Brighton State Park Campground sits in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont at approximately 1,200 feet elevation, 10 miles from West Burke. The park features a remote location with limited cell service and consistently cooler temperatures than surrounding lowland areas. Rainfall averages 40 inches annually, creating lush surroundings for campers visiting this forested region.
What to do
Explore hiking trails: At Brighton State Park Campground, visitors have access to multiple hiking paths. "Near by are all sorts of awesome hiking trails. Boreal forest. THE best. Some of my favorite photos from hiking, and the trail names/maps are below. The Moose Observation Platform is no joke. We saw one, crossing the road right by it when we were about to give up!" reports Tina D.
Kayak clear lakes: The pristine waters at Maidstone State Park provide excellent paddling opportunities. "The lake had to be the most pure and pristine lake in Vermont," shares Kyle B. The park features boat launches for easy water access and rental services during peak season.
Enjoy night sky viewing: The Northeast Kingdom's minimal light pollution creates extraordinary stargazing conditions. At Will-O-Wood Campground, visitors experience remarkable celestial views. "My husband and I really enjoyed stargazing at night. There was so little light pollution that we woke up during the night thinking that someone was shining a light outside, but realized that it was just the moonlight. We loved seeing Jupiter!" notes Emma N.
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Camp Kiki offers generous camping areas that accommodate multiple setups. "Two huge sites that can be rented in tandem as a group site. Each site has a prep table, picnic table, fire pit, 5 gallons of fresh water, a raised platform for tents, and a porta potty. Very spacious sites. Easily two camper vans and two tents on each site," explains Tony F.
Clean facilities: Many Northeast Kingdom campgrounds maintain exceptional standards. As Justina C. describes Brighton State Park, "Maintance on campground is very well attended and kept very clean all over. Cleanest showers I've seen at any campsite so far."
Easy trail access: Campers appreciate the proximity to outdoor recreation. "This campground is drive in and never touch the car again," notes Tony F. about Camp Kiki. "Site is at the bottom of Kitchel and Herbs trails, atop the exit/entrance trails into the village of East Burke."
What you should know
Remote locations mean limited services: Many campgrounds in the Northeast Kingdom are far from towns. At Maidstone State Park, "Very remote. Nearest town about 45 minutes away," reports Kate S. Come prepared with supplies as services are limited.
Weather preparedness essential: The Northeast Kingdom experiences significant temperature drops at night, even in summer. Miccal M. notes about Maidstone, "We visited just as the foliage season was getting underway, end of September is peak this year." Pack layers regardless of season.
Wildlife encounters common: The region's forests host abundant wildlife. "There are loons calling every night which I love," shares Tina D. about Brighton State Park. Proper food storage prevents unwanted animal visitors.
Tips for camping with families
Look for swimming options: Family-friendly campgrounds often feature water recreation. At Sugar Ridge RV Village & Campground, "Kids were happy with the heated pool, horse rides, and other activities," shares Russ V. Many sites include organized children's activities during summer months.
Consider amenity variety: Some campgrounds offer more family entertainment. "This campground has everything! Horse carriage rides, paved roads, 2 pools, playgrounds, mini golf, fireworks..." notes Jen C. about Sugar Ridge.
Select accessible sites: Some campgrounds offer easier navigation for families with young children. At Belview Campground, Larry T. mentions, "We got space 14 which is an easy drive through site for beginners like us. The bench around the fire ring and the spacing between other sites where great. The short walk to the beach was a plus."
Tips from RVers
Check site measurements carefully: Many campgrounds in the region have limited space for large rigs. At Moose River Campground, Nancy W. explains, "The campground is a mix of seasonal and transient campers with sites large enough to fit big rigs. There is also a rental camper and cabin available... We stayed in a large pull thru (well over 125'), full hook-up site in the center section of the campground."
Consider hookup options: Not all campgrounds offer full services. "All RV sites have water, sewer, and electric. Tent sites have water and electric," reports Nick about Kingdom Campground. Call ahead to confirm available connections.
Plan for tight access: Many campgrounds have challenging entries. "The pull thru sites are very close on one side as each RV pulls in the opposite direction; however, the sites are so long that if you pull up far enough you are not looking at your neighbor," notes Nancy W. about Moose River Campground.
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