Woods Island State Park
Vermont’s Most Remote Island Campground — 5 Primitive Sites on 125-Acre Lake Champlain Island, Boat-Access Only, No Water, No Docks, 2-Mile Perimeter Trail
Woods Island State Park is a state park on a 125-acre island in northern Lake Champlain, near St. Albans, Franklin County, Vermont. The park features 5 designated remote campsites (primitive), a 2-mile perimeter hiking trail, boat-access only (no ferry service), no potable water, no docks, no electricity, composting toilets, and one of Vermont’s most secluded camping experiences.
Woods Island is Vermont’s most remote state park campground — a 125-acre island accessible only by private boat (kayak, canoe, or motorboat). There is no ferry service to Woods Island — the nearby Island Runner ferry serves Burton Island but does not stop at Woods Island. You must beach your boat or anchor offshore as there are no docks.
The 5 primitive campsites offer fire rings and composting toilets — nothing else. No potable water, no electricity, no showers. This is genuine backcountry island camping on Lake Champlain. The 2-mile perimeter trail circles the island through mixed hardwood forest with views across the lake to the Adirondacks and Green Mountains.
Camping
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Sites | 5 primitive remote sites |
| Facilities | Fire rings, composting toilets only |
| Water | No potable water — pack everything in |
| Electricity | None |
| Docks | None — beach boat or anchor offshore |
| Reservations | Required — 2-night minimum advance booking |
| Season | Memorial Day weekend – Labor Day |
Things to Do
- Primitive island camping — 5 remote sites
- Kayaking/canoeing — paddle to the island
- Hiking — 2-mile perimeter trail
- Swimming — Lake Champlain shoreline
- Fishing — Lake Champlain species
- Wildlife viewing — island isolation
- Stargazing — no light pollution
Park Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | 125-acre island, northern Lake Champlain, VT |
| Access | Private boat only — no ferry to Woods Island |
| Launch Point | Kill Kare State Park, St. Albans — nearest |
| Size | 125 acres |
| Trail | 2-mile perimeter loop |
| Managed By | Vermont State Parks |
| Coordinates | 44.8041° N, 73.2049° W |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Woods Island State Park Vermont?
Woods Island State Park is accessible only by private boat — there is no ferry service. Most visitors launch from Kill Kare State Park in St. Albans, Vermont. You must beach your boat or anchor offshore as there are no docks. The 125-acre island has 5 primitive campsites with fire rings and composting toilets but no water, electricity, or showers. Reservations required with a 2-night minimum.
Last updated: May 2026
