Button Bay State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Button Bay is a state park in Vermont on the edge of a bluff near the cities of Ferrisburgh, Panton, and Vergennes. With its refreshingly cool air, a gorgeous view of Lake Champlain, and no shortage of outdoor fun, it’s not hard to imagine that founding father Benjamin Franklin once enjoyed exploring this place. You can visit year-round, but it can be a bit cold during the winter months.
Spring 20-57 F
Summer 65-68 F
Fall 37-58 F
Winter 14-32 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Button Bay State Park
With most of the activity sites within hiking distance of the campgrounds, RVing is a clean, fun, and convenient way to visit any state park. If you don’t have an RV of your own, your family can still join in on the fun. Browse RVshare’s listings and rent the perfect RV for your next vacation.
Campground & Cottage Hillcrest
Campers will love the gorgeous scenery at this location, and reservations start at $37.10 a night. Anyone who is traveling with a boat might be pleased to hear that the campground is only three miles by boat to the famous Lake Champlain.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: 30 and 50 amp
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
Other amenities: Showers, bathrooms, fire pit, picnic table, partially shaded, hiking trails, fishing
Barber Homestead Park
Just across the water from Button Bay State Park, Barber Homestead Park is only a boat ride away and is brimming with fun activities. Prices start at $34 per night for weekdays and $37 per night on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and there are new events every weekend for you and your family to enjoy.
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: 30 and 50 amp
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes, see pet policy
Other amenities: Free individual showers, modern restrooms, dump station, laundry facilities, fire ring, picnic table, partial shade, spring-fed municipal water, ice and RV supplies and firewood for sale, pool, pavilion, rec room, volleyball and badminton net, horseshoe station, fishing
Rivers Bend Campground
With almost a mile’s worth of waterfront by their campsites, most Rivers Bend campers can enjoy their own private fishing spot for only $49 a night.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: 30 amp
Sewer hookup:
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes, $5 pet fee
Other amenities: Coin-operated showers, restrooms, fire pit, picnic table, partial shade, pool, playground, horseshoe pits, corn hole sets, pavilion
What to Do at
Button Bay State Park
Inside Button Bay State Park
There is plenty of family-friendly fun to be had inside of Button Bay State Park. Bring your own boat and go fishing out on Lake Champlain or enjoy a picnic with your family in the arms of Mother Nature. Explore the park on your own and have fun walking the easy hiking trail or learn more about the area by watching one of the nature programs. Bring a canvas, paint, and an easel to capture the breathtaking landscape or just sit back, relax, and enjoy the view.
Outside Button Bay State Park
There’s a lot of fun to be had just outside of the park as well. There are interactive museums, unique pop-up shops, and a plethora of themed restaurants. Your family will never get bored exploring the area surrounding Button Bay.
Restaurants
The Red Mill
The Red Mill is an American restaurant located within Basin Harbor Hotel. The restaurant itself is actually an adapted sawmill. Patrons might enjoy the decor inspired by the area's rich history.
Type: American
Location: 4800 Basin Harbor Rd, Ferrisburgh, VT 05456
Black Sheep Bistro
The Black Sheep Bistro is known for its generous portions of fresh, farm-to-table food.
Type: Fine Dining
Location: 253 W Main St, Vergennes, VT 05491
Park Squeeze
Park Squeeze is a restaurant that actually looks like it’s being squeezed by the two buildings beside it. Beyond those walls of brick and mortar lies the hidden gem of neighborhood bars and eateries.
Type: Bar & Grill
Location: 161 Main St, Vergennes, VT 05491
3 Squares Cafe
3 Squares Cafe serves stylish and creative farm-to-table food in generous portions. Patrons can enjoy their meals in a comfortable and eclectic environment.
Type: American
Location: 141 Main St, Vergennes, VT 05491
Shuen Lee
Shuen Lee is a Chinese restaurant located in Vergennes Shopping Center. The owners are known for being cordial and having a genuine interest in what’s going on in their customers' lives.
Type: Chinese
Location: 113 Monkton Rd, Vergennes, VT 05491
Shopping
Malabar
Malabar is a lifestyle shop that specializes in beautiful, everyday merchandise. With their quaint and eclectic selection, you’ll have no trouble finding a souvenir to take home from your trip.
Location: 235 Main St, Vergennes, VT 05491
Simply Nice Things
This is a quaint little shop just over the river from Button Bay State Park.
Location: 2100 Button Bay Rd, Vergennes, VT 05491
Dogface Supply, LLC
Dogface Supply, LLC, is a local gun store that's known for selling collectible military firearms and militaria.
Location: 248 Stove Pipe City Rd, Panton, VT 05491
POEM
If you’re looking for a hand-crafted souvenir, then this is the place to go. POEM is a pop-up shop that sells entirely hand-made wares and hand-gathered goods.
Location: 245 Main Street, Vergennes, Vermont
Sightseeing
Lake Champlain Maritime Museum
Lake Champlain Maritime Museum has recently implemented an all-new virtual learning experience. Visitors can also enjoy the outdoor experience out on the water nearby.
Location: 4472 Basin Harbor Rd, Vergennes, VT 05491
Orwell Glass
Orwell Glass is a local glass shop located at Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. Your kids will enjoy an interactive glass-blowing experience.
Location: 4472 Basin Harbor Rd, Vergennes, VT 05491
How to Get to
Button Bay State Park
From Vergennes:
Head southeast on MacDonough and turn right at the first cross street onto Main Street. Turn right onto Panton Road and follow it for 1.4 miles. Turn right onto Basin Harbor Road and go straight for 4.4 miles. Turn left onto Button Bay Road, and Button Bay State Park will be on the right.
From Addison:
Head north on VT-22A N toward VT-17 E for 3.3 miles and turn left onto W Road. Continue for 1.4 miles and turn right onto Slang Road, left onto Panton Road, and right onto Jersey Street. In 0.5 miles, make a slight left onto Button Bay Road. The entrance will be on your left in 2.1 miles.
From Charlotte:
Head east on Ferry Road toward Pleasant Lane for 0.7 miles. Turn right onto US-7 S and continue for 9.2 miles before turning right onto VT-22A S. In 1.8 miles, turn right onto Panton Road and right again onto Basin Harbor Road. In 4.4 miles, turn left onto Button Bay Road, and the park will be on the right in 0.7 miles.
From Westport, NY:
Take NY-22 S/NY-9N S to Lake Street in Addison for 20.6 miles. Continue on Lake Street and then take Arnold Bay Road to Button Bay State Park in Ferrisburgh.
Entering Button Bay State Park
Button Bay State Park is open from 10 a.m. to official sunset for day-use activities. Campers have access to on-site facilities 24/7.
Button Bay State Park Per adult (ages 14+) : $4.0
$3 with groups of more than 25
Button Bay State Park Per child (ages 4-13) : $2.0
Children under 3 enter free of charge
There’s a lot of fun to be had in Button Bay State Park with an RV. Go to RVshare to find the perfect RV for your family trip. Take lots of photos of your vacation and be sure to tag RVshare when you share them so that others can do the same. Email your photos to [email protected], and maybe you will see your photos on the website.
Frequently Asked Questions About Button Bay State Park
There is nothing more beautiful than New England in the fall. However, Button Bay State Park becomes a winter wonderland after a snowfall. Snowshoeing and ice skating are popular activities. Fishing is popular all year, even in the winter.
Visitors can spot familiar wildlife in the park, including squirrel, deer, fox, coyote, turkey, grouse, woodchuck, woodpecker, porcupine, and skunk. Visitors can also see spring peppers, American toads, wood frogs, and salamanders.
The park's 53 camping sites are for RVs and tent campers. The park has flushable toilets, hot and cold running water, coin-operated showers, and a dump station. Limited generator use is allowed.
Reservations are not required at Button Bay State Park, but they are recommended. Same-day reservations need to be made at the park; otherwise, campers can make reservations 11 months in advance. The reservation fee is $8.
Button Bay State Park welcomes pets. Pets are welcome to enjoy the park except for the fenced-in pool area. Dogs are not allowed in the shelter and most cabins. Owners need to clean up after their dogs.