Best Campgrounds near Underhill, VT
Underhill, Vermont serves as a gateway to numerous camping areas in the Green Mountains, offering everything from rustic tent sites to full-service RV accommodations. Smugglers Notch State Park Campground, located approximately 10 miles northwest of Underhill, provides tent camping, cabin options, and glamping opportunities from May through mid-October. Underhill State Park Campground, situated directly in Underhill, offers more primitive camping with tent and limited RV sites available seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through mid-October. Both parks provide access to hiking trails and natural attractions in the surrounding mountains.
Camping season in this region runs primarily from late May through mid-October, with most facilities closing during winter months. The terrain varies significantly, with some campgrounds situated near water bodies like Lake Champlain and others nestled in mountain forests with elevation changes. Permits and reservations are recommended, particularly for stays at established state parks. Most campgrounds provide basic amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and toilets, though shower facilities vary by location. Weather conditions can change rapidly in the Green Mountains, requiring appropriate preparation even in summer months. As one visitor noted about nearby Little River State Park, "There is boating, plenty of fishing, and also a lot of hiking available. The park is on the shoreline of Waterbury reservoir so it's an ideal location for jumping off on other adventures."
Campers frequently mention the natural beauty and tranquility of sites in the region. State parks receive particularly high ratings for their scenic settings and relative privacy between campsites. Several visitors highlighted the accessibility to outdoor recreation opportunities, with multiple campgrounds offering connections to hiking trails, mountain biking routes, and water activities. The proximity to Burlington provides convenient access to urban amenities while maintaining a wilderness experience. Winter camping options are extremely limited, with most public lands restricting access during snow season. A camper at Smugglers Notch State Park observed that "All sites were fully shaded and extremely private. And even with the Park seeming full, the grounds were perfectly quiet, without the incessant sound of generators you find at larger state parks."