Best Campgrounds near Burlington, VT
Camping near Burlington, Vermont centers around Lake Champlain, with a mix of urban-adjacent and island campgrounds offering views of both the Adirondack and Green Mountains. North Beach Campground sits within city limits, providing direct beach access and connection to Burlington's extensive bike path network. Grand Isle State Park Campground, located on an island in Lake Champlain about 25 miles north of Burlington, offers a more secluded experience with waterfront sites and lean-tos. Mount Philo State Park, Vermont's oldest state park, provides a small but scenic camping area with panoramic lake views from its summit.
Most campgrounds in the Burlington area operate seasonally from May through mid-October, closing during Vermont's cold winter months. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for summer weekends when sites fill quickly. North Beach Campground typically opens May 1 and closes October 15, while Grand Isle remains open slightly longer until October 16. Shelburne Camping Area is one of the few year-round options in the region. Weather is generally mild in summer with occasional thunderstorms, while spring and fall camping may require preparation for cooler nights with temperatures sometimes dropping into the 40s.
The camping experience varies significantly between locations. Urban campgrounds like North Beach offer convenience but less privacy, with sites often close together. As one camper noted, "It's in a great location near the beach with a 30-minute walk into downtown Burlington, but sites are close together with little tree coverage." Island campgrounds provide more seclusion and natural settings. Many campgrounds feature bike-friendly amenities, with one visitor sharing, "You can bike directly from Grand Isle all the way to Burlington without ever getting back in your car! Take the bike ferry across a small section of Lake Champlain and keep on riding." Family-friendly options include Lone Pine Campsites in Colchester, which offers a pool, game room, and playground about ten minutes from Burlington.
