SUMMER SALE 50% off The Dyrt PRO — just $2.49/moGet now
SALE: PRO just $2.49/mo

Camping near Waterbury, VT

188 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

Search destinations
    Add dates
    SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

    Waterbury, Vermont provides access to a range of camping opportunities within the Green Mountains region. Little River State Park Campground and Camel's Hump State Park feature tent, RV, cabin, and glamping accommodations on the shores of Waterbury Reservoir. The area includes established campgrounds with amenities as well as remote boat-in sites for more secluded experiences. Within a 20-mile radius, campers can also find dispersed camping areas in the Green Mountain National Forest, particularly along Austin Brook.

    Most campgrounds in the Waterbury area operate seasonally from mid-May through mid-October, with limited winter access. The road leading to Little River State Park can be challenging in some sections, particularly after rain. "The access road is a bit rough but navigable by all vehicles. The park is beautifully maintained and there are many more trails to explore," noted one visitor. Many sites require advance reservations, especially during summer weekends and fall foliage season. Temperatures can vary significantly throughout the camping season, with cooler nights even during summer months. Cell service is limited or non-existent in many camping areas, particularly in the more remote sections of Camel's Hump State Park.

    Waterbury Reservoir serves as a focal point for camping experiences in the region. Remote boat-in sites receive high ratings from campers seeking solitude. "These remote sites are so peaceful. Be sure to launch from cotton brook road if your site r11-27," advised a camper on The Dyrt. Several campgrounds provide direct water access for swimming, fishing, and boating activities. Hiking trails connecting to camping areas offer opportunities to explore historical sites, including abandoned settlements near Little River State Park. Proximity to popular destinations like Stowe and Burlington makes the Waterbury area particularly attractive for visitors wanting to combine outdoor recreation with nearby attractions. Family-friendly developed campgrounds provide amenities like showers and picnic tables, while more primitive sites appeal to those seeking a wilderness experience. Waterbury camping offers diverse options from fully-equipped sites to secluded wilderness camping spots throughout the scenic Green Mountains.

    Connectivity Maps

    Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
    Map showing cell service coverage and campground pins
    Try Connectivity Maps

    Best Campgrounds near Waterbury (188)

      1. Little River State Park Campground

      4.7(26)4mi from WaterburyRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Little River State Park is located just outside of Waterbury Vermont so it’s an ideal location for jumping off on other adventures!"

      "Very nice campground, great location! The reservoir was beautiful. Took the kayak, only issue I had was getting to the lake."

      from $19 - $28 / night

      Check Availability

      2. Smugglers Notch State Park Campground

      4.7(23)13mi from WaterburyRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "I’d say this was one of Vermont’s best kept secrets, except I don’t think it’s exactly a secret. Even in October, the Park seemed full with visitors and Stowe was hopping!"

      "They don't have all the usual amenities its more of a primitive set up. has great clean sites with multiple ways to access mount mansfields trail system which is the highest mountain in the state of Vermont"

      from $20 / night

      Check Availability

      3. Gold Brook Campground

      4.0(9)7mi from WaterburyRVs, Tents

      "It’s centrally located to many wonderful sites around Stowe and Waterbury. Check-in was a breeze. We picked up our packet from the office mail box and headed to our site."

      "While we were next to the creek at site 12, it was blocked by brush and trees.
      Check in was easy, and the staff were present enough in case you had questions or needed to buy firewood."

      4. Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites — Waterbury Center State Park

      4.3(3)4mi from WaterburyTents

      "It is not as remote as some other locations, mainly because you are in Waterbury, VT and Waterbury can be quite busy with visitors.  "

      "Also the spot where you set up tent at this site was on a slope, others sites might be better.. still 10/10 will return, these sites are all prime locations!"

      5. Camel's Hump State Park — Camels Hump State Park

      5.0(2)6mi from WaterburyTents, Cabins

      "This is a short and sweet hike to one of the higher points in Vermont. It is a beautiful scenic (somewhat strenuous) hike to the summit. The views are pretty epic though."

      from $10 / night

      Check Availability

      6. Underhill State Park Campground

      4.8(6)14mi from WaterburyTents

      "They ask that you limit your driving on the path to the site- so we were sure to go into town to get all we needed before we settled into camp- which wasnt hard to do."

      "Camp spots were far enough away from one another, trees helped with privacy, and the tent site had a great area to setup the tent.
      Facilities were accessible and clean."

      7. Elmore State Park Campground

      4.7(7)18mi from WaterburyRVs, Tents

      "Our lean-to, Hickory is situated in a lovely meadow, but quite close to other campers and a view that overlooks the campground road. There is very little shade and no privacy."

      "Great hiking trails from easy to difficult. Early and late seasons are quiet. It's quite busy during the summer months as the lake is great for families and swimming."

      from $19 - $28 / night

      Check Availability

      8. Austin Brook

      4.4(7)17mi from Waterbury

      "All pretty much have access to the streams. Nice fire rings. Keep it clean!"

      "This area is right next to FireRoad 25 rd. We did not camp here we camped on FR25."

      9. Brookside RV Camping (Electric hookup only)

      4.5(2)11mi from Waterbury2 sitesRVs, Tents

      from $24 / night

      Check Availability

      10. North Beach Campground

      4.1(28)27mi from WaterburyRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      from $37 - $100 / night

      Check Availability

    2026 Explorer Giveaway

    Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

    Enter to Win

    Drive Time


    Recent Reviews near Waterbury, VT

    653 Reviews of 188 Waterbury Campgrounds


    • Joe K.
      Jul. 16, 2026

      Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites — Waterbury Center State Park

      Remote but most campsites aren't really on water

      We camped here in June of 2026.  It is not as remote as some other locations, mainly because you are in Waterbury, VT and Waterbury can be quite busy with visitors.  

      We parked on Cotton Brook Rd and were told by multiple people that you need to be aware of rain.  The parking lot can flood if you get days of rain.  The days we camped we did have heavy downpours the morning of day 2 and by the time we left the reservoir was probably 6 ft higher.  So it is a real thing.   The benefit of that is tons of waterfalls lead into the reservoir and they are quite pretty.

      It is a long canoe from the Cotton Brook lot and you need to go to campsite 14 to really get  a campsite with a full view of the lake.  We were on campsite 18 and it is surrounded by trees.  Thats great if you want privacy, but not great if you want a view of the lake.

      No loons while we were there.  : (

      In short, it is pretty good, but we would recommend others.

    • Alex W.
      Jul. 16, 2026

      Maplewoods campground

      Recommended campground

      I love this place, nice atmosphere, clean showers and nice mountain range views. Recommended for anyone looking for a nice campground that has very good cell reception for the ones who are depending their stays to have it.

    • Alex W.
      Jul. 16, 2026

      Tree Corners Family Campground

      Recommended campground

      I've stayed on and off for 20 years, love the atmosphere, hospitality, pools, water slides. Laundry room and clean showers.

    • Paige M.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 15, 2026

      Button Bay State Park Campground

      Love this state park!

      We have stayed here a few times. It’s always clean and quiet. Pool is nice but very family (kid) oriented. Love the trails to the water from both camp loops. Great place to stay with a kayak or paddle board!

    • TThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 10, 2026

      Twin River Campground and Cottages

      Friendly Staff, Nice Facilities

      The cleanest, nicest shower room we’ve ever experienced. The staff is exceptionally welcoming and friendly. The mini golf is decent but gold panning in the Wild Ammonusuc is the tourist draw. The salt water pool is sparkling cleaning. We enjoyed our visit very much and will come again.

    • Adam and Suzanne B.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 9, 2026

      Lone Pine Campsites

      Exceeded expectations

      We stayed only on weekdays. It was very quiet for having so many sites. Sites are very close together. Sites on the upper loop have less noise from the interstate. Showers on the upper loop at dated and have poor pressure and fickle temperatures, but the other bathhouses are newer. Two pools. Large laundry room. They even have rolls of quarters at the office. Most of the sites are seasonal and are very tidy and well-kept. The grounds are mowed and well-maintained.

    • A
      Jul. 6, 2026

      Little River State Park Campground

      Site 69

      We stayed at site 69 over the Fourth of July weekend this year. It was amazing - the site is so secluded, wooded, and had a lot of forest for the kids to explore.

      The bathrooms were clean and renovated, showers were token only but were clean and hot with good water pressure.

      The campground itself had so many activities planned (sunset kayak tour, fishing for beginners, and a Fourth of July parade were the ones we participated in) and the staff was great.

      Ice and wood on hand, decently priced.

      Sites were cleaned immediately after they were left by the precious campers.

    • KThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 5, 2026

      Lone Pine Campsites

      Good location with clean bathrooms

      We stayed here for a week earlier this summer. This campground has a lot of seasonal sites, which I suspect is the majority of their business. The bathrooms were clean and campground staff was helpful when we had questions. The place came to life on the weekend but was pretty empty during the week. Our boys had fun riding their bikes around, playing basketball, and playing a round of mini golf. Our site had a fair amount of ants on it and staff did lay down some pest control when I asked them to, but it didn't completely kill them off. I went by a local Home Depot and got some ant spray and that did the trick for the rest of our stay. Overall our stay here was good and I'd come back again. It was a great launching off point for exploring Vermont.

    • MThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 5, 2026

      Smugglers Notch RV Village

      Great camping

      We had the best time here. The owner was so so helpful, got us set up for a sight last minute and even gave us a discount. Gave us information on cool things to do in the area also. Great people and a great place!


    Guide to Waterbury

    Waterbury, Vermont sits at 427 feet of elevation within the Green Mountain region, with typical summer temperatures ranging from 50-80°F. The camping season generally runs from mid-May through mid-October, though some remote sites offer winter accessibility. Many campgrounds near Waterbury require advance planning due to limited availability during peak foliage season in late September and early October.

    What to do

    Explore historical ruins: Little River State Park Campground offers unique hiking opportunities to abandoned settlements. "We visited here with our 5 kiddos for 2 nights late July 2016. The hiking trails are really good—the actually pretty steep. There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover," shares Rita M.

    Paddle the reservoir: Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites provides boat-in camping experiences for paddlers. "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.

    Off-season adventures: Smugglers Notch State Park Campground transforms during winter months. "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. Hike/snowshoe in to your site as the gate is closed and the area is not plowed," explains Ed M.

    What campers like

    Private campsites: Underhill State Park Campground sites offer more seclusion than many camping sites near Waterbury, Vermont. "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, and the campsites are super clean and well organized," notes Ali T.

    Proximity to attractions: Gold Brook Campground serves as a convenient base for exploring the region. "Super conveniently located to all of the hiking and biking Stowe has to offer. The hosts are super friendly and the primitive camp sites are spacious and located along a quaint brook and sprawling meadow," shares Shannon L.

    Waterfront access: Many campers value sites with direct lake or river frontage. "There are many beautiful backcountry campsites right on the water only accessible via the water. Great local overnight spot with flat tenting, privies, and picnic tables," remarks Caitlin M. about Little River State Park.

    What you should know

    Varied amenities: Toilet facilities range from full restrooms to composting units. "The bathroom is a composting toilet that you'll share with fishing spiders the size of your hand, slam the lid before use!" warns Julia S. about Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites.

    Reservation policies: Most campgrounds require advance booking with non-refundable deposits. Gold Brook Campground has a strict cancellation policy that some campers find challenging.

    Site access challenges: Austin Brook offers dispersed camping options but requires preparation. "There are a handful of sites down Austin Brook road, I had trouble finding a level spot. Minimal ATT reception but overall pretty area," notes Tim M.

    Tips for camping with families

    Playground access: Elmore State Park Campground provides kid-friendly amenities beyond hiking. "A beautiful campground just a short walk to the lake. The Elmore Store just down the road has everything you need including AMAZING pizza (Fire Tower) and a great deli. Fun summer activities happen in Elmore and neighboring towns," recommends Shelley T.

    Educational opportunities: Smugglers Notch State Park offers ranger-led programs for children. "The ranger programming was exceptional, as are the views and the nearby areas for hiking and backpacking," says Harry H.

    Protected swimming areas: North Beach Campground provides supervised water activities. "The beach is very well maintained, there are life guards on duty at the beach and a playground and grills (claim them early if you want them)," advises Meag F.

    Tips from RVers

    Site leveling considerations: Austin Brook dispersed camping requires preparation for uneven terrain. "I didn't get the chance to camp here, it was full when I drove through looking for a place. Great location, easy access, on a nice brook. Fire ring only, no facilities and minimal parking," shares Miccal M.

    Generator restrictions: Little River State Park limits generator usage to specific hours. "Little river st park wide flat camp sites no hookups limited gen. Use hours 8am/10am and 4pm/6pm. Rough road coming to campground. Very quite. Site could hold big rig we have a 28ft 5th wheel plenty of room for 35/40," notes Nicholas G.

    Easy-access options: North Beach Campground provides full hookups with convenient location. "We loved being able to walk down to the beach, as well as having full hookups. You can purchase firewood at the office, and there are also propane options," shares Laura L.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What camping amenities and features are available in Waterbury, Vermont?

    Waterbury, Vermont offers excellent camping amenities centered around water activities. At Little River State Park Campground, you'll find clean bathhouses, well-maintained sites with good separation, and access to Waterbury Reservoir for swimming and boating with boat rentals available. The park offers outstanding ranger-led programs including guided paddles, nature walks, and educational activities for children. Many campgrounds in the area provide fire pits, picnic tables, and hiking access. The region is particularly family-friendly, with playgrounds at some locations and natural features like waterfalls and swimming holes nearby. Waterbury's central location makes it an ideal base camp for exploring Vermont's attractions, including easy access to restaurants, shops, and the famous Ben & Jerry's factory.

    Is camping available at Waterbury Center State Park?

    Traditional drive-in camping isn't available at Waterbury Center State Park itself, but the park offers unique Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites accessible only by boat. These sites provide a more secluded experience with basic amenities including toilets. For conventional camping near Waterbury Center, the closest option is Little River State Park Campground, located on the shoreline of Waterbury Reservoir just outside the center. Little River offers 70 tent/RV sites, 20 lean-to sites, and five cabins divided between two camping areas, with amenities including clean bathrooms, beach access, and boat launch facilities. The campground serves as an excellent base for exploring Waterbury Center and surrounding attractions.

    What campgrounds are available near Waterbury, VT?

    Several campgrounds surround the Waterbury area, offering diverse camping experiences. Silver Lake Campground features private sites set at comfortable distances from each other, with a clean lake for swimming, a concrete dock, boat rentals, and nature tours. Gold Brook Campground provides spacious, level RV sites with full hookups, fire pits, a playground, and a creek. For a more rustic experience, Moosalamoo Campground offers sites with mountain views, waterfalls, and access to a swimming hole and nearby lake. Other options include Maple Hill Campsites on a private farm and remote boat-in sites on Waterbury Reservoir, with Camel's Hump State Park and Smugglers Notch State Park also within reasonable driving distance.