Button Bay State Park Campground lies on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, positioned approximately 25 miles south of Burlington at an elevation of 150 feet above sea level. Campers visiting the area find sites spread across 253 acres with woodlands transitioning to open meadow areas. Weather patterns shift dramatically through the camping season with summer highs averaging 80°F while spring and fall temperatures can drop to 40°F at night.
What to do
Hiking local trails: Mount Philo State Park Campground offers trails with varying difficulty levels just minutes from Ferrisburg. "There are nice hikes and cool views of the area! Moderate cell service," notes Kaelin P., who particularly enjoyed the short but rewarding summit hike. The park contains 232 acres of natural area with trails ranging from 0.75 to 1.5 miles in length.
Kayaking the reservoir: Little River State Park Campground provides opportunities for water activities on the nearby reservoir. "This is a great park to just relax. The reservoir is a fun place to explore via kayak and canoe as well as by motorboat," shares Hannah H. The reservoir spans 850 acres with multiple access points for water craft.
Winter camping options: Smugglers Notch State Park Campground remains accessible during winter months for experienced winter campers. "Stayed at a lean-to site here in March of 2019. Free of charge during off season, you just have to call a couple weeks ahead to reserve and make sure you park in the allotted area," explains Ed M. Winter visitors need to hike or snowshoe to sites as roads remain unplowed.
What campers like
Spacious waterfront sites: Button Bay State Park Campground receives praise for its lakefront options. "Wonderful state park, the waterfront sites are fantastic, they are wide so smaller units can be parked parallel to the lake. Bathrooms are clean, facilities are great. Easy access to the lake," writes IAN P. These premium waterfront sites book quickly, especially for summer weekends.
Privacy options: Some campgrounds near Ferrisburg offer more secluded alternatives to the open glamping settings. "Sites 1, 6 and 8 are the best if you're only camping with those at your site as they're the most secluded and private. Sites 2 and 3 are more open, to both each other, and to those en route to the bathrooms," notes Drew Q. about Mount Philo State Park Campground.
Fall camping: September brings ideal conditions for glamping near Ferrisburg, Vermont. "We've been camping at Button Bay for years, and while it can be hot and buggy in the summer months, there is no place we'd rather be in September!" explains Tara S. Fall visitors experience fewer insects, cooler temperatures averaging 65°F during days, and vibrant foliage starting mid-September.
What you should know
Limited privacy at some sites: North Beach Campground has a different setup than more wooded options. "Sites were all very open and close together, and the bathhouses could have used a good scrub, but overall it was an acceptable place given its proximity to the city," mentions Megan W. The campground contains 137 sites arranged in an open configuration.
Seasonal facilities: Smugglers Notch State Park Campground restricts services during shoulder seasons. "No facilities off season…Carry out all trash/waste. Right in the middle of great nordic and alpine backcountry skiing and snowshoeing," advises Ed M. The park officially operates from May 19 to October 15, with limited winter access requiring proper preparation.
Coin-operated showers: Mount Philo State Park Campground provides basic shower facilities that require quarters. "Coin-op shower with hot water is 50 cents for 5 minutes, 75 cents for 7:30, etc. The toilets are composting toilets, but from the user experience, it's very close to a regular toilet," explains Drew Q. Visitors should bring adequate quarters for shower use.
Tips for camping with families
Family-friendly amenities: North Beach Campground offers recreational options beyond glamping. "This state park is so fun to camp at! It has a great playground for kids and a nice swimming pool! You can hike on the trail and Lake Champlain is right there!" says Debbie S. The playground includes multiple climbing structures and swings suitable for ages 5-12.
Historical exploration: Little River State Park Campground provides educational opportunities through historical remnants. "The hiking trails are really good--actually pretty steep. There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover," shares Rita M. These ruins date to the early 1900s when a small community existed before the reservoir's creation.
Swimming options: Button Bay State Park Campground provides supervised swimming facilities. "It has a swimming pool with lifeguard. Nice park for cycling the Lake Champlain Byway," notes M.A.D. P. The pool measures 30 by 50 feet with a maximum depth of 5 feet, offering a safer alternative to lake swimming for younger children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: AuSable Chasm Campground requires careful planning for vehicle access. "The road through the campground is dirt and rutted but the speed limit is 5 mph, so it wasn't that bad, but it would be a mess if it was raining," warns Lee D. RVs longer than 30 feet may find access challenging, particularly after rain.
Power considerations: Shelburne Camping Area offers full hookup options but requires attention to electrical connections. "We have a 'big rig' 40' 5th wheel with 4 slide outs. Called them same day from Capital Region Welcome Ctr in NY, about 3 hrs away. They had a full hook up, pull-thru corner space for us," reports DJ. The campground provides 30 and 50 amp service with advance reservation recommended for larger units.
Seasonal access: When glamping near Ferrisburg, Vermont in larger vehicles, note that Rogers Rock Campground maintains specific seasonal limitations. "Located at the northern end of Lake George and about 7 miles south of Ticonderoga, Rogers Rock is a boater's paradise. Sites aren't particularly level or large," explains Jean C. The campground operates from May 19 to October 9, with early closure compared to other regional options.
