🌤 Weather at Grand Isle State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22–68 °F | 56–82 °F | 31–72 °F | 11–34 °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 S Hero, 4 mi away, elevation 110 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Activities
Spend a few days in beautiful Vermont. Grand Isle State Park’s close proximity to both Lake champlain and nearby Burlington make it a popular tourist destination during the summer. Pack your bags and prepare to spend some quality time appreciating the great outdoors. In addition to the large lake and campground the park also features picnic areas, a playground, volleyball court, horseshoes, bike rentals, and nature programs. Here are some of the many activities that you can do during your visit to Grand Isle State Park:
Boating at Grand Isle State Park
Beautiful Lake Champlain extends for 500 square miles, with Vermont on one side and New York on the other. It is by far the largest lake in New England and considered by many to be America’s sixth great lake. This historic lake has been enjoyed by many over the years. Today it’s common to see a variety of vessels along this expansive waterway including kayaks, canoes, sailboats, cruisers, fishing boats, and ferries. Grand Isle State Park has a boat ramp and launch for registered campers and kayaks for rent at the park office.
Swimming at Grand Isle State Park
Grand Isle State Park features some 4,150 feet of rocky shoreline with access points for swimming, boating, and shore fishing. The campground area has a small private beach for registered guests. And campers are also allowed to swim for free at nearby Knight Point State Park and Alburgh Dunes State Park.
Hiking at Grand Isle State Park
Grand Isle State Park features an easy 1 mile loop that winds through the wetland forest, past old iron wood trees, up a hill, and out to a 15-foot observation tower with beautiful views of the lake. This trail, The Iron Wood Nature Trail, also crosses several wooden bridges, placed over the wetter areas along the path.
Biking at Grand Isle State Park
Grand Isle State Park offers bicycle rentals for campers to make their way around the campground and island. The Lake Champlain Bikeways network, located within the nearby Champlain Islands region, boasts a network of trails that include more than 992 miles of theme loops.
Fishing at Grand Isle State Park
Planning to spend a few days inside Grand Isle State Park. If you’re interested in fishing you’ll want to be sure you pack your angling gear and pick up a Vermont fishing license. Expansive Lake Champlain has more than 90 species of fish! Here you may catch trout (lake, rainbow, and brown), large and smallmouth bass, walleye, rainbow smelt, northern pike, channel catfish, yellow perch, landlocked Atlantic salmon, and so many more.
Birding at Grand Isle State Park
Grand Isle State Park is a favorite location for bird lovers of all ages. Its nature trail provides guests with amazing views of a variety of species, including warblers, thrushes, tanagers, grosbeaks, buntings, orioles, vireos, and flycatchers. While visiting this serene area you may also see an Eastern Bluebird, Mourning Dove, American Robin, Common Merganser, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Common Loon, Red-bellied Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, Herring Gull, Barred Owl, Eastern Wild Turkey, Bald Eagle, or a Peregrine Falcon. And if you listen carefully, you may hear the beautiful call of the Hermit Thrush.
Nature and Wildlife at Grand Isle State Park
Grand Isle State Park showcases some of Vermont’s most beautiful landscape. The area around gorgeous Lake Champlain features wildflowers and woodlands of Tamarack, Paper Birch, Sugar Maple, and Eastern Hemlock. Throughout this picturesque area you may see White-tailed Deer, Red and Gray Squirrels, chipmunks, Eastern Cottontail, Gray Foxes, beavers, moose, Black Bear, bobcats, and coyotes.
Pets
Grand Isle State Park is pet friendly throughout, except for the swimming area and most park buildings. Pets are allowed to spend the night in the Mansfield cabin.
Camping
Vermont’s most visited state park, lies along the scenic Lake Champlain, surrounded by pasture and woodlands. Grand Isle State Park is a favorite stop for visitors of nearby Burlington and as a popular stopover for travelers on their way to Montreal, Quebec. The campground features 115 campsites for tents or RVs, 36 lean-to sites, and 4 cabins, all located within the woodlands and near the lake. Plus restrooms, hot showers, a private beach area, boat launch, playground, and a dump station. The rustic cabins each have one room with bunk beds and a sleeper sofa or futon to accommodate up to 4 guests. Each cabin has a table and chairs, a covered front porch, and a picnic table and fire ring with a cooking grate. Cabin guests must provide their own linens. The campground area is only open for registered overnight guests. Registered campers may visit Knight Point State Park and Alburgh Dunes State Park’s beaches for free.
Park Location
Grand Isle State Park 36 E Shore S Grand Isle, VT 05458 Phone: 802.372.4300 Park Website Reservations
Map
Video
Here is a short YouTube video showcasing several attractions at Grand Isle State Park:
Visitor Tip (Cabin Safety)
“Families renting cabins at Grand Isle highly recommend bringing your own safety rails if children will be sleeping on the top bunks, as they are not always provided.”
Explore More Vermont State Parks
Grand Isle 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.
More parks in Vermont: Button Bay State Park and Kingsland Bay State Park. See the full Vermont state parks guide.
⛺ Camping at Grand Isle State Park: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | 155 sites — 96 tent/RV sites, 19 tent-only sites, 36 lean-tos, plus 4 electric cabins. Restrooms with flush toilets, hot/cold water and coin-operated showers; RV sanitary dump station, no hookups at any site. Statewide non-resident rates effective 7/1/2025: $38/night tent/RV, $49/night lean-to, $85/night cabin, +$8/night per extra person. |
|---|---|
| Cabins & Lodging | 4 electric cabins; pets permitted only in the Mansfield cabin, not in the other three. Interior amenities beyond electric service not itemized on the official campground page. |
| Pets | Pets allowed on leash throughout the park except the swimming area; among the 4 cabins, only the Mansfield cabin permits pets. |
| Reservations | 1-888-409-7579 or (802) 372-4300; up to 11 months ahead on a rolling basis. 2-night minimum beyond 7 days out; 1-night stays within 7 days of arrival. |
| Special sites | Most-visited campground in the Vermont state park system; 4,150 ft of Lake Champlain shoreline; no day-use area; canoe/kayak/paddleboard rentals; accessible sites available. |
| Season notes | 2026 season: May 8 - October 17. |
Camping questions about Grand Isle State Park
Can you camp at Grand Isle State Park?
Yes. Grand Isle State Park has 155 campsites. 96 tent/RV sites, 19 tent-only sites, 36 lean-tos, plus 4 electric cabins. Restrooms with flush toilets, hot/cold water and coin-operated showers; RV sanitary dump station, no hookups at any site. Statewide non-resident rates effective 7/1/2025: $38/night tent/RV, $49/night lean-to, $85/night cabin, +$8/night per extra person.
How do you reserve a campsite at Grand Isle State Park?
1-888-409-7579 or (802) 372-4300; up to 11 months ahead on a rolling basis. 2-night minimum beyond 7 days out; 1-night stays within 7 days of arrival.
Are there cabins at Grand Isle State Park?
4 electric cabins; pets permitted only in the Mansfield cabin, not in the other three. Interior amenities beyond electric service not itemized on the official campground page.
Are pets allowed at the Grand Isle State Park campground?
Pets allowed on leash throughout the park except the swimming area; among the 4 cabins, only the Mansfield cabin permits pets.
Source: vtstateparks.com (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Grand Isle 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 Grand Isle 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
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