Camping in Vermont

A complete guide to camping in Vermont

Fall foliage in Smugglers' Notch State Park, Vermont by A Verma

Photo Credit: A Verma

Overview

Vermont camping runs through the Green Mountains, a north-south spine of forested peaks and valleys that defines the state's geography and character. The Long Trail, the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the country, follows the ridgeline from Massachusetts to Canada, with shelters and tent sites along its 272 miles. State parks cluster around the mountain corridors and lake shores, with Lake Champlain on the western border and the Northeast Kingdom in the far north providing two distinct camping flavors.

The state's small size means no campground is more than a few hours from any other, but the terrain changes meaningfully between the southern Green Mountains near Killington, the central valleys around Stowe and Waterbury, and the remote Northeast Kingdom around East Burke and Island Pond. Fairlee, North Hero on Lake Champlain, and Salisbury provide lakefront options. Vermont's camping season runs roughly May through October, with fall color drawing the heaviest traffic statewide.

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Best Seasons to Camp in Vermont

Spring

Mar-May

High 50°F · Low 38°F

Mud season through April as snowmelt saturates forest roads. Campgrounds open in late May. Black flies emerge. Sugar maples are tapped in March. The quietest camping window once campgrounds open.

Summer

Jun-Aug

High 73°F · Low 61°F

Peak season. Lake Champlain and mountain campgrounds fill on weekends. Swimming in rivers and lakes warms by late June. Long daylight. Black flies subside by late June, replaced by fewer mosquitoes than neighboring states.

Season	Months	Avg High	Avg Low	Conditions
Spring	Mar-May	50°F	38°F	Mud season through April as snowmelt saturates forest roads.
Summer	Jun-Aug	73°F	61°F	Peak season.
Fall	Sep-Nov	50°F	38°F	Vermont fall color is the state's biggest tourism draw.
Winter	Dec-Feb	26°F	14°F	January averages 18 degrees.

Camping Regions in Vermont

Region	Terrain	Key Areas
Green Mountains	Mountain	Stowe, Waterbury, Killington, Warren
Lake Champlain	Lakefront	North Hero, Grand Isle, Burlington, Vergennes
Northeast Kingdom	Forest	East Burke, Island Pond, Lyndonville, St. Johnsbury
Connecticut River Valley	Plains	Fairlee, Quechee, Woodstock, White River Junction

Green Mountains

Mountain · Stowe, Waterbury, Killington, Warren

The forested mountain spine running the length of the state. State parks at Underhill, Little River, and Smugglers Notch provide developed camping among the peaks. The Long Trail and its shelters offer backcountry camping. Stowe and Waterbury anchor the central Green Mountain access. Elevations from 1,000 to 2,900 feet at campground level. Gold Brook Campground near Stowe provides one of the most established private options in the central Green Mountain corridor.

Lake Champlain

Lakefront · North Hero, Grand Isle, Burlington, Vergennes

The western border of Vermont along the sixth-largest freshwater lake in the US. North Hero, Grand Isle, and Burton Island state parks provide island and lakefront camping. The Champlain Valley is warmer and drier than the Green Mountains. Ferry access to New York from several points. Carry Bay Campground on North Hero and Champlain Adult Campground on Grand Isle provide island camping on Lake Champlain accessible by causeway.

Northeast Kingdom

Forest · East Burke, Island Pond, Lyndonville, St. Johnsbury

The remote northeastern corner of the state. East Burke, Island Pond, and Lyndonville anchor a region with lower tourism density than the rest of Vermont. Brighton State Park on Spectacle Pond and Maidstone State Park offer quiet lake camping. Mountain biking trails at Kingdom Trails draw a dedicated following. Camp Kiki and Maple Brook Campground near East Burke serve the Kingdom Trails mountain biking community, while Lakeside Camping on Island Pond covers the deeper northeast.

Connecticut River Valley

Plains · Fairlee, Quechee, Woodstock, White River Junction

The eastern border along the Connecticut River. Fairlee, Thetford, and Quechee provide developed camping in the river valley. The terrain is gentler than the Green Mountains. Quechee Gorge and the covered bridge corridor add day-trip interest. Closer to New Hampshire's White Mountains than to Vermont's own peaks. Campgrounds near Fairlee and the river towns provide developed options along the Vermont-New Hampshire border.

Camping Tips for Vermont

Vermont fall foliage fills every campground in the state for October weekends. Reserve as far ahead as possible. Weekday camping during foliage has better availability.
Mud season (late March through April) makes many forest roads impassable. Campgrounds are closed. Plan spring trips for late May onward.
The Long Trail shelters are first-come, first-served with no reservations. Carry a tent as backup. Shelters fill on summer weekends, especially near road crossings.
Vermont state parks do not accept pets at some campgrounds. Check individual park policies before bringing dogs.
Swimming holes in Vermont rivers and streams are a camping tradition. The Mad River, Lamoille River, and White River all have well-known swimming spots near campgrounds.
Black bears are present throughout the Green Mountains. Use bear-proof containers at backcountry sites. Developed campgrounds have bear-proof trash facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does fall foliage peak in Vermont?

The Northeast Kingdom begins turning in late September. Peak color moves south through the Green Mountains during the first two weeks of October. The Champlain Valley and southern Vermont follow in mid to late October. Timing shifts by a week depending on temperature and rainfall patterns.

Can I camp along the Long Trail?

The Long Trail has over 70 shelters and tent sites along its 272-mile route. Shelters are three-sided wooden structures on a first-come basis. No reservations. Carry a tent in case shelters are full. The Green Mountain Club maintains the trail and shelters. A small caretaker fee applies at some sites during peak season.

Is dispersed camping available in Vermont?

Green Mountain National Forest permits dispersed camping on most forest land in southern and central Vermont. No fee or permit required. Camp at least 200 feet from water and trails. State parks and state forests require designated campsites. Vermont has less public land than many states.

What is mud season?

Late March through April when snowmelt saturates the ground and forest roads become impassable. Many campgrounds and backcountry roads close during this period. Plan Vermont camping trips for late May onward unless targeting specific lower-elevation sites that open earlier.

How does Vermont camping compare to New Hampshire?

Vermont is more rural and less developed than New Hampshire. The Green Mountains are lower and rounder than the White Mountains. Vermont campgrounds tend to be smaller and quieter. New Hampshire has more dramatic above-treeline terrain. Vermont has better fall color variety due to its sugar maple density.