The central Vermont region surrounding Starksboro offers diverse camping options within Green Mountain National Forest and along Lake Champlain's eastern shore. Most primitive camping sites near Starksboro, Vermont remain accessible from late spring through mid-October, with higher elevation areas closing earlier due to weather conditions. Winter camping requires specialized equipment and preparation as temperatures regularly drop below freezing.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Multiple campgrounds provide access to waterfall hikes. At Austin Brook, campers can explore Warren Falls. One visitor notes, "There's a handful of sites down Austin Brook road... overall pretty area."
Swimming in the reservoir: Little River State Park Campground offers excellent swimming options. A camper reports, "The reservoir was a great place to relax after a day of hiking! We will be coming back!"
Biking on mountain trails: The trail systems near Moosalamoo Campground provide excellent mountain biking. A 10-year-old reviewer shares, "Moosalamoo campground has awesome bike trails with smooth trail beds and nice rolling bumps. The kind campground hosts can tell you all about the hiking and biking trails."
Star-gazing opportunities: The remote location of some campgrounds creates ideal conditions for astronomy. At Moosalamoo, one camper explains, "At night, you can go out to the bicycle pump track and lay a blanket on the grassy hill against the track and look at stars in COMPLETE darkness."
What campers like
Private, well-spaced sites: Campers consistently praise the site spacing at many Starksboro-area campgrounds. At Mount Philo State Park Campground, a visitor notes, "Only 8 campsites, dispersed in the trees. $23/night. Picnic table and fire pit. Moderate cell service."
Clean facilities: Despite rustic settings, many campgrounds maintain clean facilities. Regarding Moosalamoo, a camper shares, "Although they had no power, water, dumps or modern bathrooms the campsite had well water pumps and the cleanest most order free toilet vaults we have ever seen."
Water access: Proximity to water is highly valued. At Smugglers Notch State Park Campground, visitors appreciate the "nearby waterfalls" while Button Bay offers "amazing views of the lake and the mountains right from the camping area."
Winter camping options: Some campgrounds offer unique off-season opportunities. A Smugglers Notch visitor explains, "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."
What you should know
Limited facilities at dispersed sites: The dispersed camping areas require self-sufficiency. Austin Brook is described as having "fire rings only, no facilities and minimal parking."
Reservations recommended: Popular sites fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. At Button Bay State Park Campground, visitors advise, "Book early for the best sites."
Road conditions vary: Access to some areas requires appropriate vehicles. For Lincoln Dispersed Camping, a visitor notes, "FR 291 is a somewhat primitive road - lots of big puddles. I would want some clearance for a vehicle."
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather can change rapidly. At Smugglers Notch, campers recommend "a warm sleeping bag" for spring and fall visits as temperatures can drop considerably at night.
Variable cell service: Connectivity differs between locations. Mount Philo offers "moderate cell service" while more remote areas may have none.
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. Button Bay State Park Campground includes "a great playground for kids and a nice swimming pool."
Educational opportunities: Some parks provide nature programming. At Shelburne Camping Area, visitors note it's "close to Lake Champlain" and "a good place to spend the night and good access to activities."
Safety considerations: Choose sites appropriate for your family's experience level. For Mount Philo, a visitor writes, "We visited and camped here with children. We love how private the camp sites were."
Site selection for privacy: Campground layout affects family comfort. At Shelburne Camping Area, a camper advises, "Sides are somewhat small close together," suggesting corner or edge sites for families wanting more space.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookups available: Full-service RV sites are limited in the region. Shelburne Camping Area offers "a flat, gravel back in, 30 amp, full hookup" site option, though some visitors reported electrical issues.
Size restrictions: Many forest campgrounds cannot accommodate larger RVs. At Mount Philo, a reviewer notes "because the road is steep and winding, it's not suitable for RVs."
Dump station locations: Plan for waste management needs. Little River State Park includes a sanitary dump, while many dispersed camping areas have none.
Leveling challenges: Terrain can make leveling difficult. Green Mountain Family Campground has sites that one visitor describes as "a little run down" suggesting bringing leveling blocks.
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