Button Bay State Park - Vermont

Address:5 Button Bay State Park Rd.
Vergennes, Vermont

Named for the button-like concretions formed by clay deposits around the lake's shore, Button Bay State Park is an adorable, 253-acre Vermont getaway. The park, which was a farm before attaining State Park status, offers recreational opportunities such as boating, fishing, and sailing. Visitors can also explore the Button Point Natural Area and visit the Nature Center. Along with a play area and swimming pool, Button Bay boasts 72 tent sites and 13 lean-tos for those who want to spend a night or two here; the grassy camping area is also great for picnicking. And if all of this is not enough, check out the nearby attractions, including the Maritime Museum, Crown Point, and the Morgan Horse Farm in Middlebury.

Button Bay, a 253-acre park, is located on a bluff in Ferrisburgh along the 130-mile-long Lake Champlain. Historically, the area has been visited by such notables as Samuel De Champlain (1609), Ethan Allen (1776), Ben Franklin (1776), and Benedict Arnold (1777). What once operated as a farm, opened as a State Park in 1964. The park is so named for the button-like concretions formed by clay deposits found along the shoreline.

The camping area is generally an open, grassy area overlooking Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains to the west. There are 73 sites including 13 lean-tos. Flush toilets, hot showers ($), and a dump station are provided. The park has a play area and a swimming pool with lifeguards. There are a picnic area and a large open picnic shelter pavilion for large group gatherings. Boating (rentals available), fishing, and sailing are popular on Lake Champlain. You can explore Button Point Natural Area, a small mature hardwood forest, hike the trail, and visit the Nature Center.