The Lake Dunmore area around Salisbury, Vermont offers camping options in the Green Mountains region at 400-500 feet elevation. Winter temperatures routinely drop below freezing, with summer highs averaging in the 70s. Camping near Lake Dunmore provides water recreation opportunities with varying levels of amenities and services depending on the campground location.
What to do
Hiking trails: Access Rattlesnake Mountain from Branbury State Park Campground for panoramic views of Lake Dunmore. "I've been here dozens of times, grew up going here every year and hiking rattlesnake. We make the trip from RI. Love to lake access, secluded camping, the hiking and remote area," notes Stephen T.
Beach activities: Lake Dunmore offers swimming and boating access with designated areas. "The day use section has a wonderful beach with a swimming area and boat launch. Large trees provide shade on a grassy lawn, and grills are available," explains Lisa S. about Branbury State Park Campground.
Gem mining: Available at some campgrounds for children and adults. "Being a fan of gems, I definitely bought an embarrassing amount of dirt for the gem mining (Got some good finds, so worth it!)" reports Krys M. about Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks.
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Many sites offer natural separation and shade. "Sites were large enough to accommodate our RV and tow car but some campsites were pretty small and would not fit large RVs. Roads in the park are confusing because none are parallel or perpendicular so we had to go slow just to make sure we didn't miss a turn in the RV," explains Nancy W.
Clean facilities: Bathhouses and common areas are regularly maintained. "Bathrooms are flushing compost. However, there are only four showers for the whole campground. Book early if you want to get a site with a lean-to!" advises Nicole E. from Lake George RV Park.
Waterfront access: Multiple campgrounds offer direct lake or river access. "We enjoyed the water view and the staff was so nice to us! On our favorites list for sure!" says Gayle S.
What you should know
Bear awareness: Bears are active in the region, requiring proper food storage. "Just make sure you put your food and trash away- there are black bears in the area!" warns Nicole E.
Booking timeline: Reserve well ahead for peak season, especially for lean-tos. "This is a total family playground and if that is what you are looking for, this is your place! There are tons of activities, lots of families and 'stuff' going on all the time," shares Nancy W. about Lake George Escape Campground.
Variable site sizes: Some campgrounds have inconsistent site dimensions. "Overall, this was not our kind of campground. There are lots of amenities and activities for kids and families but we typically do not use those... Campsites in the park are pretty inconsistent– meaning some are long and wide with good privacy but others are not."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with designated play areas and programs. "The kids loved the gem mining and train rides!! We enjoyed the water view and the staff was so nice to us!" says Gayle S. about Brookside RV Camping.
Swimming options: Some campgrounds maintain multiple pools or swimming areas. "Spacious sites close to great amenities! Super staff! Clean and updated facilities. Close to beautiful hiking, lake activities and rail bikes. We can't wait to come back!" reports Amanda K.
Age-appropriate recreation: Different campgrounds cater to different age groups. "The place was packed but you wouldn't know it. So peaceful. The pool was very cold but spotless, which was surprising since there's pine trees all around. We would definitely go back. Only side note would be that if we brought our kids, ages 8, 16 and 19, they might be a little bored," notes Cecilia K.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose sites based on your specific RV requirements. "Right on the beautiful Schroon River and only fifteen minutes to Bolton Landing shops and restaurants. The downside is the noise from the Northway within earshot and from the noisy seasonal campers who insist on blasting their music to the whole campground," cautions Jeffrey B. about Dorset RV Park.
Leveling requirements: Bring leveling blocks for uneven sites. "Our site was level but some definitely were not. We got twenty or so television channels with the cable hookup. The hookups were all well-placed and we didn't have any issues with the electric and the wifi at our site worked well," reports Nancy W.
Maneuverability considerations: Some campgrounds have tight turns or low-hanging branches. "Larger rigs might want to avoid loop 6-14, especially for sites 8-12. Tree placement and a pretty sharp 110+ degree turn makes it challenging to maneuver," warns Katie E.
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