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Camping options around Grand Isle, Vermont center on Lake Champlain with several established campgrounds offering lakefront access. Grand Isle State Park Campground features tent sites, RV hookups, and lakeside lean-tos with views of the surrounding mountains. Apple Island Resort and Champlain Resort Adult Campground provide additional cabin and RV accommodations on the island. Several state parks in the region, including Burton Island and Knight Island, offer more remote experiences accessible primarily by boat, creating opportunities for quiet waterfront camping experiences.
Seasonal operations restrict camping availability across the region, with most facilities operating from May through mid-October. A camper noted, "We enjoyed everything about Grand Isle and only wish it hadn't rained. Every. Day!" Facilities typically close after Columbus Day weekend as colder weather approaches. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly for premium waterfront sites during summer weekends and holidays. Coin-operated showers are common at state parks, and visitors should be prepared for varying levels of amenities. Biking is popular throughout the islands, with connections to the mainland via bike paths and ferries providing car-free recreation options.
The lakefront lean-to sites at Grand Isle State Park consistently receive high ratings from visitors seeking water views. Several campers mention the combination of wooded privacy and lake access as key highlights of the camping experience. "The lakeside lean-to's have amazing view of mountains and sunrises," according to one review. Sites vary from sunny open areas to heavily wooded spaces that provide shade but may limit solar charging capabilities. The beach areas are described as rocky rather than sandy, with one camper recommending water shoes for comfort. Wildlife viewing opportunities include occasional coyote sightings, and night skies remain relatively dark despite proximity to Burlington. Family-friendly amenities include playgrounds, nature programs, and guided hikes led by park naturalists.
"Located in middle of Lake Champlain. Grand Isle was one of the most enjoyable campgrounds we've been to. Their in park Naturist, Julia was an absolute delight."
"We enjoyed everything about Grand Isle and only wish it hadn't rained. Every. Day! Oh well, our grassy site (#80) was a fine refuge for three nights in a tent."
from $6 - $28 / night
Check Availability"Apple Island is a huge campground with great sites and wonderful views of Lake Champlain."
"Visit this campground in the fall and experience quintessential Vermont in all its glory. The campground is nice. The people are friendly."
from $55 - $105 / night
Check Availability"We stay every year for the Vermont City Marathon. It is a convenient bike ride down the bike path to the waterside park. Easy access to all of Burlington by bike."
"Sites 1 to 16 are close to each other. Sites 113 to 119 are bad. Very close to each other. No redeeming qualities.
Sites have 30 amp electric and water but might need a longish cord or hose."
from $37 - $100 / night
Check Availability"I've been exploring Vermont State Parks since before I could walk, and Burton Island State Park is my all time favorite!"
"Burton Island is a 2.5 mile long island state park off of the shoreline of Lake Champlain."
"Kayaking is probably one of my favorite things to do, and the lake is perfect for this. The park itself is located on Lake Champlain."
"The grounds: This place looks like the place to be, great facilities (with real flush toilets near the beach), and great grassy sites which met of are in the shade!"
from $21 - $28 / night
Check Availability"This campground is a gem in the Lakes Region of Northern Vermont. It sits right on Lake Champlain and has the most amazing sunsets."
"Our camp spot had an amazing view of the lake which we didn’t ask for specifically which made it even better."
"We had one right next to the playground so our daughter could walk straight to it without having to cross a road. And speaking of playground, it was large and very nice."
"Our boys had fun riding their bikes around, playing basketball, and playing a round of mini golf."
from $8 - $12 / night
Check Availability"We chose Kings Bay because we wanted to spend most of our trip outdoors and close to Lake Champlain."
"The lake is obviously the biggest highlight for us. We love having easy access to the water, and the campground is peaceful without feeling isolated."
from $58 - $95 / night
Check Availability"Take a walk up the path next to the chasm. So relaxing listening to the water falls. Great place to watch the sunset! "
"They have some beach and river sites if you like to be close to the water. Showers and bathrooms were spacious."
from $22 - $40 / night
Check Availability"This camp ground is a short drive to Lake Placid, Plattsburgh, Vermont State and so much more. The Chasm has their own store and cafe"
"Sites were a medium distance apart but still spacious enough to not be close to neighbors."
ScoutMy brother and I hadn’t camped together since we were teenagers. Decided to bring the tents out again and see if we still knew what we were doing. Setup took longer than either of us would admit, but we had a blast.
ScoutWe spent one afternoon doing absolutely nothing except sitting near the beach with snacks and a couple of books. No sightseeing and no schedule. It ended up being my favorite afternoon of the entire trip.
ScoutKings Bay is a great, quiet little campground. The staff is very helpful and understanding. This is our shakedown trip before we head south, we have been here a month after purchasing our new fifth wheel. When we pulled in, it was pouring rain and Steve from the front office came out to help and offered the clubhouse to our kids while we set up. He put a movie on for them and let them sit in the lounge. The only reason I give it 4 stars and not 5 is there is no playground for the kids, plenty of open spaces and a lot of kids running around!
ScoutAusable Pines was our first stop on a much longer RV trip, so there was a lot of excitement when we pulled in. We got connected, opened a bottle of wine, pulled out the map and started talking about everywhere we were headed next. Great way to start the trip.
ScoutKings Bay made a great stopping point during our trip through northern New York. We were able to shower, get everything connected, catch up on a few things using the Wi-Fi, and recharge before the next part of our drive. Very convenient setup for RV travelers.
ScoutMy parents joined us and the kids for this trip, which meant five people sharing a camper and somehow still getting along by the end of it. The grandparents took mornings slow while the kids were ready to go almost immediately. Everyone eventually met back at the campsite for meals. It was a different kind of family vacation for us and one we’ll probably remember much longer than another hotel trip.
ScoutWe had one day where the weather didn’t cooperate with our outdoor plans, so we ended up spending some time in the recreation hall. It actually turned into a really fun afternoon of games and hanging out together. Nice having somewhere to go without needing to pack everyone into the car.
ScoutWe wanted to visit Lake Placid but preferred bringing our RV instead of booking a hotel for the whole trip. We spent a full day around Lake Placid and the surrounding area, then drove back to Ausable Pines that evening. I liked having some separation between the busy sightseeing part of the day and where we were staying. The next morning we took our time making breakfast before heading out again. It gave the trip a nice balance between exploring and camping.
ScoutWe have a bigger RV, so I always pay attention to how easy a campground is going to be before booking. Kings Bay turned out to be a comfortable choice for our setup.
Lake Champlain defines camping near Grand Isle, Vermont with 176 miles of shoreline and water temperatures reaching 70°F in summer. The island region offers unique camping options on both the mainland and islands, with boat-in sites requiring water access. Many campgrounds operate seasonally with limited reservations available during winter months.
Swimming access: Grand Isle State Park Campground features a swim beach area, though campers should note the terrain. "The beach areas are rocky rather than sandy, with campers recommending water shoes for comfort," according to one visitor.
Boat rentals: At Burton Island State Park Campground, paddlers can explore the lake using rental equipment. "We went fishing, swimming, and out in a canoe. We rented a canoe from the campground and paddled over to Wood Island," writes Michael L.
Lake Champlain Cycling: The island region connects to extensive bike paths. One North Beach camper shares, "Burlington is my favorite city by far, and this campground is right on the beach! Biking into Burlington takes 5-10 minutes and you're also right on the beach of Lake Champlain."
Island exploration: Knight Island offers remote camping and hiking opportunities. "Every remote campsite is waterside, with fabulous access to amazing swimming, gorgeous sunsets, and fantastic hikes across the island," notes a visitor.
Private island camping: Champlain Resort Adult Campground offers a quieter environment for those seeking a peaceful lake experience. "It is child free which means it is super quiet and so relaxed. We spent about 11 days in absolute paradise at this campground," according to Anthony I.
Private beach access: Many campgrounds offer their own water access points. A visitor to Apple Island Resort notes, "We spent a lot of time down at the beach with our dog. I would just suggest wearing shoes into the water as the rocks are very slippery on bare feet!"
Camper-friendly amenities: Modern conveniences make lake camping more comfortable. "Showers are coin-operated, but $0.50 will get you 5 minutes of hot water! Staff was also super friendly and they sell ice and firewood right on the property!" shares Tucker B.
Local food options: The region offers easy access to local agriculture. Susan & Kevin W. recommend, "Visit this campground in the fall and experience quintessential Vermont in all its glory. Study the sites carefully because our 'premium view site' looked into a boulder."
Ferry service required: Burton Island State Park Campground is only accessible by boat. "It's like going to a tropical island without leaving Vermont. You have to paddle yourself out or take the VT State Park passenger ferry from St. Albans," explains Tara S.
Seasonal restrictions: Winter camping has limited options. Knight Island offers winter permits: "Knight Island is a summer camping oasis but you can obtain a permit from the Vt. State Parks to winter camp," notes one visitor.
Crowding concerns: Popular sites book quickly, especially waterfront locations. "Waterfront sites book very quickly (like 11 months in advance), but if you don't mind being farther from the main campground and running water, you can almost always rent one of the four primitive sites."
Bug protection: Be prepared for insects, especially in forested areas. A Knight Island camper warns, "Beware: mosquitoes and black flies in the middle of the island can be nasty, sometimes better to take the perimeter route."
Playground access: North Beach Campground offers family-friendly amenities near Burlington. "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," shares Laura L.
Child-free options: Some campgrounds cater specifically to adults seeking quiet. Champlain Resort Adult Campground provides "absolute paradise" according to one reviewer who appreciated the absence of children.
Beach considerations: Rocky shorelines may require footwear. One camper at Grand Isle State Park noted, "What a lovely state park! We had a huge campsite that was comfortable for 3 tents and 6 adults. The restrooms/showers are vintage but clean and functional."
Nature programs: Some parks offer educational activities. Burton Island visitors mention "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."
Hookup configurations: At Apple Island Resort, RVers should note the site orientation. "One thing is that their hook ups are on the passenger side. You have to pull straight in with the truck and camper. This is because a lot of class A prefer this way," explains Ron H.
Premium view sites: Views vary significantly between sites. "The sites with the best views are the Platinum Plus which are also the most expensive. Some Platinum Plus sites are in the first row with unobstructed views; whereas, our site was three rows back," notes Nancy W.
Water hookups: Many campgrounds offer water access points rather than direct connections. At Ausable Point Campground, one visitor reported, "Our site 87 was large, on the river and shaded. Not too far from the bathrooms and had a water spigot close enough to hook up to fill our water tank."
Site drainage: Heavy rain is common in the region. A Grand Isle camper reports, "The site drained well and was plenty big enough for our tent and needs."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Grand Isle, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Grand Isle, VT offers a wide range of camping options, with 126 campgrounds and RV parks near Grand Isle, VT and 5 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Grand Isle, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Grand Isle, VT is Grand Isle State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 29 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Grand Isle, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Grand Isle, VT.
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