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
Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Knight Island State Park (a short drive away) or Kill Kare State Park (a short drive away).
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Woods 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 Woods 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
Park Location
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