Cabin camping near Shelburne, Vermont offers access to Lake Champlain's shoreline with views of the Adirondack Mountains to the west and Green Mountains to the east. The region experiences warm summers with average July temperatures around 80°F and cool nights, making cabin rentals practical for those seeking shelter from occasional summer storms. Weather patterns can change quickly in this region with lake effect conditions influencing local temperatures and precipitation.
What to do
Biking the Island Line Trail: Access the 14-mile paved path from North Beach Campground, connecting Burlington to the islands. "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 and you're also right on the beach of Lake Champlain. A gorgeous bike trail also runs right through the campground," notes a North Beach Campground visitor.
Kayaking on Lake Champlain: Launch directly from waterfront sites at several parks for paddling. "Behind the 100-Acre section are trails that lead to Whiteface Mountain so you don't have to get in the car to start a hike. My dog loved running through the woods and there were a couple of small streams where she could get a drink of water," according to a Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday guest.
Hiking historic foundations: Explore abandoned settlements near Waterbury. "The hiking trails are really good--the actually pretty steep. There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover," reports a Little River State Park Campground camper.
Swimming in the reservoir: Cool off at designated swimming areas with lifeguards during summer months. "This state park is so fun to camp at! It has a great playground for kids and a nice swimming pool! You can hike on the trail and Lake Champlain is right there!" shares a Button Bay visitor.
What campers like
Private waterfront cabins: Secluded lake-view accommodations with boat access. "One of my favorite things about Button Bay is that it's especially lovely in the evening as the sun is setting," remarks a Button Bay State Park visitor.
Proximity to Burlington: Cabins within 20 minutes of city amenities and cultural activities. "Burlington, VT is one of my favorite towns on the east coast. Camping at North Beach is a great experience if you want quick access to the water, and do not mind the close proximity of others," explains a North Beach Campground reviewer.
Year-round availability: Select cabins open through winter months. "Camped here for the Burlington Questival. Perfect place to hang out with friends and be outdoors. Love that it's open year round!" notes a Shelburne Camping Area guest.
Well-maintained facilities: Clean bathrooms and modern amenities. "The bathhouses were clean and complete with showers! Basketball courts, a park and swimming are some of the things to do there. And the people were super nice and lient with the amount of people/tents we had," reports a camper at Button Bay State Park.
What you should know
Cabin booking timeline: Reserve waterfront cabins 9-12 months in advance for summer stays. "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 helpful," explains a Grand Isle State Park Campground visitor.
Coin-operated showers: Most state park cabins have pay showers costing $0.25-$0.50 for 5 minutes. "Showers are coin operated. We had a huge campsite that was comfortable for 3 tents and 6 adults. The restrooms/showers are vintage but clean and functional," reports a Grand Isle State Park camper.
Variable cell service: Coverage depends on proximity to towns and terrain. "Working was a breeze. The campgrounds wifi worked really well and we were finally able to do some website work. We had no issues with our 9-5 jobs. Connecting and taking calls on Verizon and AT&T worked well," notes a Shelburne Camping Area guest.
Seasonal operation: Most cabin facilities close after mid-October. "May through Columbus Day weekend is the standard operating season, with limited sites available during shoulder months," explains a park ranger.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose cabins near play areas for convenience. "This has been one of our favorite campsites so far. We loved being able to walk down to the beach, as well as having full hookups. We also met the nicest people here," shares a North Beach Campground visitor.
Educational programs: Take advantage of ranger-led activities for kids. "This is a good campground for families that are not too rowdy. There is a pool for swimming, paved roads are good for bikes & scooters, pavilion for activities, lake for swimming & fishing and hiking trails," notes a Button Bay visitor.
Cabin size considerations: Most basic cabins fit 4-6 people comfortably. "This state park is super quiet, family friendly campground with a cute little beach and nature center with youth programs," reports a Grand Isle State Park visitor.
Insect protection: Pack extra repellent for late spring and summer. "This campground was convenient for us. The place is more like a trailer park with a lot of long term RV rentals. Bathrooms were clean," shares a Smugglers Notch State Park Campground guest.
Tips from RVers
Hook-up availability: Limited full-service sites for larger rigs. "We had a full hook up 50a pull through for 3 nights as we toured the northeast. Water pressure was good, road noise was minimal, sites are spaced apart well, enough mature tree growth for shade and hammock!" explains a Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA guest.
Arrival timing: Check-in between 2-8pm at most locations. "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," notes an Apple Island Resort visitor.
Winter access: Only select private campgrounds offer winter cabin accommodations with RV access. "Simple campsites and not too crowded. Bathrooms are relatively close and complete with showers! Basketball courts, a park and swimming are some of the things to do there," shares a Button Bay State Park visitor.