Worcester, Vermont camping options benefit from the area's location within the foothills of the Green Mountains, at elevations ranging from 940 to 1,600 feet. Summer temperatures typically average 75-80°F during the day and 50-55°F at night, creating comfortable conditions for outdoor activities. The camping season runs slightly longer at lower elevation sites, with some areas remaining accessible into late October when higher elevation campgrounds have already closed.
What to do
Hiking to fire towers: Elmore State Park Campground offers a moderately challenging trail to a fire tower with panoramic views. "There is a fire tower you can hike at the top which provides beautiful views," notes one camper, while another mentions, "Easy hiking trails with a fire tower on the mountain."
Water exploration: Little River State Park Campground provides excellent paddling opportunities on Waterbury Reservoir. "The reservoir is a fun place to explore via kayak and cannoe as well as by motorboat! We tend to hang at the site more than the beaches as the beaches are very small and full of children," shares one visitor. Another adds, "There are many beautiful backcountry campsites right on the water only accessible via the water."
Cross Vermont Trail access: Kettle Pond State Park Campground offers direct connections to the Cross Vermont Trail, a multi-use path. A camper explains, "The Cross VT trail is a multi-use bike path that travels much of the width of VT on old farm roads, snowmobile trails, railroad beds, and occasional roads. We took a half day bike trip on it one day to go to the town of Marshfield."
Winter camping for experienced outdoors people: Smugglers Notch State Park offers lean-to sites during winter months. "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 one winter visitor.
What campers like
Remote paddle-in sites: Many campers favor the secluded spots at Ricker Pond State Park Campground for their privacy. "The tent only loop is so private and perfect for kids biking and swimming. Nice pavilion and the pond was wonderful for canoes and kayaks," shares a visitor. Another notes, "Most sites being right on the water. You could explore the woods all day, cool off in the lake before dinner, and drift off to sleep listening to the calls of the loons."
Night sky viewing: The open meadow areas at several campgrounds provide excellent stargazing. At Elmore State Park, a camper reports, "Because our lean-to was in a meadow with no tree coverage, we were treated to the most awesome night sky we've ever seen at a Vermont state park. It was mesmerizing!"
Historical exploration: Some sites include access to historical features. At Little River State Park, a visitor mentions, "There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover," referring to remains of homesteads from before the reservoir was created.
Wildlife observation: The lakes and ponds host diverse wildlife. At Kettle Pond, a visitor recalls, "One evening, during a sunset paddle, we got to float alongside a loon family, which was VERY cool."
What you should know
Limited or no cell service: Most campgrounds around Worcester have minimal connectivity. "There is absolutely no cell service for miles, so plan accordingly," warns a visitor to Ricker Pond, while another notes about New Discovery State Park, "Not much cell service, but some in places."
Water access logistics: Access to water sites requires planning. At Kettle Pond, "You must park in the lot and walk to all these sites. The farthest, most remote site, is about a mile from the parking lot." For Little River's remote sites, a camper advises, "These remote sites are on the water only accessible via the water."
Primitive facilities at some locations: Several campgrounds offer minimal amenities. Kettle Pond has "not ANY running water. The running water is accessed by going to New Discovery Campground, which is about 3 miles down the road," according to a visitor who recommends bringing "several large water vessels."
Tight booking windows: The best places to camp near Worcester, Vermont often fill quickly. "This is a pretty small State Park, so it fills up quickly. The sites on the pond are beautiful if you can get one!" notes a Ricker Pond visitor, while another camper advises, "Book in advance for the best availability!"
Tips for camping with families
Lean-to options for easy setup: Smugglers Notch State Park Campground offers family-friendly lean-to shelters. "True to northeast tradition many of the camp sites are lean-to style," notes one visitor, while another adds, "Campsites are well spaced. Some of the campsites on the outside ring you need to walk into (a very short distance), but it makes it feel very secluded."
Fishing for beginners: Some locations offer excellent fishing opportunities for children. At Kettle Pond, a Scout leader reports, "The fish were bitting all day long for catch and release fishing for our scouts which was perfect because some of the them kids never fished before."
Playground access: Several campgrounds include play areas. At Little River State Park, one visitor mentions, "The facilities were clean, the small playground was great, and the small boat launch and beach kept us in the water."
Ranger programming: Look for educational activities led by park staff. One visitor to Smugglers Notch noted, "The ranger programming was exceptional," making it an engaging option for families wanting educational components to their camping trip.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Most state parks near Worcester don't offer full hookups. For those needing electric and water, Mountain View Campground provides these amenities. "The sites are gravel and seem pretty level," notes one RVer, while another explains, "Our site (#103) was long enough to fit our rig but we had to squeeze the car in front. The site was level and all the hookups were well-placed and worked fine."
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenges for larger rigs. "We had to squeeze the car in front," mentions one RVer at Mountain View, while others note that most state parks are better suited to smaller RVs or trailers.
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds can be challenging. One RVer warns about "terrible potholes" and a "ridiculously narrow" bridge at Onion River Campground, adding "Our 42 foot fifth wheel barely made it in."
Water fill logistics: Know where to access water. "The spigots for the water are not threaded," notes an RVer at New Discovery State Park, who found a workaround: "We could unscrew the head of the hose at the dump station and had no problem filling our tank with potable water."
