Campsites near St. Albans, Vermont offer diverse experiences from lakeside settings to secluded island retreats with seasonal operations typically running May through October. Most campgrounds in this region provide water access to Lake Champlain with varying levels of amenities. Winter camping permits are available at select locations for those seeking off-season solitude, though facilities become extremely limited with temperatures dropping to the low 20s during January and February.
What to do
Kayaking from shore access points: At Grand Isle State Park Campground, visitors can launch directly from the park. "There is lake access for kayaking, sailing, swimming and fishing," notes Patricia E., who appreciated the convenient water activities.
Biking on local trails: The region offers excellent cycling routes connecting campgrounds to nearby towns. "We biked to this park from Burlington via the Island Line Trail. It was a super trip," shares John L. about his Grand Isle experience. Other cyclists frequently travel through South Hero, stopping at local wineries like Snow Farm Winery.
Ferry rides and island hopping: Explore multiple islands using local ferry services. One camper at Burton Island State Park Campground explains, "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."
Fishing opportunities: Lake Champlain offers year-round fishing with seasonal variations. "We went fishing, swimming, and out in a canoe. We rented a canoe from the campground and paddled over to Wood Island," shares Michael L. about activities at Burton Island.
What campers like
Car-free camping environments: Several campers appreciate the absence of vehicles on certain islands. "There are no cars on the island. You have to paddle yourself out or take the VT State Park passenger ferry from St. Albans," notes one reviewer about Burton Island, highlighting how this creates a distinct atmosphere.
Easy access to urban amenities: North Beach Campground offers proximity to Burlington while maintaining a natural setting. "Burlington is my favorite city by far, and this campground is right on the beach! You get the best of both worlds at this location. Biking into Burlington takes 5-10 minutes," writes Brittany R.
Clean facilities despite remote settings: Campgrounds maintain good standards even in primitive areas. "The bathrooms were pretty good and cleaned often. VT state does a great job of keeping the campground very clean," says one camper about Lake Carmi State Park Campground.
Adult-only options: For those seeking quieter environments, Champlain Resort Adult Campground provides child-free camping. "It is child free which means it is super quiet and so relaxed. We spent about 11 days in absolute paradise at this campground," shares Anthony I., noting the distinct atmosphere this creates.
What you should know
Boat access requirements: Many island campsites require private boat transportation. At Woods Island State Park Campground, "There is no ferry service to the island and visitors must make their own arrangements. There are no docks; visitors must either beach their boat or anchor off."
Remote camping limitations: Island camping often comes with minimal facilities. "Woods Island is a 'remote area' campground. Remote area campsites, while beautiful, are not for everybody. Sanitary facilities are minimal, and there is no potable water supply," notes one reviewer.
Reservation timelines: Popular sites book quickly, especially waterfront options. For Burton Island, "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."
Water conditions: Lake quality varies seasonally. "The lake had green algae and we spotted several dead fish floating. It made me nervous about the water," reports one Lake Carmi visitor during a summer visit.
Tips for camping with families
Accessible nature programs: State parks often offer educational activities. "It was a quiet, family friendly campground with a cute little beach and nature center with youth programs," shares Jessica G. about Grand Isle State Park.
Consider coin-operated shower facilities: Most state park showers require quarters. "Showers are coin-operated, but $0.50 will get you 5 minutes of hot water!" notes Tucker B. about Grand Isle, while another visitor mentions "The water pressure is barely enough to rinse the soap off" at Burton Island.
Look for car-free environments: Apple Island Resort offers family-friendly amenities in a controlled setting. "Plenty of spots for in and out visitors. Seasonals are mostly elderly residents but set back from the non-seasonal sites," notes Dave M., creating separate areas for different visitor types.
Check beach conditions before swimming: Rocky shorelines are common in the region. "Very rocky beach with little to no sand to play in," mentions Melissa L. about Grand Isle, suggesting water shoes for comfort on the pebbly lake bottom.
Tips from RVers
Site layout considerations: Many RV sites in the region face the water directly. At Apple Island Resort, "Most waterfront sites are nose-in and suited well for motorhomes. Sometimes they would park a towable next to them and if they backed in there would be a shared patio."
Hookup placements: Pay attention to utility locations when reserving. "Their hook ups are on the passenger side. You have to pull straight in with the truck and camper. This is because a lot of class A prefer this way," explains Ron H.
Off-season availability: Several campgrounds extend their seasons beyond summer. "We were there during the last week of the season so things were very quiet. Study the sites carefully because our 'premium view site' looked into a boulder," suggests Susan & Kevin W.
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds offer full sewer hookups. "Very nice campground, nice staff, the sites are spacious, the grounds and facilities are clean. They have a par 3 golf course and boat docks on site. FHU, at&t worked but not well," reports Jason E. about Apple Island Resort.
