If you are a Vermonter who loves the outdoors, especially during the wintertime, it’s time to go on a camping adventure. Vermont state parks can be crowded during peak season, but during the colder months, they become peaceful retreats with little in the way of crowds. There are 30 state parks where you can camp year-round and the best part is that during the off-season camping is free! Let’s take a look at nine of these winter wonderlands where you can pitch a tent at any time of the year.
- Brighton State Park
Facebook/Vermont State Parks Located on the shores of Spectacle Pond, Brighton State Park is known for its beautiful water views and its remoteness. 102 State Park Rd, Island Pond, VT 05846, USA
- Smuggler’s Notch State Park
Facebook/Vermont State Parks Enjoy views of the breathtaking Green Mountains rising above your campsite at Smuggler’s Notch State Park. The park is full of adventure year-round. 6443 Mountain Rd, Stowe, VT 05672, USA
- Lake Carmi State Park
Google Images/Peter Leary This 482-acre park lies on the shores of Lake Carmi, the state’s fourth-largest natural lake. This park also has the biggest campground of all the parks. Farm Road, Farm Rd, Sheldon, VT 05450, USA
- Button Bay State Park
Facebook/Vermont State Parks The campground at Button Bay State Park overlooks the stunning Lake Champlain. Explore the interesting clay deposits along the shoreline or hike the trails. 5 Button Bay State Park Rd, Vergennes, VT 05491, USA
- Jamaica State Park
Google Images/eriz amit Situated on a bend of West River, Jamaica State Park is a favorite haunt of anglers. And did we mention the waterfall? 48 Salmon Hole Ln, Jamaica, VT 05343, USA
- Quechee State Park
Vermont State Parks Enjoy this popular spot without the summertime crowds in the off-season. It’s been awarded “park of the year” a time or two for its breathtaking views of the gorge. 5800 Woodstock Rd, White River Junction, VT 05001, USA
- Ricker Pond State Park
Facebook/Vermont State Parks Ricker Pond State Park is one of seven parks in the Groton State Forest. Some campsites have water views while others are wooded, offering a variety of choices for campers. 18 Ricker Pond Campground Rd, Groton, VT 05046, USA
- Knight Island State Park
Facebook/Vermont State Parks This remote campground is at what seems like the end of the world. Knight Island State Park is located in Lake Champlain’s inland sea. 1 Knight Island, North Hero, VT 05474, USA
- Lake St. Catherine State Park
Vermont State Parks Lake St. Catherine State Park has been a popular recreation area for Vermonters since its opening in 1953. Winter offers a respite from the usually-crowded park. We think you’ll fall in love with this campground as much as we have. 3034 VT-30, Poultney, VT 05764, USA
Facebook/Vermont State Parks View a full list of the state parks that offer year-round camping here. Apply for a permit at least three or four days before you plan to go camping. All sites are accessible only on foot in the off-season, so you must carry in - and out - all of your supplies. RVs and motorized vehicles are not allowed inside the parks. Parking is available outside the gates. Water supply and restrooms are closed in the off-season, so please plan accordingly.
Did you know that you can camp year-round at these amazing state parks? Have you ever gone on an off-season camping trip? Share your stories and photos in the comments section or in our Vermont Nature Lovers Group on Facebook!
Facebook/Vermont State Parks
Located on the shores of Spectacle Pond, Brighton State Park is known for its beautiful water views and its remoteness.
102 State Park Rd, Island Pond, VT 05846, USA
Enjoy views of the breathtaking Green Mountains rising above your campsite at Smuggler’s Notch State Park. The park is full of adventure year-round.
6443 Mountain Rd, Stowe, VT 05672, USA
Google Images/Peter Leary
This 482-acre park lies on the shores of Lake Carmi, the state’s fourth-largest natural lake. This park also has the biggest campground of all the parks.
Farm Road, Farm Rd, Sheldon, VT 05450, USA
The campground at Button Bay State Park overlooks the stunning Lake Champlain. Explore the interesting clay deposits along the shoreline or hike the trails.
5 Button Bay State Park Rd, Vergennes, VT 05491, USA
Google Images/eriz amit
Situated on a bend of West River, Jamaica State Park is a favorite haunt of anglers. And did we mention the waterfall?
48 Salmon Hole Ln, Jamaica, VT 05343, USA
Vermont State Parks
Enjoy this popular spot without the summertime crowds in the off-season. It’s been awarded “park of the year” a time or two for its breathtaking views of the gorge.
5800 Woodstock Rd, White River Junction, VT 05001, USA
Ricker Pond State Park is one of seven parks in the Groton State Forest. Some campsites have water views while others are wooded, offering a variety of choices for campers.
18 Ricker Pond Campground Rd, Groton, VT 05046, USA
This remote campground is at what seems like the end of the world. Knight Island State Park is located in Lake Champlain’s inland sea.
1 Knight Island, North Hero, VT 05474, USA
Lake St. Catherine State Park has been a popular recreation area for Vermonters since its opening in 1953. Winter offers a respite from the usually-crowded park. We think you’ll fall in love with this campground as much as we have.
3034 VT-30, Poultney, VT 05764, USA
View a full list of the state parks that offer year-round camping here. Apply for a permit at least three or four days before you plan to go camping. All sites are accessible only on foot in the off-season, so you must carry in - and out - all of your supplies. RVs and motorized vehicles are not allowed inside the parks. Parking is available outside the gates. Water supply and restrooms are closed in the off-season, so please plan accordingly.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
State Parks to Visit in Vermont February 17, 2022 Tori Jane What are the best state parks in Vermont for camping? With 55 awesome state parks in Vermont to choose from, deciding where to begin can be kind of challenging, don’t you think? We did some footwork for you, though – we have a handy list of our favorite hikes in Vermont for all skill levels and needs. For example, nestled in the George Aiken Wilderness Area is Woodford State Park, which is the highest-altitude state park in all of Vermont. It’s got 2.7 miles of great trails and 76 wonderful campsites available to reserve. Another great one is New Discovery State Park in the Groton State Forest, which features 39 tent or RV campsites and 15 lean-to shelters. There are also some remote sites, and horse-camping sites available, too. In the Taconic Mountains, you’ll find Bomoseen State Park. This park has 55 campsites available and is just 20 miles west of Rutland. Brighton State Park is home to 54 tent/RV hookup sites, 23 lean-to campsites, and five cabins available for reservations on the shore of Spectacle Pond as well. What are some of the best campgrounds in Vermont? As we alluded to above, Vermont is awesome for campers! Some of the fan-favorite campgrounds in the state include the much-loved Moose River Campground, near St. Johnsbury. Other great ones include Tree Corners Family Campground, which is just as family-oriented-fun as it sounds, and that one can be found near Irasburg. There’s also Pine Valley KOA, at White River Junction, and the North Beach Campground at Lake Champlain in Burlington is to die for. That entire area is amazing – you’ll never want to leave! Finally, we love Winhall Brook Campground, located in South Londonderry. The possibilities are many, and Vermont is an epic place to go camping. These rustic spots all over the state seem to be calling your name!
The OIYS Visitor Center
State Parks to Visit in Vermont
February 17, 2022
Tori Jane
What are the best state parks in Vermont for camping? With 55 awesome state parks in Vermont to choose from, deciding where to begin can be kind of challenging, don’t you think? We did some footwork for you, though – we have a handy list of our favorite hikes in Vermont for all skill levels and needs. For example, nestled in the George Aiken Wilderness Area is Woodford State Park, which is the highest-altitude state park in all of Vermont. It’s got 2.7 miles of great trails and 76 wonderful campsites available to reserve. Another great one is New Discovery State Park in the Groton State Forest, which features 39 tent or RV campsites and 15 lean-to shelters. There are also some remote sites, and horse-camping sites available, too. In the Taconic Mountains, you’ll find Bomoseen State Park. This park has 55 campsites available and is just 20 miles west of Rutland. Brighton State Park is home to 54 tent/RV hookup sites, 23 lean-to campsites, and five cabins available for reservations on the shore of Spectacle Pond as well. What are some of the best campgrounds in Vermont? As we alluded to above, Vermont is awesome for campers! Some of the fan-favorite campgrounds in the state include the much-loved Moose River Campground, near St. Johnsbury. Other great ones include Tree Corners Family Campground, which is just as family-oriented-fun as it sounds, and that one can be found near Irasburg. There’s also Pine Valley KOA, at White River Junction, and the North Beach Campground at Lake Champlain in Burlington is to die for. That entire area is amazing – you’ll never want to leave! Finally, we love Winhall Brook Campground, located in South Londonderry. The possibilities are many, and Vermont is an epic place to go camping. These rustic spots all over the state seem to be calling your name!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
With 55 awesome state parks in Vermont to choose from, deciding where to begin can be kind of challenging, don’t you think? We did some footwork for you, though – we have a handy list of our favorite hikes in Vermont for all skill levels and needs. For example, nestled in the George Aiken Wilderness Area is Woodford State Park, which is the highest-altitude state park in all of Vermont. It’s got 2.7 miles of great trails and 76 wonderful campsites available to reserve. Another great one is New Discovery State Park in the Groton State Forest, which features 39 tent or RV campsites and 15 lean-to shelters. There are also some remote sites, and horse-camping sites available, too. In the Taconic Mountains, you’ll find Bomoseen State Park. This park has 55 campsites available and is just 20 miles west of Rutland. Brighton State Park is home to 54 tent/RV hookup sites, 23 lean-to campsites, and five cabins available for reservations on the shore of Spectacle Pond as well.
What are some of the best campgrounds in Vermont?
As we alluded to above, Vermont is awesome for campers! Some of the fan-favorite campgrounds in the state include the much-loved Moose River Campground, near St. Johnsbury. Other great ones include Tree Corners Family Campground, which is just as family-oriented-fun as it sounds, and that one can be found near Irasburg. There’s also Pine Valley KOA, at White River Junction, and the North Beach Campground at Lake Champlain in Burlington is to die for. That entire area is amazing – you’ll never want to leave! Finally, we love Winhall Brook Campground, located in South Londonderry. The possibilities are many, and Vermont is an epic place to go camping. These rustic spots all over the state seem to be calling your name!
