Gravel roads wind through this Lake Champlain island campground, where coin-operated showers and spacious sites accommodate both RVs up to 30 feet and tent campers. Grand Isle State Park Campground operates seasonally from mid-May through mid-October, offering 117 sites with electric and water hookups available for those who need them.
The campground spreads across open terrain with varying degrees of shade between sites. Many campers note the sparse vegetation between some camping areas, though waterfront lean-tos provide better lake views for the same nightly rate. Sarah C. found the layout works well even when busy, noting it "doesn't feel small even when it's packed to the gills." A designated WiFi area near the welcome kiosk includes picnic tables and phone charging stations surrounded by flower gardens.
Lake Champlain access drives much of the activity here, with a boat launch near several campsites and a designated dog swimming area at the boat ramp. Fishing from shore produces catches according to multiple reviews, while kayakers launch directly from the park. The Island Line Rail Trail connects to Burlington via bike ferry, allowing cyclists to cover significant distances without returning to their vehicles. A nature center offers guided programs, and staff organize occasional evening entertainment.
Facilities stay consistently clean according to reviews, with hot showers available for 50 cents per five-minute session. The campground maintains quiet hours strictly, though some road noise occurs on gravel surfaces. Dan J. appreciated that "State Park camping is economical and relaxing" while still offering activities typically found at private campgrounds.
This island location works well for campers who want lake access without marina crowds, though waterfront sites fill quickly during peak season. The combination of water activities, cycling connections, and affordable state park rates appeals to families and couples seeking a Lake Champlain base camp.
Description
Welcome to Grand Isle State Park, located on South Hero Island in Lake Champlain. The Island, also known as Grand Isle, is 14 miles long and over 3 miles wide, making it the largest in Lake Champlain. It contains the towns of Grand Isle (on the northern half) and South Hero (on the southern half). The North and South Hero Islands are named in honor of early pioneering Vermonters who served in the American Revolution.
Grand Isle State Park is the most-visited campground in the state park system. With 4,150 feet of Lake Champlain shoreline, Grand Isle is popular with many destination campers who spend their entire vacation here. At the same time, the park location on US Route 2 attracts a high number of one-night campers, while proximity to population centers in Burlington, Vermont and Montreal, Quebec make it an easy destination for the weekend or spur-of-the-moment camper. Park property extends all the way west to Route 2, where part of the land is being kept open by agricultural lease, and some of what was pasture thirty years ago has reverted to woodland.
Reservation Info
There are 115 tent/RV sites, 36 lean-to sites, and 4 cabin sites, making the campground Vermont's second-largest. Restrooms have running water and coin-operated hot showers. There is an RV sanitary station but there are no hookups. Fifty percent of the sites are large enough to accommodate self-contained RVs.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsGrand Isle State Park Campground is located in Vermont near Grand Isle
Directions
From the South: Take I-89 to Exit 17; Travel west on US Route 2 through the towns of South Hero and Keeler Bay. Continue straight through the flashing light at the junction of US Route 2 and VT Route 314. The park entrance road is exactly 2 miles past the light on the right side of the road; Follow road to park entrance, approximately 1 mile. From the North: Travel East on US Route 2 through the Champlain Islands. Drive through the towns of Alburgh, North Hero and Grand Isle. The park entrance is approximately 2.5 miles on the left after the flashing light, just past the Grand Isle Elementary School.
Address
36 East Shore South
Grand Isle, VT 05458
Coordinates
44.68800023 N
73.295 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 5/23/26
VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 14 usersLast on 5/23/26
AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 5/23/26
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 5/23/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 14 usersLast on 5/23/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 5/23/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Cabins
Features
For Campers
- Market
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- WiFi
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
Drive Time
- 26 min from Burlington, VT
- 1 hr 51 min from Glens Falls, NY
- 2 hrs 34 min from Albany, NY
- 3 hrs 42 min from Watertown, NY
