Grand Isle State Park
Where
36 E Shore South, Grand Isle, VT
Visit Website
| 802-372-4300
Details
Cost: Day use entrance fee, camping fees vary
Parking: Yes
Located on South Hero Island in Lake Champlain, the Island is known as Grand Isle. Opened in 1959, it is the most-visited campground in the state park system. With 4,150 feet of Lake Champlain shoreline, Grand Isle is popular with many destination campers who spend their entire vacation here. At the same time, the park location on US Route 2 attracts a high number of one-night campers, while proximity to population centers in Burlington, Vermont and Montreal, Quebec make it an easy destination for the weekend or spur-of-the-moment camper. Park property extends all the way west to Route 2, where part of the land is being kept open by agricultural lease, and some of what was pasture thirty years ago has reverted to woodland.
Park Amenities:
- 117 tent/trailer sites
- 36 lean-to sites
- 4 cabin sites
- showers ($)
- trailer sanitary station but no hookups
- swimming
- shore fishing
- boat launch
- kayaks and rowboats for rent
- Nature Center
- sand-court volleyball
- horseshoes
- play area
- nature walk
- free entry to the sand beach at Knight Point State Park
Season:
- Mid-May - Columbus Day Weekend
- Open for day use: 10:00am – 9:00pm or official sunset
Directions:
- Take I-89 to Exit 17; Travel west on US Route 2 through the towns of South Hero and Keeler Bay. Continue straight through the flashing light at the junction of US Route 2 and VT Route 314. The park entrance road is exactly 2 miles past the light on the right side of the road; Follow road to park entrance, approximately 1 mile.
Reviews
- August 21, 2013"This is a great state park to go camping with family and friends. We always look forward to going with a group of friends for a weekend of fun. They have a great nature program for the kids with lots of fun things for them to do and keep them busy."- lini15237
- August 13, 2012"Great, clean, well kept park. We have camped here multiple times and it is always a great experience. Park staff is extremely friendly and helpful, the beach is beautiful and the nature programs that go on throughout the summer for campers are fun, informative and great for young children. It can be hard to get a site last minute, so make sure you call ahead for a reservation."- paddlekat
- October 8, 2010"Admittedly, I'm not a regular camper. But I love the idea of camping and when I do go, I don't want to leave behind all the amenities that we are accustomed to. Well, Grand Island State Park was the perfect camping experience for us. The 4 of us chose to stay in one of the 4 cabins Mansfield. Didn't know what to expect, but it was surprisingly very nice...clean, updated, blinds on the windows, window screens, electricity, a bunk bed and sofa futon that turns into a full size bed. There's also a covered deck out back and picnic table and fire pit. What's also nice about Mansfield cabin is that it's next to the Camels Hump and Bolton Mtn cabins so if you go with friends they are nearby. Also, its adjacent to the bathroomshower facility as well as the horseshoe pit and swings. If you are going alone, I'd consider the Sterling cabin...it's been rebuilt in 2010 as a log cabin and it's located closest to the lake with a private path to it. The bathrooms are very clean with several stalls including tissue paper and warm water sinks with soap nothing to dry your hands. And the shower was great too. Think college dorm. The best 50 cents bring quarters I've spent in a long time. The shower stall is a private room with an area to hang clothestowels and a small bench. Easy to bring your child in there with you if need to. Lots to do while you are in the park. The kids loved exploring on their bikes and there is a larger play ground area good for smaller and bigger kids. We found the beach on the north end...no sand and I would recommend water shoes. The kids also fished near the boat launch and on the beach. Can't wait to go back. The cabins fill out quickly for the season to plan in advance. This park is one of the few that only requires a 2 night minimum instead of 4."- ceb
- September 14, 2010"My family went camping there this past weekend for the first time. I've grown up camping and have visited many state parks. This was one of the cleanest state parks, even cleaner than many private campgrounds I've been to. I loved having a tent site that was grassy less dirt to bring home! yet still private. The fire rings were clean with attached grills you can't always depend on that! We also enjoyed being able to bring our sailboat since there was a boat launch on premises. However, the ramp is difficult to maneuver if you have a larger carboat. There is another launch nearby which we might use next time. The park attendants were wonderful and we will definitely make a return visit!"- bdempsey
Leave a Review