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State parks and private campgrounds surround South Burlington, Vermont, offering diverse camping experiences along Lake Champlain and throughout the Green Mountains. North Beach Campground in Burlington provides waterfront access with sites for tents, RVs, and cabins just minutes from downtown. Shelburne Camping Area operates year-round with full hookups for RVs and tent sites within 10 miles of South Burlington. Island camping options include Grand Isle State Park and Apple Island Resort, both situated on Lake Champlain islands with boat access and scenic water views. Mount Philo State Park, Vermont's oldest state park, features just 10 campsites with spectacular summit views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains across the water in New York.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through mid-October, with limited winter camping options. Reservations are essential during summer weekends and fall foliage season when sites fill quickly. "We stay every year for the Vermont City Marathon. It is a convenient bike ride down the bike path to the waterside park. Easy access to all of Burlington by bike," notes one North Beach Campground visitor. The extensive Burlington bike path system connects many lakeside campgrounds, allowing campers to explore without driving. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with better coverage near Burlington and spotty reception in more remote areas. Weather conditions can change rapidly, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 60-85°F and occasional thunderstorms.
Waterfront camping locations receive consistently high ratings from visitors, particularly for their sunset views across Lake Champlain. "This is one of the most beautiful and peaceful parks I have stayed in," reports one Grand Isle State Park camper. Sites with lake views tend to book months in advance, especially during peak summer season. Several campgrounds feature boat rentals, swimming areas, and fishing access. Fall camping offers spectacular foliage viewing opportunities, though temperatures can drop significantly at night. "Visit this campground in the fall and experience quintessential Vermont in all its glory," writes one Apple Island Resort visitor. Campers seeking more seclusion might consider the remote island camping at Burton Island State Park or Woods Island State Park, both accessible only by boat.
"We stay every year for the Vermont City Marathon. It is a convenient bike ride down the bike path to the waterside park. Easy access to all of Burlington by bike."
"Sites 1 to 16 are close to each other. Sites 113 to 119 are bad. Very close to each other. No redeeming qualities.
Sites have 30 amp electric and water but might need a longish cord or hose."
from $37 - $100 / night
Check Availability"This is a nice little private campground in Shelburne, just outside of Burlington. Close to Lake Champlain. Good place to spend the night and good access to activities."
"Lastly, the location was perfect, just outside of Burlington made access to the area ideal."
"Beautifully set on Lake Champlain in Vermont! This is a relatively large campground but is well laid out and doesn't feel small even when it's packed to the gills."
"Since the park is on a island in Lake Champlain in Vermont there is water all around. Good places to walk and ride."
from $6 - $28 / night
Check Availability"We had one right next to the playground so our daughter could walk straight to it without having to cross a road. And speaking of playground, it was large and very nice."
"Our boys had fun riding their bikes around, playing basketball, and playing a round of mini golf."
from $8 - $12 / night
Check Availability"Visit this campground in the fall and experience quintessential Vermont in all its glory. The campground is nice. The people are friendly."
"Brewery and vineyards close by"
from $55 - $105 / night
Check Availability"This camp ground is a short drive to Lake Placid, Plattsburgh, Vermont State and so much more. The Chasm has their own store and cafe"
"Sites were a medium distance apart but still spacious enough to not be close to neighbors."
"Take a walk up the path next to the chasm. So relaxing listening to the water falls. Great place to watch the sunset! "
"They have some beach and river sites if you like to be close to the water. Showers and bathrooms were spacious."
from $22 - $40 / night
Check Availability"the best part is 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"
"apparently this is the first state park in Vermont. Only 8 campsites so try to book early. Nice trails that lead to scenic views of Lake Champlain. Bathrooms and showers were clean."
from $23 / night
Check Availability"This is a smaller campground tucked away in the bayside of Colchester."
"Right on the water, a nice breeze coming off of the lake, close to everything downtown, but still felt like we weren’t on top of our neighbors. Run by some great people! Highly recommend!"
"Little River State Park is located just outside of Waterbury Vermont so it’s an ideal location for jumping off on other adventures!"
"We came here to hike the Dalley Loop Trail (which is a great trail full of history), but we wish we had camped here instead of the private campground 45 minutes away where we did stay."
from $19 - $28 / night
Check Availability
GuideIt’s a nice relatively small campground in a pretty setting. Sites are fairly close, and there’s definitely some longer tempura residents, but it’s well kept and seems like a nice place to stay.
ScoutWe chose Kings Bay because we wanted to spend most of our trip outdoors and close to Lake Champlain. One afternoon we borrowed a paddleboat and just cruised around for a while with no real destination. Came back, made dinner at the camper, and called it a day. Hard to complain about that kind of vacation.
ScoutWe stayed here because we wanted to spend a few days exploring the Adirondacks without moving the RV every night. It worked perfectly for that. We headed out early each morning, explored somewhere new, and had our camper waiting for us when we got back.
ScoutKings Bay has such an easygoing feel. Friendly people, beautiful surroundings, and a nice place to enjoy a few quiet days.
ScoutReally peaceful spot with a great view of the lake. We spent most of our time outside and had a very relaxing stay.
GuideGood size campground with three loops. 2 shower / restroom facilities. Many of the sites are simply grass. There are a few gravel ones. The staff has no problem with driving on the or parking on grass. All sites have a firepit. Wood can be obtained locally. There is no store at the camp. There is only one dump station. There is a boat launch with limited trailer parking although when we stayed (Aug 2026) the water was only 18 in to 2 ft deep at docks. Heavily choked with vegetation. Shower facilities were clean enough but could use more attention, heavy cobwebs at lights, corners and edges of shower pretty dark with mold. Plenty of fresh water spigots throughout the camp. Camp is on the banks of lake Champlain, although only a couple sites have a lake view. Ruins of two pre-revolutionary war forts are within walking distance and offer a great introduction to life in the early 18th century. Fort Ticonderoga is a 30 min drive and will take most of the day to tour. Well worth the trip. Only 3 min drive to Vermont. I would stay again.
ScoutKings Bay has become our favorite place to spend the warmer months. We enjoy the quiet mornings, casual afternoons, and evenings outside when the campground starts to settle down.
TravelerThe spot seemed nice enough and had other campers set up at 8p on a Monday. The road was not good for my 2008 Prius and I messed up the underside trying to turn around
ScoutOne of the things we enjoy most about Kings Bay is how easy it is for different generations of our family to enjoy the same trip. The kids can stay active and explore, while the adults have plenty of time to sit outside, talk, and relax. We have celebrated birthdays and family get-togethers here, and it has become a place that everyone looks forward to visiting. There is something special about having a familiar campground where so many memories have been made.
Camping spots near South Burlington, Vermont range from shoreline settings along Lake Champlain to forest retreats in the surrounding Green Mountains. The region sits at approximately 200-500 feet elevation near the lake, rising to over 2,000 feet in nearby mountains, with a humid continental climate producing warm summers averaging 75-85°F and cool evenings around 55-65°F. Sites typically fill to capacity during peak foliage season from late September through mid-October when temperatures drop to 45-65°F during the day.
Mountain hiking: 5-20 minutes from campsites: At Mount Philo State Park Campground, the easy summit trail offers panoramic views with minimal effort. "Sites 1, 6 and 8 are the best if you're only camping with those at your site as they're the most secluded and private," notes Drew Q., adding that while "there's not much to do at the park itself, other than a nice scenic overlook and some short hiking/walking," the location provides excellent access to surrounding attractions.
Water activities: kayaking and paddleboarding: Launch directly from the shore at Grand Isle State Park Campground where water sports dominate summer activities. "Love this state park and it was super quiet during the week. Also has a boat launch and beach area for swimming or nice sunset views," reports Tucker B. Several campers rent equipment from nearby outfitters who deliver directly to campsites.
Cycling on dedicated paths: The extensive bike path system connects many camping areas to downtown Burlington. "You can bike directly from here all the way to Burlington without ever getting back in your car! Take the bike ferry across a small section of Lake Champlain and keep on riding," explains Sarah C. about her experience at Mallets Bay Campground. Several campgrounds provide bike storage racks or rental services during peak summer months.
Private, spacious sites: Campers consistently praise the generous site dimensions at Apple Island Resort, where terraced layouts maximize lake views. "Apple Island is a huge campground with great sites and wonderful views of Lake Champlain. The front sections of the campground are where most of the transient RVs parked (and have the views of the lake) whereas the back section has a mix of transient RV sites and seasonal park models," explains Nancy W.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses receive frequent mentions. "The bathhouse was clean. The ladies side had a fresh flower arrangement everyday," notes one reviewer at Shelburne Camping Area, which operates year-round. Tucker B. adds about Grand Isle State Park: "Showers are coin-operated, but $0.50 will get you 5 minutes of hot water!"
Location convenience: Proximity to local attractions and services ranks high for campers. "Great location!! It's very close to museums, the town, and farm areas," writes Ariana C. about Shelburne Camping Area. The campground sits approximately 7 miles from South Burlington, making it ideal for day trips while maintaining a rural setting.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the area require advance booking, especially for waterfront sites. "Sites with the best views are the Platinum Plus which are also the most expensive. Some Platinum Plus sites are in the first row with unobstructed views; whereas, our site was three rows back," explains Nancy W. at Apple Island Resort, where premium sites cost approximately $94/night including taxes.
Weather preparation: Temperature fluctuations demand flexible packing. "Weather was cool and rainy the first two days. Friday was beautiful," shares Ron H. about Apple Island Resort. Evening temperatures can drop 20-30 degrees from daytime highs, particularly in early and late season.
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds operate approximately May through mid-October. "Visit this campground in the fall and experience quintessential Vermont in all its glory. We stayed there the last week of the season so things were very quiet," notes Susan & Kevin W. about Apple Island Resort.
Pool access: keeps kids entertained: Several campgrounds feature swimming pools as alternatives to the sometimes chilly lake. "Nice pool, game room, and little store. It's a fun place for families!" shares Hollie G. about Lone Pine Campsites. The pools typically operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day, weather permitting.
Playground facilities: Play areas provide entertainment for younger children. "We had one right next to the playground so our daughter could walk straight to it without having to cross a road. And speaking of playground, it was large and very nice," reports Erin S. about Lone Pine Campsites.
Junior ranger programs: Grand Isle State Park offers educational activities for children. "It was a cute little beach and nature center with youth programs," explains Jessica G. about Grand Isle State Park. These programs typically run daily during July and August, with weekend-only scheduling in shoulder seasons.
Hookup locations and challenges: RVers should note hookup positions when reserving. "One thing is that their hook ups are on the passenger side. You have to pull straight in with the truck and camper. This is because a lot of class A prefer this way," explains Ron H. about Apple Island Resort.
Site leveling requirements: Some campgrounds require significant leveling equipment. "Study the sites carefully because our 'premium view site' looked into a boulder. If you squinted and closed one eye you could see a piece of the lake out of one sliver of our windshield," warns Susan & Kevin W. about Apple Island Resort.
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds provide full hookups or dump stations. "We were able to use the generator for a few hours as needed (during specified times)," notes Sheri S. about Ausable Point Campground, adding that despite being "dry camping" they "really didn't miss the electric hook up."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near South Burlington, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, South Burlington, VT offers a wide range of camping options, with 190 campgrounds and RV parks near South Burlington, VT and 19 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near South Burlington, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near South Burlington, VT is North Beach Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 28 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near South Burlington, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 free dispersed camping spots near South Burlington, VT.
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