Smugglers' Notch State Park Campground
4.5(180)google
4.9(23)yelp
CampingMountainHikingRock FormationOutdoor
Overview
Nestled within a dramatic, narrow mountain pass flanked by sheer 1,000-foot rock cliffs, Smugglers' Notch State Park Campground offers one of Vermont's most immersive wilderness camping experiences. The park gets its historic name from the smugglers who used this treacherous mountain pass to illegally transport goods during the War of 1812. Today, it serves as a rustic base camp providing shaded tent sites, cozy lean-to shelters, and instant access to premier trailheads leading to high-altitude bouldering areas and panoramic vistas.
Practical Info
Every day2:00 – 8:00 PM
Suggested Duration1-2 days
Best TimeStrictly seasonal, operating forest campsites and scenic mountain passes exclusively from mid-May through mid-October, as the winding pass becomes completely un-plowed and packed with giant ice walls in winter. A weekday morning cruise at 7:30 AM in early October is peerless; early rays cut through the sheer 1,000-foot narrow stone cliffs of the notch, lighting up giant boulders.
Getting ThereSituated high at the summit pass of Scenic State Highway 108 N (6443 Mountain Rd). No train links exist. Note that because the high mountain pass narrows into a single lane twisting between giant fallen boulders, RVs over 20 feet and trailers are strictly illegal and face heavy state fines; drive only a standard car. Pull directly into the state park visitor cabin's free gravel lot.
Travel Tips
- Vermont State Law strictly bans single vehicles over 40ft or combinations over 45ft on VT-108 through the Notch; violators face starting fines of $1,000.
- Physical chicanes match the summit's tight geometry to catch oversized vehicles; RVs must ignore GPS shortcuts and detour around the pass via outer highways.
- The campground sits in a high-elevation terrain void of reliable cell coverage; campers must download all permit confirmations and maps offline prior to ascent.
Reviews
Positive
- The campground is nestled deep within the towering cliffs of Smugglers' Notch, surrounded by ancient trees and massive boulders, offering stunning visual impact at sunrise.
- The camping management is highly strict and orderly; each campsite maintains excellent private spacing, beautifully preserving a raw, tranquil wilderness vibe.
- Operating as a state park campground, site fees are fair and cheap, equipped with sturdy bear-proof food/trash bins and clean fire rings for great value.
- Located right next to several famous trailheads (like the Bingham Falls trail), you can start exploring immediately, making it incredibly convenient for hikers.
Heads up
- The internal public shower houses and restrooms are few in number, causing lines during peak evening hours, and hot water can fluctuate in deep mountain settings.
- The location sits on the steepest, narrowest stretch of Route 108; due to tight boulders, tourists driving large RVs or long trailers cannot pass or camp here.
- Tucked into the shadowed side of a deep gorge, cell service inside the campground is virtually nonexistent or extremely weak year-round, posing a challenge.
- There are no multilingual campsite safety or wildlife encounter guides on-site; the all-English signs have low visibility in the dark, less convenient for foreign novices.