Brighton State Park Campground sits in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, a region characterized by dense forests, rolling hills, and glacial lakes. The area maintains cooler temperatures than the rest of Vermont, with summer highs rarely exceeding 80°F. Several campgrounds near Sutton offer dog-friendly sites with access to hiking trails that connect directly to camping areas, allowing visitors to explore without relocating vehicles.
What to do
Explore the Boreal Forest trails: Brighton State Park Campground provides access to unique northern forest hiking through the Boreal Forest loop. "Great trails right in the park, including the Shore Trail and the Boreal Forest loop. There are lots more trails to discover just a short drive from the park," notes Tara S. from Brighton State Park Campground.
Kayaking on Spectacle Pond: Launch directly from campsites at Brighton State Park for peaceful paddling. "The easy boat access from right out our tent flaps basically, was awesome. I loved being able to just jump in the boat and float around, especially at night to look at the sky," reports Tina D.
Wildlife observation: The region offers opportunities to spot native wildlife. "Near by are all sorts of awesome hiking trails. Boreal forest. THE best. Some of my favorite photos from hiking, and the trail names/maps are below. The Moose Observation Platform is no lie. We saw one, crossing the road right by it when we were about to give up," shares a camper from Brighton State Park.
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Moose River Campground provides riverside camping with ample space. "The campground abuts the Moose River which makes for a pretty backdrop and wonderful place to dip your toes in the water. The shallow river is a clear flowing rocky river," notes Nancy W.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms at campgrounds throughout the region. "The campsite itself is beautiful. Maintance on campground is very well attended and kept very clean all over. Cleanest showers I've seen at any campsite so far," reports Justina C. about Brighton State Park.
Loon watching: Several campgrounds offer opportunities to hear or see loons. "Love listening to the loons in the morning," mentions Heather O. about her yearly trip to Maidstone State Park. Another camper adds, "the loons are quite vocal during the evening and morning hours."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds in the Northeast Kingdom have poor connectivity. "No cellular with either Verizon or AT&T but there is limited WiFi at check in building," reports Ted D. about Maidstone State Park. At Kingdom Campground, "no cable, and only PBS over the air... Oh well, did I say this is great for a quite getaway!" notes Keith L.
Remote location: Some campgrounds require significant travel to reach supplies. "This campground is remote and it's about 45 min. to the nearest town. There is no cell service, even with a booster," explains a camper about Maidstone State Park.
Seasonal considerations: The camping season is limited in this northern region. "We visited just as the foliage season was getting underway, end of September is peak this year," reports a camper. Most campgrounds operate from Memorial Day weekend through mid-October.
Tips for camping with families
Look for activities on-site: Sugar Ridge RV Village & Campground offers numerous family-friendly amenities. "This campground has everything! Horse carriage rides, paved roads, 2 pools, playgrounds, mini golf, fireworks," mentions Jen C.
Try the lean-to shelters: These structures provide extra comfort during inclement weather. "Clean, beautiful state park. Love camping in the lean-tos! My boyfriend & I camp here on a yearly basis with his fam," says a visitor about Brighton State Park.
Consider weather preparation: The Northeast Kingdom can experience rapid weather changes. "We stayed in the Poplar lean-to, which was very private, with a short trail leading down to the lake. It was too cold for swimming, but the leaves were just starting to turn," explains Tara S.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Camp Kiki accommodates smaller RVs with sites that allow convenient trail access. "This campground is drive in and never touch the car again. Two huge sites that can be rented in tandem as a group site. Each site has a prep table, picnic table, fire pit, 5 gallons of fresh water, a raised platform for tents, and a porta potty," explains Tony F.
Check hookup details: Kingdom Campground offers full-hookup sites. "Very clean and quiet campground mostly set up for RVs. All RV sites have water, sewer, and electric. Tent sites have water and electric," reports Nick from Kingdom Campground.
Site accessibility varies: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain. "If you want to go to pull through you go on the other side of the camp where you have to climb a huge hill and then maneuver around to get into a pull through that's only about 10 foot wide," warns Ronald C. about Lakeside Camping.
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