Tent camping near Williston, Vermont provides access to numerous woodland sites with varying levels of isolation. Located in northwestern Vermont, this region sits at elevations between 300-500 feet and experiences typical northeastern seasons with freezing winters and humid summers. Most campgrounds operate from late May through mid-October when temperatures average 40-80°F depending on the month.
What to do
Sunrise summit views: Mount Philo State Park Campground offers a quick path to morning vistas. "Only 8 campsites, dispersed in the trees. $23/night. Picnic table and fire pit. Moderate cell service. Nice hikes and cool views of the area!" says Kaelin P. The park's small size makes it perfect for quick overnight trips.
Swimming access: Nearby swimming holes complement tent camping in Williston. "Recommend nearby Charlotte town beach for swimming ($10 for non-residents)," notes K G. about Mount Philo. Burton Island offers water access throughout: "The south tip of the island gets more wind, and therefore waves, which my children greatly enjoyed for swimming."
Remote paddling: Access secluded campsites via watercraft at Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites. "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.
What campers like
Small, secluded campgrounds: Campers appreciate the intimate setting at Mount Philo State Park. "Great little campground at a beautiful state park. The campground had widely spaced wooded sites and was exceptionally quiet. Very well-maintained!" reports K G. The park's limited capacity means more privacy for tent campers.
Island camping experiences: Burton Island State Park offers unique car-free camping. "It's a car free paradise that requires a boat or ferry to get to but yield the rewards of peace, nature, and gorgeous shoreline," explains Rita M. This creates a distinctive overnight experience unavailable at mainland sites.
Stream sounds: Natural water features enhance the camping atmosphere. At Underhill State Park, Ali T. notes, "We stayed at campsite 6 and loved waking up to the sound of the stream down the embankment." These natural soundscapes contribute to the appeal of tent camping near Williston.
What you should know
Toilet variations: Facilities differ significantly between sites. "Bathrooms are small and clean with hot showers," says Tara S. about Mount Philo. In contrast, Julia S. warns about Waterbury Reservoir: "The bathroom is a composting toilet that you'll share with fishing spiders the size of your hand, slam the lid before use!"
Site preparation: Some campgrounds require additional planning. At Indian Brook Reservoir, Erin B. cautions, "I mistakenly assumed they had drive up campsites. They do not. It was a 15 minute hike to the site, so pack light. If you have a kayak, you can transport your stuff over."
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "Only 7 tent sites and 3 lean-tos" at Mount Philo means "try to book early," advises Beau B. Similarly, Rita M. notes Burton Island waterfront sites "book very quickly (like 11 months in advance)."
Tips for camping with families
Ferry experiences: Burton Island State Park Campground provides an adventure just getting there. "After getting all of our stuff packed on the ferry and arriving on the island, we chose to have the campground deliver our stuff to our campsite for $10... it was well worth it," shares Michael L. This service helps families manage gear transportation.
Activity options: Multiple recreation choices keep children engaged. Rita M. notes at Burton Island: "We watched a sunset on the South tip, caught frogs at our shoreline, rented a paddleboard, played in the waves, and enjoyed the icecream sandwiches from the camp store, skipped stones in the lake, and explored the island. Our kids can't wait to go back."
Car-free environment: No vehicle traffic creates safe spaces for children. "It's super family friendly - maybe it's because there aren't cars all over the place, but the island is full of free range kids, and they're having a blast," observes Tara S. about Burton Island.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: Most tent camping areas near Williston have restrictions for larger vehicles. At Camel's Hump State Park, the designated primitive camping area requires hiking in, making it unsuitable for RVs.
Rough access roads: Some campgrounds have challenging approaches. Nicholas G. notes about Waterbury, "Rough road coming to campground. Very quiet. Cell phone t-mobile works fine." This information helps RVers plan appropriate routes.
Size considerations: When RV camping is available, spaces may have limitations. Nicholas G. adds that his Waterbury site "could hold big rig we have a 28ft 5th wheel plenty of room for 35/40" though hookups are not available with "limited gen. use hours 8am/10am and 4pm/6pm."
