Camping near Stowe, Vermont offers established sites within Green Mountain National Forest and along the Lamoille River. Most campgrounds sit between 700-1,500 feet elevation with temperatures typically ranging from 45°F to 75°F during the main camping season from May through October. Winter camping requires specialized gear as temperatures often drop below 20°F with significant snowfall.
What to do
Hiking up Elmore Mountain: At Elmore State Park Campground, a moderate 1.5-mile trail leads to a fire tower with panoramic views. "Nice quiet space on a beautiful lake. Easy hiking trails with a fire tower on the mountain. Stayed in a lean to as well. Perfect for families," notes Desiree V.
Exploring remote waterways: Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites provides boat-in only camping for those seeking solitude. "These remote sites are so peaceful. Be sure to launch from cotton brook road if your site r11-27... It was about 30 minutes from the cotton brook launch to the site and was much more doable for all the trips we took bringing our gear in," advises Julia S.
Mountain biking: Singing Wood Farm serves as an excellent base for gravel biking. "You can gravel bike right from the field. We built a number of rides with Ride with GPS, leaving from there site. There are never ending hiking options, from easy to advanced, in the general area," shares Heather C.
What campers like
River access: Brewster River Campground earns praise for its waterfront sites. "I love how dark it gets and that you can hear the river beside you all night. Simple bathrooms and showers. Put thought into choosing which site to reserve to enhance your experience," recommends K M.
Proximity to attractions: Little River State Park Campground provides convenient access to popular destinations. "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," shares Alison O.
Secluded sites: Underhill State Park Campground offers walk-in sites that feel more remote. "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," explains Ali T.
What you should know
Reservation policies: Some private campgrounds have strict cancellation terms. Gold Brook Campground requires full payment upfront with limited refund options.
Limited facilities at state parks: Most state parks near Stowe have basic amenities only. "No shower but one of the best weeks I had camping in a while," reports Michael V. about Underhill State Park.
Off-season availability: Smugglers Notch State Park Campground offers free winter camping. "Stayed at a lean-to site here in March of 2019. 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," explains Ed M.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Mountain View Campground offers multiple pools and river access. "There are 2 pools (one for adults only) and a hot tub. There is mini golf, a playground, corn hole, and tube rentals for the river behind the campground," describes Michelle C.
Kid-friendly hiking: Little River State Park features accessible trails with historical elements. "The hiking trails are really good--they're actually pretty steep. There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover," shares Rita M.
Lean-to options: Several state parks offer lean-to shelters that work well for families. "The lean-tos are on a sunny open hill. Bathrooms are clean, staff is friendly. Great hiking trails from easy to difficult," notes Gail C. about Elmore State Park.
Tips for RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds near Stowe have uneven terrain. "The sites in the field are generally un-level, and we had to really work to level our trailer," warns Heather C. about Singing Wood Farm.
Limited hookups at state parks: Most state parks provide no hookups and restrict generator use. Plan accordingly with solar or battery power.
Full-service options: Smugglers Notch RV Village offers modern amenities. "They offer a variety of different sites to fit each camper's needs, a beautiful well kept bath house and a small but well stocked store. The sites are good size and come with full hookups. They also have great WIFI," reports Alan B.
