Roadtrip with RVshare Burlington to Burlington

If you are looking for a fun camping adventure, making a circuit beginning and ending in Burlington, Vermont, can be a great way to go. Once you reach Island Pond, you may want to drive about five hours to the east to visit Acadia National Park in Maine. There are at least 21 state parks in Vermont, and you will want to see many of them. Along the way, you will also want to visit many tourist attractions, like the Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory, the Shelburne Museum, and the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park. 

Nearby National Parks

Acadia National Park  

While you will have to drive about five hours east, you will definitely want to include a stop at Acadia National Park on your Burlington to Burlington RV road trip circuit. When you come up the east side of the state, turn east on US 2 and follow it to Interstate 95 to reach this park on the Atlantic seacoast near Bar Harbor, Maine. Take the drive up Cadillac Mountain as it is the highest point on the Atlantic seacoast, and the views are stunning. Hikers love coming to this park because they can hike up the mountain, stroll along the coastline, and amble through forests. The 45 miles of carriage roads in this park are fantastic places for a bike ride. Rangers often lead stargazing programs. Go on a paddling adventure in the waters surrounding Mount Desert Island. 

Nearby State Parks

Bomoseen State Park  

Stop and play on the shores of Lake Bomoseen when you visit Bomoseen State Park near Castletown. This lake is the largest one laying totally in Vermont, and it is a fantastic place to go swimming. Anglers will love catching large- and smallmouth bass along with rock bass and brown trout at this location. Canoes, kayaks, and pedal boats are available to rent. Visit with the park interpreter as they have many special hands-on activities for you to enjoy. This park is a scenic place to stop for a picnic on your Burlington to Burlington road trip circuit. 

Camp Plymouth State Park  

Strike it rich by visiting Camp Plymouth State Park near Ludlow, Vermont. Gold panning is a popular activity at this park. Even if you do not become a millionaire, you will love playing on the water. The beach is the perfect place for building a sandcastle. Rent boats to play on the brook. This park is a favorite with horseback riders who love to follow the wooded trails. 

Emerald Lake State Park  

Stop at Emerald Lake State Park, located between Manchester and Rutland. Enjoy playing on the beach while enjoying a drink from the concession stand. This park surrounds the 20-acre Emerald Park, which gets its name because it looks green when viewed from above. Go swimming in the lake, or bring your kayak or canoe to go padding on its waters. The park rangers often plan unique activities, so be sure to check with the staff when you arrive. 

Maidstone State Park  

Maidstone State Park near the city by the same name is one of the oldest state parks in the state, and it retains the rugged beauty that is missing from many other Northeast Kingdom locations. Anglers pull near-record-setting lake trout and salmon out of this park’s glacier-formed lake regularly. This park can be a fantastic place to go birdwatching, especially if you want to see loons. Shaded hiking trails run up hills and through vales. 

Grand Isle State Park  

Do not bypass the chance to visit Grand Isle State Park located on South Hero Island in Lake Champlain during your circular road trip from Burlington to Burlington. Go swimming in the cool water on a hot summer day. This is also a great place to go shore fishing. The sand-court volleyball and the horseshoe pit are fantastic places to challenge your traveling companions. If you have children along, they will adore the play area. 

Along the Way

Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory  

Visit the site of the very first Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream store in Waterbury. See the factory where workers still make more than 500,000 pints of ice cream daily. Of course, you will want to treat yourself to a scoop or two in the Scoop Shop. 

Shelburne Museum  

See over 150,000 works of art spread out across 30 exhibition buildings by visiting the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne. Most of the buildings are historical and were moved to this location from across the state. There are many different types of buildings, like smokehouses, churches, and family homes. Included in this collection are many American-made quilts dating back to the 17th century. The collection also has over 1,400 wildfowl decoys and miniature carvings, 150 trade figures and signs, 120 weathervanes, and 50 carousel figures. While the education facility is open year-round, many buildings are only open from April to October. 

Wilson Castle  

Stop in Proctor to see the Wilson Castle, which workers constructed from 1859 to 1867. The house contains many different styles of architecture, including Dutch neo-renaissance, Scottish baronial, Queen Anne, and Romanesque Revival. You will want to tour this home to see the Far Eastern and European antiques inside. The home’s stained glass windows are gorgeous. Reportedly, this caste is haunted, and you can sometimes take a paranormal tour of this location. 

Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park  

Take the self-guided walking tour at the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park. This tour focuses exclusively on what life was like in homes during the Civil War. Watch for many different bird species as you hike along. Then, head to the Carriage House Visitors Center to go on one of the guided tours of the home. Several different choices are available throughout the day, including one designed for children about how the Billings children lived in the house and another one focusing on the women who have occupied this home. This park also hosts special junior ranger programs, that showcase the nature at this park, which was the first tree farm in the state. 

Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home  

Tour the summer home of President Lincoln and his family by visiting Hildene in Manchester Center. Start your visit at the welcome center to learn more information about any special events that may be occurring. Then, head out to explore the beautifully landscaped gardens. View the restored Pullman train car and learn about Robert Lincoln’s tenure as the company’s CEO. Then, head over to the dairy to see the dairy goats before going to the Dene Farm, where you can see other animals, including alpacas. 

Main Cities You Will Pass Through

Montpelier, Vermont  

You can easily find wonderful Montpelier campgrounds. Think about Meadowcrest Campground on the Winooski River as it is centrally located to many attractions. You will also want to consider the Onion River Campground, with its beautiful walking trails. Find Montpelier RV dump stations at Montpelier City Public Works and Lazy Lions Campground. 

Rutland, Vermont

There are also beautiful choices for campgrounds in Rutland. Karl Anderson has operated Iroquois Land Family Camping since 1967. You may also want to consider Lake Bomoseen KOA Holiday, where you can watch outdoor movies, participate in themed weekend events, and swim in the pool. Rutland RV dump stations are available at the Rutland Regional Station and Rutland Solid Waste Main Office. 

Bennington, Vermont  

There are beautiful campgrounds in Bennington. Woodford State Park surrounds the Adams Reservoir. Camping on the Battenkill offers sites on and near the Battenkill River, where you can go tubing and canoeing. These campgrounds, along with Broken Wheel Campground and Aqua Vista Valley Campground, have Bennington RV dump stations. 

Brattleboro, Vermont  

You can find terrific campgrounds near Brattleboro. Fort Dummer State Park is a good choice that has many historical sites. Another excellent option is Brattleboro North KOA Journey, which has a wonderful dog park if you are looking to bring your four-legged friend along. Find Brattleboro RV dump stations at Bald Mountain Camping Resort, Kampfires - Campground, Inn & Entertainment, and Pine Hollow Campground. 

Find Adventure from Burlington to Burlington

Find your One-Way Rental

When you follow this road trip itinerary from Burlington, you will enjoy historic locations and beautiful scenery along the way. If you want to travel in comfort and style, consider an RV rental from RVshare. From large motorhomes to compact campervans, there is a rig that will meet your travel and budget needs. Once you hit the road, you are protected by our renter guarantee and 24/7 roadside assistance. Find the perfect vehicle for your travel needs in Burlington.