Lake Champlain's islands near North Hero, Vermont offer secluded tent camping opportunities at elevations around 95-105 feet above sea level. The camping season typically runs from late May through early September, with water temperatures reaching the mid-70s during summer months. Most island sites require self-sufficient camping skills due to limited facilities and boat-only access.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Burton Island State Park provides excellent fishing access with dedicated shoreline spots. According to Michael L., "We went fishing, swimming, and out in a canoe. We rented a canoe from the campground and paddled over to Wood Island."
Winter camping: For adventurous campers, Knight Island State Park offers off-season opportunities. One camper notes, "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."
Hiking trail exploration: The islands feature interconnected trail systems with varying difficulty levels. At Woods Island State Park, "The island's five campsites are situated around the two-mile shoreline, and are connected by a trail system. This gives you great privacy, but it also means you're going to have to walk and carry your own gear from wherever you come ashore."
Wildlife viewing: The islands support diverse ecosystems with abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. Woods Island "provides a unique habitat for a rich variety of plant life, including many species that are rare or threatened in Vermont."
What campers like
Island isolation: The separation from mainland creates a unique camping atmosphere. One camper at Valcour Island shares, "I have been camping on this island for just over 30 years, and my father camped there for another 30 prior to that. It is one of my favorite places in the whole world."
Waterfront access: Nearly every site on these islands offers direct water access. A Burton Island visitor mentions, "We were lucky enough to get a waterfront lean-to and the view was spectacular! The campground is very clean and the staff are friendly and helpful."
Car-free environment: The absence of vehicles creates a peaceful atmosphere. As one camper at Burton Island State Park notes, "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."
Family-friendly atmosphere: Many island campsites accommodate families particularly well. "It's super family friendly - maybe it's because there aren't cars all over the place, but the island is full of free range kids, and they're having a blast."
What you should know
Transportation logistics: Plan carefully for reaching island campsites. For Burton Island, "Depending on the weather, the 3/4 mile crossing from Kamp KilKare State Park can be rough and windy. If you are an experienced paddler, have a good copilot, and not too much gear, you would be fine."
Limited facilities: Most island sites have minimal amenities. At Indian Brook Reservoir, "There is an extensive trail system that is easy to navigate. Nestled in the woods are several tent platforms that you can access by foot or by boat. They are spacious but not too private. There is a shared privy among the sites."
Water access challenges: Island shorelines vary in accessibility. On Woods Island, "There are no docks; visitors must either beach their boat or anchor off. The beach tends to be fairly rocky, except for a point along the east shore."
Reservation requirements: Most sites require advance planning. For Woods Island, "Camping is by reservation only on designated sites. Reservations (2-night minimum)."
Tips for camping with families
Pack strategically: With boat transportation required, efficient packing is essential. At Burton Island, campers suggest, "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... it was well worth it."
Activity options: Islands offer numerous family-friendly activities. Burton Island has "a lot of activities to do on the island. We went fishing, swimming, and out in a canoe."
Kid-friendly environments: The contained nature of islands creates safe spaces for children. "The island is full of free range kids, and they're having a blast."
Wildlife education opportunities: Island ecosystems provide natural learning experiences. At Black Creek Maple's Nature Escape, campers enjoy "this beautiful campsite with a magnificent view of Mount Mansfield. The small amount of camping space made the experience quite unique and private."
Tips from RVers
Alternative accommodation options: For those wanting island experiences without tent camping, some alternatives exist. At Burton Island, "You can stay in a cabin! If you don't want to rough it, you don't have to."
Marina services: Boaters can access dedicated facilities at select locations. Burton Island provides "a marina (with WiFi), and you can rent slips for the night."
Equipment transportation: Consider gear transport options to ease logistical challenges. At Burton 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."
Provisioning options: Some islands offer limited supplies. Burton Island has "a store and freshly made cafe food" with one camper noting the "camp store has awesome breakfast! You can swim anywhere you can find, and walk down their well-maintained trails."
