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St. Albans, Vermont provides a gateway to distinctive island and lakefront camping experiences along Lake Champlain. The region includes several state parks on islands within Lake Champlain, including Burton Island, Knight Island, and Woods Island State Parks, all accessible only by boat. Grand Isle State Park Campground offers tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins along the lakeshore with stunning mountain views. Campgrounds like Apple Island Resort and Champlain Resort provide full-service options with water and electric hookups, while more remote island locations offer primitive tent sites with minimal facilities.
Camping season in this region generally runs from Memorial Day weekend through mid-October, with island parks typically operating until Labor Day weekend. Most developed campgrounds require reservations, with waterfront sites booking up to 11 months in advance. Transportation logistics are a significant consideration as several campgrounds require boat access. Burton Island offers a passenger ferry service from Kill Kare State Park, while Woods Island and Knight Island require visitors to arrange private boat transportation with no dock facilities. One camper noted, "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."
Lakefront camping locations consistently receive high ratings from visitors who appreciate the unique experience of island camping. Knight Island State Park features remote waterfront campsites with minimal facilities but exceptional swimming and sunset views. Burton Island State Park stands out for its car-free environment, creating a family-friendly atmosphere with accessible amenities including a camp store and bistro. Several visitors highlighted the special nature of these island experiences, with one noting that Burton Island is "like going to a tropical island without leaving Vermont." Winter camping permits are available for Knight Island through Vermont State Parks for those seeking solitude and ice fishing opportunities, though facilities are extremely limited during off-season months.
"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."
"Since the park is on a island in Lake Champlain in Vermont there is water all around. Good places to walk and ride."
from $6 - $28 / 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!"
"Our first time in Vermont, we were coming from Montreal, Quebec. And while there are many nice campsites to visit in Quebec... we've done them all, within a 2-hour radius. Well, guess what?"
"Lakefront sites have a filtered view of the lake through the trees. Bath/Shower House: The one closest to us was very clean. Three stalls and one shower."
from $29 / night
Check Availability"Visit this campground in the fall and experience quintessential Vermont in all its glory. The campground is nice. The people are friendly."
"Brewery and vineyards close by"
from $55 - $105 / 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"The laundry room is near most sites. The campground is in the perfect location to visit Lake Champlain. There is so much to do in the area."
"Site Quality: RV sites are arranged around an oval. Pads are gravel. Because the loop is on a hill, some sites are not quite level, but only slightly."
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability"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"We had one right next to the playground so our daughter could walk straight to it without having to cross a road. And speaking of playground, it was large and very nice."
"Our boys had fun riding their bikes around, playing basketball, and playing a round of mini golf."
from $8 - $12 / 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"
"It had a view of the water yet it's a distance away. We had water and electric and a small dump station. There was a tree in our site which gave us a little shade yet no privacy in-between the sites."
"It’s always a great time, cabins are clean, neat & very close to the water. Everything is clean, no litter on grounds or in water. Boat access is very easy, docks can be a bit shakey lol."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in St. Albans?
St. Albans offers excellent access to some of Vermont's finest lakeside camping experiences. Burton Island State Park Campground is a standout destination, accessible only by boat and offering a unique island camping experience with beautiful shorelines and trails. Another exceptional option is Woods Island State Park Campground, which provides a secluded natural habitat on a mile-long island in Lake Champlain's 'inland sea.' Both locations offer primitive camping with basic amenities like restrooms and picnic areas. For those seeking mainland options, Knight Island State Park and Lake Carmi State Park are also within reasonable driving distance from St. Albans, providing more accessible camping experiences with additional amenities.
What camping options are available near St. Albans, VT?
The St. Albans area offers diverse camping options for every preference. Grand Isle State Park Campground provides a peaceful lakeside experience with clean facilities and hot showers on Lake Champlain, perfect for families. For those seeking a unique private camping experience, Art and Health Chill Camping offers various accommodations including cabins, hives, or open locations for RVs and tents on 80 acres of private land. Additional options include Mountain View Campground with riverfront tent sites and family amenities, and Little River State Park near Waterbury with reservoir access. The region also features several island camping experiences accessible by boat, including Knight Island State Park for those seeking more remote adventures.
Are there RV campgrounds with electric hookups near St. Albans?
North Beach Campground offers RV sites with electric hookups about 25 miles south of St. Albans. These electric sites are specifically designated for RVs, though they tend to be placed closer together than the non-electric sites. For a more spacious option, Barber Homestead Park provides well-maintained RV sites with easy maneuverability and full hookups. The park also features nice restrooms, laundry facilities, and direct access to Lake Champlain. Both campgrounds serve as excellent bases for exploring the St. Albans area and offer varying levels of amenities for RV campers seeking electrical connections.
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