The beautiful New England state of Vermont has many camping options, from luxury RV resorts to the most primitive camping spots in the backcountry of its national and state forests. Vermont may be a smaller state, but more than a million people enjoy its parks and 350,000 acres of natural areas each year. Even with all those extra bodies camping in Vermont is still a relaxing quiet experience that allows us to enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of nature in a very intimate way. Are you ready to discover the best campgrounds in Vermont? Let's pack our gear and plan our next camping adventure in the Green Mountain State.

Best State Park Campgrounds in Vermont

We have a lot to choose from with so many wonderful state parks in Vermont that offer camping. Vermont has a very organized camping system in its state parks so it makes it easy to know what you are getting into before you come for a visit. Here are some of the best state park campgrounds in Vermont.

1. Smugglers' Notch State Park

• Location: Stowe, VT
• Popularity: With a typical camping season of May to October, Smugglers' Notch is a popular destination for camping.
• Park Info: Smugglers' Notch State Park is one of the most popular hiking destinations in Vermont with year-round outdoor adventures. From hiking and biking to ice climbing and cave exploring. The campground offers plenty of hands-on activities, interpreter-led programs, and opportunities to learn more about the unique history of the park. Note: firewood cannot be brought in from out of state unless it has been heat treated and certified by the USDA.
• Price: RV and tent sites start at $20 per night, lean-tos start at $30 per night. There is a $2 per pet per night fee as well.

With 1000-foot cliffs and scenic views of the Green Mountains, Smuggler's Notch feels like another world. One of its key features is Mount Mansfield, the highest peak in Vermont. Smuggler's Notch is actually a passage between Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak that was used by British smugglers in the early 1800s in attempts to bypass the Embargo Act of 1807 which prohibited American trade with Canada and Great Britain. With so many caves in the area, there were plenty of places to hide. Now, they are simply fun to explore and imagine what life was like back then.

2. Green River Reservoir State Park

• Location: Hyde Park, VT
• Popularity: Because you need to paddle in to get to the campground at Green River State Park this hidden gem is a quiet place to enjoy nature nearly all to yourself.
• Park Info: With 27 campsites only reachable via boat this remote campground is primarily open from mid-May until the beginning of October. Boat rental is not available, but there is a boat launch for public use. There are also outfitters in Morrisville and Stowe that do rent kayaks and canoes. Parking is limited on a first-come first served basis.
• Price: RV and tent sites start at $20 per night for residents and $28 for non-residents. There is a $2 per pet per night fee, as well as an extra per-person fee of $5 per night for guests over four.

There is something to be said about an area that is purposely left in a wild and undeveloped state, while still being open for our enjoyment. If you love a little adventure camping at the Green River Reservoir State Park will certainly give you that experience. This beautiful area has 19 miles of shoreline, which is one of the longest stretches of undeveloped shorelines in Vermont.

3. Quechee State Park

• Location: Hartford, VT
• Popularity: The Quechee Gorge is an incredibly popular tourist destination for Vermont residents and out-of-state guests. Camping in the park is very popular as well.
• Park Info: The Quechee State Park campground has six cabins for rent as well as 43 tent and RV sites, and seven lean-to sites. There are no hookups for RV camping, however, most of the sites are big enough to accommodate a large RV. There is a sanitary dump station. Activities in the park include hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, and swimming in the Ottauquechee River. No out-of-state firewood unless certified by the USDA.
• Price: As with most Vermont state parks RV and tent sites start at $20 per night for residents and $28 for non-residents. Lean-tos start at $30. There is a $2 per pet per night fee, as well as an extra per-person fee of $5 per night for guests over four.

Often called Vermont's Grand Canyon, the Quechee Gorge is an incredible natural wonder at 165 feet deep. It was created 13,000 years ago when glacial runoff carved through the valley. When you stay at the Quechee State Park campground you will be treated to incredible wildlife from soaring eagles to graceful white-tailed deer. If you are a birdwatcher you'll be delighted by numerous species of songbirds and waterfowl. And of course, we can't leave out fishing in the Ottauquechee River for rainbow trout, brook trout, and brown trout.

4. Woodford State Park

• Location: Woodford, VT
• Popularity: Woodford State Park is a very popular and well-rated campground in Vermont.
• Park Info: With 76 tent sites and RV sites, as well as 20 lean-tos and four cabins, Woodford is a pretty sizable campground. Pets are allowed at the campground and campers' beach, however, they are not allowed on the sandy beach or in most of the cabins. The Lady Slipper cabin is the exception. Camping season at the park runs from Memorial Day Weekend until the second Monday in October.
• Price: RV and tent sites start at $20 per night for residents and $28 for non-residents. Lean-tos start at $30. The cabins are $60 per night for residents and $68 for non-residents.

Woodford is another amazing state park in the Green Mountain National Forest. It surrounds Adams Reservoir so there is ample opportunity for boating, fishing, and swimming in this cool clear lake. Rent a kayak at the ranger station and spend an early morning all to yourself as the fog burns off the lake and the sun sparkles in its calm waters. While camping you can enjoy its many hiking trails and the sandy beach on a hot summer day. If you are looking for a relaxing getaway in a lovely Vermont campground, head to Woodford State Park.

5. Grand Isle State Park

• Location: Grand Isle, VT
• Popularity: Grand Isle State Park is the most visited campground in Vermont.
• Park Info: At 115 tent and RV sites, 36 lean-tos, and four cabins, Grand Isle Campground is another large campground in Vermont. In fact, it is Vermont's second-largest campground after Lake Carmi State Park. While the campsites are large enough to accommodate self-contained RVs there are no hookups. Kayaks are available to rent and there is a boat launch for campers to use. Some of the park features include a sand volleyball court, horseshoe pits, a playground, bike rentals, and plenty of nature trails.
• Price: RV and tent sites start at $20 per night for residents and $28 for non-residents. Lean-tos start at $30. The cabins are $60 per night for residents and $68 for non-residents.

At only 226 acres Grand Isle State Park is a small but mighty natural area on South Hero Island in Lake Champlain. Despite its smaller area, it is incredibly popular for camping and outdoor recreation. With 4,150 feet of shoreline, this lovely scenic spot has numerous secret fishing holes, places to drop in a paddleboard, kayak, or canoe, or simply walk around the lake enjoying the scenic views.

6. Branbury State Park

• Location: Salisbury, VT
• Popularity: Branbury State Park is a smaller state park with a very popular campground and swimming beach.
• Park Info: With only 36 tent sites, one lean-to site, and one cottage Branbury is on the smaller side, but that just means you can enjoy a quiet wooded campground on the edge of the Green Mountain National Forest. The site uses shower tokens which cost .50 cents for five minutes of hot water. Pets are not permitted on the beach, swimming area, or the cottage but they are welcome everywhere else. Camping season runs from May 12 until the second Monday in October.
• Price: RV and tent sites start at $20 per night for residents and $28 for non-residents. Lean-tos start at $30. The cottage is $80 per night.

Located on the beautiful Lake Dunmore in the foothills of Mt. Moosalamoo, (a fun-to-say mountain that sounds like it should be a scrumptious dessert) this state park used to be a farm in the early 1900s. It led an ever-changing life since then as a guest house, boy's camp, and private beach and picnic area until 1945 when it became Branbury (Brandon-Salisbury) State Park. The 1,000-foot swimming area has a nice sandy beach which is very popular in the warmer months. One of the most sought-after features in the park is the hike to the Falls of Lana - a 100-foot waterfall that drops into a cool pool of water.

Best Beach Camping in Vermont

Some of the best Vermont campgrounds have wonderful camping beaches. Here are a few campgrounds on lakes and rivers that stand out as having really nice beaches.

7. Emerald Lake State Park

• Location: Dorset, VT
• Popularity: Emerald Lake State Park is another popular park well-known for its sandy beach and swimming area. Emerald Lake is a popular spot for fishing and non-motorized boating as well.
• Park Info: This is a wonderful state park for tent camping with room for self-contained RVs too. With 66 campsites and 37 lean-to sites, there is plenty of room to set up camp. The 20-acre Emerald Lake is open for non-motorized recreational activities. And there are plenty of hiking trails in the area including the Long Trail and Appalachian Trail nearby. Camping season runs from Memorial Day weekend until the second Monday in October.
• Price: RV and tent sites start at $20 per night for residents and $28 for non-residents. Lean-tos start at $30. With extra fees for pets and guests over four per site.

With an enchanting name like Emerald Lake, you just know this camping area is something special. The lake's emerald-green waters make for incredible kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding. And the sandy beach surrounded by lush forest and hilly views will sweep you off your feet and into a sunny spot in the sand for a relaxing soak in the sun. There are still remains of an old marble quarry that opened up in 1785 and was active in the early 1800s here that make for some excellent cliff jumping as well. Plenty of hiking trails will call your name as Emerald Lake State Park is close to Dorset Mountain and both the Long Trail and the Appalachian Trail.

8. Lake St. Catherine State Park

• Location: Poultney, VT
• Popularity: This hidden gem on the beautiful Lake St. Catherine may not be the most visited park in Vermont, but it is still quite popular when camping season hits full swing.
• Park Info: With 50 tent and self-contained RV sites and 11 lean-to sites available there is lots of room for your next camping getaway. With a mixture of wooded sites and open grassy areas, plus the lovely lake, this spot has everything you need and want in a camping getaway. The well-developed picnic and swimming area is popular when the sun reaches its peak in the warmer months, and the nature center (with a snack bar) is an excellent place to learn more about the park and rent canoes, rowboats, paddle boats, and kayaks.
• Price: RV and tent sites start at $20 per night for residents and $28 for non-residents. Lean-tos start at $30. With extra fees for pets and guests over four per site.

Grab your fishing pole and a kayak and hit the beautiful Lake St. Catharine for some of the best panfish fishing around. You can also expect to land large and smallmouth bass, trout, and northern pike as well. When you imagine a nice quiet campground by the lake, this is what we think you have tickling the edges of your memory. And for good reason. Lake St. Catherine State Park is a beautiful area with all of the camping activities you know and love. What more could you want besides great swimming, fishing, hiking, and a cracking campfire?

9. Elmore State Park

• Location: Elmore, VT
• Popularity: A town with fewer than 900 residents is hiding this quiet gem in Northern Vermont. Which makes it perfect for a relaxing camping getaway.
• Park Info: Despite its remote small-town location Elmore State Park has 44 tent and RV sites along with 15 lean-to sites. It is a full-featured campground with flush toilets, hot and cold running water, and coin-operated showers. One of its most popular features is the large sandy beach with a beach house that contains bathrooms, changing rooms, and a concession stand. The beach house is also available to rent out for events of up to 50 people. The park also has an outdoor picnic pavilion that seats up to 100 guests with charcoal grills, picnic tables, and restrooms nearby. Pets are allowed in the park but not on the beach.
• Price: The standard Vermont state park fees apply: RV/tent sites are $20 per night for residents and $28 for non-residents. Lean-tos start at $30. With extra fees for pets and guests over four per site.

Self-proclaimed "The Beauty Spot of Vermont," Elmore is a small town with a big heart, and beautiful natural areas to boot. With a blend of wide-open farmland, lush forests, and mountain views it truly is a picturesque area. While you are camping at Elmore State Park be sure to hike to the balancing rock which seems to defy gravity by balancing on a small point. And the climb to the top of the fire tower will give you incredible views of the valley below and the Worcester Range that flows off into the hazy blue distance.

10. Lake Carmi State Park

• Location: Franklin, VT
• Popularity: This is definitely a big (and popular) campground, with three beaches (two in the campground and one in the day-use area) and 482 acres to explore.
• Park Info: As Vermont's biggest campground with 138 sites for tent and self-contained RV camping, another 35 lean-to sites, and two cabins you have lots of options to enjoy a weekend camping getaway. Lake Carmi is a shallow lake so it stays nice and warm throughout the warmer months making it a great swimming lake. While the sites do not have RV hookups there is plenty of room between sites for some privacy. The campground itself is only open for overnight guests but there is a day-use area with a beach, a nature center, restrooms, and boat rentals.
• Price: Vermont state park fees apply: RV/tent sites - $20 per night for residents and $28 for non-residents. Lean-tos are $30+. Cabins are $60 per night for residents and $68 per night for non-residents.

Lake Carmi is a gorgeous lake (Vermont's fourth largest natural lake) with 1,375 acres of recreational fun to be had. It is a wonderful fishing lake too with ample northern pike and walleye to keep you on your toes. An interesting feature of the lake is the 140-acre southern end that has silted in over the last several centuries after the last ice age to create a unique bog with black spruce and tamarack trees and a lush ground cover of sphagnum moss, pitcher plants, and sedges. With a diverse ecosystem, Lake Carmi State Park is a beautiful natural area that we all get to enjoy as one of the best places to camp in Vermont.

11. Brighton State Park

• Location: Island Pond, VT
• Popularity: Brighton State Park is a remote state park with plenty of sites to spread out and enjoy a quiet camping getaway.
• Park Info: Brighton may be a remote campground but it does have lots of sites available. With 54 tent and self-contained RV sites, 23 lean-to sites, and five cabins there are several ways to enjoy your stay. Pets are allowed in some parts of the park but not in the day-use areas, on the beaches, or in the designated swimming areas. Raven Cabin is the only pet-friendly cabin. Camping season runs from the Friday before Memorial Day until the second Monday in October. Boats are available for rent aid the day-use area.
• Price: Vermont state park fees apply: RV/tent sites - $20 per night for residents and $28 for non-residents. Lean-tos are $30+. Cabins are $60 per night for residents and $68 per night for non-residents.

Brighton State Park on the calm shores of Spectacle Pond lined with tree-covered mountains is certainly a sight to behold. Imagine a quiet morning out on the lake dipping your paddle in as gently as you can while loons gracefully swim around you singing their eerie toon. It is moments like this that camping is all about. If you are looking for incredible camping spots in Vermont this peaceful area is definitely worth adding to your list. With plenty of kid-friendly hiking trails, Brighton State Park is a wonderful family getaway to enjoy a beautiful natural setting with your family.

Top Glamping in Vermont

Sometimes we like to enjoy a few creature comforts when we go camping. Especially if it tends to rain EVERY time you plan a camping trip. If that is the case, here are a few glamping options in Vermont that will treat you to an extra layer of comfort.

12. Harmony Homestead Farm

• Location: Wells, VT
• Popularity: Harmony Homestead Farm is a hidden gem that not many people know about. Now that you do you can book your stay on Airbnb.
• Farm Info: When your group books a stay at Harmony Farm you will have access to five luxury glamping tents and cozy cabins: The Birch House Cabin, Shady Grove Cabin, Peace Camp Outpost #1, Camp Casita Bonita, and The Wizow Gizos Tipi. There is also a bathhouse and a cantina (kitchen cabin), along with barbecue grills, a fire pit area, a solar shower, and a 40x20-foot festival tent.
• Price: $625 per night.

Harmony Homestead Farm is a unique experience that allows you to live and work on the farm (if you choose to help out). Participate in sustainability workshops, farm-life demonstrations, and farm activities, or simply enjoy this beautiful quaint area any way you please. From hiking, spending time by the campfire, and partaking in farm-to-table meals, your stay at this unique 100-acre sustainable homestead farm will definitely be memorable.

13. Parker Hill Farm Boutique Campground

• Location: Springfield, VT
• Popularity: Only 30 miles east of the Green Mountain National Forest near Springfield is this hidden gem that you may not be aware of.
• Campground Info: With five luxury glamping tents available (The Cutler, Harlow, Walker, Fletcher, and Parker) each with a king-sized bed, Wi-Fi, electricity, heat & air conditioning, kitchenettes, and ensuite bathrooms you are in for a wonderful camping experience. A fresh-cooked breakfast is provided on the weekends, and you have your own barbecue grill, fire pit, and kitchen area for all the gourmet camping meals you'd like to put together.
• Price: Rates range from $195 per night to $325 per night depending on the season and the glamping tent you choose.

With charming luxury tents named after prominent families that first settled in this area, you are in for a treat with this boutique camping getaway on a farm that has been around since 1790! Whether you sit under the stars and enjoy movie night, sit around the fire ring toasting marshmallows, spend time watching the alpaca and Wagyu cattle, or try your luck fishing for trout in the half-acre pond, the Parker Hill Farm Boutique Campground is a delightful experience. The farm makes an absolutely incredible wedding venue too!

14. Moose Meadow Lodge

• Location: Waterbury, VT
• Popularity: For those in the know the treehouse at Moose Meadow Lodge is a popular destination that makes you feel like you are living in the trees.
• Campground Info: The Moose Meadow Lodge is in a picturesque spot surrounded by maple trees, birch trees, and aromatic spruce. The 86 acres are open for hiking in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains of Vermont. The lodge is a wonderful bed & breakfast, but our eye is on the luxury two-story treehouse that is simply magical no matter what time of year you come to visit. (It is open from May until October)
• Price: $650 per night.

The Treehouse at Moose Meadow is the first treehouse in Vermont to become certified as a bed & breakfast. It is an impressive structure that feels right at home in the trees. But staying at a luxury treehouse isn't the only surprising thing you'll find when you come for a visit. Hike up to the Sky Loft - a glass-enclosed gazebo hidden on the highest point of the property that gives you panoramic mountain views. If that isn't sweet enough for you, take a short drive into town to the Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream factory.

15. Tanglebloom Cabin

• Location: Brookline, VT
• Popularity: The Tanglebloom Cabin is a popular highly-rated Airbnb rental that makes the perfect couples getaway.
• Campground Info: Vermont's Tanglebloom Flower Farm is the setting for this delightful minimalist cabin in the woods. Enjoy many of the conveniences of home including Wi-Fi an outdoor kitchen with a small fridge, hot showers, and running water. Oh, and the wood-fired hot tub is a pretty nice bonus. Of course, campfire cooking is a must in the fire pit if you need it, but there is a single-burner cooktop too.
• Price: $249+ per night.

Who says camping needs to be uncomfortable? If you enjoy a little luxury while still getting the feeling of being immersed in nature this minimalist cabin is just about perfect. Wake up to a French-press brewed coffee with beans from a local organic farmer, enjoy the beautiful flower farm, and have the opportunity to pick a few blooms for your picnic table, or spend an evening under the stars in the wood-fired hot tub. The Tanglebloom Cabin is one of Vermont's hidden treasures, and it is all yours for a romantic camping getaway. Enjoy the best camping in Vermont with a little extra comfort.

16. Hermit Thrush Treehouse

• Location: West Pawlet, VT
• Popularity: The Hermit Thrush Treehouse is a popular highly-rated Vrbo rental that makes a delightful family, multi-family, or friend getaway.
• Campground Info: The Hermit Thrush Treehouse near the New York-Vermont border is a charming getaway spot that makes you feel like you are staying in a fairy-tale setting. It is actually part of a two-treehouse vacation spot - the other being the Morning Dove Treehouse. Combined, five bedrooms sleep up to 11 guests. The treehouses are open from June 1 until October 20. There is even a covered pavilion with running water, a sink, a gas stove, a fridge, a large table, and a barbecue grill.
• Price: $180 per night.

When you see the Hermit Thrush and Morning Dove treehouses peaking through the woods it is hard not to imagine you are stepping into an enchanted forest. What magical creature could possibly live here? You can! In the ultimate fanciful getaway for nature lovers, you can enjoy a beautiful summer or fall adventure. You will be a short drive away from Lake Saint Catherine State Park for hiking and water sports activities, or simply explore the woods around your treehouse. You never know what kinds of treasures you'll discover right in your own backyard.

Best RV Camping Sites in Vermont

If you love camping but enjoy a few modern conveniences like your own RV decked out with all the supplies you need, kayaks, ATVs, snowmobiles, mountain bikes, or a helicopter (what, you don't have a helicopter on your RV?) Vermont has some pretty fun RV campgrounds to enjoy. We have good news if you have always wanted to go RV camping but didn't know if it was for you. You can rent an RV from RVShare and try your hand at that ultimate Vermont road trip you've always dreamed about.

17. Base Camp Outdoor Center and Campground

• Location: Jay, VT
• Popularity: The Base Camp Outdoor Center and Campground is a local gem that everyone should know about that enjoys RV camping in the beautiful Vermont woods.
• Campground Info: With 32 RV sites each with electricity and water hookups you can enjoy a forest camping trip in Northern Vermont. The campground also has a swimming pool for those hot sunny days you just want to cool off. Along with a community fire pit for getting to know your fellow campers by toasting the night away with a few s'mores. The park is surrounded by hiking trails many of which can be used for mountain biking as well. Your "base camp" is also close to town with restaurants, bars, and grocery stores so you'll have everything you need for a fun getaway.
• Price: $45 per night, $240 per week, or $800 per month.

When you pull your RV up to the Base Camp Outdoor Center and Campground just a tad northeast of the Jay State Forest you'll notice something special about this place. Unlike many large RV campgrounds, it is an intimate setting deep in the woods. It really feels like you are tucked away in a secret corner of Vermont that you have all to yourself. But you don't have to rough it too much because there is a nice swimming pool.

18. Apple Island Resort

• Location: South Hero, VT
• Popularity: One of the best RV resorts in Vermont, the Apple Island Resort is more than just a weekend camping getaway.
• Campground Info: This fantastic campground was built with RV campers in mind. Each over-sized site has full hookups with room for Class A RVs up to 45 feet and an additional vehicle. Each site has a 30/50-amp hookup with water, sewer, and Wi-Fi. The best sites are facing Lake Champlain because it feels like you have your own spot on the lake. The campground has plenty of organized activities from watercolor classes to yoga, and Texas Hold'em to quilting. Plus there is a 9-hole golf course, a marina, a general store, and a nice swimming pool.
• Price: RV site prices range from $93 to $123 for silver, gold, and platinum sites. The Mott House can be booked through Airbnb for $309+ per night.

Grab one of the best spots right on Lake Champlain in this resort-style RV park in South Hero, Vermont. If you enjoy a more feature-rich RV camping experience, Apple Island Resort is a good choice. If you love the resort and want a new experience you can also book the Mott House, a beautifully restored farmhouse from the 1880s that sleeps up to eight guests. Rent a boat at the marina and explore Lake Champlain, fit in a round of golf, or enjoy time by the swimming pool. There is lots to do at this fun RV campground.

19. Tree Corners Family Campground

• Location: Irasburg, VT
• Popularity: This is another popular getaway in the beautiful Northeast Kingdom that gives you plenty of options to enjoy your camping experience from cabins to RVs.
• Campground Info: Tree Corners Family Campground is set up nicely with several options to enjoy your stay from May through October. With over 130 site options including full RV hookup sites, cabins, lean-tos, and rental campers. Every month has its own featured activities to enjoy like ice cream and karaoke night, classic car shows, corn hole tournaments, pumpkin throwing contests, DJ dance parties, and a whole lot more. Of course, you can also just chill in one of its two salt-water swimming pools, soak in the hot tub, go on the water slides, cruise on the ATV trails, go biking, or hiking, have a picnic in the picnic area, or bring your RC cars and hit the designated RC track!
• Price: RV site and lean-to prices start at $55.50 per night. On-site camper rentals are $130 per night. Cabin rentals are $100-$135 per night. Each of the spots has discounts for weekly or monthly stays.

Tree Corners Campground is a lovely family getaway with plenty of extras that make your stay more comfortable and fun. What was once a 38-acre nursery is now a full-featured camping resort set in a beautiful grove of old-growth oak, maple, and pine trees. It is particularly lovely in the spring when the fruit trees blossom. There is even a neighboring elk and bison farm so you can enjoy these majestic animals without hiking to the hills or going to the zoo. Whether you bring your own RV, rent a camper on-site, or stay in one of the cozy cabins, this is one of the best campsites in Vermont for any type of vacation.

20. Lone Pine Campsites

• Location: Colchester, VT
• Popularity: Lone Pine Campsites is a massive RV campground that has been treating guests to a fun outdoor experience for over 45 years.
• Campground Info: With 265 sites surrounded by a beautiful Vermont forest in the Lake Champlain Valley this campground is the go-to destination for RV enthusiasts. It has everything you need and expect in a full-featured RV park like swimming pools, a camp store, free Wi-Fi, a fun activity calendar, a sports court, mini golf, volleyball, horseshoes, bocce ball courts, tennis courts, two playgrounds, and a laundry facility. There is also a special treat - weekly rides on a classic 1952 fire truck.
• Price: Rates start at $52.50 per night with additional fees for extra guests beyond 2 adults and 2 children.

Lone Pine Campsites is the RV resort you've been looking for in Northwestern Vermont. It has just about every amenity you can imagine, and a few more you probably weren't even thinking about. The beautiful Mallett's Bay on Lake Champlain is just past a line of rich forest and Burlington is nearby for a nice day trip. Whether you are making a pit stop on a longer road trip or you make this your ultimate family camping destination, you will enjoy your stay.

21. Ricker Pond State Park

• Location: Groton, VT
• Popularity: Ricker Pond State Park is another hidden gem that should be on any camper's radar.
• Park Info: The park has 26 tent and RV sites, plus 23 lean-to sites, five cabins, and two cottages. Hot showers are available with coin-operated showers in two of the three campground restrooms. The park includes a swimming beach and a boat launch with rentals. Interpreter-led programs are also available for fun family activities. Camping season lasts from the Friday before Memorial Day until the second Monday in October.
• Price: RV/tent sites are $20 per night for residents and $28 for non-residents with additional fees for extra guests and pets. Lean-tos are $30+. Cabin rentals start at $60 per night.

If you are looking for a more rustic RV camping experience a stay at Ricker Pond State Park is perfect. While there are no hookups, (there is a sanitary dump station) it is a great spot for self-contained RVs. There are seven parks in the Groton State Forest so there is plenty of exploring to do between them all. The good news is that entry fees to one apply to them all. The park is located near Ricker Pond and the Montpelier-Wells Rail Trail for all sorts of water activities, hiking, biking, walking, and skating. All-in-all there are 17 miles of hiking trails and over 20 miles of roads and multi-use trails to enjoy for mountain biking and horseback riding.

Best Primitive Tent Camping in Vermont

Camping in Vermont can be enjoyed in many different and wonderful ways. If you enjoy a true backwoods experience, these next few campgrounds will feel like you are up against the wilds of Vermont with only a pair of sticks to light a fire. (Even though you can still enjoy all of the best high-tech gear and cozy sleeping comforts as you wish)

22. Half Moon Pond State Park

• Location: Hubbardton, VT
• Popularity: Half Moon Pond State Park might just be Vermont's best-kept secret.
• Park Info: The park has 52 tent sites, 11 lean-tos sites, five cabins, and a cottage tucked away in a peaceful quiet forest with a tranquil pond perfect for kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding. With numerous hiking trails and secret spots for fishing, all you need is a fire pit and you have supper ready to go (if you can catch it). The park is open for camping from Memorial Day weekend until mid-October. If you are visiting from out of state, please purchase firewood on-site to protect the trees in the park.
• Price: Tent sites are $20 per night for residents and $28 for non-residents with additional fees for extra guests and pets. Lean-tos are $30+. Cabin rentals start at $60 per night. The six-person cottage is $88 per night.

At Half Moon Pond State Park you can enjoy a rustic camping experience or treat yourself to a cozy cabin or cottage stay. The entire park is actually situated inside the 3,500-acre Bomoseen State Park in a quiet sheltered basin near Half Moon Pond. It is the perfect spot to catch a white-tailed deer bounding through the woods or maybe even a moose calmly drinking at the edge of the pond. If you are looking for a woodsy getaway where you can spend the day hiking, fishing, and kayaking this park is just about heaven.

23. Burton Island State Park

• Location: St. Albans, VT
• Popularity: For remote camping enthusiasts this is a popular spot in Vermont to get away from the crowd.
• Park Info: The park has 14 standard tent sites, 26 lean-to sites, three cabins, and four remote tent sites. Entry to the island park is via ferry from Kill Kare State Park or by boat which you are able to dock at the island marina. The Burton Island Bistro is a small store and cafe with breakfast and lunch available as well as snacks, and to-go items. A limited number of camping goods are available as well as beer wine and ice. Camping is allowed from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day.
• Price: Tent sites are $20 per night for residents and $28 for non-residents with additional fees for extra guests and pets. Lean-tos are $40+. Cabin rentals start at $73 per night.

You can't get much more primitive than an island campground. The only way to get to Burton Island is by ferry, boat, or by paddling in. The island is located off of the southwestern tip of St. Albans Point in Lake Champlain’s "Inland Sea". The Isle of White as it was called in the 18th Century has changed over the years from pasture land for cattle grazing to a full-fledged farm to agriculture land, and even a hunting and fishing camp in 1902. While it is more rustic than your typical Vermont State Park it does have its own 100-slip marina with Wi-Fi and electricity, three restrooms with flush toilets, running water, and coin-operated showers. There is even a disc-golf course.

24. Molly Stark State Park

• Location: Wilmington, VT
• Popularity: This remote spot along the Molly Stark Trail Scenic Byway is a hidden gem for primitive tent camping.
• Park Info: Molly Stark State Park has two camping loops which contain 23 tent sites and 11 lean-to sites. There is also a picnic pavilion that can be rented out for group events. There is a restroom with flush toilets and hot and cold running water. Coin-operated showers are available as well in each loop. Pets are permitted all throughout the park.
• Price: Tent sites are $20 per night for residents and $28 for non-residents with additional fees for extra guests and pets. Lean-tos are $30 for residents and $38 for non-residents.

If you're looking for a remote campground, Molly Stark State Park is the place to go. Named after Elizabeth "Molly" Paige Stark whose accomplishments range from teaching her 11 children to read and write, to being instrumental to the American success at the Battle of Bennington, and even converting her homestead barn into a hospital where she cared for injured soldiers from both sides of the battle. Pick one of the two camping loops in the park which consist of 23 tent sites and 11 lean-to sites for a camping trip of a lifetime. Be sure to hike to the fire tower at the top of Mount Olga Trail for breathtaking views.

25. Jamaica State Park

• Location: Jamaica, VT
• Popularity: Generally this primitive camping spot is quiet, but there are two busy times, once in early May and once in later September when white-water rafters converge on the West River.
• Park Info: Jamaica State Park has 41 tent sites and 18 lean-to sites. The tent sites are also open to self-contained RVs and campers. However, the weight limit on the Depot Street Bridge leading into the park is eight tons - something to keep in mind if you have a large RV. The West River flows through the park and makes a nice place for fishing, kayaking, and cooling off on a hot summer day. One of Vermont's largest waterfalls is also near the park in the Hamilton Falls State Natural Area. A note of caution, there are slippery rocks and strong currents at the falls so swimming or wading is prohibited.
• Price: Tent sites are $20 per night for residents and $28 for non-residents with additional fees for extra guests and pets. Lean-tos are $30 for residents and $38 for non-residents.

Jamaica State Park has an extra special feature for outdoor adventurists and whitewater rafters especially. The Ball Mountain Dam has a bi-annual controlled release which creates white-water conditions on the West River in the spring and in the fall. During those times kayaking on the river becomes extra intense. Camping at the park during those times fills up quickly, so make sure you plan ahead. The dam is released in early May and in late September.

26. Okemo State Forest

• Location: Ludlow, VT
• Popularity: Enjoy primitive camping at its finest in this beautiful 7,000-acre state forest in two designated camping areas.
• Park Info: Two sections of the park are open for primitive camping. The first is in the northern end of the forest accessible via Route 103 just north of Ludlow Village. The second area is between East Wallingford and Weston, accessed via Route 155 on a gravel state forest road. You can set up your tent nearly anywhere you find an open spot as long as you follow a few simple guidelines. Camping must be done at least 100 feet from a body of water, 200 feet from any hiking trail or property line, and 1000 feet from roads. No "carry-in" wood is allowed, only wood you find from dead and downed trees is allowed. And make sure you remove any trace of your campfire.
• Price: Free

The Okemo State Forest is the perfect spot for backwoods camping. In the two sections that allow "leave-no-trace" camping, there is a small stream that can be filtered for a year-round source of fresh water. As with all primitive camping spots a rule of thumb is that there should be no camping within 100 feet of any stream or body of water. That goes for any "human byproducts" as well. Aside from these minimal guidelines, the whole forest is open for enjoyment and exploration in the ultimate camping experience.

With so many great options for camping in Vermont, it is hard to choose a favorite. But if you have one, share it with us in a comment. Perhaps if your go-to spot isn't on our list of best campgrounds in Vermont we can add it.

Then, check out some of the best hiking trails in Vermont that pair nicely with many of these state parks and campgrounds.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/vermont/best-hikes-in-vermont/