Button Bay State Park Campground offers waterfront campsites along Lake Champlain with 30 miles of shoreline views. Sites range from open meadow locations to more private wooded areas. The campground operates from Memorial Day through Columbus Day with full facilities including a swimming pool and nature center. Campsites in the Ferrisburg region typically cost $15-25 per night for tent sites and $30-45 for RV sites with hookups.
What to do
Swimming in Lake Champlain: Silver Lake provides a secluded alternative to Button Bay with a short hike required. "Charlotte Town Beach for swimming, though visitors should note it requires a $10 fee for non-residents," notes a camper at Mount Philo State Park Campground.
Hiking trails: Access several mountain viewpoints within a short distance. "Nice hikes and cool views of the area!" reports a camper about Mount Philo State Park Campground. The trails connect to both Moosalamoo National Recreation Area and Bradbury State Park.
Cycling routes: The Lake Champlain Byway offers paved routes suitable for road bikes. "Nice park for cycling the Lake Champlain Byway," notes a reviewer about Button Bay State Park.
Historical exploration: Visit the ruins of Fort Douglas near Crown Point Campground. "The ruins of Fort Douglas and the bridge were both amazing views. Biking across the bridge was a great workout as well as a tour of the fort. So much history," writes one camper.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Campgrounds in the region offer varying levels of privacy. "Sites are well spaced and staggered for maximum privacy. Hosts are pleasant and very helpful," notes a camper about Moosalamoo Campground.
Clean facilities: Most campgrounds maintain excellent bathhouses. "The bathrooms were very clean. Coin-op shower with hot water is 50 cents for 5 minutes, 75 cents for 7:30, etc.," reports a visitor to Mount Philo.
Water access: Lake Champlain provides recreation opportunities. "The waterfront sites are fantastic, they are wide so smaller units can be parked parallel to the lake," explains a camper at Button Bay State Park.
Quiet atmosphere: Some campgrounds remain peaceful even during peak season. "The campground had widely spaced wooded sites and was exceptionally quiet. Very well-maintained!" writes a camper about Mount Philo State Park.
What you should know
Reservation timing: The most desirable waterfront sites book quickly. "Book early for the best sites," advises a camper about Button Bay State Park. For Mount Philo, with only 7 tent sites and 3 lean-tos, advance booking is essential.
Limited hookups: Many state parks offer basic amenities. "No hookups but have a dump station," notes a Button Bay visitor, which matters for RV campers planning longer stays.
Weather considerations: The Champlain Valley can experience significant temperature swings. "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!" reports a long-time visitor.
Bear awareness: Some campgrounds provide bear-resistant storage. "I saw bear storage lockers but I did not use them as I had my bear keg with me," notes a visitor to Moosalamoo Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. "This is a good campground for families that are not too rowdy. There is a pool for swimming, paved roads are good for bikes & scooters, pavilion for activities, lake for swimming & fishing and hiking trails," explains a Button Bay visitor.
Pet-friendly options beyond the popular parks: While Button Bay and Mount Philo welcome pets, North Beach Campground offers another option. "This has been one of our favorite campsites so far. We loved being able to walk down to the beach, as well as having full hookups," notes a camper.
Swimming options: Kids appreciate designated swim areas. "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!" shares a Button Bay camper.
Biking opportunities: Paved paths provide safe cycling for children. "Bring your bikes! You're tucked away in the woods on gorgeous lake champlain and can bike into burlington for meals and city street strolls," advises a North Beach Campground visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RV sites vary greatly in size and privacy. "The 100 Acre section has tall shad trees and much more space between sites than the resort area," reports a visitor to Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday.
Hookup reliability: Check connection details before booking. "We stayed in a full hook-up site that was plenty long enough for our 45' RV and tow car," notes another Lake Placid KOA camper.
Dump station access: Some campgrounds offer this service even without full hookups. "Bathrooms are clean, facilities are great. Easy access to the lake," writes a Button Bay visitor, noting the campground's sanitary dump station.
Road conditions: Access roads can be challenging for larger rigs. "Roads in the park are gravel and were very dusty. One ding for us was that there were lots of tree limbs that needed to be trimmed. Maneuvering through the park was pretty tight for us," cautions an RV camper at Lake Placid KOA.