Vermont was the first state admitted to the union after the original 13 colonies. The state carved itself out from the grasps of New Hampshire, New York, and Massachusetts through sheer stubbornness. It existed as a separate nation creating a distinctive coinage, national postal service, and constitution for 14 years before petitioning for admittance into the United States. Its character of persistence still exists in its farmlands, the Green Mountains, and cities, the three most prominent of which are Burlington, South Burlington, and Rutland.
Visitors to Vermont looking to rent RVs generally search for travel trailers. The cost of renting a travel trailer usually depends on its size. For instance, a 16-foot trailer in Burlington that sleeps three will cost $80 per night while a 29-foot trailer from South Burlington that sleeps four rents for $195 per day.
Travelers also like to rent Class C motorhomes to explore Vermont. These units are self-contained with upgraded appliances such as televisions, microwaves, kitchen ranges, and showers. However, these units are more expensive to rent. A 24-foot Class C in South Burlington that sleeps five costs about $240 per night.
Located just 45 miles south of the Canadian border, Burlington, with a population of 42,000, is the largest city in Vermont. Its location on Lake Champlain made it an important port for trade traveling to and from Canada, which remains an integral part of its economy today. Currently, much of the economy is driven by advanced educational institutions that draw students and visitors from all over the world. The economic advancements of Burlington through the years led to vast improvements in the downtown area, setting up several small businesses and amenities, including:
250+ Restaurants
19 Gas Stations
4 Campgrounds
3 Nearby State Parks
7 Nearby Dump Stations
South Burlington, with a population of 18,000, is the second-largest community in Vermont. The city was established as a separate entity from Burlington in 1865 when Burlington was officially incorporated as a Vermont city, leaving the remaining 10,000 acres of settled land unincorporated and labeled as South Burlington. South Burlington was formally incorporated in 1971. It is a service-oriented community with several businesses, such as:
75+ Restaurants
27 Gas Stations
4 Campgrounds
3 Nearby State Parks
Rutland, the third-largest city in Vermont, is home to 16,000 residents. In the early 19th century, a significant discovery of marble in the area led to early attempts at mining, which failed to be profitable until a railroad track became available. Italian specialists experienced in the extraction of marble immigrated into the town with their families, and an economic boom followed, which still fuels the town’s financial foundation today. Several small businesses followed, including:
140+ Restaurants
22+ Gas Stations
3 Nearby State Parks
7 Campgrounds
Situated 27 miles south of Burlington, Button Bay State Park sits on a bluff above Lake Champlain, providing impressive views of the lake and the forests that crowd its shores. A boat ramp allows access to the lake, and the small bay makes it safe for kayaks and canoes to paddle the waters along the beach. Nature programs presented by state park staff provide an enlightening look into the history of the lake and the people who lived on its banks through the ages.
Whether visiting Half Moon Pond State Park in the spring or the fall, the hardwood forests covering the surrounding hills provide a display far beyond those found elsewhere. Stretched along the pond's shores, the park offers immediate access to the water with a ramp where visitors launch rented boats, kayaks, or canoes to fish or enjoy the tranquil waters. Hiking trails wander around the pond and dive into the forest for a pleasant walk among the sights and sounds of nature.
Located 53 miles east of South Burlington, Stillwater State Park reflects the brilliant backdrop of forested hillsides in its calm waters. The park sits beside Lake Groton, a fish-rich body of water with a boat ramp for easy access. Over 17 miles of hiking trails drift around the park and through the forests. Mountain bikers and horseback riders are welcome to explore the 20 miles of gravel roads that wander through the area.
Located less than three miles north of Burlington, North Beach Campground sits on a 44-acre lot on the shores of Lake Champlain. An urban campground with a rustic character, this park provides 68 RV sites with gravel pads. Side-by-side hookups offer 29 sites with full service while the other 39 have water and 30-amp access. The campground offers a swimming beach, a playground, restrooms, and showers.
Located 19 miles north of Burlington, the big rig-friendly Apple Island Resort on South Hero Island is reached via a causeway. The resort provides majestic views of the Green Mountains towering over Lake Champlain. With 220 full-hookup sites, this park offers access to the lake for anyone wanting to swim or fish. A concessionaire rents kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and boats, which guests can launch from one of three boat ramps. A nine-hole golf course sits next door, and hiking trails run up and down the lake and across the island.
Iroquois Land Family Camping lies three miles south of Rutland. The campground provides 30 RV sites with grass pads, of which 15 offer full hookups, and the other 15 campsites have water and electric access with a choice of 30-amp or 50-amp power. A swimming pool and large grass swathes where games like volleyball and horseshoes are played provide family fun. A dump station is readily available.
Check for the location of dump stations and rest areas before embarking on your Vermont RV adventure. Knowledge of where to find these facilities may save you a lot of time and trouble. Most campgrounds offer a dump station for their guests. Other, more public dump stations are available at select locations throughout the state. One such station is at Lake Carmi State Park. The facility is open from 10 a.m. to sunset each day. Fees for the use of the dump station are $15. To find other facilities, use this list of dump stations in Vermont.
Dragon Boat Races: Take the time to join or watch the upcoming annual Dragon Boat Races on Lake Champlain. The boats in the race are decorated with the logos of the favorite charities of the participants who raise funds through actively pursuing donations throughout the year.
Higher Ground: Visit a world-class venue in South Burlington called Higher Ground. Night after night, upcoming and established stars play this impressive auditorium to crowds of 250 people or more.
The Vermont Great 2.4.6.8K Run/Walk: Enjoy Vermont’s display of individual ruggedness and passion for fitness by engaging in the upcoming Vermont Great 2.4.6.8K Run/Walk. The smiles, effort, and tenacity of Vermonters are demonstrated through this event.
To take advantage of national parks, RV travelers must venture outside the state where three are within a day’s drive. The nearest, Acadia National Park, is located near Portland, ME, less than a four-hour drive from Rutland. Acadia has the distinction of being the oldest national park east of the Mississippi. Inside its borders, visitors find ocean beaches, peaks, forests, lakes, and rivers. Cadillac Mountain, at 1,530 feet, is the highest peak on the East Coast of the United States, and six other mountains in the park stand over 1,000 feet. Most of the area is covered with dense hardwood forest that lights up the hillsides in the fall. Fishing, hiking, biking, and horseback riding are the favorite activities that draw over three million visitors per year.
Shenandoah National Park is an eight-hour drive southwest of Rutland. It is one of the most visited parks in the national park system. The park protects over 300 square miles of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Hiking, biking, and equestrian trails lead visitors to some of the most astonishing views of forest-covered mountains, deep valleys, and big sky found in the United States.
An eight-hour drive due west from Rutland gets visitors to Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Located south of Cleveland, OH, this park is one long gorge carved by the Cuyahoga River. The steep slopes hover above the river as it and its tributaries tumble down more than 100 waterfalls. Over 125 miles of hiking trails run through the valley, visiting the waterfalls, pools of water teeming with fish, and several whitewater rapids that lend their music to the breeze gently wafting through the trees overhead.
Amongst the top-ranking landmarks in Vermont, Mount Independence is the least disturbed major Revolutionary War structure in the nation. Built in 1776 to thwart an invasion of the American colonies from Canada, the fortifications still stand as a reminder of perilous times.
The Rock of Ages Quarry near Barre is the world's largest deep-hole dimension granite quarry. The granite from this site supplies the material for most of the gravestones and monuments in the United States. At over 600 feet deep, this quarry represents the efforts of granite workers since the discovery of the fine-grained granite rock in 1885.
Located 34 miles south of Rutland, Mount Equinox, with an elevation of over 3,000 feet, is one of the tallest mountains in Vermont. The views of the valley below from its peak are spectacular. A paved road, open from May through October, climbs the mountain at steep angles.
On average expect to pay $165 per night in Vermont.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Vermont?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Vermont from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Vermont?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
Do you need a special license to drive an RV in Vermont?No. You don’t need a special license or CDL to drive an RV in Vermont.