🔘 The Lake Named for Buttons — Where 500-Million-Year-Old Fossils Wash Up on a Champlain Beach — Button Bay State Park on the shore of Lake Champlain near Vergennes, Vermont, named for button-shaped geological concretions, 253 acres, 73 campsites + lean-tos + cabins, swimming pool, boating, Adirondack Mountain views, nature center on Button Point, Lake Champlain Bikeway, family-friendly — Addison County, VT
The name sounds whimsical. The geology is 500 million years old. Clay settles on pebbles in Lake Champlain. The sediment hardens into disc-shaped concretions — with holes in the center — that look exactly like the molds used to make buttons in the 18th century. Early explorers called this place “Button Mould Bay.” The name stuck, shortened to Button Bay.
The park sits on a bluff above Lake Champlain — Vermont’s inland sea — with the Adirondack Mountains rising across the water in New York. The views are among the finest in the state. The geology is bizarre and wonderful. And the camping is classic Vermont family camping at its best.
What to Do
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Button Hunting | Search the shoreline for the famous button-shaped concretions — clay discs with holes in the center, formed by geological processes over millions of years. The nature center explains the formation process. Some are perfect enough to actually use as buttons |
| Camping | 73 sites: 53 tent/RV sites, 13 lean-to shelters, and 4 rental cabins. Open, grassy campground with lake breezes. Hot showers and flush toilets. Pet-friendly (check cabin policies). Reservations through Vermont State Parks |
| Swimming | Outdoor swimming pool with lifeguards — one of the few Vermont state parks with a pool. The lake shore is rocky (great for fossil hunting, less ideal for swimming). Nearby Kingsland Bay SP offers a lake beach |
| Boating | Boat launch on Lake Champlain. Canoe, kayak, and rowboat rentals. Lake Champlain is 120 miles long, 12 miles wide — a freshwater sea with sailing, fishing, and island hopping. The park sits on Button Point, jutting into the lake |
| Nature Center | Nature center on Button Point with geology exhibits, fossil displays, and interpretive programs. Ranger-led walks explain the concretion formation and the natural history of the Champlain Basin |
| Views | The bluff above the lake offers sweeping views west to the Adirondack Mountains in New York — 46 peaks over 4,000 feet, visible from the campground on clear days. Sunrise and sunset over the lake are spectacular |
Lake Champlain
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| The Lake | 120 miles long, up to 12 miles wide, maximum depth 400 feet. The sixth largest natural lake in the US. Shared by Vermont, New York, and Quebec. Home to over 80 species of fish and — legend says — a lake monster named Champ |
| Vergennes | America’s smallest city (population ~2,700) is just 7 miles south. Founded in 1788. The compact downtown has craft breweries, restaurants, and shops. It claims to be the oldest city in Vermont |
| Champlain Bikeway | The park sits on the Lake Champlain Bikeway — a 1,300+ mile network of cycling routes around the lake through Vermont, New York, and Quebec. One of the premier bike touring routes in the eastern US |
| History | Lake Champlain was a strategic waterway during the Revolutionary War and War of 1812. The Battle of Valcour Island (1776) was fought on the lake. Benedict Arnold’s fleet — and its remains — lie on the lake bottom |
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Best For |
|---|---|
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | ☀️ Pool swimming. Camping. Boating on Champlain. Long days. The Adirondacks hazy blue across the water. Peak family camping season |
| Fall (Sep–Oct) | 🍂 The Adirondacks turn color first, then Vermont follows. The lake reflects both mountain ranges in autumn. Fewer crowds. Crisp air. Apple season |
| Spring (May–Jun) | Park opening. Wildflowers. Bird migration along the Champlain flyway. Lake still cold. The button concretions most visible on the shore |
| Winter | Park closed. The lake freezes in cold winters — ice fishing on Champlain is a Vermont tradition |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep the button concretions?
Leave them where you find them — collecting geological specimens from state parks is generally prohibited. Take photos, not fossils. The nature center has examples you can examine up close.
Is there really a lake monster?
Champ is Lake Champlain’s answer to the Loch Ness Monster. Hundreds of sightings since the 1800s. No scientific evidence. But the legend is part of the fun — and both Vermont and New York have passed resolutions protecting Champ, just in case.
More parks nearby: Kingsland Bay State Park is a short drive away, while Mount Philo State Park lies a short drive away.
🔘 500 Million Years of Geology. Shaped Like Buttons. On an Inland Sea.
Clay discs with holes in the center. A bluff above America’s sixth largest lake. The Adirondacks across the water. And a lake monster — maybe.
Wildlife & Nature
Button Bay SP — on Lake Champlain — named for the button-shaped clay concretions found along the shore (a geological curiosity). The park’s lake, clay bluffs, and forest support bald eagles, great blue herons, and snapping turtles. Button Bay is one of the best birdwatching spots on Lake Champlain.
Nearby Attractions
Vergennes — 7 miles east — the smallest city in Vermont. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum — 5 miles south. Middlebury — 15 miles east.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Button Bay 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 Button Bay 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
Park Location
Plan your gear for Button Bay State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
Top Tours & Activities Near Burlington
from $85
from $2,695
from $95