The Best Vermont Camping Spots

Smugglers’ Notch State Park provides access to Smugglers’ Notch’s 1,000-foot cliffs and bouldering throughout the notch. Campsites and lean-tos make for easy climbing access.

Grand Isle State Park spans 4,150 feet of shoreline and a total of 226 acres, making it the perfect summer camping zone for boating, camping, swimming, hiking, and wildlife watching.

Lake Champlain runs along New York and Vermont, separating the two states and providing 130 miles of lake to explore. Grand Isle State Park, established in 1959 and spanning 4,150 feet of shoreline and a total of 226 acres, sits on the island of Grand Isle and is the perfect summer camping zone for boating, camping, swimming, hiking, and wildlife watching.

There are a few different ways to camp at Grand Isle State Park. The park offers 115 tent/RV sites, 36 lean-to shelters, and 4 cabins, allowing visitors to choose their level of comfort while staying immersed in nature. The park also offers restrooms, showers, and a dump station.

The biggest draw of the park is its access to water, and Grand Isle State Park is the most-visited campground in the state park system. Campers can swim, boat, and fish close to camp sites, and boat rentals are available for those looking to venture farther out. Hiking trails meander through the park, offering plenty of views of forests and open meadows with opportunity for bird and wildlife spotting.

Green Mountain National Forest encompasses more than 400,000 acres throughout southern and central Vermont, and offers dispersed, free camping.

That’s all to say there is plenty of camping throughout GMNF. Dispersed, free camping is available in much of the forest, and forest managers just encourage campers to follow the seven principles of the Leave No Trace policy.

The Appalachian Trail and Long Trail both pass through GMNF, making for a scenic walk-through for those traversing the entirety of the two trails, or the perfect day hike to explore the forest.

Of the many other day hikes throughout the forest, visitors should seek out Lye Brook Falls Trail, a 4.5-mile out and back hike that is best on foot or snowshoe, and Haystack Trail that also runs roughly 4 miles and offers views of “Mount Snow to the north, Harriman Reservoir to the south, and an eastern view down to Haystack Pond and into the Deerfield Valley,” per the U.S. Forest Service website. “On a clear day, you can see Mount Monadnock in southern New Hampshire,” the site continues, making sure to note that the area is also a watershed for local drinking water supply for the surrounding towns. 

Gifford Woods State Park is a hiker’s paradise, thanks to its access to the Appalachian Trail and the Long Trail, and its quiet, secluded feel.

Gifford Woods State Park offers a chance to camp alongside old-growth hardwood forest, deep in Central Vermont and close to Killington Resort. The park is a hiker’s paradise, thanks to its access to the Appalachian Trail and the Long Trail, and its quiet, secluded feel.

Camping options within the park include 21 tent and RV sites, 19 lean-to sites, and four cabins. Within the campgrounds, visitors can take advantage of the picnic tables, fire rings, and clean restrooms. The campsites are wooded and give a sense of privacy within the shady retreat, and the understory is riddled with native wildflowers.

Hiking is a major attraction at Gifford Woods. The Kent Pond loop is a favorite for a leisurely hike with classic Vermont views—an especially captivating route during fall foliage. At the pond, hikers can fish, swim, and boat, making it an all-day outing.

The park itself touts rich heritage; it was originally established in 1933 as one of many projects of the Civilian Conservation Corps, the nation-wide public works program created during the Great Depression of the 1930’s to provide jobs for unemployed Americans.

The park grew throughout the 20th century, including the addition of seven acres in 1978 as the “Gifford Woods Natural Area” and 13 more acres in 1980 to comprise the “Gifford Woods National Natural Landmark” by the National Park Service. Currently, the park stands at 285 acres and remains a serene area to hike, explore, and disconnect.

Green River Reservoir State Park is centered around the 653-acre Green River Reservoir. It’s a tranquil setting offering a deep connection to nature, plenty of camping, and strict limitations on motorized boats.

Located in northern Vermont in Hyde Park, Green River Reservoir State Park is centered around the 653-acre Green River Reservoir. It’s a tranquil setting offering a deep connection to nature, plenty of camping, and strict limitations on motorized boats.

The park features 28 remote campsites, accessible only by boat, which contributes to the peaceful atmosphere at the reservoir and sites. Because campers have to paddle in, there’s an added element of adventure to the entire experience.

Each site is equipped with a fire ring and a composting toilet nearby, but there are no other amenities, so be prepared for a back-to-basics stay. Under Vermont “use of Public Water Rules,” Green River Reservoir is designated as a “quiet” lake, which means boats can only be powered by electric motors up to five miles per hour; otherwise, transportation is via human-powered watercrafts—kayaks and canoes, mainly.

Because of that ruling, the reservoir is the perfect place to kayak, canoe, and fish. Its calm waters and extensive shoreline—about 19 miles in total—make it a popular spot for paddlers, who can explore numerous coves and inlets, and visitors often spot wildlife like loons, beavers, and sometimes even moose. The surrounding forest adds to the beauty of the reservoir and allows for some hiking, birdwatching, and exploring away from the reservoir. 

Willoughby State Forest sits within Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, one of Vermont’s most scenic and undisturbed regions. The forest is famous for the Willoughby Gap, a dramatic pass that frames Lake Willoughby.

Willoughby State Forest sits within Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, one of Vermont’s most scenic and undisturbed regions. The forest is famous for the Willoughby Gap, a dramatic pass between Mount Pisgah and Mount Hor that frames Lake Willoughby.

The forest offers a variety of camping options, including primitive campsites at designated areas like White Caps Campground and the Devil’s Rock Trail. These sites are basic, usually just a clearing with a fire ring, allowing campers to fully immerse themselves in the natural surroundings.

Hiking is a highlight in Willoughby State Forest, and trails throughout the forest range from moderate to challenging. The Mount Pisgah Trail and the Mount Hor Trail offer views of Lake Willoughby and the encompassing forest. The South Trail to Mount Pisgah's summit is particularly popular, featuring dramatic cliffside views and several lookout points, including Pulpit Rock and The Lookout. These trails give a chance for some birdwatching and potentially catching sight of deer, moose, and black bears.

The lake itself is renowned for its strikingly clear waters that are perfect for swimming, kayaking, and fishing. The lake, often compared to a fjord due to its depth and clarity, offers access points at South Beach and North Beach. The lake's beaches, such as Devil’s Rock Beach and Crescent Beach, are perfect for relaxing and enjoying the scenic beauty.

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