Submitted by Feralest_Baby t3_102ccc9 in vermont
I'm planning to visit Vermont for the first time in May or June of this year. I was hoping to travel around and stay at a different state park campground each night of my trip. My question is, do I need reservations, or can I expect to roll up and find a site day-of, even on weekends?
I'd prefer to have a more fluid itinerary if possible. That's why I phrased my question the way I did. Where I come from, a reservation is pretty much necessary. Just wondering what the situation is in Vermont.
No. Get reservations. Anything outdoors here sells out fast.
Be forewarned… black flies til about Father’s Day.
Oof. Good to know.
I want to reiterate how horrible the black flies are. Last spring I miserably stood in my driveway being eaten alive talking to my neighbor because it was warm out and we wanted to be outside but we were just getting wrecked. We finally trudged in our own houses, thwarted from enjoying the nice day.
Shoot for after black fly season. Trust us.
Absolutely heard. Good looking out.
Depends. Most state parks in VT open Memorial Day Weekend. Mid to late June is a great time and if you are tent camping, sites should be plentiful. If you need a lean-to some of the more desirable parks fill up quickly.
It's always easiest to call the parks directly for last minute visits.
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Yes, I will be tent camping. Good to know about Memorial Day, thank you.
Absolutely get reservations. I would not expect to find openings at the popular state parks on summer weekends.
2 nights minimum at most state parks for reservations. But that early in the spring you can show up and be the ony one there at a lot of state parks.
As others said, nice summer weekends can get booked fast, so reservations come in handy.
That said: in the national forests and some state forests you can dispersed tent camp in certain areas (there’s rules on distance from trails and water, so google around before you pitch a tent in the woods). A friend and I spent a week driving around Vermont, and camped somewhere free every night.
I recommend reservations. You might be able to technically manage by winging it, but if you have any care at all about what quality of site you get, then definitely, definitely, definitely make reservations. The sites that are apt to be available short notice are what are-imho— the shitty sites: ones that are right on top of the bathroom ( you don’t wanna be way far away, but being right close to it is an ick) or the blahh sites that are out in a field with no pretty forest surroundings.
Come to Island Pond! Very nice area!
Their website pretty clearly answers this question.
Much like many questions that tourists come here to ask.
In my experience, many recreation websites say all kinds of things that don't line up with reality, so I came here to ask people with first-hand knowledge and advice.
bennyblanco2022 t1_j2sfbsd wrote
just get reservations online its super easy then you can pick the site you want