Best Camping in and near Smugglers' Notch State Park

94% (10 reviews)

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Smugglers' Notch State Park adventure.

Discover the rugged beauty of Smugglers' Notch State Park.

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Community favorites near Smugglers' Notch State Park

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Smugglers' Notch State Park

94%

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Smugglers' Notch Campground

20 sites · RVs, Tents In Smugglers' Notch State Park

from

$20

/ night

Top-rated campgrounds near Smugglers' Notch State Park

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Hogback Homestead

5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents109 acres · Johnson, VT

Located on 109 scenic acres, we offer beautiful campsites, as well as RV parking and canvas tents for rent. Our property borders Vermont's Long Trail, less than 1/2 mile from the gorgeous vista of Prospect Rock. The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail is nearby for bicycle or foot travel, and the Lamoille river is easily accessed for fishing, tubing, kayaking etc. We feature a full-size professionally built Disc Golf course, Elevation Chains, on property. Beautiful views of river and mountains and a secluded yet very accessible location make this an ideal property for camping. New in 2022, a fully functioning outdoor kitchen is now available to all campers. Propane stove, running water and cutlery are provided to make food planning and prep as easy as possible. It also features a large firepit and serves as a great center for community gatherings. A new outdoor shower and outhouse has also been constructed. Biodegradable soaps and beauty products only please! The frogs will thank you. Ask us about canoe and paddleboard rental! About us: At Hogback Homestead we strive to be positive stewards to our land. We actively farm and forage, and appreciate it when our guests take interest as well. We graze sheep, pigs and sometimes other ruminants, keep gardens and perennials, and manage our lands with the most ecological practices available to us. We believe that a strong and thriving community is foundational to a healthy, happy life and welcome all to come visit! Ask about long term camping and internship programs as well.

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Harold's View Farm

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents75 acres · Westford, VT

Former Dairy Farm but the milking & hay barns burned many years Past. The fields have been maintained to some degree until 2019 when Lee came up with the idea of primitive camping. The land turns out to be ideal because each site makes you feel like the only campers there. New this year you will find a picnic table for 6 and a 3 Ft. dia. fire pit with adjustable grill that flips out for open fire @ each site. Another new item is "Hot Shower"

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Stone and Star | Waterbury-Stowe

4 sites · RVs6 acres · VT

Stone and Star is our home built in 1850 and garden on 6 acres in Waterbury Center, Vermont. We have a little hobby garden with hens and goats, Ben and Jerry. We are located about 5 miles from Waterbury Village at Hwy 89, off VT Rt 100, and 5 miles from Stowe Village. Down the street are the Waterbury Center green and gazebo, Cold Hollow Cider Mill, and Hope Davey Memorial Park with playground and trails for walking dogs. Waterbury Center State Park is a half-mile away, a great place for a walk, picnic, kayak, canoe rental, and swimming. We steward a piece of the unceded land of the aboriginal Abenaki who have inhabited this part of New England for thousands of years. We are a safe space, treasuring diversity of every kind. Love is Love. Black Lives Matter. Women's Rights are Human Rights.

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Black Creek Maple Off Grid Camp

10 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents200 acres · Cambridge, VT

Pitch your tent nestled along the edge of lush green forestry, surrounded in nature! Gorgeous views and the smell of the fresh Vermont air will amaze you. Start your day making coffee on the fire, sitting listening to the birds and watching the deer nibbling the grass. We welcome avid year round outdoors people to explore this land. Whether you love snow shoeing, hiking, biking or just sitting, spending evenings around the camp fire. Our family has the perfect getaway for your stay in a tent, cabin or camper. During July and August the wild raspberries and blackberries make a wonderful treat. Try your culinary skills over the campfire while the children play and explore nature. As night falls, a campfire with smores hosts a wonderful end to the days fun. Afterwards, tuck the children in and listen to the night sounds under the stars! Your site is only 1/8 mile from "The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail" used year round as recreational fun for biking and also part of the VAST system for snow mobiles. Only ten minutes to restaurants, shops, zip line, bike rentals, swimming, kayaking, fishing, ski, attractions and more! We are located, so close to the ski resorts and resort villages. Also, less than thirty minutes from the Canadian border! Don't forget to check out the many extras available. Get back to basics and enjoy all that nature has to offer and create your own lasting memories!

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Mount Norris Scout Reservation

16 sites · Lodging, Tents1000 acres · Lowell, VT

The pristine mountain trails and and panoramic views of Lake Eden beckon adventurers of all ages and abilities to enjoy year-round visits to Mount Norris Scout Reservation. With 1,000 acres of wilderness terrain, a dozen secluded campsites and numerous cabins, lean-tos and shelters to suit your needs, Mt. Norris is big enough for any private event but perfect for your family or group. Ascend the 1,482-foot vertical 5-mile round trail to the summit of Mt. Norris or carve your own path in snow shoes or cross country skis to the shores of Lake Eden. We have 75 years of experience helping introduce families to the outdoors. Let us know how we can make your next experience unforgettable! Mt. Norris is a strictly substance-free facility. Thank you for helping us maintain a tranquil environment for our guests.

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Vermont Ranch & Riverside Retreat

3 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Moretown, VT

⛰ 🐦Wake to the sound of bird calls and water in this private retreat, situated squarely on the confluence of 2 rivers. Eventually, once part of a much larger working merino sheep farm owned by the Cobb family in the 1700s-1800’s, part of the land transitioned to a dairy cow farm operation, c.1940. Today, we steward 10 acres specially designed with horses in mind. Adjacent to a 40-acre cornfield on one side and Mt. Cobb on the other, with sweeping views our place overlooks the confluence of the Mad and Winooski Rivers. From here, you can mountain bike or hoof it to access miles of trails and bucolic scenery. Come visit this gateway to the Scenic Mad River Valley! 🌲🏊🐟The Swimming/Fishing/Tenting site ("site 1") is perched directly aside the Mad River and the Sweet Meadow Side site ("site 2") is just a 2-minute walk across the grassy meadow and down the secluded riverside path to our beloved Mad River beach. This is a semi-private beach, naturally divided and hidden from our other semi-private beach sites. Swim, tube, fish and relax up or down the river and confluence. 👢👓 Get curious about the history of this place by checking out the old abandoned Massey Furgeson hay baler tucked in the woods, the Cobb family cemetery, and more gems from many years gone by. Leave from either site on foot to access a sweet trail that travels along the river, over a private bridge, down a beautiful dirt road and into the forest. 🚴 Our property is located on the CROSS VERMONT TRAIL: "a multi-use path connecting communities, and the natural areas in between - across Vermont!" Check out their website (Cross Vermont Trail Association) for maps, guides, events and outings! Many adventurists also enjoy nearby, mountainous and beloved trails: Camel's Hump, The Long Trail, Mt. Mansfield, Stowe Pinnacle, Smuggler's Notch and more. There are a plethora of shorter, scenic and gentle hikes in our region, "the crossroads and recreation center of Vermont"! We are located just 2 miles from Interstate 89 and we reside on Vermont State Route 100B, allowing ease of access to points North, South, East and West Explore our on-site activity offerings: 🐴 Introduction Session: Get acquainted with our horses, tour the barn, and learn about equine-guided education and grooming. $45 for 1 hour for 1-6 people. 🐴 Horsemanship and Riding Lessons: Learn non-forceful bareback and bit-less leading and mounted techniques step by step. $100/hour or $150/1.5 hours for 1-2 people. 🐴 Family Team Building-Bonding (Most Popular): Enjoy an adventurous, fun, and challenging experience together as a family with exercises and activities facilitated by Lucinda. Non-mounted equine guided education at its best! $250 for 2.5 hours. These rates are discounted for our onsite Hipcampers 🙏🏼 Visit our website for more details: Horses and Pathfinders dot com. We'd love to hear from you! You are welcome to review all the varied, detailed and descriptive reviews and photos from other guests' experiences. This is a working ranch and sometimes equipment is running, but never for more than an hour at a time. Horses are on site and they have full access to this property. If you have an untrained, young or problematic dog, please consider a long lead line and read the dog rules and limits carefully. This is not a deep-woods, wilderness site. Please review the map and note our proximity to the interstate and the route where we reside. ❤️ Many guests, families and couples return here year after year as their destination vacation and getaway. We welcome you to experience what they enjoy so much -- right on site and in this special region, the heart of Vermont. ❤️

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Woodbury Meadows

6 sites · RVs, Tents50 acres · East Calais, VT

We live on 52 wooded acres in a natural area surrounded by lakes and ponds just 14 miles north of Montpelier VT, our state capital. We are located on the Green Mountain Gravel Growler bike packing trail and have lots of hiking , biking, boating and swimming opportunities nearby. Our amenity's include a bath house, One 30 amp RV site and 4 tent/small RV non electric sites. We are 100% solar powered and have WIFI but no cell service. We cater to small quiet groups who can enjoy our peaceful setting. We are a family friendly, non smoking campground. Pets on leashes are OK. Quiet time is all the time :~). 12 and under free, no Generators.

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Art and Health Chill Camping

8 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents8 acres · Cabot, VT

Spring is in the air...and will burst forth momentarily. Its Vt right!! The buds are unfurling and earth worms coming to seek the sun. Dandylions blanket the landscapes. For those wanting to be creative or explore a new art Medium the art studio has many supplies and i offer pottery classes to a group or individuals. Roam around the Sacred Geometry Gardens, all connected by pollinator fields of flowers and mowed walking paths. There are veggies for sale from the hoophouse fresh eggs and medicinal herbs salves and teas. Sauna is beautiful cedar shaped like a bee hive. hu -um is a beautiful new rock sauna stove. New benches and 1 way glass door. Massages vary from hot stone to medical scar removeal. CBD oils.. Herbs.. Maple salt scrub....you know! The variety of camping options are sure to suit your fancy from swinging in a hammock, to tenting around huge pines. There are open meadows of wild flowers to being tucked into a cozy alcove of ferns next to the woods. Some sites can fit up to 3 tents for a group. Most sites have a fire pit lots of wood branches to burn and campwood is also available. Some sites have tables and benches. Some have electric. The cabin and vintage camper are also available. Tiny house also fully equipted for your arrival. Once here at Back Roads Farm your adventure begins. If your up for music and a night out the Den Hardware store offers music and craft beer. There are resturants and venues within 20 miles. The Village store 2 miles away. Or sink in and lite a fire. Spend the day riding your bike or the Vt Rail Trail , or explore all the walking paths throughout Cabot. Enjoy the view of the Green Mt range to them west... Amazing Camels hump and Mt Mansfield views. To the East the White Mountains. There are many events planned here this summer from the Cabot Arts Festival, and 4th of July parade, Manifestus music fest as well as Ride the Ridges and other pop up events . The sauna is an extra charge but oh so worth it. Pottery classe,, yoga space and fresh greens from the greenhouse await. To top off the weekend enjoy a hot stone massage! (Urban Farm Road) Urban Rd, is named after the original owner of this farm and surrounding land. The original barn burned, although they saved the milk house where my art gallery currently is . The barn has been rebuilt, which is a meeting place. And pottery studio. We also have 100 ft hoop house. After a long day of canoeing Joe's Pond, hiking to the top of Mt Mansfield, or riding the ridges around Cabot you will be glad to arrive and relax. You will find a peaceful, private camp sites. Each with a fire pit, flat ground for your tent or trees to hang your hammock . There are also sites for a RV or "glamping." A few sites are large enough to accommodate 3 tents for a group gathering. I am now offering a shower and flush toilet. Unique offerings include a health component from meditation classes to sauna and masssage.The pottery studio is available for classes or private lessons including Raku firings. Singing Bowls and tunning forks are available on massage or outside. Movement classes are also available in the barn, in the fields or in the Flower of Life meditation garden and labyrinth. The outside garden and 100 ft hoop house is filled with organic vegetables and edible flowers for your enjoyment. The Herb Barn is for drying flowers and creating tinctures and ointments. The Art Gallery in the old milk house is filled with pottery and art work. Bring your easel and paint brushes, learn a new craft, or relax in the sauna. Bike trails are being established throughout Cabot, right out the front door. There are ponds for swimming within a few miles., There are many options for water sports minutes away at Joe's Pond, and many others. The rail trails are less than 10 minutes. Organic beef, raw milk and fresh eggs are around the corner at Molly Brook Farm. Maple Sugar at Goodrich's and fresh blueberries and veggies at Blossoms and Berries, as well as Burtt's Apples and of course Cabot cheese The land is diverse with large open meadows to fields to quiet pine forest. As you walk the tree line you will find old farm implements, old bottles and even an old Ford coop. I would love to restore and use them on the farm. The land is on the crest of the ridge looking East to Danville and the White Mts, and a few feet to the West the entire Green Mts splay before you. The water tastes wonderful, and bubbles up here and there on the property. Our neighbors who also offer camping have sheep, to berries... I offer the healing arts, massage, scar release, the sauna, and other art learning experiences. Please call for arts schedule. * Ps please do not say you will arrive at 5 and show up after dark! Respect goes both ways. I appreciate great campers who pick up and discard their pets poop and respects my time a well. Ps no smoking cigarettes on the property. Thank you to all my great campers! And blessings to those few bad apples!

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Fern Hollow

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents80 acres · Waitsfield, VT

Our property is nestled in the foothills of the Mad River Valley, close to the headwaters of the river. The property is composed of wetlands, agricultural meadows, old apple trees, and hardwood forest with 700 feet of elevation. All structures on the property are solar-powered and a rainwater system feeds the sink in the outdoor kitchen. There are a handful of individual camp sites available in the spring, summer and fall, as well as a communal outdoor kitchen with lighting, a fire pit, a stone pizza oven and a sitting/yoga deck. We also offer more of a "glamping" experience in our 14 ft yurt, which comfortably sleeps 2-3 people with wood stove heat and a solar battery for lighting. We love sharing this space with others and offering a rustic forest getaway.

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The Meadows of Worcester View

2 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Morrisville, VT

Single camping site with great views of the Worcester Mountain Range with close proximity to Stowe & Morrisville! Central location to many different mountain biking areas, waterfalls, hiking trails, road cycling routes, picturesque Stowe, breweries, distilleries and of course epic foliage

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Farm Craft Vermont

4 sites · Lodging, Tents15 acres · Shelburne, VT

Our Regenerative Herb Farm sits on 15-acres of rolling hills full of wildflowers and gardens. We owned an ecological landscape design/build company for 15 years so the gardens, meadows, woodlands and trails are wild with biodiversity and color. The farm is a certified Bee Friendly Farm through the Pollinator Partnership. We give guided tours weekly upon request and discuss the ecological restoration efforts that are underway as well as our 'Seed to Soap' project that is Farm Craft VT. Our Farm Store is open daily from 8-8 and is self-serve. All sites have fire-pits (don't forget to order a firewood bundle), room for a group of 6, and views of starry skies. Please Note - none of the campsites are accessible by car. They don't have electricity or air conditioning - yup it's camping, just a wee bit more comfortable. For the complete Farm Craft VT experience, book a guided-farm tour on our website where you can smell the herbs, taste the honey from our hives, learn about how essential oils are distilled, how seed oils are pressed and handcrafted soap is made on site. WE HAVE REPLACED OUR CANVAS TENTS WITH SIMPLE WOODEN CABINS. THEY ACCOMODATE THE SAME SIZE AND NUMBER OF BEDS AS OUR PREVIOUS SITES. PLEASE DISREGARD ANY PHOTOS WITH OUR OLD CANVAS TENTS.

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Couching Lion Field

1 site · RV, Tent7 acres · Waterbury Center, VT

Learn more about this land:A mowed area of the upper field with a beautiful view of Camels Hump. There is a pond to swim in and relax by. Star gaze in the evening and awake hearing the birds singing.

The best camping near Smugglers' Notch State Park guide

Overview

About

Smugglers’ Notch State Park has a beautifully diverse landscape of forest, waterfalls, rock outcrops, rivers, caves, and alpine lakes. The park is named for Smugglers’ Notch, a scenic road that winds through the Green Mountains, lined with 1,000-foot cliffs. The road was once used to smuggle goods into the country from Canada, but now you can enjoy your moonshine right out in the open! The park is especially beautiful in the fall when the forest is covered in a myriad of colors.

When to go

The best time to visit Smugglers' Notch State Park is during the summer and fall months, when the weather is ideal for outdoor activities. Summer offers lush greenery and perfect hiking conditions, while fall dazzles with a spectacular display of foliage. Winters can be harsh, with the park's higher elevations receiving significant snowfall, making it a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts but less accessible for casual visits.

Know before you go

Check the weather forecast before your visit, as conditions can change rapidly amid the mountains.
Some areas may be closed due to seasonal weather or conservation efforts, so verify accessibility in advance.
Wear appropriate footwear and clothing for rugged terrain and variable weather.
Cell service may be limited, so plan accordingly and inform someone of your itinerary.
While the park offers a range of amenities, always bring sufficient water and snacks for your adventure.