Beautiful Camping & Fun People

Tent and RV camping along the Winooski River in Vermont

Somewhere under the rainbow, there's a place where everyone is welcome and the water always flows downstream except when it stops to swirl around in one place. Onion River Campground is located in Vermont on unceded Abenaki land, along the Winooski River which is named after the Abenaki word for "the land of wild onions.” With no shortage of natural beauty, our on-site owner-operated campground is a microcosm of creativity and community. We strive to have fun, cultivate a diverse environment, and tap into the wisdom of circling together. Between enjoying our walking trails, swimming in the river, and meeting your fellow campers, you may begin to fall in love with this place just as much as we have.

Reserve Your Campsite

 
  • Available from May 1 through October 31

    Tent $30/night $175/week
    RV 30-Amp W/E $45/night $240/week $720/month without septic $850/month with septic
    RV 50-Amp W/E $55/night $300/week $720/month without septic $850/month with septic
    Full Season $3,900 + $400 returnable deposit

    Register here on our website, or if you prefer, email us at onionrivercampground@gmail.com, call us at 802-426-3233. All reservations are transferable and non-refundable.

    Visit our Campground Store for local Vermont goods and camping essentials!

  • We have so many cool things on our 23-acre grounds! Check out our walking trails, apple orchard, greenhouse and gardens, swimming spot in our very own Winooski River, and of course gorgeous campsites. The local area and surrounding towns also have many options for more hiking, biking, swimming, kayaking, you name it. Spring is bountiful, Summer is divine, and the Fall foliage is gorgeous.

    Among our walking trails is a special one called the Elemental Healing Walk. This was conceived by Susan Clark, a former member of the Onion River Campground community, after she disturbingly learned that her ancestor had served on the jury that condemned John Proctor to death. Yes, John Proctor from The Crucible, the Salem witch trials. Susan was mortified to imagine her great, great whoever publicly shunning this innocent person. She wanted to create an offering, a memorial, a place for people to forgive and heal from persecutions of all kinds, for the perpetrators of violence as well as their victims. The walk consists of a quarter-mile path through four stations, each honoring one of the elements and inspiring thoughtful reflection. The Earth element is a pollinator garden full of bright flowers, just below our apple orchard. At the top of the orchard, walkers find a singing sound bowl, the Air element, housed in a pagoda made from local wood. Next is a stone hearth to honor the wisdom of Fire, and finally an interactive bridge and viewing benches, perched on the edge of the pond, Water. Send a wish for the healing of all your broken relations.

  • We love getting to know you, and invite you to join in on all the fun! We don’t see Onion River Campground as a destination, but rather as a place for manifestation. We encourage you to be open to the possibilities with those you came with, your fellow campers, our crew, and the Central Vermont community at large! This area is incredible and filled with cool stuff happening - bars and restaurants, live music, farmer’s markets, and more. Let us know what you’re feelin’ and we can make some suggestions! Also be on the lookout for the 44 local 5th and 6th graders who are growing vegetables and flowers in our greenhouse!

  • Please play safe and respect other campers.

    Onion River Campground will not be held liable for any accidents or injuries nor for any damage to personal property during campers’ stay at the campground.

    Tow-in Tow-out - Tow-in rigs are permitted ONLY if you have a vehicle with you to tow it out.

    Safe Campers - Ensure your camper has no safety hazards (electrical problems, holes, no tarps or plastic coverings, major leaks, etc.) as we cannot accommodate these issues.

    No Idling - in any vehicle.

    Strict Speed Limit - is 10 miles per hour.

    Quiet Hours - are 11pm to 7am for campers, vehicles, and pets.

    Dogs - are welcome however to maintain a welcoming camping atmosphere for all, we do not permit any incessant barking or guard dog-type behaviors. Dogs must be leashed and cleaned up after when on the property.

    Campfires - please use only designated campfire rings for campfires. Firewood is for sale at the Campground Store. Due to Vermont State law, firewood cannot be transported from more than 50 miles from campground in order to decrease the spread of invasive insects. All campfires must be extinguished before leaving the campground or retiring for the night. Burning trash is prohibited.

    Trash and Recycling - dumpsters are for campground guests only. No appliances, car parts, hazardous materials, or oversized trash are allowed in the dumpsters.

    Clotheslines - are permitted from 7am until 6pm and must be taken down at night for safety purposes.

    Restrooms and Bathhouse - we currently do not have gender-neutral or uni-sex bathroom spaces. If you are in need of a non-gendered bathroom or shower space, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you.

    Fireworks - are not allowed.

    Smoking - is prohibited inside all public buildings and within 30 feet of the playground. Please be considerate of your neighbors when smoking. Cigarette butts must be extinguished and placed in a trash receptacle.

    Excessive Alcohol Use, Illicit Drug Use or Possession, and Underage Drinking - are not allowed. Violators may be evicted and/or arrested.

    No Hard Drugs - of any kind.

    Vandalism - of any kind and in any way is strictly prohibited and is grounds for eviction and forfeiture of deposit.

    Altering the Ecology - of the property is not allowed, including cutting/sawing trees, trimming branches, digging holes, or altering the landscape in any way unless specifically permitted by campground management.

    Maximum of 1 RV Per Site - up to 4 campers per site unless approved by campground management.

    Maximum of 2 Vehicles Per Site - temporary parking for guests is available in the overflow parking area.

    Abandoned Vehicles - will be towed away and impounded at vehicle owners’ expense.

  • This place and the people who run it are magical ... the most generous, open hearted and welcoming folx you could ask for.

    – Janne C.

  • Fantastic family-run place. Staff friendly and helpful. We camped in the "tent city" section next to a fish-laden babbling river.

    – Frank D.

  • This was the most community-oriented, casual campground I've ever been to. Everyone was so warm and deeply respectful of us.

    – Mir R.

 
 

Vermont Flood: Podcast Interview with Owner Jaquelyn Rieke

Vic Guadagno of Bordertown interviews Jaquelyn Rieke, Owner of Onion River Campground. Jaquelyn speaks of the lessons she learned from the river as it rose around her home in July 2023, stranding her and several other residents of the campground.