Cabin camping accommodations dot the northeastern Vermont landscape near Sheffield, providing rustic shelter in the region's dense forest cover at elevations ranging from 1,000-2,000 feet. Winter temperatures often drop below zero, while summer nights cool to the 50s even when days reach the 80s. The terrain features a mix of rolling hills and small mountains with numerous ponds and rivers that influence both camping options and local activities.
What to do
Paddle the waterways: Brighton State Park Campground offers water access with campsites positioned around Spectacle Pond. "The easy boat access from right out our tent flaps basically, was awesome. I loved being able to just jump in the boat and float around, especially at night to look at the sky," notes one visitor who appreciated hearing "loons calling every night."
Explore hiking trails: Several parks provide hiking opportunities on established trails. At Smugglers Notch State Park Campground, campers have direct access to Mount Mansfield's trail system. "You are minutes from some amazing hiking, which is great when you don't feel like driving long distances after a day hike," reports one reviewer.
Tubing on rivers: Mountain View Campground provides tube rentals for the Lamoille River. "There is mini golf, a playground, corn hole, and tube rentals for the river behind the campground," explains a visitor who found the campground to be "a great home base for visiting" nearby attractions.
Winter camping: For experienced winter campers, Smugglers Notch offers off-season 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," shares one winter visitor.
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Many campgrounds provide well-separated sites that create a sense of seclusion. At Ricker Pond State Park Campground, "there is a ton of space between sites — we could barely see our neighbors or hear them," according to one happy camper.
Clean facilities: Moose River Campground maintains high standards of cleanliness. "Our site was pristine and backed by the river. Extremely clean and well kept Campground," reports a satisfied visitor. Another notes that "the owners take great care of the grounds and the people who stay here."
Natural water features: Ponds and rivers enhance the camping experience across multiple locations. "The lake is beautiful, clear and clean, and there is a beach with sand for swimming," writes one visitor about Ricker Pond. Another camper mentions Maidstone State Park has "the most pure and pristine lake in Vermont."
Quiet atmosphere: Many campgrounds maintain peaceful environments. A Moose River Campground visitor describes their stay as "so nice and peaceful," while another appreciated that Smugglers Notch staff were "very good about controlling excessive noise from other sites."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular sites fill quickly, especially at waterfront locations. For Ricker Pond State Park Campground, one regular visitor advises, "Book in advance for the best availability! I've been visiting Ricker Pond for nearly 20 years (except for the years that I don't book enough in advance and aren't able to secure a spot)."
Remote locations: Some campgrounds have limited services nearby. At Maidstone State Park, "This campground is remote and it's about 45 min. to the nearest town. There is no cell service, even with a booster," cautions a visitor.
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have poor or no connectivity. A Sugar Ridge RV Village visitor notes, "Campground has no cell service and you have to pay for WiFi which is less than ideal." Similarly, at Brighton State Park, a camper reports there are "several services that are not available due to the pandemic."
Seasonal restrictions: Most campgrounds operate from late May through mid-October. Smugglers Notch State Park specifically runs "May 19 to October 15," while Mountain View Campground operates "May 1 to Oct 15," according to their listings.
Tips for camping with families
Look for activity-rich campgrounds: Sugar Ridge RV Village offers numerous family-friendly amenities. "This campground has everything! Horse carriage rides, paved roads, 2 pools, playgrounds, mini golf, fireworks," reports an enthusiastic visitor.
Consider lean-to options: At Brighton State Park, lean-tos provide weather protection. "We stayed in the lean-to which was very helpful given that it rained almost the entire time we were there. The lean-to made our stay much more enjoyable than it would have been otherwise," shares a family that visited during wet weather.
Bring bug spray: Insects can be problematic in wooded areas. "The only complaint is mosquitos were rampant in standing water near our site. Bring bug spray," advises a visitor to Smugglers Notch State Park.
Check for bathroom facilities: Bathroom quality varies between campgrounds. A Tree Corners Family Campground visitor notes the campground has "two separate pools and hot tubs for kids and adults. Tons of other activities for kids- splash pad, water slides, playground, basketball court, etc."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions vary: At Art and Health Chill Camping, RV sites have specific arrangements. "Logistically, there is a good place for RV parking below the garden hoop house. It is a flat long gravel area, which can access power, but you'll need an extension chord or two to reach it," explains a recent visitor.
Power connections: Electric hookups may require adapters. At Sugar Ridge RV Village, a visitor found "their site had 50 amp service not the expected 30 amp and they needed to borrow an adapter cord (which was free)."
Limited dump facilities: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dumping. As one White Caps Campground visitor reported, "No dump site on property, I was told my only option was to go down the road to Willo Campground and I could dump my tanks there for $30."
Verify pad size and surface: Sites may not match expectations. According to a Sugar Ridge camper, "Site map is oriented upside down and would be helpful if corrected and updated. 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."
