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North Hero, Vermont and the surrounding Champlain Islands offer a range of camping experiences along Lake Champlain's shoreline. Grand Isle State Park Campground provides tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with waterfront access, while Burton Island State Park Campground offers a unique boat-in camping experience with tent sites, cabins, and glamping options. Apple Island Resort in nearby South Hero features developed RV and cabin sites with lake views. The region includes several state parks with varying levels of amenities, from primitive island camping to full-service resorts with electric and water hookups.
Camping in this area operates primarily from May through mid-October, with most facilities closing after Columbus Day weekend. Burton Island and Knight Island State Parks maintain a shorter season, typically operating from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Winter conditions make most campgrounds inaccessible during the off-season. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for waterfront sites which book up to 11 months in advance. Many campgrounds offer coin-operated showers, potable water, and sanitary dump stations. A camper noted, "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."
Lake Champlain dominates the camping experience in this region, with spectacular sunsets and water access being primary attractions. Several campgrounds provide boat launches, swimming areas, and fishing opportunities. The island setting creates a unique atmosphere, particularly at boat-access-only locations like Burton and Knight Islands. Biking is popular, with trails connecting to mainland Vermont and the Lake Champlain Bike Ferry. One visitor shared, "It's like going to a tropical island without leaving Vermont. There are no cars on the island. You have to paddle yourself out or take the VT State Park passenger ferry from St. Albans." Proximity to Burlington (about 30 minutes from Grand Isle) allows campers to combine outdoor recreation with urban amenities and cultural attractions.
"Rained quite a bit, but took advantage of the libraries in North Hero and Worthen on those days. Also has a boat launch and beach area for swimming or nice sunset views."
"Beautifully set on Lake Champlain in Vermont! This is a relatively large campground but is well laid out and doesn't feel small even when it's packed to the gills."
from $6 - $28 / 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"I've been exploring Vermont State Parks since before I could walk, and Burton Island State Park is my all time favorite!"
"You can swim anywhere you can find, and walk down their well-maintained trails. Only negatives: a lottttt of bugs/mosquitoes, and not the best bathrooms. Otherwise we think it’s worth the visit!"
"This campground is located in a central area between Burlington and north hero. The views of lake Champlain are amazing. Ex check in and plenty of amenities."
"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"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 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"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"
"Great location right near lake Champlain, and only about a 20 minute drive from Canada. The ferry to Burlington VT is also a very short distance away!"
"Very close to Burlington VT and Canada there are many different hiking and adventuring options. It did seem that many of the sites were seasonal. Clean, and well kept."
from $30 - $56 / night
Check Availability"The Park: So pretty, right across from the lake, this road leading up to it is amazing as well, it is right on the lake side and goes down Lake Champlain."
"The Camp store is expensive (like your normal camp stores) but it is also very close to Plattsburgh which has the mall and anything you might need."
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.
North Hero sits on an island in Lake Champlain at approximately 108 feet above sea level, with the lake surface typically maintaining 95-98 feet above sea level depending on seasonal conditions. The Champlain Islands experience a slightly moderated climate compared to mainland Vermont, with camping seasons running primarily from May through mid-October. Winter winds across Lake Champlain create wind chill factors that make off-season camping impractical for most visitors.
Biking the Island Chain: Grand Isle State Park Campground provides an excellent base for cyclists exploring the islands. "You can bike directly from here all the way to Burlington, without ever getting back in your car! Take the bike ferry across a small section of Lake Champlain and keep on riding," notes a camper who stayed at Grand Isle State Park Campground.
Fishing from Shore: The rocky shoreline provides numerous fishing spots throughout the island chain. At Burton Island State Park Campground, campers can fish directly from their sites. "We went fishing, swimming, and out in a canoe. We rented a canoe from the campground and paddled over to Wood Island," explains one visitor.
Visit Local Agricultural Sites: The islands contain several farms, vineyards and markets. "Lots of things to do around here with dogs and kids. Breweries near by for the so inclined. Should have brought my roadbike, this is a bicyclers heaven," says a camper from Apple Island Resort.
Car-Free Island Experience: Burton Island offers a unique car-free camping environment. "There are no cars on the island. You have to paddle yourself out or take the VT State Park passenger ferry from St. Albans," explains a camper.
Private Waterfront Sites: Knight Island State Park Campground provides remote waterfront camping. "Every remote campsite is waterside, with fabulous access to amazing swimming, gorgeous sunsets, and fantastic hikes across the island," notes one visitor.
Convenient Urban Access: Proximity to Burlington provides cultural opportunities alongside nature. A visitor to North Beach Campground explains, "You're tucked away in the woods on gorgeous lake champlain and can bike into burlington for meals and city street strolls."
Adult-Only Options: Champlain Resort Adult Campground offers a quieter alternative. "It is child free which means it is super quiet and so relaxed. We spent about 11 days in absolute paradise at this campground," reports a satisfied camper.
Reservation Timing: Waterfront sites at popular campgrounds book extremely early. A North Beach camper advises, "We stay every year for the Vermont City Marathon. It is a convenient bike ride down the bike path to the waterside park."
Weather Preparedness: Lake Champlain creates its own weather patterns. "It rained quite a bit, but took advantage of the libraries in North Hero and Worthen on those days," notes a Champlain Resort Adult Campground visitor.
Shower Facilities: Many campgrounds have coin-operated showers. "Showers are coin-operated, but $0.50 will get you 5 minutes of hot water!" explains a Grand Isle State Park camper.
Beach Conditions: Swimming areas vary significantly in quality. "Very rocky beach with little to no sand to play in," notes a Grand Isle visitor, while another mentions, "The beach is nice even though rocky."
Youth Programs: State parks offer organized activities. "It was a quiet, family friendly campground with a cute little beach and nature center with youth programs," reports a Grand Isle visitor.
Site Selection for Kids: Choose sites based on water access and bathroom proximity. A camper at Cumberland Bay State Park notes, "This is a great place for the family. The playground is great. New bath house. Some sites with electric. Even with a windy, cold, rainy day it is still beautiful."
Transportation Planning: Getting to island campgrounds requires logistics. A Burton Island camper advises, "Once you're on the island, you can borrow a cart to bring your gear to your site, or you can pay one of the park rangers to haul it in one of their golf carts."
Food Options: Some island campgrounds offer limited food service. "There's a camping bistro where you can buy pancakes, coffee, local beer, and fine wines," notes a Burton Island visitor.
Site Layout Awareness: Cumberland Bay State Park Campground offers varied RV sites. A visitor explains, "Very well maintained. The bathrooms by the beach were clean. The sites were large and grassy, and the beach parking is separate from the camping which is great when you have a family with kids."
Hook-up Positioning: Some campgrounds have unusual hookup configurations. An Apple Island Resort visitor warns, "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.'"
Local Service Information: RVers should note dump station availability. "There is a pump station for RVs but a lot of tent camping as well. Great location right near lake Champlain, and only about a 20 minute drive from Canada," mentions a Cumberland Bay visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping options are available in North Hero State Park?
While North Hero itself offers beautiful Lake Champlain views, the primary camping options in the area include Woods Island State Park Campground and Knight Island State Park Campground. Both are boat-in only island experiences in Lake Champlain's 'inland sea' with rustic, remote sites. For mainland camping near North Hero, consider Grand Isle State Park Campground, which offers well-laid-out sites with lake access, boat launches, and beach areas for swimming.
What amenities are provided at North Hero camping sites?
Camping facilities near North Hero offer varying amenities. Apple Island Resort provides full-service amenities with excellent views of Lake Champlain in a central location. For RV campers, Barber Homestead Park offers well-maintained facilities including nice restrooms, laundry facilities, and direct access to Lake Champlain. Most state parks in the region provide clean facilities with coin-operated hot showers, boat launches, swimming areas, and walking trails, though amenities are typically more basic than at private campgrounds.
When is the best season for camping in North Hero?
The prime camping season in North Hero and surrounding Lake Champlain islands runs from late May through early October, with July and August offering the warmest temperatures for swimming and water activities. North Beach Campground is particularly popular during summer months for its beautiful lake views and access to Burlington's bike paths. Fall camping in September brings spectacular foliage with fewer crowds. Many campgrounds in the region, including Mountain View Campground, close for winter due to Vermont's harsh cold season.
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