🌤 Weather at Burton Island State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20–66 °F | 56–79 °F | 30–69 °F | 8–32 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at St Albans Radio, 8 mi away, elevation 380 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Vermont’s Car-Free Island Escape on Lake Champlain
Burton Island State Park is a 253-acre island accessible only by a state-operated passenger ferry — a 10-minute ride from Kill Kare State Park on the mainland. No cars cross the water. No engine noise. Just lapping waves, birdsong, and the kind of deep quiet that only an island can deliver. Set in Lake Champlain off St. Albans Point, it’s one of the most unique camping experiences in the Northeast.
The island offers 44 campsites (tent sites, lean-tos, and cabins), a 100-slip marina, a nature center, rental watercraft, and even an on-island bistro. Despite feeling wonderfully remote, Burton Island is thoroughly equipped — you can paddle out to explore neighboring islands, hike the 2.5-mile shoreline loop, or simply claim a lean-to and watch the sun set over the Adirondacks across the lake.
⛴️ Getting to Burton Island
Ferry Details
- Departs from: Kill Kare State Park, St. Albans Point
- Ride time: ~10 minutes
- Season: Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend
- Vehicle parking: Leave your car at Kill Kare’s parking lots
- Bicycles: Allowed on the ferry for an additional fee
- Private boats: Enter through the marina — 100 slips with Wi-Fi, electricity, and pump-out
⛺ Camping
| Type | Count | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Tent Sites | 14 | Standard island camping; some with lake views |
| Lean-tos | 26 | Three-sided shelters; fire ring and picnic table |
| Rental Cabins | 3 | Enclosed cabins with bunks; bring your own bedding |
| Remote Tent Sites | 4 | Part of Lake Champlain Paddlers Trail; most secluded |
Amenities include restrooms with flush toilets, hot and cold running water, and coin-operated showers. Reservations made 7+ days in advance require a 2-night minimum stay.
🥾 Hiking & Nature
The island’s trails are mostly flat and easy, perfect for a casual afternoon explore. The Island Loop Trail (2.5 miles) circles the entire island with constant lake views. A self-guided nature trail passes through the island’s varied habitats — rocky shoreline, marsh, forest, and open meadow. The nature center and museum offers programs about island ecology and Lake Champlain’s natural history.
🎯 Things to Do
- 🚣 Paddling: Canoe, kayak, and SUP rentals available on-island
- 🏊 Swimming: Sandy beach area in protected cove
- 🎣 Fishing: Bass, pike, and perch from shore or boat
- 🚲 Biking: Southern Tip Trail open to bicycles
- 🍳 Dining: Burton Island Bistro serves breakfast and lunch
- 🛒 Supplies: Camp store for essentials
📋 Visitor Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Lake Champlain, off St. Albans Point, VT |
| Access | Ferry from Kill Kare State Park only; no car access |
| Season | Memorial Day – Labor Day |
| Marina | 100 slips with Wi-Fi, electricity, holding-tank pump-out; 15 moorings |
| Pets | Allowed on leash; not permitted at swimming beach or marina |
| Phone | (802) 524-6353 |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Explore More Vermont State Parks
Burton Island State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Vermont. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Vermont guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Wildlife & Nature
Burton Island SP — 253 acres on Lake Champlain — accessible only by ferry or boat. The island’s shoreline, meadow, and forest support great blue herons, ospreys, and white-tailed deer. The Burton Island Nature Center highlights the island’s ecology. Largemouth bass and northern pike thrive in Lake Champlain.
Nearby Attractions
St. Albans Bay — ferry departure. Kill Kare SP — adjacent mainland. St. Albans — 10 miles east.
Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Kill Kare State Park (a short drive away) or Knight Island State Park (a short drive away).
⛺ Camping at Burton Island State Park: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | 47 sites — 26 remote lean-to/paddle-in sites, 18 remote tent/boat-in/paddle-in sites, plus 3 electric cabins. All sites accessible only by boat/ferry; max 8 people per site. Restrooms with flush toilets and coin-operated hot showers. Statewide non-resident rates effective 7/1/2025: $38/night tent, $49/night standard lean-to, $60/night Burton Island Prime lean-to, $85/night cabin, +$8/night per extra person. |
|---|---|
| Cabins & Lodging | 3 electric cabins for rent, accessible only by boat/ferry (no vehicle access on the island); interior amenities beyond electric service not itemized on the official campground page. |
| Pets | Pets allowed on leash throughout the island; not permitted in the swimming area. |
| Reservations | 1-888-409-7579, Monday-Friday 9am-4pm; up to 11 months ahead on a rolling basis. 2-night minimum beyond 7 days out; 1-night stays within 7 days of arrival; no penalty or fee for group cancellations. |
| Special sites | Accessible only by the state-operated passenger ferry (about a 10-minute trip); no vehicles permitted on the island; 100-slip marina with dockside electricity and a marine holding-tank pump-out; bike rentals; day-use hours 10am to sunset. |
| Season notes | 2026 season: opens Friday, May 22 and closes Monday, September 7. |
Camping questions about Burton Island State Park
Can you camp at Burton Island State Park?
Yes. Burton Island State Park has 47 campsites. 26 remote lean-to/paddle-in sites, 18 remote tent/boat-in/paddle-in sites, plus 3 electric cabins. All sites accessible only by boat/ferry; max 8 people per site. Restrooms with flush toilets and coin-operated hot showers. Statewide non-resident rates effective 7/1/2025: $38/night tent, $49/night standard lean-to, $60/night Burton Island Prime lean-to, $85/night cabin, +$8/night per extra person.
How do you reserve a campsite at Burton Island State Park?
1-888-409-7579, Monday-Friday 9am-4pm; up to 11 months ahead on a rolling basis. 2-night minimum beyond 7 days out; 1-night stays within 7 days of arrival; no penalty or fee for group cancellations.
Are there cabins at Burton Island State Park?
3 electric cabins for rent, accessible only by boat/ferry (no vehicle access on the island); interior amenities beyond electric service not itemized on the official campground page.
Are pets allowed at the Burton Island State Park campground?
Pets allowed on leash throughout the island; not permitted in the swimming area.
Source: vtstateparks.com (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Burton Island State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are allowed at all Vermont State Parks campgrounds and on trails unless otherwise posted, but are not permitted on beaches or in most picnic areas.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leash shorter than 10 ft required (or pet safely confined) at all times
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are not permitted on beaches; limited exceptions let pets use the far side of the beach away from swim areas at Branbury, Lake Shaftsbury and Silver Lake
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are permitted in designated pet-friendly cabins only (full list on the Vermont State Parks cabins page); cottages do not allow pets
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Pets allowed in picnic areas at Allis, Camp Plymouth, Elmore, Kill Kare, Knight Point, Lake Shaftsbury, Mt. Philo, Osmore Pond and Owl's Head; at Camp Plymouth pets may swim only at the cartop boat launch; current rabies vaccination expected
Are dogs allowed at Burton Island State Park?
Pets are allowed at all Vermont State Parks campgrounds and on trails unless otherwise posted, but are not permitted on beaches or in most picnic areas. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via vtstateparks.com. More: Vermont state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
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