State parks and forests near Vergennes, Vermont feature diverse camping options along the shores of Lake Champlain. Button Bay State Park Campground, located 5 miles west of downtown Vergennes, offers tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, and glamping accommodations with views of the Adirondack Mountains across the lake. Mount Philo State Park Campground, Vermont's oldest state park, provides a more intimate camping experience with just 10 sites (7 tent sites and 3 lean-tos) on a small mountain with panoramic lake views. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day weekend, with a few private facilities like Shelburne Camping Area remaining open year-round.
Most camping facilities require advance reservations, particularly during peak summer months and fall foliage season. The camping season in the Vergennes area is relatively short but vibrant, with most state parks closing after Columbus Day weekend. According to Thomas B., who camped at Mount Philo, "The best part is every night it's only a ten minute hike to the summit from where the sites are and you get to watch the sunset over Vermont and Lake Champlain as the sun falls behind the Adirondack Mountains." Weather conditions can change rapidly, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 50-85°F and occasional thunderstorms. Fall brings cooler temperatures and spectacular foliage, though nights can drop into the 30s by October.
Lake access represents a defining feature of camping in the Vergennes region. Campers consistently mention the views across Lake Champlain to the Adirondack Mountains as a highlight of their stay. Several campgrounds offer direct water access for swimming, fishing, and boating. Barber Homestead Park in nearby Westport, NY provides "direct access to Lake Champlain" according to reviewer Andrew M., who used it as "base camp for adventures in the area" including visits to Burlington and Lake Placid. The region also features extensive biking opportunities, with rail trails and bike paths connecting many lakeside communities. Site privacy varies considerably between campgrounds, with Mount Philo offering secluded, shaded sites while some RV-focused areas place units closer together.
"The first is where you'll find the lean-tos and the dog trail/beach. This area is super quiet, offers a bit of shade, and plenty of privacy."
"We selected it because it was nearby for our second outing with our new (used) R-Pod camper. Turns out it's a wonderful park."
$23 / night
"the best part is every night its only a ten minute hike to the summit from where the sites are and you get to watch the sunset over Vermont and lake champlain as the sun falls behind the adirondack mountains"
"apparently this is the first state park in Vermont. Only 8 campsites so try to book early. Nice trails that lead to scenic views of Lake Champlain. Bathrooms and showers were clean."
"This is a nice little private campground in Shelburne, just outside of Burlington. Close to Lake Champlain. Good place to spend the night and good access to activities."
"Lastly, the location was perfect, just outside of Burlington made access to the area ideal."
$18 / night
"The best part of this campground is the view of Lake Champlain and Vermont. We stayed here one night in our RV with no hookups. The site was gorgeous and the campground clean."
"On river border of NY & VT. Nice views from the campsites, some places to walk around including a bridge. Lots of room for big RV, good hookups. Pretty quiet. Clean and well cared for."
$37 - $100 / night
"We stay every year for the Vermont City Marathon. It is a convenient bike ride down the bike path to the waterside park. Easy access to all of Burlington by bike."
"Sites 1 to 16 are close to each other. Sites 113 to 119 are bad. Very close to each other. No redeeming qualities.
Sites have 30 amp electric and water but might need a longish cord or hose."
$15 / night
"there are no amenities other than cascading waterfalls, mountain views, incredible swimming hole, a nearby lake, a picnic table and a fire ring. the easiest access to sites one and two is the Silver Lake"
"Access to campground is on a gravel road but my van did okay. It is small and primitive and there is a camp host who is very nice."
"Direct access to Lake Champlain. This is a hidden gem in that area! "
"Pam met us outside as she said ‘dodging rain drops’ to stack wood. She was warm and friendly."
"The only thing I didn't like was that you can hear a train around 10:45 pm and again early in the morning. Other than that, great views of the lake and mountains!"
"The site was so scenic with a little waterfall and stream nearby. The camp staff was so nice. They kept the the bathrooms and areas so clean."
"Love to lake access, secluded camping, the hiking and remote area. Planning on revisiting next summer, even in august the nights get to a good sleeping temperature a vast majority of the time."
GuideRight along the road (so if anything happens you can get help) also has wifi signal. It’s right along a creek that’s clean and beautiful. Crisp air and calming flowing river noises all night made it so I slept like a baby!
GuideDrove all the way here just to pull in and see signs that say “no overnight camping”
ScoutPublic Lands with about 8 semi private sites, each with nice views west or easterly. It's a large meadow and with a breeze, it will keep bugs away. Lacking a breeze, it is tough but still beautiful
TravelerMy favorite campsite we stayed at on my 2 week trip (despite the bugs lol). Great swimming hole and very well kept. Very beautiful and loved my stay.
ScoutPam met us outside as she said ‘dodging rain drops’ to stack wood. She was warm and friendly. You can tell she runs a tight ship immediately telling us when quite hours were, and letting us know the dogs needed to be on leash and under our control. We brought our 2 labs with us. Only 2 vehicles per site is allowed. You do need tokens to use the shower. 2 tokens was more than enough for me to shower and not feel rushed. The bathrooms are AMAZING! I am looking forward to coming back!
ScoutDEC has designated and constructed 12 camp sites in areas around Shelving Rock Road and Dacy Clearing Road. Camping will only be allowed at the designated campsites or more than 500 feet from the Shelving Rock and Dacy Clearing Roads.
ScoutAs noted by others, most of the sites have a fire ring and nothing more. A little more than half of the sites can be driven to and others require a very short walk (50 ft?). The toilets mentioned are at Texas falls area and are not a practical walk from most of the campsites.
There are no showers.
Aside from the loop trail at the falls there are also a couple of snowmobile trails that cross the area.
ScoutSame name and google search, but new owner since 2024. We just wrapped up a stay at this campground and I can honestly say… we’ll be back.🙌 From the moment we arrived, you could feel the pride the owner has poured into this place. The new power and water hookups are a huge upgrade, and it’s exciting to see the vision for future expansion already coming to life. Everything about our stay felt easy, welcoming, and most importantly—safe. It’s the kind of spot where you can truly relax, enjoy your time, and feel right at home. Clean, well cared for, and clearly built with heart. Can’t wait to come back and see how it continues to grow.🌲✨
RangerStayed here for a week. Josh and Dori were super nice and helpful. Level grass field with water and 30amp hookup. Fire pit port o potty, creek across the street. Very pretty setting. Dark sky area. Cell att and Verizon we decent enough to work plus they had WiFi if needed.
Dispersed camping opportunities near Vergennes, Vermont are limited due to the predominance of private land and established campgrounds in the region. Most camping in the area is concentrated at developed state park facilities along Lake Champlain and within the Green Mountain National Forest to the east. Seasonal considerations are significant, with winter camping options severely restricted as most facilities close after Columbus Day weekend, when temperatures regularly drop below freezing at night.
Hiking to scenic views: Mount Philo State Park Campground offers short trails leading to panoramic vistas. "The park itself is busy during the day, in part because the views from the top of Mt. Philo are incredible, and you can drive your car right to the top for an impromptu picnic," notes reviewer Tara S. of Mount Philo State Park Campground.
Mountain biking on forest trails: The trail system at Moosalamoo Campground provides numerous options for cyclists seeking wooded terrain. According to Lauren S., "The moosalamoo trailhead right next to campground. The trail connects to many others. You will pass several trailheads on your way up to the campground." Moosalamoo Campground also features a bicycle pump track where riders can practice skills.
Swimming in Lake Dunmore: Branbury State Park Campground provides direct beach access with rental equipment available. "The day use section has a wonderful beach with a swimming area and boat launch. Large trees provide shade on a grassy lawn, and grills are available. The concession stand is open during day use hours," writes Lisa S. about her experiences at the park.
Historical exploration: Crown Point Campground sits adjacent to colonial-era fort ruins. "The ruins of Fort Douglas and the bridge were both amazing views. Biking across the bridge was a great workout as well as a tour of the fort. So much history," explains Matthew L. about Crown Point Campground.
Spacious, private sites: Many campgrounds in the region feature well-separated sites. At Button Bay State Park Campground, Barbara Y. reports, "Everything from sunny meadow sites to more wooded private sites. Nice pool. No hookups but have a dump station." The campground design at Moosalamoo Campground receives particular praise from Nancy M.: "This is an exceptionally well laid out and maintained campground. The camp sites are well spaced and staggered for maximum privacy."
Clean facilities: Maintenance standards are consistently high across the region. At Crown Point, Carolyn M. found "bathrooms are clean with hot showers." Similarly, at Mount Philo, Beau B. reported, "Bathrooms and showers were clean. Showers were quarter operated, 50 cents for 5 minutes."
Accessibility to urban amenities: North Beach Campground provides urban camping with bike path access. Laura L. explains why North Beach Campground stands out: "This has been one of our favorite campsites so far. We loved being able to walk down to the beach, as well as having full hookups. It was peaceful here yet also a fun place."
Dark sky viewing: Several campgrounds offer minimal light pollution for stargazing. Alan from Moosalamoo notes, "At night, you can go out to the bicycle pump track and lay a blanket on the grassy hill against the track and look at stars in COMPLETE darkness."
Bear awareness required: Food storage protocols should be followed. Nicole E. cautions visitors to Branbury State Park Campground: "Just make sure you put your food and trash away - there are black bears in the area!"
Limited availability at smaller parks: Mount Philo has only 10 total campsites (7 tent sites and 3 lean-tos). Kaelin P. confirms: "Only 8 campsites, dispersed in the trees. $23/night. Picnic table and fire pit."
Seasonal closures: Most state parks operate from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day weekend only. Year-round camping is available at Shelburne Camping Area, which Casey R. describes as having "staff and proprietors who were INCREDIBLEY kind and helpful."
Lean-to options: Several parks offer lean-to structures as alternatives to tent camping. Drew Q. provides site-specific advice for Mount Philo: "Sites 1, 6 and 8 are the best if you're only camping with those at your site as they're the most secluded and private. Sites 2 and 3 are more open, to both each other, and to those en route to the bathrooms."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play equipment for children. Lacy C. recommends Button Bay State Park for this reason: "This is a good campground for families that are not too rowdy. There is a pool for swimming, paved roads are good for bikes & scooters, pavilion for activities, lake for swimming & fishing and hiking trails."
Educational opportunities: Nature centers and historical sites provide learning experiences. Lisa S. notes that at Branbury State Park, "The concession stand is open during day use hours. There's a nature center with all kinds of information and activities."
Swimming options: Both lake beaches and pools are available depending on location. According to Debbie S., Button Bay State Park Campground "has a great playground for kids and a nice swimming pool! You can hike on the trail and Lake Champlain is right there!"
Family-friendly timing: Weekdays offer quieter experiences with fewer crowds. Thomas R. observed at Moosalamoo: "I was here for three nights, first night (Thursday) very peaceful and quiet, but the next two nights were a bit louder when the families moved into the campground for the weekend."
Limited hookups: Most state parks offer minimal or no RV hookups. At Button Bay, M.A.D. P. notes: "Nice, clean, friendly park. Not a lot of trees for privacy, or for that wilderness feel, but the sites are spacious and the park has swimming pool with life guard."
Waterfront parking: Some lakeside sites accommodate RVs parked parallel to shore. According to Ian P., "The waterfront sites are fantastic, they are wide so smaller units can be parked parallel to the lake." This makes Button Bay State Park one of the best places to camp near Vergennes for those seeking lake views.
Full-service alternatives: For those requiring complete hookups, private campgrounds offer more amenities. Andrew M. found Barber Homestead Park to be "very quiet, well maintained campground. Easy to maneuver our rig into. Restrooms & laundry room were very nice. Direct access to Lake Champlain."
Size restrictions: Mountain campgrounds often have limited access for larger vehicles. Moosalamoo and Mount Philo both have size limitations, with the latter described by Tara S. as "not suitable for RVs" due to "steep and winding" roads.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Vergennes, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Vergennes, VT offers a wide range of camping options, with 208 campgrounds and RV parks near Vergennes, VT and 22 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Vergennes, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Vergennes, VT is Button Bay State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 12 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Vergennes, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 free dispersed camping spots near Vergennes, VT.
What parks are near Vergennes, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Vergennes, VT that allow camping, notably Green Mountain National Forest and Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests.
Keep Exploring
