Glamping near St. Johnsbury, VT

Campers near St. Johnsbury, Vermont access the Connecticut River Valley and Northern Forest, with elevations ranging from 700 to 3,000 feet across the region. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-80°F, with cooler nights even in July and August. Cell service varies dramatically across campgrounds in the Northeast Kingdom, with many sites offering limited or no connectivity.

What to do

Hiking trails in Groton State Forest: Access an extensive network of trails directly from Big Deer State Park Campground. "The best part of this campground is its access to hiking trails in Groton State Forest - there is an access point right in the park with connections to New Discovery State Park, Big and Little Dear Mountains, the Nature Center and Boulder Beach," notes a camper at Big Deer State Park Campground.

Paddling on quiet waters: Explore Ricker Pond by kayak or canoe without motor traffic. "A quiet camp ground on Ricker Pond, a motor free pond, is a wonderful way to spend the weekend. The pond is serene and a great place to swim, paddle, explore, and fish," shares a visitor to Ricker Pond State Park Campground.

Rail trail biking: Access the Montpelier & Wells River Rail Trail directly from some campgrounds. "We had our trail bikes so took advantage of the Montpelier-Wells Rail Trail (Cross Vermont Trail), accessible directly from the campground," reports one camper.

What campers like

Clear mountain lakes for swimming: Several parks offer pristine water for swimming during summer months. "The lake is beautiful, clear and clean, and there is a beach with sand for swimming," according to a review at Stillwater State Park.

Remote woodland solitude: Maidstone State Park provides exceptional seclusion. "This campground is located down a long dirt road on which there are lots of summer houses. It is worth the drive...the lake is clear and beautiful. The loons are amazing," says a visitor to Maidstone State Park.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer opportunities to see local wildlife. "The loons are amazing," notes one Maidstone visitor, while others mention the calls of loons at night—a distinctive feature of Northern Vermont camping.

Spacious, private sites: Kingdom Campground offers generous campsites with amenities. "Very clean and quiet campground mostly set up for RVs. All RV sites have water, sewer, and electric. Tent sites have water and electric," reports a camper at Kingdom Campground.

What you should know

Limited cell service: Many campgrounds in the region have minimal connectivity. "There is absolutely no cell service for miles, so plan accordingly," warns a visitor to Ricker Pond. Another notes, "No cellular with either Verizon or AT&T but there is limited WiFi at check in building."

Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds operate on limited schedules. "This is a pretty small State Park, so it fills up quickly. The sites on the pond are beautiful if you can get one," advises a Ricker Pond camper.

Shower facilities vary: State parks typically have coin-operated showers. "Toilets and showers were very clean but showers were coin op. A bit on the pricey side but you're close to everything in the NEK," notes a reviewer at Kingdom Campground.

Limited nearby services: Some campgrounds are far from stores or restaurants. "This area of VT is 25-30 minutes from any type of grocery store. There is the camp store, but their stock is limited," cautions a camper.

Tips for camping with families

Look for campgrounds with dedicated swimming areas: Boulder Beach provides designated swimming for families. "The campground has a small beach, boat launch and it's right on the Cross Vermont Trail," reports a visitor to Ricker Pond.

Consider parks with interpretive programs: Some parks offer ranger-led activities. "On our second day, there was an interpretive program at the pavilion. The ranger led visitors in making bark boats out of materials found in the park," shares a visitor to Stillwater State Park Campground.

Check for playgrounds and activity spaces: Some campgrounds offer additional recreation options. "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," notes a Ricker Pond visitor.

Tips from RVers

Water and electric hookups vary by campground: State parks generally offer limited services while private campgrounds provide more hookups. "The site we stayed at has a few trees around it & a beautiful view in the back," reports a visitor to Kingdom Campground about their RV site.

Check road conditions to remote campgrounds: Some sites require travel on dirt roads. "The access road into the park is a well-maintained dirt road and about 5 miles long," reports a camper at Maidstone State Park.

Plan for limited dumping stations: Not all campgrounds offer full sewer hookups. "My only disappointment with the camp is that there are only a few sites with sewer hookup. However, the dumping station is conveniently located, so if you have a small tank, daily trips are not a problem," notes a visitor to Littleton / Franconia Notch KOA Holiday.