The Lake Champlain islands dominate the tent camping landscape near Franklin, Vermont, offering unique water-access experiences at several state parks. Tent campsites here range from drive-in mainland options to remote paddle-in island sites, giving campers a wide choice of settings and access levels — making this one of the most varied tent camping areas in Vermont. Burton Island State Park stands out as a car-free island with waterfront tent sites accessible only by boat or ferry from St. Albans. Knight Island and Woods Island State Parks provide more primitive tent camping opportunities with remote shoreline sites that require paddling to reach. Black Creek Maple's Nature Escape offers an off-grid tent haven on the mainland with views of Mount Mansfield.
Most tent campsites around Franklin require careful planning for water and supplies. The islands feature composting toilets but minimal facilities, with no potable water available at Knight and Woods Islands. Burton Island provides more amenities, including showers, a camp store, and drinking water. Access varies significantly by location - island sites require boat transport, while mainland options like Black Creek are drive-in accessible. Tent platforms at Indian Brook Reservoir must be reached either on foot or by kayak, with a 15-minute hike required. The camping season typically runs from Memorial Day weekend through early October, with some parks closing after Labor Day.
In early fall, tent campers experience fewer crowds and cooler temperatures ideal for hiking nearby trails. The island parks offer exceptional privacy and natural settings, with campsites situated around shorelines providing stunning views of Lake Champlain and surrounding mountains. According to one visitor, "Knight Island is only accessible by private boat...every remote campsite is waterside, with fabulous access to amazing swimming, gorgeous sunsets, and fantastic hikes across the island." Sites on the islands provide tent campers with a true sense of seclusion rare in Vermont camping. Green River Reservoir State Park, though farther from Franklin, features paddle-in primitive tent camping with wildlife viewing opportunities, including moose sightings at Beaver Meadow. A camper noted that Green River provides "private, quiet camping that really gives you that forest bathing escape."
"Spacious sites with fire rings. Shade is limited at certain times of the day. Nice hiking trails nearbye."
"When we booked our Labor Day weekend tent site back in March, there were only 2 leantos (out of 26) left and a handful of tent sites (out of 14)."
"Weather was not cooperative and my fiancé and I were able to rent one of the cabins for our second night. We will definitely recommend it to others and we will be back again."
"The small amount of camping space made the experience quite unique and private. The host, Dianne, was really friendly. Many amenities such as wood, water and outhouse nearby. Very nice experience."
from $35 - $45 / night
from $40 - $50 / night
"There are some nice leantos on the east side of the island that give you access to the lake and some good fishing. Deer, .turkey, fox and smaller animals can be seen throughout the island"
"It doesn't host a ton of amenities other than outdoor toilets, but it doesn't need to because every remote campsite is waterside, with fabulous access to amazing swimming, gorgeous sunsets, and fantastic"
"One of three neighboring island parks in Lake Champlain’s “inland sea”(along with Burton Island and Knight Island), Woods Island became Vermont's forty-fifth state park in 1985."
"Camp spots were far enough away from one another, trees helped with privacy, and the tent site had a great area to setup the tent.
Facilities were accessible and clean.""Very primitive and quiet campground. Great staff and campsites. No shower but one of the best weeks I had camping in a while. Will definitely go back this year."
"It’s a primitive park, perfect for paddling, wild camping, swimming, and watching wildlife. The reservoir is 653 acres with 19 miles of shoreline. There are 27 campsites and two group camspites."
"I love this location because you have to paddle out to a site for camping. It‘s private, quiet, and really gives you that “forest bathing” escape."
from $20 - $50 / night
"There is an extensive trail system that is easy to navigate. Nestled in the woods are several tent platforms that you can access by foot or by boat. They are spacious but not too private."
"I mistakenly assumed they had drive up campsites. They do not. It was a 15 minute hike to the site, so pack light. If you have a kayak, you can transport your stuff over."
from $21 - $36 / night
"Just a truly beautiful place ♡ One of Lake Champlains BEST hidden gems!"
ScoutFirst trip with our new RV and we were a little nervous about getting everything set up. Having full hookups made it way less complicated than we expected. Once we were settled, we just enjoyed the area and took a few day trips. Would definatly come back for another Adirondack trip.
ScoutWe came up for a quick Adirondack getaway and ended up spending most of our time outside. A little disc golf, some time by the pool, dinner at the site and plenty of walks with the dog. Pretty much everything we wanted out of the trip.
ScoutOne of the best parts for us was not having to pack up the RV every time we wanted to go somewhere. We stayed put and explored the Adirondacks from here. Lake Champlain, Ausable Chasm and a bunch of other spots were all easy to get to.
ScoutHaving the river and Adirondacks nearby made for a really nice change of scenery. We spent our days exploring and came back to the campground for dinner and a fire.
GuideWe had the upper sites all drive in or small camper. And or Tent. Amazing rolling brook beautiful sites we had site 32. The lower ones are rv. The owner gave us free wood as it was end of season. We were there Oct 10 I’m not sure but think they close the 13
ScoutWe were looking for somewhere to stay while checking out Ausable Chasm and this worked out really well. Easy drive over, then back to the camper in the afternoon. Made the whole trip alot easier.
ScoutWe only planned on staying a few nights but ended up adding another week. Once we got settled in, it was hard to leave.
GuideWas lucky to get a tent camping spot due a late cancellation on holiday weekend. Arrived at sunset. Staff were exceedingly friendly and helpful. Site T1 looked out over the lake, had electric and water, and was adjacent to the bathroom. Absolutely no privacy or separation from adjacent tent site but didn’t bother me. Hot shower was 15 ft walk away. Recommend reservations since there’s not many other options in Newport. Columbus Day weekend was their closing weekend and this was Saturday night of that weekend.
GuideCar camped on Sunday of Columbus Day weekend in October. This was their closing weekend and lots of spaces were available. Stayed in tent circle loop and it was almost empty. Great access to lake shore and bike path. Walked back toward marina and town in the evening and ran in the morning the other direction going out to Rock Point. Didn’t use the shower facilities. The bathroom near our loop only had sinks and toilets and was fine.
Franklin's location in northwestern Vermont offers access to primitive camping experiences on Lake Champlain's islands at elevations between 95-110 feet above sea level. The region features forested shorelines with northern hardwoods and conifers that provide natural screening between campsites. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F, with cooler nights even during peak season.
Wildlife viewing at Green River Reservoir: Though located 35 miles from Franklin, this paddle-in destination offers exceptional nature experiences. "There is a lot of beautiful wildlife, and they do an amazing job at preserving the sites," notes Mackenzie B. "Be sure to paddle out to the Beaver Meadow - we have seen moose there several times," adds another camper at Green River Reservoir State Park.
Swimming at varied shorelines: The rocky beaches around the islands provide different swimming experiences. At Burton Island State Park, "There is a day area with a beach as well as many places around the island to swim. Just wear water shoes since it is mainly a rocky coast," advises Doris B. The south tip of islands often gets more wind creating better wave action for playful swimming.
Hiking island trail systems: Most islands feature interconnected trail networks that can be explored in a single day. "There are beautiful trails that cover the island. The south tip of the island gets more wind, and therefore waves," explains a Burton Island visitor. Trails are typically 1-3 miles in total length, creating easy day exploration options.
Car-free camping environments: The boat-access-only requirement creates a unique atmosphere. "It's a car free paradise that requires a boat or ferry to get to but yields the rewards of peace, nature, and gorgeous shoreline," explains a Burton Island ranger reviewer. This restriction significantly changes the camping dynamic compared to mainland sites.
Private waterside locations: Campsites positioned along shorelines provide unmatched seclusion. At Knight Island State Park, "every remote campsite is waterside, with fabulous access to amazing swimming, gorgeous sunsets, and fantastic hikes across the island," reports Ruby L. The separation between sites enhances the wilderness experience.
Platform tent camping: For those seeking a mainland alternative, Indian Brook Reservoir offers an interesting option. "Nestled in the woods are several tent platforms that you can access by foot or by boat. They are spacious but not too private. There is a shared privy among the sites," explains M.A.D. P. The reservoir provides "peaceful boating, nature watching and great fishing."
Limited freshwater availability: Many island locations require bringing your own potable water. On Woods Island, "Sanitary facilities are minimal, and there is no potable water supply," states an experienced camper at Woods Island State Park. Plan to carry in all drinking water needs.
Challenging water crossings: Wind conditions can make paddling to islands difficult at times. For Burton Island, "Depending on the weather, the 3/4 mile crossing from Kamp KilKare State Park can be rough and windy. If you are an experienced paddler, have a good copilot, and not too much gear, you would be fine," cautions a visitor.
Reservation timing strategies: Securing preferred sites requires advance planning. For Burton Island, "Campsites book far in advance. When we booked our Labor Day weekend tent site back in March, there were only 2 leantos (out of 26) left and a handful of tent sites (out of 14)," reports a camper.
Plan for gear transport: Many sites require moving equipment from landing areas. At Burton Island, "After getting all of our stuff packed on the ferry and arriving on the island, we chose to have the campground deliver our stuff to our campsite for $10... it was well worth it," shares Michael L. Some campgrounds offer wheeled carts for self-transport.
Kid-friendly island environments: The car-free islands create safe spaces for children to explore. "It's super family friendly - maybe it's because there aren't cars all over the place, but the island is full of free range kids, and they're having a blast," reports a family camper at Burton Island.
Small mainland sites for easier access: Black Creek Maple's Nature Escape provides a simpler alternative with mainland convenience. "The small amount of camping space made the experience quite unique and private," notes Émylie B. Basic amenities like "wood, water and outhouse nearby" make this more manageable for families with young children.
Limited RV options near Franklin: Most campsites in the immediate area don't accommodate recreational vehicles. At Underhill State Park, though 40 miles from Franklin, "This is the best of car camping - you get the feel of really being out in the woods, with your car a short distance away. They provide wheelbarrows for easy moving of your stuff," explains Ali T.
Lean-to alternatives: For RVers wanting a break from their vehicle, lean-to sites provide solid shelter. "We set our tent right up in the Lean-to and enjoyed the quiet," shares a camper at Underhill State Park, noting the reasonable $27/night fee for these structures.
Consider Burton Island marina: Boating RVers can access Burton Island by water. "There's a marina (with WiFi), and you can rent slips for the night," notes Tara S. This provides RVers a unique opportunity to experience island camping while maintaining vessel access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Franklin, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Franklin, VT is Burton Island State Park Campground with a 4.9-star rating from 8 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 18 tent camping locations near Franklin, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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