This Lakeside State Park On The New York-Vermont Border Boasts Camping And Water Fun With Adirondack Beauty

The massive Lake Champlain extends from the U.S. into Canada, boasting a whopping 435 square miles of water surface. Before making its way to Quebec, the lake's shoreline is shared by New York and Vermont, with several state parks dotting the area. On the Green Mountain State side, you can take in the lake's beauty from Button Bay State Park. Situated on the New York-Vermont border, this destination allows you to admire the waterfront views of Lake Champlain and gorgeous sunsets. And if you thought the lake was the only highlight of this place, you'll be stunned by the panoramic vistas of the Adirondack Mountains to the west. As a past visitor shared in a Google review, "The view was beautiful and mesmerizing. You could see the lake and the mountains behind it."

Covering 253 acres, Button Bay gets its name from the button-shaped clay formations seen in the area. When you're not soaking in the mountain beauty, there's a lot of fun to be had at the park in terms of water activities. Whether you'd like to launch your vessel for a leisurely cruise or set your rod to catch some fish, Lake Champlain offers a variety of aquatic recreations.

While Button Bay State Park is open year-round, certain activities are only available seasonally. These include swimming at the pool and camping. You can spend the night at the campground at a tent, RV, or lean-to site. There are a few furnished cabins, too. Visitors can easily get to Button Bay State Park by driving about an hour south of Burlington. Meanwhile, the drive from Albany, New York, takes about 2.5 hours.

Button Bay State Park is home to a well-maintained, family-friendly campground, so you can enjoy your visit well into the night. Open from late May through mid-October, the campground is divided into two loops, where you'll find regular campsites, lean-tos, and cabins. There are a total of 53 tent and RV sites and 13 lean-to sites, all accommodating a maximum of eight campers.

The western camping loop has amenities like drinking water, an ADA-accessible restroom, coin-operated showers, and a dump station. The eastern loop, on the other hand, comes with restroom and coin-operated shower facilities, as well as water spigots. This is also where the lean-to sites are located, one of which is ADA-accessible. All campsites and lean-to spots are dog-friendly. You don't need to bring firewood, as you can purchase some at the campground. The nearby day-use area has a playground, picnic tables, a 300-person pavilion, and additional restrooms. And with DIY camping hacks to improve your outdoor adventure, you'll be set for a great camping trip.

On top of that, there are four cabins available: Orchid, Penstemon, Sedge, and Sumac. These are situated by the lakefront and have a minimum stay of two nights and a maximum of one week. All cabins have one bedroom and offer comfortable lodging for four guests across a bunk bed and convertible sofa. However, up to six people are allowed per cabin, provided they bring their own sleeping arrangements or camp outside the unit — there's an extra person charge applied. The cabins are equipped with electricity, but guests must bring their own bedding, towels, and cookware (a cooking grate is provided). You can relax on the front porch during the day and light a fire in the ring during the evening.

Button Bay State Park is one of many gateways to Lake Champlain, where you can soak in the waterfront vistas and the mountainous backdrops from your vessel of choice. To get on the water, make your way to the boat launch, located east of the campground. Whether you prefer a solo kayak or the collaborative teamwork of a canoe, the lake provides ideal paddling conditions. In fact, you can safely make a trip to the New York side and back, as this part of the lake is pretty narrow. Note that there are no on-site boat rentals.

Meanwhile, anglers have plenty to look forward to, given that Lake Champlain is brimming with more than 80 species. And with fishing making a comeback, thanks to Gen Z being obsessed with the old-school activity, you have to try your luck to see what you'll reel in. Expect to catch trout varieties like brown, lake, and rainbow, along with walleye and common carp. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are common species, too. Some fish, such as salmon and trout, are easier to catch by taking a boat out and casting a line in the deeper ends.

Unfortunately, Button Bay State Park doesn't have a designated beach due to its rocky shoreline, although swimming in the lake is common. The park also boasts a seasonally open swimming pool (operating in the summer) with lifeguards on duty. You can seek out more Adirondack beauty at the state park by taking the 1.5-mile out-and-back hiking trail along the water. But don't end your adventures at Button Bay — instead, hit the Lake Champlain Byway for a scenic drive among the Adirondack Mountains, with particularly vibrant scenery during the fall.