Button Bay State Park

Lake Champlain is one of Vermont's greatest treasures, providing opportunities for recreation, solitude, and beauty all year long. It stretches along the border of New York and Vermont for 125 miles with more than 587 miles of shoreline in both states. Lake Champlain is also home to 318 species of birds, 81 fish species, and a mysterious monster affectionately known as Champ. At it’s widest point near Burlington, Lake Champlain is almost 12 miles long, but it narrows significantly on either end.

Button Bay State Park in Ferrisburg is one of 13 Vermont state parks on Lake Champlain. It's located just an hour south of Burlington, Vermont's largest city, and it's right on the shores of the lake. Covering just 253 acres, Button Bay consists of a picnic area with a playground and swimming pool, a short nature trail through a hardwood forest, a nature center, and a campground.

There are two campground loops in Button Bay, each with their own bathhouse. The first loop consists mostly of lean-tos with a few tent sites. Sites in this loop are private and offer a bit of shade. Between Catalpa and Willow, there’s a beautiful meadow trail down to the beach. The second loop has better views and is closer to the pool, but it offers little in the way of shade or privacy. There are also four camping cabins right on the shore that are available to rent.

Button Bay is a fabulous park for families. It is the only state park with a lifeguarded swimming pool, the trails are flat and easy, and the camping is low-key. Dogs are permitted in all parts of the park except the swimming area. Unlike other parts of Lake Champlain, the waters in Button Bay stay relatively calm, and the coves and small islands make for fabulous paddling adventures. Spectacular views of New York's Adirondack Mountains across the lake make Button Bay State Park one of the best places in the state to catch a memorable sunset.