Woods Island State Park Campground accepts pets at its remote tent-only sites on Lake Champlain, accessible only by private boat with no docking facilities. Campers must beach their boats or anchor offshore and carry gear to one of five primitive campsites scattered around the two-mile shoreline. Burton Island State Park Campground and Knight Island State Park also welcome pets at their island campsites, both requiring boat access for entry. These island parks feature fire rings at designated sites and composting toilets, though none provide potable water or electric hookups. Campbells Bay Campground offers more amenities for pet owners with water and electric sites, plus a boat launch and docks. The campground contains full-time residents alongside recreational campers. Visitors note the rocky shoreline can make landing boats challenging, especially at Knight Island where mosquitoes and black flies can be problematic during certain seasons.
Lake Carmi State Park Campground provides pet-friendly accommodations including leanto sites, tent spots, RV camping, and cabins. The park features two loops with spacious, secluded sites and two beaches - one primarily for day use and another designated for campers. Two boat launches provide convenient lake access for fishing and water recreation. Dogs enjoy swimming at numerous access points throughout these campgrounds, though pet owners should bring water shoes for rocky shorelines. Winter camping permits for Knight Island can be obtained through Vermont State Parks, with leantos on the east side offering good fishing access and wildlife viewing opportunities including deer, turkey, and fox. Law enforcement regularly patrols Lake Carmi State Park, which has helped reduce disruptive behavior noted in earlier seasons. Most campgrounds require advance reservations, with popular waterfront sites at Burton Island booking nearly 11 months ahead.
"We were able to spend some time around Lake Champlain, explore nearby areas and even make a trip toward the border without having to move the RV."
"We chose Kings Bay because we wanted to spend most of our trip outdoors and close to Lake Champlain."
from $58 - $95 / night
"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
"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?"
"Dog friendly, cool trails to walk on. The sites were very private. Would love to come back! The sites and bathrooms were also VERY clean. Friendly staff!"
from $29 / night
"I've been exploring Vermont State Parks since before I could walk, and Burton Island State Park is my all time favorite!"
"Burton Island is a 2.5 mile long island state park off of the shoreline of Lake Champlain."
"I couldn’t find a specific option for this campground, so I used a nearby one. This is Lake Willoughby near Lakewood. There are tons of primitive camping spots here."
"I rented a stand up paddle board at a place nearby for the day and had fun playing in the water. The weather was perfect in the summer. Definitely bring bug spray would be my only complaint!"
"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."
"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"
"Visit this campground in the fall and experience quintessential Vermont in all its glory. The campground is nice. The people are friendly."
"Lots of things to do around here with dogs and kids. Breweries near by for the so inclined. Should have brought my roadbike, this is a bicyclers heaven."
from $55 - $105 / night
"One of three neighboring island parks in Lake Champlain’s “inland sea”(along with Burton Island and Knight Island), Woods Island became Vermont's forty-fifth state park in 1985."
"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
ScoutFirst trip with our new RV and we were a little nervous about getting everything set up. Having full hookups made it way less complicated than we expected. Once we were settled, we just enjoyed the area and took a few day trips. Would definatly come back for another Adirondack trip.
ScoutIf youre traveling through northern NY, this is a really convenient place to base yourself. We were able to spend some time around Lake Champlain, explore nearby areas and even make a trip toward the border without having to move the RV. Coming back to a waterfront campground every evening was a pretty nice bonus.
ScoutWe came up for a quick Adirondack getaway and ended up spending most of our time outside. A little disc golf, some time by the pool, dinner at the site and plenty of walks with the dog. Pretty much everything we wanted out of the trip.
ScoutWhat started as a quick weekend ended up being one of our favorite stops this summer. We spent one day around the campground and another exploring the area. The beach and water were a huge plus for us.
ScoutOne of the best parts for us was not having to pack up the RV every time we wanted to go somewhere. We stayed put and explored the Adirondacks from here. Lake Champlain, Ausable Chasm and a bunch of other spots were all easy to get to.
ScoutWe decided to stay for the summer and so far it has been a really fun experience. There is always something going on and the lake gives everyone plenty to do. The kids have already made friends and we are getting to know the other campers too.
ScoutHaving the river and Adirondacks nearby made for a really nice change of scenery. We spent our days exploring and came back to the campground for dinner and a fire.
ScoutOur site had everything we needed and getting set up was easy. We also appreciated having wifi since we had a few things to take care of during the trip.
GuideWe had the upper sites all drive in or small camper. And or Tent. Amazing rolling brook beautiful sites we had site 32. The lower ones are rv. The owner gave us free wood as it was end of season. We were there Oct 10 I’m not sure but think they close the 13
Lake Champlain creates unique camping conditions around Swanton, Vermont, with a mix of island and mainland campgrounds. The area has a humid continental climate with warm summers averaging 75-80°F and cold winters. Shorelines in this region range from rocky beaches to marshy inlets, affecting campsite selection and water access depending on location.
Paddle to remote sites: Woods Island State Park Campground offers five primitive tent-only sites scattered around its two-mile shoreline. No docks exist, requiring boaters to beach their craft or anchor offshore. "One of three neighboring island parks in Lake Champlain's 'inland sea', Woods Island became Vermont's forty-fifth state park in 1985. Measuring one mile long and a quarter-mile wide, 125-acre Woods Island provides a unique habitat for a rich variety of plant life," according to M.A.D. P.
Beach activities: Grand Isle State Park Campground features a designated swimming area with rocky terrain. "The beach tends to be fairly rocky, except for a point along the east shore, from which the walk to campsites is between one-quarter and three-quarters of a mile," notes a camper. Despite this, the lakeside setting offers recreation options. "There is lake access for kayaking, sailing, swimming and fishing," Patricia E. mentioned about her visit.
Winter camping: For off-season visitors, Knight Island State Park Campground permits winter camping with proper permits. "Knight Island is a summer camping oasis but you can obtain a permit from the Vt. State Parks to winter camp. 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," shares M.A.D. P.
Island seclusion: Campers appreciate the remote feeling at Burton Island State Park Campground. "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," states Tara S. The car-free environment creates a distinct atmosphere compared to mainland camping.
Waterfront sites: Lake Carmi State Park Campground features premium lakefront accommodations. "Large state park with two loops, both of which are lakefront. A mix of primitive sites (no w/e/s), lean-tos, and two cabins, one in each section. Sites/lean-tos are designated premium (lakefront) or non," explains Lee D., highlighting the options available to visitors.
Diverse wildlife viewing: The region offers opportunities to spot native species. "Not for the faint of heart, Knight Island is only accessible by private boat, though there are a few unregulated boat taxis that will agree to take the boat-less out there," notes Ruby L., who also mentions the excellent "swimming, gorgeous sunsets, and fantastic hikes across the island."
Weather conditions: Lake Champlain can create challenging boating conditions. "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," advises Rita M. about accessing Burton Island State Park Campground.
Campground amenities: Facilities vary widely between sites. "The bathrooms by the beach were clean (you don't see that everywhere, especially at a place with a high usage). The sites were large and grassy, and the beach parking is separate from the camping which is great when you have a family with kids," reports Meag F. about Cumberland Bay State Park.
Reservation timing: Popular locations fill quickly. "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," explains a reviewer about Burton Island, highlighting the need for advance planning.
Insect protection: Bring adequate mosquito protection, particularly for island camping. "Beware: mosquitoes and black flies in the middle of the island can be nasty, sometimes better to take the perimeter route," Ruby L. warns about Knight Island, a common concern at many lakeside locations in the region.
Child-friendly spaces: Grand Isle State Park Campground offers dedicated areas for younger campers. "It was a quiet, family friendly campground with a cute little beach and nature center with youth programs," notes Jessica G., making it ideal for families seeking structured activities for children.
Site selection: Choose locations based on family needs. "We spent a long weekend here to enjoy some mid-summer bike riding along the many bike-paths Vermont has to offer. The facilities are well maintained and clean," Sarah C. explains about Grand Isle, emphasizing its connectivity to regional bike paths.
Hookup considerations: Apple Island Resort offers full-service RV camping with some site-specific considerations. "One thing is that 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., highlighting a setup that differs from standard RV sites.
Seasonal accommodations: Pet friendly camping near Swanton, Vermont includes options for both short visits and extended stays. "There are a lot of full timers living there," notes B M. about Campbells Bay Campground, which also features boat access. "There is a boat launch, gas for boats and docks to keep a boat. They rent boats there too."
Site spacing: RVers appreciate generous spacing at many area campgrounds. "Campground is not too tightly packed, enough room," Ron H. notes about Apple Island Resort, which also offers "lots of things to do around here with dogs and kids" making it suitable for pet-friendly camping trips with the whole family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Swanton, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Swanton, VT is Kings Bay Campground with a 5-star rating from 23 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Swanton, VT?
TheDyrt.com has all 66 dog-friendly camping locations near Swanton, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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