The Beautiful Vermont Park That's Surrounded By Water On All Sides
By Megan Shute|Published March 26, 2019
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
Despite its small size, Vermont is home to more than 50 beautiful state parks that have a lot to offer in terms of landscapes and outdoor recreation. While we love all of these stunning state parks as much as the last, we’re particularly drawn to this hidden gem that is surrounded on all sides by water. If this spot hasn’t made it onto your spring bucket list yet, what are you waiting for?
Located in the heart of northern Lake Champlain off St. Albans Point in Franklin County near Burton Island, Woods Island State Park is as remote as it gets. Only accessible via boat, visitors must make their own arrangements to get to and from the island.
But if you can make your way to the 125-acre Woods Island, you’ll be in absolute heaven. Though Woods Island is surrounded by water on all sides, you won’t find a single dock or beach here at all. You will, however, find incredible opportunities for boating, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and swimming in Lake Champlain.
Woods Island became Vermont’s 45th state park in 1985. Part of the island was once farmed, and you might encounter traces of drainage ditches as well as the farmhouse foundation and the weathered remains of old farm equipment. Later, a private developer tried to build an airstrip in the center of the island, but we’re glad that plan didn’t pan out and Woods Island is now a state park.
Measuring in at just one mile long and a quarter-mile wide, this island provides a unique habitat for a diverse variety of plant life — including many species considered rare or threatened in Vermont. You can experience this plant life on the easy 2-mile loop that meanders around the island.
The island is also home to five primitive camping sites, which can be reserved Memorial Day through Labor Day for a minimum of two nights and a maximum of fourteen nights. Each campsite features a fire ring and a nearby composting toilet, though you won’t find a potable water supply or sanitary facilities.
If you want to truly get away from it all, Woods Island State Park is the place to go. Don’t delay: with only five campsites scattered across the small island, reservations can book up quickly, especially on popular summer weekends.
Woods Island State Park is located at 1 Woods Island, Swanton, VT 05488, and is only accessible via boat. For more information, visit the Vermont State Parks website. Have you ever visited this Vermont state park? If so, share your experiences and opinions in the comments below, then click here to discover “20 Reasons Why Vermont Actually Has The Best State Parks In The Country.”
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