Remote Camping at Knight Island State Park

Submitted by: Vermont State Parks

Submitted on: 2010-10-01

Knight Island, acquired by the State in 1990, is one of three neighboring island parks in Lake Champlain's "inland sea”. The others are Burton and Woods Island State Parks. This 185-acre island is a mile long and nearly a half mile wide. The park includes all but 10+ acres of private land on the island's southern tip. When on Knight Island, please respect the rights of the park neighbor and keep off the southern end.
The island was farmed historically then was uninhabited for many years. It was a privately operated primitive campground through the 1980s. The owner lived year-round on the island and began a timber management program to supplement the camping operation. Under state ownership, remote area camping is being continued on seven sites dotted around the island. Land management activities are those which will keep the island unique and unspoiled.
Getting there and back: Knight Island is 2 miles east of North Hero village, and 5.5 miles northwest of Burton Island/Kill Kare State Parks. If you do not have a boat of your own, you will need to arrange water taxi service ($). There are two water taxi options, with USCG-licensed captains, operating from Grand Isle County. If you have your own boat, be advised, there are no docks, so you’ll need to either beach it (it’s fairly rocky) or anchor off. Visitors should also be aware that weather conditions do occur which can make travel on Lake Champlain hazardous. Delays in getting to and from the Island are not uncommon.
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
lean-tos, 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. From the State dock, it’s anywhere from 1/3 of mile to a mile to the campsites, and while your water taxi operator may be able to get you closer, you shouldn’t bring anything you’re not prepared to carry in and carry out.

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