Lake Champlain shapes North Hero's camping landscape, with the island measuring about 15 miles long and varying from one-half to three miles wide. Winter temperatures can drop below 0°F, while summer highs reach the mid-80s. The area's cabins offer water access with varying proximity to shorelines, some requiring a short walk through wooded areas to reach swimming spots.
What to do
Biking island trails: At Burton Island State Park, visitors can explore car-free paths. "There are a lot of activities to do on the island. We went fishing, swimming, and out in a canoe. We rented a canoe from the campground and paddled over to Wood Island," notes one camper who appreciated the variety of water activities.
Swimming in Lake Champlain: Camp Skyland offers lakefront access for water activities. "Small rocky beach is available for great swimming and kayaking/SUPs," reports a visitor. The varied shoreline provides different swimming experiences depending on location.
Boat rental options: Several parks maintain seasonal boat rental services. "We biked to this park from Burlington via the Island Line Trail. It was a super trip. The lakeside lean-to was awesome," mentioned a visitor to Grand Isle State Park, highlighting how water and land activities can be combined.
Exploring nearby towns: The short drives to Burlington and other towns provide additional entertainment. "We drove to Grand Isles and stopped at a Snow Farm Winery. We did a tasting and enjoyed a nice view. There are lots of bicyclists that venture this route and they stop to enjoy a cold beer or wine," observed a Campbell's Bay visitor.
What campers like
Waterfront views: Many cabin sites offer partial or full lake views. "We had a lean-to site that was just far enough from the bathroom that it felt far. I found the site to be well maintained and for the rangers to be kind and help," shared an Ashley J. at Grand Isle State Park.
Ferry access: Some locations require boat transportation. "No power hookups and no water hookup at site; ferry takes you to the island; for a few, your equipment will be delivered to your campsite; restaurant and store on site; wood for sale," explains a Burton Island visitor, highlighting the unique transportation aspect.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain regular cleaning schedules. "Bathrooms and shower rooms are individual rooms, but the doors are not labeled so it's a game of 'what's behind door number 1?'" noted a visitor to AuSable Chasm Campground, showing even facilities have their quirks.
Social atmosphere: Many campgrounds foster community through shared spaces. "The check in process was easy. Given a map with highlighted route to our site. Site was clean and grassy. Very little traffic. Local law enforcement drove through. The sunsets were spectacular," mentioned a Lake Carmi State Park camper.
What you should know
Reservation timelines: Most camping cabins near North Hero book rapidly. "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," advises a Burton Island reviewer.
Weather considerations: The area experiences significant seasonal variations. "Weather was cool and rainy the first two days. Friday was beautiful. Lots of things to do around here with dogs and kids," noted a visitor to Apple Island Resort, highlighting the importance of preparing for weather changes.
Services vary widely: Cabin amenities differ significantly between locations. "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!" explained a Grand Isle Park camper.
Internet access: Connectivity varies by location. "There is no cable or Wi-Fi. Our Verizon phone and hotspot worked fine and we used our portable satellite dish for television," explained a Champlain Resort visitor, noting the workarounds for staying connected.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming safety: Lake conditions vary by location and season. "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," explained a Burton Island State Park visitor, highlighting how different shoreline areas suit different preferences.
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes can be prevalent, particularly near wooded cabin areas. "Mosquitoes were intense here, so bring spray & plan accordingly! Our screened-in tent area saved us from being eaten up," warned a Camp Skyland visitor.
Playground access: Some campgrounds maintain play areas. "It was a quiet, family friendly campground with a cute little beach and nature center with youth programs," reported a Grand Isle State Park visitor, noting the additional amenities beyond just cabin accommodations.
Pack proper footwear: Rocky shorelines require appropriate protection. "Just wear water shoes since it is mainly a rocky coast," advised a Burton Island visitor, a practical tip for comfortable water access.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: When booking cabins near North Hero for large vehicles, site variations matter. "Sites are very large and the campground is laid out in a very attractive way rather than typical straight rows. Lots of walking paths. Store with sandwich shop," noted a visitor to Apple Island Resort, highlighting the thoughtful design.
Hook-up locations: Utility placement can present challenges. "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,'" explained an Apple Island Resort visitor, noting the specific equipment challenges.
Access road conditions: Entry roads vary in quality. "The road through the campground is dirt and rutted but the speed limit is 5 mph, so it wasn't that bad, but it would be a mess if it was raining," reported a visitor to AuSable Chasm Campground, noting considerations for larger vehicles.
Seasonal maintenance: Campgrounds have varying upkeep schedules. "One of my complaints was that the grass in some areas really needed to be cut. At our site the weeds got super high and were sharp and prickly which was annoying to us and our dog," shared an Apple Island Resort visitor.
