Waterbury Center camping options sit nestled in Vermont's Green Mountains at around 700 feet elevation. The area experiences typical New England seasonal variations with warm summers averaging 75-80°F and cold winters. Most camping facilities are concentrated along the Little River Reservoir, providing water-based recreation opportunities during the May to October camping season.
What to do
Explore the reservoir by boat: Little River State Park Campground offers several paddle-only sites accessible only via the water. "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," notes Caitlin M. about Little River State Park Campground.
Visit local attractions: Many rv sites near Waterbury Center, Vermont provide convenient access to popular destinations. "We had easy access to hikes in Stowe, plus the Ben and Jerry's shop is about 20 minutes down the road!" shares Alison O. about her Little River experience.
Try horseback riding: For families seeking unique activities, some campgrounds offer uncommon amenities. At Sugar Ridge RV Village & Campground, visitors enjoy "Horse carriage rides, paved roads, 2 pools, playgrounds, mini golf, fireworks..." according to Jen C.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the room to spread out at certain Waterbury Center campgrounds. Jennifer H. found Lone Pine Campsites exceptional, noting "The sites are absolutely the biggest I've ever seen. The kids have a soccer field out in front of us to play in."
Peaceful settings: Quieter camping experiences can be found midweek. "Weekdays in prime season are quiet, weekends are packed," reports Ian R. about Lone Pine Campsites, providing useful timing advice for those seeking tranquility.
Clean facilities: Recent bathroom renovations enhance the camping experience at some parks. At Little River State Park, one camper noted "Bathrooms in 'B' were just redone" and another mentioned "The bathrooms were clean, the site was well maintained, and the reservoir was a great place to relax after a day of hiking!"
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most RV parks and campgrounds near Waterbury Center operate from May through October only. Sugar Ridge RV Village & Campground specifically runs "May 1 to Oct 31" according to their season information.
Limited water access: Direct water access isn't guaranteed at all campgrounds. One visitor to Brookside RV Camping noted it's "a great spot to stop for a night with your RV and enjoy the river for a night," mentioning it's "just off of a one-way paved road."
Varying site layouts: Don't assume site maps accurately represent reality. At Sugar Ridge, one camper advised "Site map is oriented upside down and would be helpful if corrected and updated. Our site looked angled on map so thinking it would be easier to approach from a certain direction to back in, drove in as I needed but found site was perpendicular to road."
Tips for camping with families
Find campgrounds with activities: Children appreciate dedicated recreational facilities. At Iroquois Campground & RV Park, families enjoy "a beautiful pond" and the campground is "fun for families" with organized weekend activities.
Consider site location: Strategic site selection can enhance safety. At Lone Pine Campsites, one family reported "We had one right next to the playground so our daughter could walk straight to it without having to cross a road."
Look for hiking opportunities: Family-friendly trails with historic features provide educational experiences. At Little River State Park, "The hiking trails are really good--actually pretty steep. There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover," according to Rita M.
Tips from RVers
Verify power connections: Electrical hookup specifications matter for RV camping near Waterbury Center, Vermont. One camper at Sugar Ridge noted their "site had 50 amp service not the expected 30 amp and they needed to borrow an adapter cord."
Consider noise factors: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. At Lone Pine, one camper mentioned "There is noise from the highway but it eventually became white noise to us," which may impact light sleepers in RVs with thinner walls.
Plan for dump station access: When staying at Smugglers Notch RV Village, visitors appreciate that "They offer a variety of different sites to fit each campers needs, a beautiful well kept bath house and a small but well stocked store." The sites include full hookups, which eliminates the need for dump station visits during your stay.