VT hiking/camping advice

Hey guys,
Just looking for a little local wisdom. My wife and I are headed to northern VT for a few days next month and possibly looking at camping (tent) a couple of the nights to save some money. I was wondering if anyone had some good recommendations for campgrounds. Also looking for some good easy/moderate hikes that have decent scenery. They don't have to necessarily be summits, waterfalls and streams are just fine, just not looking for anything with crazy elevation or technical trails for this trip.
Location in northern VT isn't a big deal but I know we will be going through the Stowe area at some point. We will be coming from western ME in the afternoon the first day so might look at St Johnsbury area the first night.

Thanks!

 

I moved to ME from Northern VT near the St. Johnsbury area. One of my favorite places to camp is in Groton State Park and there are some great scenic small hikes in the park too. Stillwater park is the place I typically camp at in that area. https://vtstateparks.com/assets/pdf/groton_trails.pdf

There are some cost saving walk-in tent sites before that park, but since I sleep in my truck bed I need to pull into an actual site. https://vtstateparks.com/assets/pdf/grotonremote.pdf

Lake Willoughby is also incredibly scenic and has White Caps campground at the south end. Closer to Stowe is Little River State Park on the Waterbury Reservoir, I haven't camped there before. I know there are free primitive campsites all along the Waterbury Reservoir, but you'd have to take a boat out to reach those.
https://vtstateparks.com/assets/pdf/little-river.pdf

 

From what I've found so far, Maine is the gold mine of free camping compared to Vermont.

 

I severely, highly suggest Coolidge State Park if you can get in there. They are, as they call themselves (rightfully so) the crown jewel of the VT State Parks Department. If you can manage to snag what they call a "prime lean-too" site it will have an amazing view of the Green Mountains. Even if you stay on a tent site it will be a great campground to stay at.

 

Check out freecampsites.net

 

Cool, thanks guys. I'll look into some of those and see what looks good for us. I'd like to get into doing more camping over the next few years including some back pack camping but for this trip actual campgrounds will be just fine.

 

Freecampsites.net is awesome!