The best camping near Waterbury Center State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Waterbury Center State Park adventure.

Discover the serene beauty of Waterbury Center State Park.  

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Top-rated campgrounds near Waterbury Center State Park

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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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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.
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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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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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Parade Rest

1 site · RV8 acres · Stowe, VT
Private property on 8 acres. Deer and turkeys pass thru almost daily. It's not uncommon to see a bear running through in season. Private, level spot near garage with electric and water. Fire pit available. Up the hill from main road. Paved road turns into dirt. Gorgeous views on approach. Extremely quiet star filled nights.
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$47
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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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Texas Hill Brook & Dark Star Cabin

3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Richmond, VT
Learn more about this land: Both sites are located in beautiful Huntington, VT on the occupied lands of the Abenaki/Wabanaki. Texas Hill Brook camp site The Texas Hill Brook site is a flat, wooded campsite on Texas Hill Brook in Huntington. The campsite is roughly 10m x 30m (30' x 100'), large enough for several tents or a small camper/RV. It is accessed by a sloped 50m (about 150') gravel driveway. The narrowest part of the driveway is 2.6m (about 8.5 feet). There is a 3m x 3m (10' x 10') tent platform and a large picnic table. Firewood is provided. Near our home about 120m/400 feet away through the trees but relatively private. Within a short pedal or drive to some of the best mountain biking and hiking Vermont has to offer, 15 minutes to Richmond and Hinesburg, and just a half hour to Burlington. Electricity on site, primitive fire pit, but no other facilities, so ALL waste must be packed out. We have a bucket commode to loan if you don’t have your own. Dark Star Cabin Dark Star is the perfect base camp for your northern Vermont hiking and biking adventures! Comfortable accommodations for 6 in a solar powered cabin. Located in Huntington close to some of Vermont’s best trails, Dark Star is a short hike (less than a mile) from a private, secure parking area. The hike is not difficult, but ground is uneven, some of it is uphill, and it may be wet. Note that this property is HIKE-IN ONLY and pack in/pack out. Unwind in the wood-fired sauna, lounge on the deck under the stars, sharing stories of your escapades and planning the next day’s adventures. Pull-out queen sofa bed on the main floor plus 2 full size beds in the loft. Pillows are provided but bring your own linens. Outdoor shower, WiFi, water filtration system, grill, small refrigerator/freezer, composting toilet, and many other amenities for a comfortable stay.
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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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$30
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Huntington Open Women's Land

10 sites · Tents50 acres · Huntington, VT
Eclipse weeked is almost here! A total Solar Eclipse will be taking place on the afternoon of Monday, April 8. Camel’s Hump Road will be open only to local traffic from Sunday, April 7 at 9 am to Monday, April 8 at 4 pm. Hiking TRAILS are CLOSED for mud season! HOWL overnight guests qualify as local traffic, so if you have booked a room or a campsite, you are allowed to drive on Camel's Hump Road. Men are not allowed at HOWL (with the exception of trans men). Thanks! In April, we'll still be in winter camping mode. It will be early spring in Vermont, and a variety of weather is possible. We're likely to have snow, rain, and/or mud. It's also likely to be windy, and if that’s the case, it will feel colder than it is. Please plan accordingly, and know that the eclipse might not be visible (but it will get really dark in the middle of the afternoon!) . Bring warm clothes, layers, a raincoat or snow shell, and sturdy shoes/boots. Eclipse viewing glasses will be available free of charge at the check-in station. Recently, Vermont has experienced catastrophic flooding and wind storms, leaving many trees unstable and broken tree limbs stuck in the canopy overhead. All visitors to HOWL understand that activity is at their own risk and take responsibility for checking overhead canopy for unstable trees before walking underneath. Hammock campers especially need to be careful. -- Eclipse Update! -- Hello and greetings from HOWL! We are now fully booked for Sunday night. For those who have signed up for a campsite, we’re looking forward to hosting you during the long weekend of the eclipse. Traffic is going to be quite heavy in Vermont, especially on Monday. If you’re arriving on Monday, feel free to get here anytime from 9 AM on. Just give us a heads-up. This VTDigger article focuses on the traffic: https://vtdigger.org/2024/03/24/2024-eclipse-expected-to-bring-traffic-jams-to-vermont/ Traffic is expected to be worst on Monday afternoon and evening, but it will probably still be pretty heavy in the morning, and possibly all weekend. Not to be discouraging; we don’t really know. If you are traveling this week, know that we are getting rain and SNOW, Wednesday through Friday. National Weather Service forecast: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=44.47588&lon=-73.21207 Road crews are awesome in Vermont, and I'm sure they will be keeping the roads clear as best possible. Driving conditions could be hazardous at times, especially if we get a "wintry mix". Some roads may be shut down for part of Monday. This site for eclipse-related news may be the best place to look for road closure updates: https://www.vermont.gov/eclipse#gsc.tab=0 On that site, it says: "Many towns will report road closures to WAZE, which will be displayed on the app. Not all towns will report road interruptions, so the app will not be all-inclusive. Please respect road closures and detours." Use your judgment and drive safely! I’m sorry to say that there may be snow on the ground when you arrive. On the other hand, it could be melted (due to rain and warmer temperatures). Between the traffic and the snow, the forecast seems a bit daunting. I trust each of you to make the best decision about your travel plans. Not sure what the weather will be like on the 8th. Right now the forecast is for clear skies, but this could change at any moment! Keep an eye on the weather, and you may want to check out this Burlington Free Press article: https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/local/vermont/2024/03/28/chances-of-vermont-eclipse-2024-viewing-obscured-by-clouds-clear-skies-april-8/73127363007/ This (older) article talks about the influx of visitors expected to come to Vermont: https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/local/vermont/2023/05/26/solar-eclipse-2024-vermont-path-of-totality-planning-guide-visiting/70203653007/ If you have eclipse glasses, bring them along. We have about 20 pairs, but we may run out if we get more people. Finally, please go easy on our caretaker. She is only one person and will not have the bandwidth to organize activities for the eclipse. Be perpared to keep yourselves entertained, and please feel free to socialize with other visitors! If you'd like to talk with a Collective member, send us a message or email and we can arrange another time. Thanks! ------ HOWL is a non-profit land trust held in perpetuity for the full diversity of women, regardless of gender assigned at birth, and transgender, non-binary, and gender expansive individuals. We are an intentional community working to create an alternative to systemic oppression and patriarchy. We work collectively to preserve and steward the land, to provide space for community building, service, and skill-sharing, and to collaborate in projects and programming that reflect our shared values of intersectional feminism, compassion, respect, sustainability, and love of the earth.
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ZenDen in Stowe

1 site · Lodging1 acre · Stowe, VT
9x15 insulated and heated cabin with electricity. SAUNA right off the porch. Grill. WiFi and Satellite. Cold/Hot water dispenser. Saw-dust toilet. Fire pit. Covered 10x10 deck with screen protector. Picnic table. Beautiful sunset. Plenty of parking for camper van or small RV. Prime location in Stowe. Text for more photos.
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Sandiwood Farm Stay Experiences

8 sites · Lodging, Tents80 acres · Wolcott, VT
Atop a hill in northern Vermont the farm property is made up a rolling hay field, organic vegetables, flowers, herbs, and old hardwood maple forest where we produce maple syrup. The sunsets are some of the best in Vermont! Sandiwood Farm produces artisan maple syrup and grows organic produce, flowers, cannabis, hemp and other herbs. They also host farm dinners, weddings, and other events. You can get your hands dirty and work on the farm if you're interested. This is a 420 friendly farm with samples and tastings. 35 years ago, Bob and Sara Schlosser were married in the barren field that is now Sandiwood Farm. They have slowly built their home, farm, business and raised a family.
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Shaker Mountain Refuge

2 sites · Lodging300 acres · Starksboro, VT
Shaker Mountain Refuge sits on 300, mostly wooded acres at the foot of the Green Mountains. With outstanding views of Camel's Hump (Vermont's second tallest peak), the refuge is a wonderful place to sit back, relax and enjoy the natural world. There are numerous hiking trails on site, as well as a beautiful swimming pond. Access to Camels Hump hiking trails is a short drive away. Nearby, Camels Hump Nordic ski and bike center boasts incredible mountain biking and nordic ski trails. Just down the hill, the Huntington River has an abundance of swimming holes and fishing spots. Just over the Appalachian Gap are the Mad River Glen and Sugarbush ski resorts. There are many excellent restaurants within a 20 minute drive.
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$100
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The best camping near Waterbury Center State Park guide

Overview

About

Nestled in the heart of Vermont, Waterbury Center State Park offers a tranquil escape with its pristine waters and lush surroundings. Engage in a variety of activities such as swimming, boating, and fishing in the Waterbury Reservoir, or explore the scenic trails that offer accessible routes for all. With 27 remote paddle-to campsites, adventure awaits those looking to immerse themselves in nature's embrace.

Notable campgrounds

  • Remote Paddle-to Campsites: Experience seclusion amid Waterbury Reservoir's shoreline with 27 remote sites accessible only by boat.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  • Book early to secure your spot, as remote campsites are popular and can fill up quickly during peak season.
  • Use the online reservation system or call the Reservation Call Center at 1-888-409-7579 for convenience.
  • Keep an eye on cancellations, as last-minute openings can provide unexpected opportunities.
  • Explore nearby camping options to maximize your chances of finding the perfect site.

When to go

The best time to visit Waterbury Center State Park is from the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend through the second Monday in October, when the park is open and fully operational. Outside of these months, the park's services, including remote campsites, are limited due to seasonal closures.

Know before you go

  • Day use hours are from 10am to official sunset, so plan your activities within this timeframe.
  • Pets are not permitted in the park, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors.
  • Remember to bring heat-treated firewood or purchase it locally to prevent the spread of invasive species.
  • Accessible trails and fishing platforms are available, making the park's natural beauty available to everyone.
  • Boat rentals are offered until Labor Day, so plan accordingly if you wish to enjoy water activities.

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