Waterside camping in Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain camping comes with sandy beaches, boat launches, and lake views.
- Lake Champlain
Popular camping styles for Lake Champlain
5 top waterside campgrounds in Lake Champlain
Nearby parks
Explore the area’s public lands.
Waterside camping in Lake Champlain guide
Overview
With 587 miles of shoreline extending across New York, Vermont, and Quebec, Canada; 71 islands and more than a dozen state parks to explore; plus a backdrop of the Green Mountains and the Adirondacks—Lake Champlain is a sprawling slice of paradise for outdoor adventurers. Boating, fishing, and water sports are popular lake activities, while the surrounding Champlain Valley is dotted with hiking and biking trails, day-use and picnic areas, and golf courses. Campers have options, too, whether you prefer an RV resort with full hookups, a cozy lakeside cabin, or a boat-in tent site.
Where to go
New York Shore
Wild forests and dreamy lake views await on the west shore of Lake Champlain, and boaters and hikers will be in their element. Explore the Lake Champlain Valley by bike or on foot, enjoy some of the region’s best bass fishing, or come in winter to enjoy snowshoeing, ice fishing, and ice skating. Plattsburgh is the largest city on the New York side, from where ferries run to Vermont, but you’ll find RV parks and campgrounds dotting the lakeshore.
Adirondacks High Peaks
The forest-clad mountains and wilderness areas of the vast Adirondacks park lie just west of Lake Champlain, where you can scale the High Peaks, kayak or whitewater raft along the rivers, and marvel at some of New York’s best fall foliage views. There are RV sites with full hookups and glamping options to be found in the Adirondacks, but for a back-to-nature camping trip, opt for a backcountry tent site in the heart of the wilderness.
Vermont
Lake Champlain’s eastern shore lies in Vermont, framed by the verdant hills of the Green Mountains. The lakeside towns of Burlington, Shelburne, and Colchester all make strategic basecamps from which to explore the lake, or you can take your pick of 13 Vermont state parks around the lake. Cruising out to the Lake Champlain Islands is a must, and Grand Isle State Park on South Hero Island has one of the region’s most popular campgrounds. An added bonus: Campers get free beach access in Knight Point State Park on North Hero Island.
Montreal & Quebec
Lake Champlain’s northern shore spills over into the Canadian province of Quebec, fringed by sandy beaches, lush parks, and marinas. Head to Venise-en-Quebec to enjoy water sports and boat cruises through the summer months, or base yourself in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu along the Richelieu River. Both have options for campers.
