Van Life in Burlington
Burlington gives you an unusually clean start for a camper van trip. Within an hour you can be at a lakeside campground on Lake Champlain, climbing toward the ridgeline of Vermont's highest peak, or settling into a wooded site beneath the cliffs of Smugglers' Notch. The city is small enough to navigate easily but positioned well enough that you are never far from serious terrain. Head south and Green Mountain National Forest opens up a quieter, more remote side of Vermont that rewards travelers willing to leave the main corridors behind.
OffGrid Campervans recommends the top-rated, well-reviewed Class B camper vans in the Burlington area, and you book them directly on Outdoorsy. Every van in the curated lineup is chosen for quality and guest reviews, so you are starting your Vermont trip with a rig that has already proven itself on roads like these.
- Grand Isle State Park: lakeside camping on Lake Champlain, about 30 minutes north, best in summer and early fall
- Mount Mansfield and Smugglers' Notch: alpine day trips and mountain camping about 1 hour east, best summer through fall foliage
- Green Mountain National Forest: remote campgrounds and wilderness about 1 hour south, standout in late summer and fall
Not sure it's the one? Rent it first.
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Rent it.
The exact model you're thinking about buying.
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Live in it.
Real trip. Real roads. Real experiences.
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Buy it and save.
Love it? We take $500 to $1,000 off the price (depends on the model).
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Camper Van Rentals Available in Burlington, Vermont
Off-grid capable Class B vans available for pickup in Burlington.
2021 Joy Ride Camper Van Rental in Burlington, Vermont
Rent the joy Ride camper van in Burlington, VT: a 4x4 Sprinter with solar, queen bed, outdoor shower, and full off-grid setup for up to 5 passengers.
From
$200/night
2017 Custom Camper Off-Grid Camper Van Rental in Burlington, Vermont
Rent this solar-powered Custom Camper camper van in Burlington, Vermont, sleeping 2 with a full kitchen, queen bed, and pet-friendly setup.
From
$225/night
2021 Birch & Berry Van Camper Van Rental in Burlington, Vermont
Rent the Birch & Berry Van in Burlington, VT: a stylish, solar-powered camper van for 2 with a full kitchen, outdoor shower, and off-grid capability.
From
$185/night
Local Tips for Burlington
Smugglers' Notch bans large rigs on its narrow notch road. Stick with a compact Class B van and you will have no issues with clearance or campground access.
Grand Isle State Park shoreline sites fill up weeks in advance in July and August. Book your campsite reservation the same day you lock in your van rental.
Vermont nights turn cold fast once September arrives, even at lower elevations. Prioritize a van with a solid heating system if you are traveling into fall foliage season.
The notch road at Smugglers' Notch closes in winter and does not reopen until late spring. If you are planning a shoulder-season trip, confirm road status before routing through the notch.
Route 100 south from Stowe toward the Green Mountain National Forest is one of the best driving roads in Vermont in October. Build extra time into that leg of your trip.
Where to Camp and Explore Near Burlington
Real spots within reach of a weekend trip.
Mount Mansfield
Vermont's highest peak rises above Stowe and offers the toll road, gondola, and ridgeline Long Trail hikes to its summit profile. It is the marquee mountain day trip from Burlington for big alpine views. Summer and fall are ideal, with foliage season making the drive up Route 100 unforgettable.
Smugglers' Notch State Park
Set in the dramatic mountain pass between Stowe and Jeffersonville, this park has a wooded campground tucked beneath towering cliffs and boulders. It is a striking camper-van base, though the narrow Notch road closes in winter and bans large rigs. Come in summer or early fall for hiking, climbing, and cool mountain nights.
Grand Isle State Park
On an island in Lake Champlain just north of the city, this park offers lakeside campsites with sweeping views toward both the Adirondacks and the Green Mountains. It is the easiest waterfront camping run from Burlington for swimming, paddling, and sunsets over the lake. Summer is peak season, so reserve shoreline sites well ahead.
Green Mountain National Forest
This vast forest covers much of southern and central Vermont with wilderness areas, swimming ponds, and remote campgrounds like Hapgood Pond and Greendale. It rewards a camper van willing to head south from Burlington into quieter backcountry. Late summer and fall foliage are the standout seasons for these wooded hollows and ridges.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to rent a camper van in Burlington, Vermont?
Summer and early fall are the strongest windows for a camper van trip from Burlington. Foliage season, typically mid-September through mid-October, is the standout stretch, with Route 100 toward Mount Mansfield turning into one of the most scenic drives in New England. Spring can be muddy and cold at elevation, so most travelers plan their trips between June and October.
Can I camp near the water on a camper van trip from Burlington?
Grand Isle State Park is about thirty minutes north of Burlington on an island in Lake Champlain, and it has lakeside campsites with views toward both the Adirondacks and the Green Mountains. It is the easiest waterfront camping run from the city for swimming, paddling, and evening sunsets. Shoreline sites book up fast in summer, so reserve well ahead.
Is Smugglers' Notch State Park accessible in a camper van?
Smugglers' Notch State Park is about one hour east of Burlington and works well as a camper van base, but the narrow notch road has size restrictions that ban large rigs. A compact Class B van fits the road and the campground without issue. The notch road also closes in winter, so plan your visit between late spring and early fall.
How do I get to Mount Mansfield from Burlington by camper van?
Mount Mansfield is about one hour east of Burlington, and the drive up Route 100 through Stowe is a highlight on its own. You can reach the summit area via the toll road or the gondola, with ridgeline Long Trail hikes available once you are up top. Summer and fall are the best seasons for the trip, with fall foliage making the Route 100 corridor especially memorable.
What camper van camping options are there south of Burlington in Vermont?
Green Mountain National Forest is about one hour south of Burlington and covers a wide stretch of central and southern Vermont with remote campgrounds, wilderness areas, and swimming ponds. Campgrounds like Hapgood Pond and Greendale offer wooded, quieter nights away from the more popular northern routes. Late summer and fall foliage are the best seasons for exploring this part of Vermont by van.
What kind of camper van should I rent for a Vermont road trip from Burlington?
A compact Class B camper van is the right call for Vermont, where campground roads are often narrow and passes like Smugglers' Notch restrict larger vehicles. Good insulation and a reliable heating system matter from September onward, when mountain nights get cold quickly. OffGrid Campervans curates well-reviewed Class B vans suited to this terrain, all available to book on Outdoorsy.
How far in advance should I book a camper van rental in Burlington, Vermont?
For summer travel, booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the best selection of well-reviewed vans. Fall foliage season is the most competitive window in Vermont, so booking even earlier is worth it if you have firm dates in mind. Last-minute availability does open up occasionally, but peak season in Vermont moves fast.
Hand-picked, and yours to book direct
Every van here is one we'd book ourselves. We search Outdoorsy and surface the hosts with proven track records, fast replies, and off-grid gear that actually works. You book and pay direct with the host, so we never touch your reservation. If you get stuck, we're here to help.
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