Central Vermont
The attractions of central Vermont - in addition to a wide variety of great camping areas - are its historic villages and small cities, its mountain recreation spots, its clean rivers and lakes and its friendly people. Montpelier, in the northern end of the region, is the nation's smallest state capital, boasting only about 8,000 residents and a small-town atmosphere best glimpsed each summer Saturday morning at the city's Farmers' Market.
Deer occasionally stray across the lawn of Vermont's small but elegant State House a few blocks from downtown. Inside the recently restored building, there are legislative chambers and a striking variety of historical exhibits. Don't miss the huge Civil War painting, "The Battle of Cedar Creek," which fills an entire wall. Just across the lawn from the State House in the white-porched Pavilion building is the Vermont Historical Society, with a variety of changing exhibits.
Just down the road is Barre, the Granite Center of the World, and the economic hub of central Vermont. Tours at the Rock of Ages quarry in the hills of Graniteville, just south of Barre, clearly show the challenges involved in quarrying this tough, beautiful stone.
Surrounding Barre and Montpelier are some of Vermont's most picturesque small villages, each with its own special attractions and allure. Chelsea, Tunbridge, Northfield, Strafford, Randolph, Thetford and many others offer opportunities for sightseeing and photography - or simply for looking around. A special treat is the Mad River Valley, where Waitsfield, Moretown and Warren have a variety of small shops, bakeries, restaurants and covered bridges. And to the north, the famous village of Stowe has a dizzying array of shopping, dining and recreational opportunities - plus the internationally known Trapp Family Lodge and the Stowe recreation path, where bikers, bladers and joggers can exercise in a scenic setting. You can ride the Stowe Mountain Resort gondola nearly to the top of the state's highest mountain or try the nearby alpine slide.
Lake Dunmore Kampersville
PO Box 56, Rt. 53, Salisbury, VT 05769
Phone: 802-352-4501 Fax: 802-352-6017
Rivers Bend Campground
PO Box 110, 1000 Dog Team Road
New Haven, VT 05472
Phone: 802-388-9092 or 888-505-5159 toll free (reservations only please)
Running Bear Camping Area
PO Box 378, Ascutney, VT 05030
Phone: 802-674-6417
White River Valley CG
PO Box 106, Rt. 107
Gaysville, VT 05746
Phone: 802-234-9115
