Vermont is full of beautiful countryside and natural spaces. That said, the state is also full of lovely cities and charming towns and urban camping in Vermont allows you to take advantage of the amenities offered by the city while taking day trips to see the natural areas. For this reason, we firmly believe urban camping is one of the best ways to experience this amazing state.
Ready to give Vermont urban camping a try? Here are the best places to do just that.
Urban RV Parks in Vermont
North Beach Campground
North Beach Campground is a popular seasonal campground that welcomes guests to explore the shores of Lake Champlain from May thru mid-October. It is less than 10 minutes away from the heart of Burlington, making it an excellent homebase.
On the beautiful grounds of this park, there are 29 full-hookup RV sites and 39 sites with hookups for electricity and water only to choose from. Beach access is within walking distance of the campground, and there are lifeguards on duty for your safety.
Must-see sites in Burlington include:
Malletts Bay Campground
Malletts Bay Campground lies north of Burlington in the neighboring city of Colchester. Here, RV sites back up to Bayside Park, a great place to hike, bike, play tennis, and picnic. You’ll also have access to the public beach at Malletts Bay on Lake Champlain, and the campground is just down the street from the Harbor Bay Marina if you’re up for boating and fishing adventures.
At the on-site swimming pool, you can soak in the sun before enjoying an evening of stargazing and marshmallow roasting at your own fire ring. More convenient amenities you’ll enjoy at Malletts Bay are complimentary Wi-Fi, full hookups, clean showers, and a dump station.
More things to do in Burlington include:
Maple Grove Campground
Maple Grove Campground offers campers a relaxing New England getaway that’s only 25 minutes from Essex. Amenities that’ll enhance the quality of your time here include picnic tables and fire rings at each RV site, full hookups, hot showers, and free Wi-Fi. Pets are also welcome, and there’s a well-stocked camp store on the premises for your convenience.
The small town of Milton is also nearby if you feel like doing a bit of shopping or grabbing a bite to eat before heading into Essex or Burlington to see the sights.
Good options for things to do in Essex include:
Lazy Lions Campground
Located in the heart of Vermont, Lazy Lions Campground is the perfect spot to set up camp while you explore the nearby cities of Barre and Montpelier — the capital of Vermont.
At this quaint park, spacious RV campsites give you all the room you’ll need and feature full hookups, 30/50-amp electricity, and strong Wi-Fi. If you’re looking for something fun to do, check out the on-site recreation room, or head outdoors for a scenic hike through the lush woods that surround the campground.
Some of the places you’ll want to experience if you visit Montpelier are:
Fort Dummer State Park
Fort Dummer State Park has 217 acres of forested land for campers to explore just outside of Brattleboro — another one of Vermont’s most populous cities. RVers at this lush park will enjoy a rustic camping experience in the foothills of the Green Mountains, in addition to three lovely hiking trails and a historic area that overlooks the site of Fort Dummer.
Within the park, you’ll have access to a clean dump station, restrooms, shower facilities, and a laundromat.
Fort Dummer’s proximity to Brattleboro treats you to unforgettable visits to cool places such as:
Where to Urban Camp in Vermont
- Burlington offers the most attractions of the cities in Vermont, making it a good choice for Vermont urban camping.
- We also really enjoy the options Essex has to offer.
- Montpelier is another city that offers plenty to see and do and would be a good urban camping homebase.
- Finally, we really love the small town of Brattleboro and highly recommend visiting sometime.
Ease of Urban Camping in Vermont
Vermont is a mountainous state, meaning you’ll want to learn how to handle steep grades and winding roads with a big rig before heading out. You’ll also want to anticipate traffic in the cities during busy times of day and may want to use public transit when it is available.
We do not recommend RVing in Vermont during the winter months, as the winters in the state are brutal. That said, this is the perfect summertime destination. It’s also lovely during spring and fall.
Make sure to book your campsites in advance, especially in the more popular destinations and especially during the busy summer months!
With an RV rental, your urban vacation will be a little more comfortable! After you’ve spent a long day exploring the city, you can relax around the fire at your campsite. Then, retire inside to enjoy all the comforts of home onboard your RV. Plan your perfect urban getaway with an RV rental from RVshare.
