Lake Carmi State Park RV & Campground Guide
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This 1375-acre park includes a bog, a cedar forest, fields, and lots of lakeshore. Although the land was purchased in 1959, the park we see today came together gradually through the 1960s. Located in northern Vermont, its main tourist season runs from late spring to mid-autumn, because average winter temperatures dip into single digits. Park interpreters keep a busy calendar for campers and guests, so it’s worth checking when you arrive for special events like night hikes, children’s nature lessons, or other seasonal programming.
Spring 69–14 F
Summer 82–50 F
Fall 74–25 F
Winter 33–4 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Lake Carmi State Park
Lake Carmi State Park offers three campground loops. Loops A and B offer a mix of regular and prime spots near the water. Some sites are grassy, some have gravel, and the maximum RV length varies. The largest RV spots are in Loop C, which accommodates vehicles up to 48 feet long. It also offers a large parking area. There are no hookups or Wi-Fi, but the loops all have accessible showers, flush toilets, and water taps. A volleyball court, horseshoe pit, and picnic tables give guests something to do in the evenings, and the loops include fire rings. There’s also a dump station on-site.
What to Do at
Lake Carmi State Park
The lake offers boating, swimming, and nature watching opportunities. Visitors without boats can rent kayaks or stand-up paddleboards. A single kayak costs $10 an hour or $40 for a full day, and a stand-up paddleboard costs $10 per half hour or $20 for a full hour. Yuo can also find lots of activities on land to enjoy, including a nature trail, the nature center, horseshoe and volleyball areas, and geocaches.
Fishing
The lake is particularly good for shore fishing, and with more than 2 miles of shoreline, the park has plenty of places to throw in a line. Fish include smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, bullhead, panfish, and perch. You can also fish from a boat. However you choose to bait your hook, you will need a Vermont fishing license. If you don’t get one in advance online, you can purchase a license at the park office.
Geocaching
The park hosts several geocaches, and if you’re a paying camper, then the park’s occasional Geocaching 101 events are free. Be sure to check out the special Bog Walk traditional cache.
Nature Watching
Birding is popular in the park. With the area’s range of environmental biomes, it draws lots of waterfowl and predatory species, including common loons, kingfishers, great herons, killdeer, hawks, owls, and even eagles. Set up on the beach or just outside your RV. Camping area B borders the bog, which birds frequent. If you spy one of the area’s beaver damns, linger for a glimpse of the animal from shore or by boat. In May, you can watch sucker fish run up Sucker Brook on their spawning run. A footbridge just by the nature trail entrance provides a great view.
Stargazing
The stars are so clear over Lake Carmi, the park holds periodical stargazing programs on the beach. The park’s relative distance from developed areas, the open expanse of the water, and the region’s elevation all contribute to gorgeous night skies.
Flora and Fauna
The park includes the lake, wetland forests, and one of Vermont’s largest bogs, so the wildlife varies accordingly. You’ll find black spruce, hemlock, tamarack trees, mountain holly, and sphagnum moss. Animal visitors to the park include loons, deer, beavers, migratory waterfowl, and plenty of fish in the lake and streams.
Hiking
The Carmi Nature Trail is a 0.8-mile loop with both packed earth and boardwalk sections. It’s moderately easy with some inclines into the forest, and it’s well-suited for families with children old enough to walk on their own. While it isn’t a long walk, it isn’t entirely suited to strollers.
Boating
The park offers a boat launch for easy access to the water. The launch area has its own parking lot, too. Canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards are always welcome, and the park even rents out kayaks and paddleboards at hourly and full-day rates.
Swimming
Take advantage of the beach for easy access to the water. Northern Vermont only gets hot enough for swimming in the summer, but the lake is fairly shallow, so it isn’t icy cold year-round.
Biking
The park’s paved roads are open to bikes, but the nature trails are designed primarily for foot traffic. That said, the looping roads in the camping areas could be a great area for families teaching children to ride, or for older kids looking for a little time out of the RV. The main roads also cut through picturesque areas of the park and are worth the ride.
How to Get to
Lake Carmi State Park
From Colchester, take US-2 West. After roughly 4 miles, merge right onto Interstate 89 North and follow it for approximately 16 miles. Take Exit 19, and continue onto St Alban’s Highway, which eventually turns into VT-105 East. Turn left after 15 miles onto VT-236. Continue for 2 miles, and the park entrance will be on your left.
Entering Lake Carmi State Park
Once you’ve turned off VT-236, follow Marsh Farm Road all the way to the Loop C campground. The parking lot is shared with the nature center, where you can check in, get help finding your site, and find out what special events and programs will be offered during your stay. You’ll find accessible toilets here, too. Day-use hours are 10 a.m. through official sunset. While foot traffic isn’t banned, VT-236 is not pedestrian friendly, so plan to visit in a motor vehicle.
Lake Carmi State Park Entry Fee (visitors 14 and over) : $5.0
Lake Carmi State Park Entry Fee (children 4-13) : $2.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Carmi State Park
Northern Vermont sees intense winter weather that can sometimes lead to early spring floods. Summer and autumn are the best times to visit, either to enjoy the lush, green forests and Lake Carmi’s water, or to take in the vibrant fall colors.
The lake contains fish like walleye, bass, and perch, and even some enterprising beavers. Migratory birds visit the park, and the woods have animals like deer.
There are multipurpose camping sites appropriate for RVs. Most RV-friendly spots are back-in only, particularly for larger vehicles.
You need to reserve a spot by phone or online at least one day before arrival. If you did not make a reservation early enough, you can call the park directly to see if there are any available, but prime sites are claimed months in advance. Vermont residents pay $20 per night for an RV-friendly site, non-residents pay $28 per night, and there’s an extra $2 charge for prime spots near the water.
Pets are welcome in most areas of the park, but they’re banned from swimming areas and beaches, and owners must keep them on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times. If you plan to camp, be prepared to pay a pet fee of $2 per pet per night. You must pick up and properly dispose of your pets' waste.