Shelburne Camping Area, located at 4385 Shelburne Rd in Shelburne, Vermont, holds a 4.2-star rating from 308 reviews. This campground sits in a convenient spot near Burlington and Lake Champlain, offering a mix of tent sites, RV accommodations, and even a one-room kitchenette according to visitor accounts. The property is reachable via phone at +1 802-985-2540 or through its website, shelburnecamping.com.
Visitors describe a range of experiences here, from families who return year after year to those who find the sites too close together. The campground offers amenities like a pool, clean bathhouses, and proximity to local attractions, but opinions differ on spacing, staff interactions, and the overall atmosphere. This review summarizes what the available public information and visitor feedback actually say.
Shelburne Camping Area at a Glance
This is a campground categorized as such, with a price level of 0 on the source listing, though that likely reflects missing data rather than free camping. The address places it in Shelburne, Vermont, within Chittenden County, close to Burlington and the Lake Champlain shoreline. Visitors often mention the convenience of being near town for restaurants and activities while still feeling removed enough to unwind, though one reviewer noted road noise from the main road.
The campground supports RV camping and tent camping, with some sites offering electric and water hookups according to reviews. A pool, bathhouse, and laundry facilities are part of the setup, though details vary by reviewer. Dogs are allowed, and the property includes wheelchair-accessible features like parking, entrance, seating, and toilet. Payment options include credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments, with one source note suggesting cash-only may apply in some cases, so it's worth confirming directly.
What Do Visitors Like About Shelburne Camping Area?
Across the 308 reviews summarized here, sentiment leans positive. Long-term visitors praise the cleanliness, friendly staff, and the campground's balance of convenience and quiet. First-timers and families often highlight the well-maintained bathrooms, pool, and helpful owners. However, several reviewers express frustration with small, closely spaced sites, inconsistent staff enforcement of quiet hours, and limited privacy for larger RVs. A few describe the atmosphere as less wooded than expected for Vermont. Overall, the feedback suggests a well-run but compact campground that works better for tent campers and smaller rigs than for those seeking spacious, secluded sites.
1. Consistently Clean Facilities
Multiple reviewers highlight the cleanliness of the bathrooms, showers, and pool. Wendy described the bathhouse as consistently clean and updated, and the pool as spotless. Tina Ploss called the bathrooms and showers the nicest she has ever seen at a campground and noted they were maintained regularly. Sarah Raposo mentioned nicely maintained bathrooms with a large changing spot, and Kasia Giron went as far as calling it the cleanest campsite around, comparing it to the Ritz Carlton. Even reviewers with mixed feelings, like Tyler Weakley and Elisabeth Chapman, acknowledged that the bathrooms and showers were clean. This theme is one of the most consistently positive points in the feedback.
2. Friendly and Helpful Staff
Many visitors describe positive interactions with the staff and owners. Wendy noted that staff is always pleasant and wishes campers safe travels. Tina Ploss said the staff was friendly from check-in, and when another camper played music too loudly, the manager dealt with it almost immediately. Cathy called the owner super nice, and Kelly Brooks mentioned the owner was very nice and helpful with all the info needed at check-in. Marie-Claude Reimann appreciated the warm welcome early in the season, and Kasia Giron said the family-run site really cares. Doug E described the staff and owners as helpful and friendly. These accounts suggest a generally welcoming environment.
3. Small Sites and Limited Privacy
A recurring concern among reviewers is the size and spacing of sites. Tyler Weakley found the sites very small for an RV and noted they are perfect for tents, while also stating the campground is not ideal for privacy and space. Tina Ploss initially felt the site was smaller than hoped, though she later noticed some good-sized sites separated by lines of trees and shrubs. Sarah Raposo described how one site could barely fit a short trailer with the awning up, while another was almost double wide for a tent. Elisabeth Chapman noted that sites are very close together but mentioned plantings as a partial privacy buffer. These comments indicate that site size and privacy vary significantly across the campground.
4. Quiet Hours and Music Enforcement
The enforcement of quiet hours generated mixed reactions. Tyler Weakley described being approached twice in one weekend about music volume before quiet hours, at 9pm on Saturday and 5pm on Sunday, and felt the staff were not camper-friendly. He also noted neighbors said they were enjoying the music. On the other hand, Tina Ploss, who had a noise issue from another camper, called the office and had the manager resolve it almost immediately. Jane Adams appreciated the early quiet hours for a peaceful environment. Marc Dupont complained about a group arriving at 11pm and talking loudly until 1am with no one intervening. These contrasting accounts suggest that quiet hours enforcement can be inconsistent depending on the situation.
5. Convenient Location Near Town and Attractions
Several reviewers highlight the campground's convenient location. Wendy loves that it is close enough to town for restaurants and activities but still quiet enough to completely unwind. Tina Ploss mentioned it is close to town and very convenient to Mt. Philo, which offered beautiful views, as well as nearby restaurants, ice cream places, and attractions. Cathy said the location was perfect, close enough to Burlington but still felt like being out in the woods. Jess McQuaid noted easy access to Burlington and Lake Champlain. Elisabeth Chapman chose it for its proximity to UVM and found it quiet. However, Sarah Raposo pointed out that the location is directly on the main road, only offset by a couple hundred yards, leading to some road noise and a less in-the-woods feeling.
6. Mixed Impressions on Amenities and Rules
Beyond cleanliness and location, visitors differ on other aspects. Nathan Wood appreciated the outlets at each tent site and the free showers, and described the pool as a great addition. Kelly Brooks mentioned great WiFi since cell service was weak. Sarah Raposo noted the pool is shallow at only 3ft deep but clean and well maintained, and she would have loved a dish washing sink in the laundry area. Alon Fain had a negative experience with smoke and a perceived lack of clear signage, though he agreed the showers and laundry were clean. Marie-Claude Reimann mentioned a promotion for Canadian bookings by phone. These varied points show that individual experiences can differ notably.