Primitive tent campsites near Shelburne, Vermont provide access to the Champlain Valley's unique terrain, which sits at elevations between 95-300 feet along Lake Champlain. The camping season typically runs from late May through mid-October, with nights dropping to 50-60°F even in summer. Most Shelburne-area camping requires either short hikes or paddle access to reach the more secluded locations.
What to do
Sunset viewing at Mount Philo: Drive or hike to the summit for exceptional evening views. At Mount Philo State Park Campground, campers frequently mention this activity: "every night its only a ten minute hike to the summit from where the sites are and you get to watch the sunset over Vermont and lake champlain as the sun falls behind the adirondack mountains, its quite an amazing site."
Paddling to remote sites: Access tent-only camping spots via watercraft for increased privacy. At Indian Brook Reservoir, sites require either hiking or boating: "Site was gorgeous and private, right on the reservoir. Really lovely setting! I mistakenly assumed they had drive up campsites. They do not. It was a 15 minute hike to the site, so pack light. If you have a kayak, you can transport your stuff over."
Lake swimming: Find both established beaches and informal swimming areas around Shelburne. Burton Island State Park Campground offers multiple swimming options: "The south tip of the island gets more wind, and therefore waves, which my children greatly enjoyed for swimming. The northern part has shale beaches, and a few areas of mucky/pebbly beaches."
What campers like
Small, secluded campgrounds: Many campers appreciate the limited number of sites at parks near Shelburne. A visitor to Underhill State Park Campground noted: "Very primitive and quiet campground. Great staff and campsites. No shower but one of the best weeks I had camping in a while."
Night sky viewing: The area offers minimal light pollution for stargazing opportunities. A Mount Philo camper mentioned the "night sky to die for!" while another review noted, "What can i say about this lovely state park campground? Totally beautiful, private spots, pit toilets and a night sky to die for!"
Easy access to hiking trails: Most campgrounds connect directly to trail networks. At Camel's Hump State Park, a camper reported: "The designated primitive camping area is about 1.5 miles into the hike. If I recall it had about 10-12 sites. The area had a host who was there 24/7 and a shared area for eating and food storage."
What you should know
Boat-in camping requirements: Several sites require watercraft access with no road alternatives. At Valcour Island, "Beautiful Boat access only camping. Pick anchorage or sites early as its always busy on weekends and first come first served (no reservations). Excellent bass fishing and miles of hiking."
Varying toilet facilities: Bathroom amenities range widely across tent camping areas. A camper at Underhill State Park noted: "Facilities were accessible and clean. Quiet hours were definitely observed. Easily one of the best camp sites I've stayed at."
Limited or no shower options: Many primitive sites have no showering facilities. When available, showers often require quarters. At Mount Philo: "Bathrooms and showers were clean. Showers were quarter operated, 50 cents for 5 minutes."
Tips for camping with families
Island camping adventures: Car-free camping environments provide family-friendly experiences. A Burton Island visitor shared: "It's super family friendly - maybe it's because there aren't cars all over the place, but the island is full of free range kids, and they're having a blast."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer chances to spot local fauna. According to one family that visited Burton Island: "We watched a sunset on the South tip, caught frogs at our shoreline, rented a paddleboard, played in the waves, and enjoyed the icecream sandwiches from the camp store."
Beach access considerations: Different beaches have varying rules for families. At Adirondack Acres Trail and Camps, "This prime location is very private. There is absolutely no one around as far as the eye can see in the area close to the river."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options near Shelburne: Most tent campsites near Shelburne don't accommodate large rigs. Mount Philo has restrictions noted in one review: "because the road is steep and winding, it's not suitable for RVs."
Using tent sites with small campers: Some tent-designated areas can fit compact camper vans. Burton Island accommodates small camping units: "We stayed on Burton Island in a camper site for two nights. The island convenience store has awesome breakfast! You can swim anywhere you can find."
Vehicle access limitations: Many primitive camping areas require parking at a distance. For Underhill State Park: "This is the best of car camping - you get the feel of really being out in the woods, with your car a short distance away. They provide wheelbarrows for easy moving of your stuff."
