Get that camping trip locked in - Vermont state parks had record visitation last year

CORRECTION: Vermont State Parks hosted 1.03 million people last year. The initial number provided to the Free Press was incorrect. 

Dreaming of that summer camping trip at a Vermont state park this summer? To ensure it becomes a reality you may need to make a reservation soon.

Last year 1.03 million people visited a Vermont state park — a record for the state — and you could be competing with some of those people for the best spots for your vacation.

Some popular parks are beginning to fill up for the summer, so if you have a specific time or location in mind, it's probably best to reserve a space as soon as possible.

Some parks have few spots left and others have lots of availability.

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"We do take reservations 11 months in advance, so if you’ve got your heart set on a weekend at a particular site at a particular park, you’d be wise to reserve as early as possible," said Rochelle Skinner, a spokesperson for Vermont State Parks. "If you have some flexibility, you can find some of even our most popular sites open."

What are the  most popular state parks?

Skinner said weekends are certainly the most popular and tend to book up fast. The Free Press looked through the availability at Vermont's 47 campgrounds and found Memorial Day and July 4 weekends — Independence Day will be on a Monday this year — also popular. Bookings tended to pick up mid-June once school lets out.

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The most popular parks tend to be ones with mountain and hiking during early summer and early fall, while parks with lakes and beaches tend to be most popular in the hot summer months, according to Skinner.

"We’ve also seen a lot of interest in cabins, they’re a nice way to try camping for young families, or for those looking for a few more creature comforts, but still in a peaceful park setting," she said. Barton's Crystal Lake's cottages were nearly booked full through the summer.

Which state parks are filling up?

The Free Press looked through the Vermont State Parks reservation system for this summer and found these parks to be filling up the fastest.

• Branbury State Park in Salisbury.

• Burton Island State Park in St. Albans City.

• Green River Reservoir State Park in Hyde Park.

• Kettle Pond State Park in Groton.

• Kingsland Bay State Park in Ferrisburgh.

• Lake St. Catherine State Park in Poultney.

• Little River State Park in Waterbury.

• Ricker Pond State Park in Groton.

• Smugglers' Notch State Park in Stowe.

• Woods Island State Park in Swanton.

What's the best way to reserve a camp site?

The reservation site also allows a person to search based on criteria like a specific park, dates, activities, site type, length of RV and others. You can also sign up for notifications to be alerted to openings at a specific site or date, according to Skinner.

Skinner said the state parks website always posts a list of open campsites available that coming weekend for those who prefer a spontaneous trip.

"If you’re new to the parks, we have call center (1-888-409-7579 M-F 9 a.m. - 4p.m.) that are very knowledgeable about our various offerings and are pros at searching for available sites to suit your interest," she wrote in an email.

The Vermont State Parks reservation site can be found at https://vtstateparks-visit.com/unifSearch.do?tti=Home.

What's with remote camping and is it popular?

Those who want an immersive natural experience away from most other humans can choose a remote camping option which has adventurers hiking or paddling to their campsite.

"Remote campsites are spread far apart and offer great privacy and peacefulness. You have to be okay with using rustic privvys and everything you bring or use will need to be carried back to shore with you, there are no trash cans," Skinner said.

Waterbury Reservoir and Kettle Pond in Groton are among the places that offer remote camping, though, Kettle Pond was mostly booked by mid-May.

What's new this year at Vermont state parks

For the first time, visitors can book a one-night camping reservation at a tent, RV or lean-to site between Monday and Thursday. Skinner said it is a great option for those new to camping or with small children who want to try out a quick trip.

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There are also some new fees being proposed that, if adopted, would go into effect July 15. They include camping fees going up by $1 or $2 per night for Vermont residents and up by $7 or $8 for non-Vermonters. Fees for cabin and stone huts would be raised even higher. In addition, an $8 surcharge would be applied to non-Vermonter's bill. Vermont State Parks is seeking input on these changes.

View the proposed fee structure and submit your thoughts here: http://vtstateparks.blogspot.com/2022/05/seeking-public-input-on-2022-rule-fee.html?fbclid=IwAR2JtvW6JYQkZQq8g--DLyoYG1s1oZXt8Uor8sTjbR1Gvtx-3UUJTRjRuww. A public hearing is scheduled for June 7.

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Contact reporter April Barton at abarton@freepressmedia.com or 802-660-1854. Follow her on Twitter @aprildbarton.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Make sure you get the camping spot you want at a Vermont state park