Cabin camping locations near Grand Isle, Vermont operate primarily from May through October with lakefront sites often booking months in advance. Burton Island State Park cabins require ferry transportation from the mainland, creating a unique car-free environment. The island features hiking trails, canoe rentals, and designated swimming areas. Camp Skyland cabins offer direct views of Lake Champlain, though previous guests receive priority booking access for subsequent seasons.
What to do
Lake swimming access: Burton Island State Park Campground offers multiple swimming areas around the island. According to visitor Doris B., "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."
Island exploration: Visit the hiking trails throughout Burton Island. Rita M. notes, "There are beautiful trails that cover the island. The south tip of the island gets more wind, and therefore waves, which my children greatly enjoyed for swimming. The northern part has shale beaches, and a few areas of mucky/pebbly beaches."
Mountain biking: Apple Island Resort serves as an excellent base for cycling enthusiasts. Ronald C. highlights its "central area between Burlington and north hero" location, while another visitor notes, "Should have brought my roadbike, this is a bicyclers heaven."
Ferry excursions: Take the boat ferry from St. Albans to access Burton Island. Michael L. explains, "This is one of my favorite places to camp because it's on an island and just getting there is part of the experience. 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."
What campers like
Quiet adult-only environments: Champlain Resort Adult Campground provides a peaceful experience for those seeking a child-free setting. Anthony I. states, "It is child free which means it is super quiet and so relaxed. We spent about 11 days in absolute paradise at this campground. There was no loud music, late nights or bright lights blazing through the night."
Lakefront camping sites: At Grand Isle State Park Campground, waterfront locations offer premium views. Patricia E. describes, "This was our second visit, but first time in one of their prime lean-tos. Unforgettable views, clean and spacious facility, minutes to Burlington, VT."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high standards of cleanliness. Melissa L. from Grand Isle State Park notes, "Very nice people, clean bathrooms," while Tucker B. adds, "Showers are coin-operated, but $0.50 will get you 5 minutes of hot water!"
Proximity to Burlington: North Beach Campground provides easy access to Vermont's largest city. Brittany R. explains, "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."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most cabin facilities close in mid-October. AuSable Chasm Campground operates "May 27 to Oct 14," while Grand Isle State Park runs "May 12 to October 16."
Reservation timing: Cabins require advance planning. For Burton Island, one visitor advises, "Waterfront sites book very quickly (like 11 months in advance)."
Ferry logistics: Transportation to island cabins requires coordination. According to Michael L., the Burton Island ferry "runs throughout the day" from the mainland, with options to transport gear separately.
Variable water access: Lake entry points differ by location. Doris B. warns Burton Island visitors to "wear water shoes since it is mainly a rocky coast," while at Champlain Resort, Sebastian D. notes, "Lake is good to swim in just a little slippery."
Site spacing: Cabin proximity varies by campground. At Champlain Resort, Nancy W. observes, "The campground doesn't have a defined layout, instead, campsites are scattered about which is nice because there is more privacy."
Tips for camping with families
Beach selection: Choose sites with swimming areas appropriate for children. At Grand Isle State Park, Jessica G. found "a quiet, family friendly campground with a cute little beach and nature center with youth programs."
Nature programs: Take advantage of organized children's activities. Jessica G. mentions the "nature center with youth programs" at Grand Isle State Park as a benefit for families.
Weather preparation: Pack for temperature variations, especially in spring and fall. Grand Isle visitor Sarah C. advises, "We were able to set up a tarp just off the edge to cover the picnic table as it rained for part of our stay. The site drained well and was plenty big enough for our tent and needs."
Island camping advantages: Campbells Bay Campground offers cabin options with easy water access. Robert M. reports, "Cabins are clean, neat & very close to the water. Everything is clean, no litter on grounds or in water. Boat access is very easy."
Activity planning: Schedule outdoor activities around unpredictable weather. One visitor to Burton Island shares, "We caught frogs at our shoreline, rented a paddleboard, played in the waves, and enjoyed the icecream sandwiches from the camp store, skipped stones in the lake, and explored the island."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Check if your site requires stabilizing equipment. At AuSable Chasm, Heather M. found, "The site we had was quite large, I had booked an end site (#73) hoping it would be big!"
Road conditions: Access roads to campgrounds vary in quality. At Apple Island Resort, Nancy W. notes, "The roads are narrow and dirt/gravel but able to navigate if you go slow."
Hookup variations: Utilities differ significantly between locations. Nancy W. advises about Apple Island Resort: "The hook-ups at our site were well-placed but the sewer pipe was high off the ground which did not let it drain even with a 'slinky.'"
Site selection: Research campground layouts before booking. Susan & Kevin W. advise Apple Island visitors to "Study the sites carefully because our 'premium view site' looked into a boulder. If you squinted and closed one eye you could see a piece of the lake out of one sliver of our windshield."
