Waterbury Reservoir. The campground sits at 750 feet elevation with cooler nights than surrounding areas, even in summer. Average temperatures in July and August range from 52°F to 78°F, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms possible.
What to do
Paddle the reservoir: Little River State Park provides water access for kayaks and canoes without the crowds of larger lakes. "There are many beautiful backcountry campsites right on the water only accessible via the water. Great local overnight spot with flat tenting, privies, and picnic tables," notes Caitlin M. from Little River State Park Campground.
Explore historic ruins: Little River State Park features abandoned homestead foundations along hiking trails. "The hiking trails are really good--actually pretty steep. There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover," reports Rita M. who visited with her family.
Cycle nearby paths: The Island Line Trail near Camp Skyland offers unique cycling opportunities. "Bring your bikes! You're tucked away in the woods on gorgeous lake champlain and can bike into burlington for meals and city street strolls," recommends Mackenzie B.
Mountain biking: The trail system at Smugglers Notch provides varied terrain for mountain bikers of all skill levels. The campground serves as an ideal starting point with direct trail access. "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.
What campers like
Remote water sites: Paddlers appreciate the boat-in sites at Little River State Park. "We tend to hang at the site more than the beaches as the beaches are very small and full of children. This is a great park to just relax," writes Hannah H.
Private wooded campsites: Mount Philo State Park offers secluded sites despite its small size. "Only 8 campsites, dispersed in the trees. $23/night. Picnic table and fire pit. Moderate cell service. Nice hikes and cool views of the area," shares Kaelin P. from Mount Philo State Park Campground.
Yurt camping: For those seeking yurt camping near Richmond, Vermont, Singing Wood Farm offers a rustic alternative. "If you want a place to nomadic camp that is near Stowe, but away from the hustle and bustle, then this place is for you," explains Heather C. from Singing Wood Farm.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention bathroom cleanliness as a highlight. "Bathrooms in 'B' were just redone," notes Megan O. who stayed at Little River. Similarly at Mount Philo, a camper mentioned "bathrooms were very clean. Coin-op shower with hot water is 50 cents for 5 minutes."
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most Vermont campgrounds operate from mid-May through mid-October. "We visited here with our 5 kiddos for 2 nights late July 2016. The facilities were clean, the small playground was great, and the small boat launch and beach kept us in the water," writes Rita M.
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially on weekends. At Smugglers Notch State Park Campground, a visitor advises, "Reserve early, as this place doesn't have a ton of sites and it folds up quickly!"
Water accessibility challenges: Some waterfront campgrounds require effort to reach the water. "Most sites up on hill looking over lake, not easily accessible from camp site. Left kayak down at beach," reports Cindy L. about Little River State Park.
Off-season opportunities: Some campgrounds allow winter camping. At Smugglers Notch, "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.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly beaches: Button Bay State Park offers amenities specifically for families. "This state park is so fun to camp at! It has a great playground for kids and a nice swimming pool! You can hike on the trail and Lake Champlain is right there," shares Debbie S. from Button Bay State Park Campground.
Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain playgrounds for children. "The facilities were clean, the small playground was great, and the small boat launch and beach kept us in the water," mentions Rita M. about Little River State Park.
Nature programs: State parks often offer ranger-led activities. "The ranger programming was exceptional, as are the views and the nearby areas for hiking and backpacking," notes Harry H. about Smugglers Notch.
Rock collecting opportunities: Waterfront campsites provide natural activities. At Camp Skyland, a visitor noted, "Water was clean & clear. Fantastic lake for rock collecting! Very pretty and diverse geological landscape!"
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require work to level RVs. At Singing Wood Farm, "The sites in the field are generally un-level, and we had to really work to level our trailer," reports Heather C.
Electric hookup availability: North Beach Campground provides full hookups close to Burlington. "We loved being able to walk down to the beach, as well as having full hookups. We also met the nicest people here," shares Laura L.
Dump station access: Several campgrounds offer dump stations even without full hookups. Button Bay State Park provides this service, with a visitor noting: "No hookups but have a dump station."
RV size limitations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger rigs. Mount Philo specifically mentions it's "not suitable for RVs" due to "steep and winding" access roads.
