Lake Champlain: Best Boat Launching Spots

Lake Champlain is a boating paradise, offering expansive waterways, sheltered bays, sandy shores, and secluded anchor spots. Known as the Adirondacks' largest lake, it is a popular destination for various water activities, including fishing, water skiing, and sailing. With over 50 public boat launches, Lake Champlain provides easy access for boaters, paddlers, and fishers. The lake spans across New York, Vermont, and Quebec, offering stunning views of the surrounding nature and geological features. Before launching, boaters should be aware of the potential presence of invasive species, such as the spiny waterflea, and take necessary precautions to prevent their spread.

Public boat launches in Vermont

There are over 50 public boat launches with access to Lake Champlain in Vermont. The lake is a tremendous public resource, offering recreation from fishing to boating to swimming.

The following public boat launches are located in Northern Vermont:

• Horicans Access Area, Alburgh
• Kelly Bay Access Area, Alburg
• Great Averill Pond Access Area, Averill
• Crystal Lake Access Area, Barton
• Malletts Bay Access Area, Colchester
• Miles Pond Access Area, Concord
• Neal Pond Access Area, Lunenburg
• Vaughn M. Douglass Access Area, Elmore
• Shadow Lake Access Area, Glover
• Lake Parker Access Area, Glover
• Vantines Access Area, Grand Isle
• Lake Elligo Access Area, Greensboro
• Hardwick Lake Access Area, Hardwick
• Rock River Access Area, Highgate
• Holcomb Bay Access Area, Isle La Motte
• Maidstone Lake Access Area, Maidstone
• Van Everest Access Area, Milton
• Lamoille River Access Area, Milton
• Seymour Lake Access Area, Morgan
• Whipple Point Access Area, Newport Town
• Kings Bay Access Area, North Hero
• Stephensen Point Access Area, North Hero
• Saint Albans Bay Access Area, Saint Albans
• John Guilmette Access Area, South Hero
• Keeler Bay Access Area, South Hero
• Tabor Point Access Area, Swanton
• Larry Greene Access Area, Swanton
• Lake Willoughby Access Area, Westmore

The following public boat launches are located in Southern Vermont:

• Vernon Hatchery Pond Access Area, Vernon
• Weatherhead Hollow Pond Access Area, Guilford
• Lake Sadawga Access Area, Whitingham
• South Pond Access Area, Marlboro
• Lake Raponda Access Area, Wilmington
• Old Ferry Road Access Area, Brattleboro
• South Stream Access Area, Pownal
• Lake Paran Access Area, North Bennington
• Putney Landing Access Area, Putney
• Bridge Access Area, Arlington
• Red Mill Access Area, Arlington
• Dufresne Pond Access Area, Manchester
• Bullhead Pond Access Area, Manchester
• Mettawee River Access Area, Rupert
• Gale Meadows Pond Access Area, Winhall
• Hoyts Landing Access Area, Springfield

Essex County boat launch sites

There are several boat launch sites in Essex County, New York, that provide access to Lake Champlain. Here is a list of some of the sites:

Willsboro Bay Boat Launch

Located in Essex County, this site is about 3 miles north of the Village of Willsboro. From Route 22, take a right turn onto Farrell Road (Co. Rte. 62), then bear left onto Point Road (Co. Rte. 27). Finally, turn left onto Boat Launch Lane. This site can accommodate up to 100 cars and trailers and has a pumpout facility.

Ticonderoga Ferry Boat Launch

This launch site is situated on Route 74 in Essex County, at the Ticonderoga Ferry. It offers parking for 52 cars and trailers and is equipped with a pumpout facility.

Crown Point Campground Boat Launch

The Crown Point Campground Boat Launch is located in Essex County, about 9 miles north of the Hamlet of Crown Point. It can be accessed by taking Bridge Road off Route 9N. There is a day-use fee during the season, and the launch is open all year round. This site accommodates 10 cars and trailers and has a hard surface ramp.

Port Douglas Boat Launch

The Port Douglas Boat Launch is positioned in Essex County, about 3 miles southeast of the Village of Keeseville. It can be reached by taking Routes 9/22 (Front St.) to Port Douglas Road (Co. Rte. 16). This site offers parking for 20 cars and trailers and features a hard surface ramp.

Westport Boat Launch

This boat launch site is conveniently located on Route 22 in the Village of Westport, Essex County. It provides parking for 35 cars and trailers.

Port Henry Boat Launch

The Port Henry Boat Launch is situated in Essex County, off Route 9N in the Village of Port Henry. It features a hard surface ramp and parking for 45 cars and trailers.

These boat launch sites offer convenient access to Lake Champlain for boaters in Essex County, New York. Each site may have specific regulations and amenities, so it is recommended to check for any updates or additional information before visiting.

Clinton County boat launch sites

Clinton County has numerous boat launch sites providing access to Lake Champlain. Here are some of them:

Ausable Point Campground

Located off Route 9, 12 miles south of Plattsburgh, this launch site is open year-round but requires a day-use fee in the season. It has a capacity of 20 cars and trailers, and invasive species such as Eurasian Watermilfoil and Zebra Mussel are present.

Point Au Roche State Park

This launch site is situated off Route 9, north of Plattsburgh in Point Au Roche State Park. It offers parking for 21 cars and trailers. Invasive species such as Eurasian Watermilfoil, Variable Leaf Milfoil, and Zebra Mussel are present.

Wilcox Dock

Wilcox Dock is found off Route 9 in the City of Plattsburgh. It provides parking for 35 cars and trailers. Similar to the other sites, invasive species like Eurasian Watermilfoil, Variable Leaf Milfoil, and Zebra Mussel are present.

Peru Docks

Peru Docks is located on Route 9, 1.5 miles north of the Hamlet of Valcour. It offers ample parking for 50 cars and trailers and has a boat pumpout feature. Invasive species, including Zebra Mussel and Spiny Waterflea, are present.

Crown Point Campground

Crown Point Campground is a historic site with the ruins of revolutionary-era Fort St. Frederic. It is located in Crown Point, offering a beach launch with parking for six cars.

Westport

Westport is a dual-purpose location, serving as both a boat launch and a prime birding site. It is situated on Route 22 in Westport.

Lake Champlain Paddlers' Trail

The Lake Champlain Paddlers' Trail is a safe, recreational corridor on the lake for human-powered craft such as canoes and kayaks. The trail was opened in 1996 and has since expanded to include over 40 locations across New York and Vermont on public and private lands, providing access to more than 600 lakeshore and island campsites. The trail is maintained by the Lake Champlain Committee (LCC), which produces an annual guidebook available through membership. The guidebook transitioned to an online format in 2020, allowing the LCC to provide more information, including links to resources and materials to enhance the paddling experience.

The LCC's long-term goal is to have sites located roughly a day’s paddle apart (about every 8–10 miles under normal paddling conditions). The trail depends on clean water, serving as a tangible symbol of the LCC's commitment to water quality protection and restoration.

The trail offers an opportunity to slow down and move gracefully and quietly in concert with the rhythms of the lake. It is a portal to places that nourish and inspire, where one's mind can run free. Paddlers are encouraged to travel safely, act responsibly, and enjoy the wonder and beauty of the lake.

Lake Champlain can present a challenge to paddlers due to its open-water conditions, with the potential for strong winds, choppy waters, and thunderstorms. It is important to check the weather and water temperature before venturing out and to be aware of the locations of public boat launches for safe take-out. The shore of Lake Champlain is mostly rocky or loose shale, so sturdy footwear is recommended for embarking and disembarking.

The Northern Forest Canoe Trail route on Lake Champlain offers two options: the Westerly Route and the Easterly Route. The Westerly Route involves continuing north along the western shore, with crossings to Isle La Motte and North Hero Island, before entering the Alburgh Passage. The Easterly Route includes crossing to South Hero, heading north to The Gut, and then following the eastern shore of North Hero. Both routes converge near the Route 78 bridge, with a final crossing to the Missisquoi delta.

State parks with swimming areas

Lake Champlain is a tremendous public resource, offering a range of recreational activities, including boating, fishing, and swimming. There are several state parks with swimming areas that provide access to the lake.

Point Au Roche State Park in Beekmantown has a large day-use area, a protected sandy beach, picnic facilities, and a concession stand. It is located on the northeastern shore of Lake Champlain and offers stunning views of the lake and the surrounding area.

Alburgh Dunes State Park in Alburgh is a day-use site with a south-facing sandy beach, a playground, and plenty of parking. It also offers SUP and kayak rentals, as well as dressing rooms and portable toilets.

Burton Island State Park in St. Albans is a 253-acre island accessible by passenger ferry. It features walking trails, campsites, and a natural sand beach.

Button Bay State Park in Ferrisburgh offers overnight and day-use options. It has a kid-friendly swimming pool with a slide, and weekly water testing is performed to ensure safe swimming conditions.

Kill Kare State Park in St. Albans is a popular recreational day-use area with a swimming beach. It offers a variety of amenities, including a playground, volleyball nets, horseshoe playing areas, and clean standing grills.

Knight Point State Park in North Hero is another day-use area with a swimming beach and boat rentals.

Cumberland Bay State Park in Plattsburgh offers day-use, camping, and a natural sand beach.

These state parks provide excellent opportunities for swimming and enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Lake Champlain. Most of them have restroom facilities, and some even offer canoe and kayak rentals for those who want to explore the lake beyond the swimming areas.

Frequently asked questions