Camping in Vermont

Public camping in Vermont began soon after the first parcel of land - Mount Philo State Park in Charlotte – was donated to the State of Vermont in 1924 “for perpetual recreation use for the citizens and visitors of the state.” During the 1930s, the federal government created the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) to put unemployed young folks to work developing outdoor recreation facilities for public use. The CCC built 18 Vermont State Parks that are still actively used by the public for camping and day recreation.

Since the end of World War II, numerous parcels of land have been donated to, or purchased by, the state for development of state parks or to just keep the land open for future generations use and enjoyment. Much of the development of Vermont State Parks took place during the CCC-era and during the 1960s “Vermont-The Beckoning Country” promotion period. However, throughout all of this, there was a much greater demand for camping facilities than could be accommodated at state parks. Private campgrounds were established to help fill the void as well as to provide services the state parks were not providing.

Around 1964, the Vermont Association of Private Campground Owners and Operators was organized to cooperatively promote the use and enjoyment of private campgrounds as well as to encourage a high standard of service to the public. The association continued to grow, with more private campgrounds joining to have a greater presence when dealing with camping issues statewide.

As the association grew, it worked to promote Vermont as a destination vacation spot, producing an annual Camping Guide. In 1990, the association invited Vermont State Parks to be a member, thereby combining promotion efforts. Sometime after Vermont State Parks joined the privately owned campgrounds, the Association became the Vermont Campground Association (VCA). The combined effort of promoting camping in Vermont has worked well. Since 1992, in an effort to reduce mailing costs and duplication of efforts, the Vermont Campground Guide has been cooperatively published with listings for both private campgrounds and state park campgrounds. For the past several years, this publication has been produced by an independent contractor for VCA.

Today, 71 private campgrounds, with 5,964 campsites, are members of the Vermont Campground Association. Vermont State Parks is a single member, with 2,153 campsites. Both numbers include tent and RV sites, rental trailers, 3-sided leantos, cabins, housekeeping cottages, and rooms for rent.

For day activities, 40 state parks and some private campgrounds offer opportunities to picnic, swim, hike and boat. Picnic shelters may be available and can be reserved for family reunions, weddings/receptions, company picnics and other gatherings. Pets are not permitted in most Vermont State Park day recreation areas unless they are working Service Dogs for assisting people with disabilities, or Police Dogs under control of an officer, but they are permitted in all state park campgrounds with proof of rabies vaccination and properly constrained.

There are many enjoyable features in each of the campgrounds, not the least of which is some incredible scenery. Between the private and state campgrounds, VCA members offer more than 8,000 campsites, and there are usually openings for off-the-road travelers, particularly midweek. For the best in outdoor recreation and camping, consider using the Vermont campgrounds listed in the Guide.

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