Vermont's Northeast Kingdom offers diverse camping options around Sheffield, with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,500 feet. The region experiences cool summer nights with temperatures often dropping into the 50s even during July and August. Many campgrounds in this area operate seasonally from May through mid-October due to the region's harsh winters.
What to do
Hiking trails access: At Maidstone State Park, trails connect directly from campsites to surrounding natural areas. A camper noted, "The lake is beautiful, clear and beautiful. The loons are amazing. The fellow who checked us in was super helpful and told us to decide if we wanted to stay another night before paying the next day."
Paddling opportunities: Ricker Pond State Park offers a motor-free pond ideal for peaceful kayaking and canoeing. "This is a pretty small State Park, so it fills up quickly. The sites on the pond are beautiful if you can get one! The campground has a small beach, boat launch and it's right on the Cross Vermont Trail," according to one visitor.
Biking routes: Explore the rail trail system near Prouty Beach Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "There is a very nice bike trail that runs through the campground, to the city of Newport on one side and to Canada on the other!"
Swimming spots: Boulder Beach is accessible from Big Deer State Park, providing a sandy swimming area. According to a visitor, "Access to Boulder Beach is included, which is a short walk or drive down the road. The best part of this campground is its access to hiking trails in Groton State Forest."
What campers like
Remote locations: Lakeside Camping offers a genuinely secluded setting. One camper described it as "Very remote. Nearest town about 45 minutes away. Beautiful site... No cell service. Loved it... pretty far away though."
Natural soundscape: Maidstone State Park visitors frequently mention wildlife sounds. "The loons are amazing," wrote one reviewer, while another said, "Loons all night singing as well."
Lake water quality: Stillwater State Park provides exceptional water clarity. A reviewer noted, "The lake water was beautiful and clear. There was enough sand at the camper beach for sand castles and other beach games."
Spacious sites: Kingdom Campground offers larger-than-average camping spaces. As one visitor reported, "Brand new sites, very spacious and clean. Great camp store, deli, huge walk in pool and very friendly staff."
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service is minimal or nonexistent at most campgrounds. A Ricker Pond State Park camper advised, "There is absolutely no cell service for miles, so plan accordingly."
Shower facilities: Many state parks have coin-operated showers. A Maidstone visitor mentioned, "Very nice new bathroom but coin showers. No cellular with either Verizon or AT&T but there is limited WiFi at check in building."
Distance from amenities: Most campgrounds are 30-45 minutes from grocery stores or towns. Pack all necessities before arriving. One Maidstone camper noted, "This campground is remote and it's about 45 min. to the nearest town."
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate from Memorial Day through mid-October, with some closing after Labor Day. A visitor to Kingdom Campground shared, "We are here for their last weekend the campground is open. Foliage is just past peak, the staff is friendly."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Tree Corners Family Campground offers extensive children's amenities. A reviewer described, "Massive campground made mostly for those with kids. They have two separate pools and hot tubs for kids and adults. Tons of other activities for kids- splash pad, water slides, playground, basketball court, etc."
Yurt camping options: Several state parks near Sheffield, Vermont offer yurt accommodations for families wanting comfort without hauling camping gear. Big Deer State Park's yurt sites provide a convenient base for exploring Groton State Forest trails.
Swimming safety: Some lake areas have muddy or vegetation-heavy shorelines. At Prouty Beach, one visitor observed, "The lake bottom was murky sticky mud which is fine it's just not my favorite."
Quiet hours: Most campgrounds enforce 10 pm quiet hours. A Tree Corners visitor noted, "Quiet time is 10pm but for the most part, people were pretty quiet and respectful long before 10pm."
Tips from RVers
Site spacing: At Smugglers Notch State Park, RV sites offer good privacy. A camper reported, "Pristine facilities, private camp sites and a beautiful area. Smuggler's Notch is close enough to Stowe to not be a hassle to drive to, but far enough away that it's quiet and remote."
Electrical considerations: Some campgrounds experience voltage fluctuations during hot weather. A Prouty Beach camper shared, "Our electric pedestal showed readings between 110 and 115 volts which was constantly cutting off our air conditioners."
RV size limitations: Many state parks have smaller sites not suitable for large rigs. Big Deer State Park accommodates medium-sized RVs but lacks hookups. A camper noted, "Very nice sites, most have good privacy and are rather large - many of them also have large boulders around them!"
Road access: Some campgrounds require navigating narrow or dirt roads. A Maidstone visitor mentioned, "The access road into the park is a well-maintained dirt road and about 5 miles long."