Best Campgrounds near North Hero, VT
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.
