Knight Island State Park - St. Albans Bay, Vermont

Knight Island State Park - St. Albans Bay, Vermont

If you are looking for the opportunity to be totally isolated from modern conveniences, like to hike to your camping spot, don't mind not having a car to use and being totally dependent on how well you packed and what you can carry then this state park may be just the place for you.  There are no roads, or cars, or bikes for that matter on the island that is situated in northern Lake Champlain.  You can reach the location only by boat or hired ferry.

If you choose to come to the island by boat you will need to beach the boat on the rocky shoreline or anchor off.  There are no docks on the island.  

Keeping the island unique and unspoiled is the goal of having such primitive surroundings.  The island was farmed for a while historically and then was uninhabited for many years.  a privately operated primitive campground was run there through the 1980's where the owner lived year around on the island and began a tiber management program to supplement the camping operation.  When the land was sold to the state they decided to continue with the rustic, primitive operation of just 7 campsites dotted around the island. Land management is closely guarded and will continue to provide for the island to remain unique and unspoiled by the modernization that has happened in most locations in our country.

The island is 185 acres, a mile long and nearly 1/2 mile wide.  All but 10+ acres of the island are now owned by the state.  The 10+ acres are private land on the southern tip so when you are visiting the island please respect the rights of the private land and keep off the southern end of the island.

Knight Island is a “remote area” campground. Remote Area campsites, while beautiful, are not for everybody. Sanitary facilities are minimal, and there is no potable water supply. The island’s seven campsites, six of them with rustic log leantos, are situated approximately equidistant around the 2 ½- mile shoreline, and are connected by a trail system. This gives you great privacy, but it also means you’re going to have to walk. If you arrive by ferry, it’s anywhere from 1/3 of mile to a mile to the campsite from the dock at the ranger’s residence, so you shouldn’t bring anything you’re not prepared to carry in and carry out..

Camping is by permit only on designated sites. A permit may be obtained at the caretaker's residence on the west shore, and is necessary before setting up. Reservations (2-night minimum unless traveling by paddlecraft) made within two weeks of your proposed stay are handled through Burton Island State Park. Maximum eight (8) persons per site; fourteen (14) night maximum stay.

Fires are permitted in designated fire rings.

Open: Memorial Day Weekend - Labor Day Weekend.

Directions:
Knight Island is located in northern Lake Champlain and can be reached only by boat. Ferry service varies according to season and day of the week. Contact Burton Island for ferry information.

N44 48.784 W73 14.808

Address:  Care of Burton Island State Park
PO Box 123
St. Albans Bay, VT 05481 

Phone(s):  (802) 524-6353 Business (voice)
 
Contact(s):  Rochelle Skinner
 
Email:  parks@state.vt.us