253 acres without a car
Floating off the tip of St. Albans Point in northern Lake Champlain’s Inland Sea sits a 253-acre haven completely free of automobiles, traffic and concrete. Burlington has its energy and Stowe has its peaks; Burton Island offers something entirely different — pure, unhurried stillness.
Accessible only by state-operated passenger ferry or private watercraft, Burton Island State Park is a sanctuary of aromatic cedar groves, dark shale beaches, mossy walking trails and sweeping west-facing views of the Adirondacks.
The island at a glance
What is out there.
Size and location — 253 acres, or 102 hectares, in the Inland Sea off St. Albans Bay in Franklin County.
Vehicle access — zero cars allowed. Passenger ferry, private boat or human-powered watercraft only.
Ferry departure — Kamp Kill Kare State Park in St. Albans, a ten-minute transit.
Trails — about three miles of flat, easy walking and biking loops.
Camping — 14 lean-tos, 26 tent sites, 4 rustic cabins and a 100-slip marina with hookups.
Amenities — the Burton Island Bistro and store, canoe and kayak rentals, hot showers and Wi-Fi at the marina.
Getting there
Island time begins at Kamp Kill Kare State Park at the tip of St. Albans Point. Cars stay in Kill Kare’s day-use lot, where campers load gear into heavy-duty wheeled carts provided by the park service.
The M/V Island Runner, a 45-foot state-operated passenger ferry, runs frequent round trips daily between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, with a reduced schedule through Columbus Day. The crossing takes about ten minutes across the protected waters of St. Albans Bay. Backpacks, coolers, bicycles and leashed pets are all welcome, and the gear carts roll directly onto the ferry deck, making even week-long stays easy to provision.
Adventurous sea kayakers and paddleboarders can launch from the beaches at Kill Kare and make the 0.8-mile paddle to Burton Island’s eastern shore — always check wind conditions first, as chop builds quickly in the bay.
The island trails
Burton Island’s terrain is flat, gentle and accessible for all ages, with three primary loops weaving through mature northern white cedar forest, old agricultural pasture and rocky bluffs.
The North Point Trail runs 0.8 miles through fragrant cedar stands and hardwood forest to the island’s northernmost tip, where rocky ledges look out to nearby Butler Island and sailboats working the Inland Sea.
The Log Point Trail, 1.1 miles, traces the western shoreline past open flat slate and shale beaches where you can sunbathe on smooth water-carved rock or hunt for ancient Ordovician fossils embedded in the stone.
The South End Trail, 0.9 miles, passes through quiet woods down to a sheltered cove where limestone was quarried in the 19th century to build foundations across Franklin County.
Camping and the marina
Camping on Burton Island is widely considered one of the finest outdoor experiences in the Northeast. Without car engines or RV generators, the natural sounds of the lake take over.
The waterfront lean-tos are three-sided timber structures with direct lake views and breezes, covered shelter in rain, a fire ring and a picnic table. The rustic cabins are enclosed wooden buildings with screened windows, bunks, covered porches and lockable doors for privacy.
Unlike a purely primitive site, the island offers comfort at its central marina hub. The Burton Island Bistro and store, right at the ferry dock, serves hot espresso, breakfast pastries, grilled deli sandwiches, local Vermont craft beer and ice cream, and stocks camping supplies, firewood, ice, snacks and maple products. You can rent single or double kayaks, paddleboards or canoes by the hour or day to explore the island’s circumference or paddle a mile north to Woods Island State Park, a 300-acre primitive park.
Adirondack sunsets
Because Burton Island sits off the western edge of the St. Albans peninsula, its entire western shoreline faces directly across Lake Champlain toward the Adirondack High Peaks.
The Log Point ledges are the prime spot: bring a blanket or camp chairs, set up on the flat, sun-warmed shale, and watch the sun drop behind the distant mountains, painting the water gold, crimson and lavender.
The west-facing lean-tos, sites one through seven, are the most coveted camping spots on the island — unobstructed views across the water, so you can watch the whole sunset from your own campfire.
Planning tips
Four things to get right.
Reserve early — the 14 lean-tos and 4 cabins book almost immediately when reservations open eleven months ahead. Use the Vermont State Parks online portal.
Coordinate your arrival — get to Kamp Kill Kare at least 30 minutes before your ferry to park, pay day-use fees and load your gear cart onto the dock.
Pack proper footwear — island trails are dirt and rock and the shorelines are loose wet shale. Bring sturdy water shoes or sandals with toe protection, plus windproof layers for cool lake evenings.
Leave no trace — the marina has trash facilities, but campers are encouraged to minimize disposable packaging to keep this car-free ecosystem pristine.
Good to know
How do you get to Burton Island?+
By the M/V Island Runner, a 45-foot state passenger ferry from Kamp Kill Kare State Park in St. Albans — a ten-minute crossing. Cars stay at Kill Kare; gear moves in wheeled carts that roll onto the ferry deck. Private boats and kayaks can also cross the 0.8-mile channel.
Are cars allowed on the island?+
No. Burton Island is entirely car-free, which is the whole point — no engines, no generators, just about three miles of flat walking and biking trails and the sound of the lake.
What camping is available?+
14 waterfront lean-tos, 26 tent sites, 4 rustic cabins and a 100-slip marina with hookups. Lean-tos are three-sided timber shelters with a fire ring and picnic table; cabins are enclosed with screened windows, bunks and covered porches.
How far ahead should I book?+
As early as possible. Reservations open eleven months ahead through the Vermont State Parks portal, and the lean-tos and cabins are taken almost immediately for peak summer.
Where are the best sunsets on the island?+
The Log Point shale ledges on the western shore, facing straight across the lake to the Adirondack High Peaks — and the west-facing lean-tos, sites one through seven, where you can watch the whole sunset from your campfire.