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Best Campgrounds near Stowe, VT

610 Reviews

Camping near Stowe, Vermont includes several good spots within driving distance of this mountain town. Franconia Notch State Park has camping areas where you can hike scenic trails and swim at Echo Lake. If you head to Lake Champlain, Grand Isle State Park Campground puts you right on the water for swimming and fishing. Many campers also like Hancock Campground in the White Mountains, which has sites close to hiking trails. Fall is busy around Stowe when the leaves change color. You can camp in winter too, but you'll need to prepare for snow and cold. Watch for deer and moose in the area - keep your food secured so you don't attract wildlife to your campsite. Most roads to these campgrounds are in good shape, though some of the more remote spots might need a vehicle with higher clearance. The spring and summer months bring nice weather that's great for hiking and other outdoor activities. Stowe-area campgrounds work well for both tent and RV campers.

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Best Camping Sites Near Stowe, Vermont (177)

    1. Little River State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Waterbury Center, VT
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 244-7103

    $19 - $28 / night

    "Very nice campground, great location! The reservoir was beautiful. Took the kayak, only issue I had was getting to the lake."

    "I would highly recommend this campground to anyone looking to visit the Stowe/Waterbury area. We had easy access to hikes in Stowe, plus the Ben and Jerry’s shop is about 20 minutes down the road!"

    2. Smugglers Notch State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Stowe, VT
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 253-4014

    $20 / night

    "I’d say this was one of Vermont’s best kept secrets, except I don’t think it’s exactly a secret. Even in October, the Park seemed full with visitors and Stowe was hopping!"

    "This campground just outside of Stowe on the way to the drive up and through Smugglers Notch."

    3. Gold Brook Campground

    9 Reviews
    Moscow, VT
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 253-7683

    "Gold Brook is clean and quiet small campground just outside of the village of Stowe. The campground features a nice pool and spacious level camp sites."

    "The best way to stay in Stowe without paying Stowe hotel prices! Comfortable camp ground with good amenities. Friendly owners and a good spot to enjoy all that Stowe has to offer"

    4. Elmore State Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Lake Elmore, VT
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 888-2982

    $19 - $28 / night

    "Our lean-to, Hickory is situated in a lovely meadow, but quite close to other campers and a view that overlooks the campground road. There is very little shade and no privacy."

    "Great hiking trails from easy to difficult. Early and late seasons are quiet. It's quite busy during the summer months as the lake is great for families and swimming."

    5. Underhill State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Underhill Center, VT
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 899-3022

    "They ask that you limit your driving on the path to the site- so we were sure to go into town to get all we needed before we settled into camp- which wasnt hard to do."

    "Camp spots were far enough away from one another, trees helped with privacy, and the tent site had a great area to setup the tent.

    Facilities were accessible and clean."

    6. Mountain View Campground

    7 Reviews
    Lake Elmore, VT
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 888-2178

    "Nice grass site with a large field behind, and Just a short walk to the river. Clean facilities and proximity for exploring Stowe and surrounding areas. Would love to camp here again."

    "It can get a bit noisy due to the proximity to the highway, but it's still a good option for car camping in this part of Vermont."

    7. Singing Wood Farm

    2 Reviews
    Morristown, VT
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 760-0579

    $30 - $125 / night

    "If you want a place to nomadic camp that is near Stowe, but away from the hustle and bustle, then this place is for you.  "

    8. Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites — Waterbury Center State Park

    1 Review
    Waterbury Center, VT
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 585-4855

    "Also the spot where you set up tent at this site was on a slope, others sites might be better.. still 10/10 will return, these sites are all prime locations!"

    9. Smugglers Notch RV Village

    3 Reviews
    Jeffersonville, VT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 335-2118

    $50 - $79 / night

    "So close to Stowe and a lot to do…and then you come back “home” to relax and do nothing but enjoy the time away from everyday life. Truly the only time I totally relax. "

    "Very close to Smuggs and only a short but beautiful ride to Stowe. I look forward to watching this campground grow as they continue to expand and will be camping here several times each season."

    10. Green River Reservoir State Park Campground

    3 Reviews
    Hyde Park, VT
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 888-1349

    $20 - $50 / night

    "I love this location because you have to paddle out to a site for camping. It‘s private, quiet, and really gives you that “forest bathing” escape."

    "Each campsite includes a fire pit and access to an outhouse. Usually the outhouse is shared between 2 to 3 campsites, but there is plenty of space between each site."

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Recent Camping Photos near Stowe, VT

322 Photos of 177 Stowe Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Stowe, VT

610 Reviews of 177 Stowe Campgrounds

  • Mindie C.
    Sep. 14, 2025

    North Beach Campground

    Ok for the night

    It’s basically a public park with beach access. The views on the beach are absolutely beautiful. No frills sites.

  • Greg D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 22, 2025

    Lazy Lions Campground

    Nice quiet place

    Nice campground with plenty of shade, well maintained and decent restrooms. The showers are ok and cost a quarter for 4 minutes. Our site was level and along with a picnic table, they also provide two Adirondack chairs (plastic) and a fire ring.

  • K
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Mount Philo State Park Campground

    Hidden gem!

    Great little campground at a beautiful state park. The campground had widely spaced wooded sites and was exceptionally quiet. Very well-maintained! Recommend nearby Charlotte town beach for swimming ($10 for non-residents).

  • Jim S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Happy Hill Maple Farms

    Offseason

    Quiet spot just off the Hwy. you can hear traffic but not many cars out this time of year(August). They had a fire pit and picnic table . No electricity so we used the generator. We the only one here so the noise should not bother anyone. Great pace for fall visits

  • Jessica C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Chittenden Brook Campground

    Great site

    This was a great site that feels secluded but isn’t. There’s quite a bit of space between each site so you can’t really see your neighbors which is excellent. The vault toilets were surprisingly clean besides the expected smell/flies. No running water or electricity. No cell service a few miles leading up the site, so download your maps in advance. There’s a 2.5 mile dirt road with a steady incline into the camp, which my subie had no issue with, but not sure how well an RV would fair.

    Didn’t see any bear, but take bear food precautions regardless. Each site has a fire pit, tent platform, and picnic table. The sites were well cared for. There were two dumpsters, one for recycling and one for trash, at the end of the loop. They are bear proof and almost me proof! The constant sound of running water from the brook was truly relaxing. I didn’t have issues with bugs (beginning of August) but I also didn’t stay in the camp during the majority of the day.

    All in all, a great campsite and I’ll definitely be back.

  • E
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Indian Brook Reservoir

    Family of 4 tent camping

    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. Site was gorgeous and private, right on the reservoir. Really lovely setting!

  • Snooz H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Shelburne Camping Area

    Oh My God. NO!

    Electricity would not work. We got an error on our control panel that said stop! Power source is not correct! Dan, one of the owners, said that somebody must have tried to hook a 50 amp into the 30 amp. box. He went about a half block to check breaker said that it was not flipped but it was wobbling pretty loose in there.

    My husband is a licensed electrician and of course had his own testing equipment. It showed 25 amp coming out of it. So he said move to spot 50. Well before we moved our vehicle, we went down there and checked it. He took off before we could. And guess what the exact same problem. We did not even hook into the second one. (#50)
    So he proceeded to tell us that it was our equipment that had gone bad. Even though we never plugged into spot 50!

    I had planned on one night thank God! He did refund our $52. we had to drive down the road and try to find someplace else at 7:00 in the evening. Another thank God, the Walmart about 10 or 15 miles down the road would allow overnight.

    So we are now on our way to our next location which is about a 7 hour drive. We are just hoping that they did not damage our equipment. It has been extremely stressful if you go there you better watch out!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Meadowcrest Campground

    Meadowcrest

    Very nice place . Quiet the staff are very kind people . It was hard to book over phone but messages worked well . I was tent camping on the river . Very private

  • Brittany P.
    Jul. 30, 2025

    Jacobs Brook Campground

    Owners dog attacked ours twice

    We stayed at Jacobs Brook Campground in Orford, NH last summer for 3 months and loved it so decided to come back for the whole season this year, May thru october. Me and my husband walk our dogs every day between 3-4pm on leashes. The first occurrence the owners dog was being walked by their elderly work-camper and drug her across the gravel to get loose. The dog locked on to one of my dogs throat and my husband had to put it in a choke hold to get it to let go. During the scuffle i got bit too but did not require medical attention. They promised to keep it indoors so we let it go to prevent any animosity during the rest of our stay. 2 weeks later we were walking close by the office and the dog busted through the storm door and ended up biting our other little dog. The owner did apologize but made statements like he(the dog) never acts this way with other dogs, it must be something wrong with your dogs. The more he talked to us the more it felt he was upset with us and viewed us as the problem. We have previously heard this dog aggressively barking and banging on the windows before when people get near the office/house. We were so upset at this second occurrence and did not feel safe there anymore so we left. We did request a partial refund for the remainder of the season since we had to pay up front for the 5 months but have not heard back from them.

Guide to Stowe

Camping near Stowe, Vermont, offers a fantastic mix of outdoor adventures and cozy campgrounds. Whether you're looking to hike, fish, or just relax in nature, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful area.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the nearby trails, including those around Lafayette Place Campground — Franconia Notch State Park. One reviewer mentioned, "The campground is close to Lincoln, NH so if you need supplies you can easily run into town for food and drink."
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing in the serene waters near Lost River Valley Campground. A camper shared, "We stayed on the mountain which had a great view, the ground was level and the hookups look new."
  • Swimming: Take a dip at Grand Isle State Park Campground. One visitor said, "The facilities were clean and the shower was nice and hot," making it a great spot to cool off.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Hancock Campground noted, "The restrooms are clean and the camp store is well stocked."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campgrounds have helpful staff. A visitor at Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday mentioned, "Nice, helpful staff."
  • Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy having room to spread out. One review for Quechee State Park Campground stated, "The sites are nicely spaced and seem to accommodate big rigs rather well."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially during peak seasons. A camper at North Beach Campground mentioned, "Seemed really popular and a little loud until around 11."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A review for Little River State Park Campground pointed out, "The restroom is a bit dated and dingy, but clean."
  • First-Come, First-Serve: Some campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-serve basis, like Hancock Campground. A visitor noted, "This campground is first come first serve."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids. One review for Moose Hillock Camping Resort said, "The Pool is Huge! Nice sites with great fire pits!"
  • Safety First: Keep an eye on kids, especially near water. A camper at Lost River Valley Campground mentioned, "The bathrooms are always clean, the staff in the office and store has been friendly."
  • Plan for Noise: Be prepared for some noise from other families. A visitor at Moose Hillock Camping Resort noted, "Lots of noise from young children."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookups: Ensure your campground has the right hookups for your RV. A review for Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday mentioned, "The sites were larger than expected, good wi-fi, clean bathhouses."
  • Level Sites: Look for campgrounds with level sites. A camper at Lost River Valley Campground said, "The ground was level and the hookups look new."
  • Be Mindful of Speed Limits: Some campgrounds have speed limits that are often ignored. A visitor at Moose Hillock Camping Resort noted, "People driving well over the 5 mph speed limit which then leaves people standing in a cloud of dust."

Camping near Stowe, Vermont, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, you can find the perfect spot for your next adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are offered at Stowe, VT camping areas?

Camping areas around Stowe offer a range of amenities to enhance your outdoor experience. Little River State Park Campground features clean bathrooms, well-maintained sites, and access to a beautiful reservoir for water activities. Silver Lake Campground provides relatively private sites, a clean lake with a concrete dock, boat rentals, and ranger-led nature tours. Many campgrounds in the area offer standard amenities like restrooms and showers, while private campgrounds typically include additional features such as camp stores, picnic tables, swimming pools, and recreation areas. Some sites provide water and electric hookups for RVs, while others focus on a more rustic experience with basic facilities.

What is the best time of year to go camping in Stowe, Vermont?

Fall is widely considered the prime camping season in Stowe, with October offering spectacular foliage displays that attract visitors from across the country. Smugglers Notch State Park Campground is particularly beautiful during leaf-peeping season when the grounds are ablaze with autumn colors. Summer (June-August) is also excellent for camping, with warm days perfect for hiking and exploring. Spring can be muddy during the thaw (known as 'mud season'), while winter camping is available for the adventurous but requires proper cold-weather gear. For the best combination of comfortable temperatures and natural beauty, aim for late summer through mid-October.

How much does it cost to camp in Stowe, VT?

Camping costs in Stowe vary depending on the type of campground and amenities offered. State parks like Smugglers Notch State Park Campground tend to be the most affordable option, with rates typically ranging from $20-30 per night for basic tent sites. This is noted as 'probably the cheapest place to sleep' near Stowe. Private campgrounds such as Apple Island Resort generally charge higher rates, ranging from $35-75 per night depending on hookups and location, with premium waterfront or RV sites commanding higher prices. Most campgrounds charge additional fees for extra vehicles, pets, or day visitors. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak fall foliage season when prices may increase due to demand.

What campgrounds are available in Stowe, Vermont?

Stowe offers a variety of camping options to suit different preferences. Gold Brook Campground is a clean, quiet option just outside Stowe village with level sites and a pool. Mountain View Campground provides grassy sites with river access and makes an excellent base for exploring the area. For those seeking a more secluded experience, Singing Wood Farm offers private, nomadic camping with 5-6 sites spread across the property. Within driving distance, you'll also find Little River State Park Campground, Silver Lake Campground, and Apple Island Resort, all offering convenient access to Stowe's attractions.

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