Burton Island State Park facts for kids

Burton Island State Park is a cool state park located in northwest Vermont, USA. A state park is a special area of land protected by the government for everyone to enjoy nature and outdoor activities. This park is actually an island called Burton Island! It's about 253 acres (which is like 1 square kilometer) and sits in Lake Champlain. The island is close to the border between the USA and Canada.

The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation manages Burton Island State Park. It's part of the bigger Vermont State Park system. The park was created in 1964, offering a fun escape for many years.

Discover Burton Island State Park

Burton Island is a fantastic place to visit if you love the outdoors. It's a peaceful island where you can explore and relax. The park is known for its beautiful views of Lake Champlain.

What Can You Do at Burton Island?

There are lots of exciting things to do when you visit Burton Island State Park!

Camping and Staying Overnight

If you want to stay longer, the park has places to camp. You can choose from 17 tent sites or 26 lean-to sites. Lean-tos are like open shelters with a roof and three walls. For those arriving by boat, there are 15 boat moorings. The park also has a large marina with 100 slips. Here, you can find Wi-Fi, electricity for your boat, and even a special pumpout facility. Restrooms with running water and hot showers are available for campers.

Fun Activities and Exploration

The island has about 3 miles of shoreline, perfect for walking along the water. You can explore the island on hiking trails that wind through the natural areas. There's a nature center and museum where you can learn about the island's wildlife and history. If you get hungry, there's a park store and food service. You can also rent rowboats and canoes to paddle around the lake. Of course, there are great spots to swim and have a picnic with your friends and family!

How to Get to Burton Island

Burton Island State Park is unique because you can only reach it by boat! Don't worry, it's easy to get there. The Island Runner ferry takes visitors to the island. This ferry leaves from a dock at Kamp Kill Kare State Park, which is nearby on the mainland. The ferry runs seven times a day during the summer season, making it simple to plan your trip.

Explore Nearby Islands and Parks

Burton Island State Park isn't the only island park in Lake Champlain! There are other state parks close by that you might want to explore. These include Woods Island State Park and Knight Island State Park. On the nearby coast, you'll find Knight Point State Park. There's also a smaller island called Ball Island in the area, but it's privately owned.