Knight Island State Park
Boat-Access-Only Island Camping on Lake Champlain — 7 Primitive Sites (6 Lean-Tos + 1 Tent Site) on a Remote Island in the Champlain Islands, Accessible Only by Private Boat, Kayak, Canoe, or Water Taxi, No Potable Water or Electricity Available on the Island, Composting Toilets, Approximately 3-Mile Loop Hiking Trail Around the Island Perimeter, Swimming in Small Rocky Coves Along the Shore, Fishing in Lake Champlain for Bass Walleye Northern Pike and Lake Trout, Stunning Views of the Green Mountains and Adirondacks From the Water, Park Your Vehicle at Knight Point State Park or Kill Kare State Park, Open Memorial Day Weekend Through Labor Day Weekend, Grand Isle County Vermont
Knight Island State Park is a boat-access-only state park on a remote island in Lake Champlain in Grand Isle County, Vermont, managed by Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. The park features 7 primitive campsites — 6 lean-tos and 1 tent site — spread around the island’s perimeter for maximum privacy and solitude, accessible only by private boat, kayak, canoe, or water taxi (no ferry or dock service), no potable water or electricity available on the island (bring all your own drinking water), composting toilets, an approximately 3-mile loop hiking trail around the island perimeter through mixed forest, swimming in small rocky coves along the shore, fishing in Lake Champlain for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, and lake trout, stunning views of the Green Mountains to the east and Adirondacks to the west from the water, and very limited to no cell phone service on the island.
Knight Island is Vermont’s most primitive and remote state park camping experience — there’s no ferry, no dock, no running water, no electricity, and very limited cell service. You arrive by beaching your boat on shore and carry all your gear to your site. It’s genuine island wilderness camping on one of America’s great inland lakes.
Parking and Access: Campers park at Knight Point State Park (North Hero, ~3-mile paddle, closer for kayaks) or Kill Kare State Park (St. Albans, ~5-mile crossing, preferred for motorboats) — no parking fee for Knight Island campers at either location. Reservations strongly recommended through Vermont State Parks.
Things to Do
- Island camping — 6 lean-tos + 1 tent (boat-access only)
- Paddling — kayak/canoe to island across Lake Champlain
- Hiking — 3-mi island loop trail through forest
- Swimming — rocky cove beaches along shore
- Fishing — Lake Champlain: bass, pike, walleye, lake trout
- Wildlife — birding, island solitude, no motorized noise
Park Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Island in Lake Champlain, Grand Isle County, VT |
| Access | ⚠️ Boat-access ONLY — no ferry or dock |
| Camping | 6 lean-tos + 1 tent site (7 total) |
| Water | ❌ No potable water — bring your own |
| Parking | Knight Point SP (~3 mi) or Kill Kare SP (~5 mi) |
| Season | Memorial Day – Labor Day |
| Managed By | Vermont FPR |
| Coordinates | 44.7833° N, 73.3000° W |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Knight Island State Park?
Knight Island State Park is accessible only by private boat, kayak, canoe, or water taxi — there is no ferry service or dock. Park your vehicle at Knight Point State Park in North Hero (approximately 3-mile paddle, better for kayaks) or Kill Kare State Park in St. Albans (approximately 5-mile crossing, preferred for motorboats) — no parking fee for Knight Island campers. The remote Lake Champlain island in Grand Isle County, Vermont has 7 primitive campsites (6 lean-tos + 1 tent), no potable water or electricity, composting toilets, a 3-mile loop trail, and swimming in rocky coves. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Reservations strongly recommended.
Last updated: May 2026
