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Submission
Welcome to Grand Isle State Park, located on South Hero Island in Lake Champlain. The Island, also known as Grand Isle, is 14 miles long and over 3 miles wide, making it the largest in Lake Champlain. It contains the towns of Grand Isle (on the northern half) and South Hero (on the southern half). The North and South Hero Islands are named in honor of early pioneering Vermonters who served in the American Revolution.
Grand Isle State Park 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.
From the South: 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. From the North: Travel East on US Route 2 through the Champlain Islands. Drive through the towns of Alburgh, North Hero and Grand Isle. The park entrance is approximately 2.5 miles on the left after the flashing light, just past the Grand Isle Elementary School.
There are 115 tent/RV sites, 36 lean-to sites, and 4 cabin sites, making the campground Vermont's second-largest. Restrooms have running water and coin-operated hot showers. There is an RV sanitary station but there are no hookups. Fifty percent of the sites are large enough to accommodate self-contained RVs.
Camping here over Labor Day weekend was amazing. My only complaint is a visit from the Park Ranger because we were talking after 10pm but he was very respectful and polite.
A mix of lean-tos and tent sites. We got stuck next to site 33 which had up to 6 cars and multiple families/friends that didn't observe the quiet times or max occupancy rules. Park staff did nothing. Bathrooms not maintained other than restocking TP. Sites not checked into after 24 hours were not released and stayed empty for the duration. Small swimming area and boat ramp. Food scrap containers at the dumpsters left overflowing.
Great camping! We were in one of the many lean-to sites, 'Walnut'. We didn't get any flooding when it rained. It had enough room for 2 large tents and we used the lean-to for the dining area. The fire pit was excellent.The water was close and, if there was no one in the 'Boxelder' site, the trip to the bathrooms was quick (otherwise the walk is about 2 minutes by road, not terrible). Most of the sites are shaded but a few are open for groups. The park has cabins to rent also.
We camped for a week and had a lot of fun. Unfortunately, the beach at the park was closed for a couple of the days we were there but we were able to take the 5 minute drive to Knights Point Beach and got in free because we had paid for the camp site for the week and that allows you to get into any state park for free. We had fires and enjoyed a calm week camping. Highly recommend, we made memories we can cherish forever. 💟
