Dispersed camping near Starksboro, Vermont offers options beyond established RV parks within Vermont's Green Mountains region at approximately 700 feet elevation. Sites throughout Addison County typically experience warm summers with highs in the 70s and cold winters with significant snowfall. The camping season runs longer in this region than many visitors expect, with some sites remaining accessible from late April through early November.
What to do
Hiking at Smugglers Notch: Access nearby mountain trails from Smugglers Notch RV Village where the surrounding mountains provide natural backdrops for day hikes. "They offer a variety of different sites to fit each campers needs, a beautiful well kept bath house and a small but well stocked store," noted one visitor who found the location convenient for outdoor activities.
Waterfront activities: Enjoy riverside relaxation at Brookside RV Camping with sites positioned along moving water. "This is a great spot to stop for a night with your RV and enjoy the river for a night," reports one camper who appreciated the waterfront setting just off a paved road.
Historical exploration: Fort Ticonderoga sits approximately 40 miles west of Starksboro near Brookwood RV Resort where visitors can explore Revolutionary War history. A camper mentioned, "Ft. Ticonderoga is a few miles to the north where you can explore history with re-enactors," highlighting this educational opportunity within driving distance.
What campers like
Spacious private sites: Many campgrounds near Starksboro feature wooded, private camping areas. According to one Brookwood RV Resort visitor, "Sites were really wooded, quiet, level, and spread out," which contrasts with tighter arrangements at other facilities.
Pool access: During summer months, several rv parks around Starksboro, Vermont offer swimming options. A Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks visitor highlighted this amenity: "The kids loved the gem mining and train rides!! We enjoyed the water view and the staff was so nice to us!"
Consistent WiFi: Unlike many rural camping areas, some locations offer reliable internet. A Smugglers Notch camper specifically noted, "They also have great WIFI," which allows for staying connected while camping near Starksboro.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most camping facilities near Starksboro have limited operating seasons. Shady Oaks Camping Resort operates "May 1 - Sep 30," while Sugar Ridge RV Village & Campground runs "May 1 to Oct 31," giving campers a longer autumn option.
Site variations: The grading and size of RV sites varies significantly between campgrounds. One Sugar Ridge visitor noted: "Entire location on rolling hills gives the feeling of a small campground but it is fairly large. Lots of seasonal campers."
Electrical differences: Not all sites provide the same power options. A Sugar Ridge camper reported: "Family staying next to us found their site had 50 amp service not the expected 30 amp and they needed to borrow an adapter cord."
Highway proximity: Some campgrounds trade natural isolation for convenience. About Shelburne Camping Area, a visitor observed: "The site is close to the highway which is convenient but it also means you hear the traffic all night."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Look for campgrounds with dedicated children's activities. A Sugar Ridge visitor mentioned: "We had a amazing time! Dog friendly, mini golf, heated pool, two playgrounds, and crafts and fun things for the kids!"
Playground access: Multiple rv parks near Starksboro provide play equipment for younger campers. "There is also a small pool, playground and a picnic table and hook ups from the sites," noted a Shady Oaks visitor.
Year-round options: While most campgrounds close seasonally, Shelburne Camping Area operates "All year" according to their listing, making it suitable for school holiday camping trips throughout the calendar.
Consider noise levels: Family-friendly doesn't always mean quiet. One Shelburne visitor shared: "The only downside is that the campsites are pretty small and close together so noise can be an issue (it was for us because our neighbors stayed up talking late into the night)."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Some Starksboro-area RV parks cannot accommodate larger motorhomes. Brookside RV Camping specifically notes it's "NO big-rig-friendly" despite offering electric hookups.
Site mapping: Check site orientation before arrival. As one Sugar Ridge visitor explained: "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."
Maintenance considerations: Facility upkeep varies between campgrounds. A Shelburne visitor observed: "Every single day they were mowing, weedeating, taking a tractor around to spread around gravel. It was always something!"
Electrical testing: Consider bringing testing equipment for RV parks Starksboro visitors might use. One Shelburne visitor warned: "Electricity would not work. We got an error on our control panel that said stop! Power source is not correct!" This required finding alternative overnight arrangements.
