Knight Point State Park North Hero is a 54-acre day-use park on North Hero Island with a sandy swimming beach, a disc golf course, two hiking trails, boat rentals, and a covered pavilion overlooking Lake Champlain. The park is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, with day-use hours from 10 a.m. to sunset.
That’s the quick answer. But honestly, the quick answer doesn’t do this place justice. Tucked just south of North Hero Village on U.S. Route 2, right next to the drawbridge that connects North Hero to Grand Isle, Knight Point packs a surprising amount of activity into a small lakeside peninsula. It also won the 2026 Park of the Year award for Vermont’s Northwest Region, which should tell you something about the shape it’s in.
Here’s what to expect when you visit.
The Beach and Swimming Area
The beach is probably the first thing most families head to. There’s a designated swimming area on the east side of the point with sandy shoreline and shallow water that warms up nicely by July. No lifeguards are on duty, so keeping an eye on kids is important. But the water is calm, the setting is gorgeous, and there’s usually plenty of boat traffic in the channel between North Hero and Grand Isle to watch between swims.
A few things worth knowing about the beach:
No pets allowed on the sandy beach (they’re welcome elsewhere in the park, just on a leash)
Restrooms and changing facilities are on-site
There’s no shade directly on the sand, but the grassy picnic area with mature trees is steps away
The channel visible from the beach is called “The Gut,” and it’s the only passage in this section of Lake Champlain wide enough for sailboats and larger cruisers
The Disc Golf Course
Here’s something a lot of people don’t expect from a small Vermont state park. Knight Point State Park North Hero has its own disc golf course right on the grounds. It’s not a tournament-level 18-hole beast, but it’s a fun way to break up a day at the beach, especially if you’ve got teens or a group that’s getting restless after a few hours of swimming.
The course weaves through the park’s mix of open lawn and wooded areas, so there’s a good blend of straightforward throws and trickier wooded shots. And because the park itself sits on a scenic peninsula surrounded by Lake Champlain, the backdrop is hard to beat.
If you don’t have discs, don’t sweat it. Disc golf is one of those sports you can pick up casually, and many visitors just enjoy walking the course even without playing.
Hiking Trails
There are two trails at Knight Point, and both are easy enough for families with younger kids.
| Trail Name | Distance | Type | Difficulty | Time | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Island Loop | 2.0 miles | Loop | Easy | ~2 hours | Woodland and lakeside views |
| Cross Trail | 0.5 miles | Connector | Easy | ~30 minutes | Woodland views, shortcut |
The Island Loop trail takes visitors around the perimeter of the point, with several lookout spots where you can see Lake Champlain stretching out toward the Adirondacks on the New York side. The trail surface is packed earth and dirt, well maintained and wide enough to walk side by side. The Cross Trail cuts through the interior meadow and connects both sides of the loop, which is perfect if you want a shorter walk or if little legs are getting tired.
The forest here is genuinely interesting from a nature perspective. There are mature stands of oak, maple, hickory, and hop hornbeam, plus cedar clusters that provide solid wildlife cover. Birdwatchers in particular love this spot, and it’s listed as a birding hotspot on eBird.
Paddling and Boat Rentals
Knight Point offers kayak, canoe, and stand-up paddleboard rentals during the operating season. This is one of the best launch spots on the Champlain Islands for exploring the lake without having to bring your own gear.
Some popular paddling options from Knight Point include:
Exploring the shoreline along North Hero Island
Crossing to Knight Island State Park, which is about a 3-mile paddle and offers primitive camping with lean-tos (boat access only)
Paddling through “The Gut” between North Hero and Grand Isle for a closer look at the channel
Watching for wildlife along the cobbled shoreline, which is designated as a State Natural Area
For a full breakdown of the best launch spots and paddling routes around the islands, check out this guide to kayaking on Lake Champlain near the Champlain Islands
The cobbled shoreline on the west side of the swimming beach is actually the largest undisturbed example of this type of natural community on Lake Champlain. It’s home to several rare plant species, so it’s worth walking out there even if you’re not paddling.
Fishing
Lake Champlain is legendary for its fishing, and Knight Point gives direct access to productive water. Bass, walleye, pike, and perch are all common catches in this section of the lake. The channel between North Hero and Grand Isle tends to concentrate fish, and casting from the rocky shoreline or heading out by kayak can both be productive.
Vermont Fish & Wildlife has even hosted “Fish with a Warden” events at Knight Point in past seasons, where game wardens spend an evening teaching families how to fish in state parks. Worth checking if those are running when you visit.
Picnicking and Group Gatherings
The picnic setup at Knight Point is honestly one of the better ones in the Vermont state park system. There’s a large covered pavilion, open grassy areas with shade trees, stand-up grills scattered throughout, and picnic tables in both sunny and shaded spots.
The pavilion is available for group rentals at $125 per day (plus a reservation fee), which makes it a surprisingly affordable option for family reunions, birthday parties, or group outings. Between the beach, the disc golf, the trails, and the grills, there’s enough variety to keep a big group entertained all day.
Island Arts and Live Events
What really sets Knight Point State Park North Hero apart from a typical state park is its cultural side. The park is home to the Island Center for Arts and Recreation (also known as Island Arts), a community nonprofit that has been running since 1988.
During the summer season, Island Arts hosts concerts under a big tent at the park, along with art classes, folk dancing, book sales, and other events. Past seasons have featured jazz nights, jukebox dance parties, and chamber music concerts, all in this beautiful lakeside setting. It’s the kind of thing you stumble into on a Tuesday evening, and suddenly you’re sitting in a lawn chair watching live music with the lake glowing behind the stage.
The nearby Homer Knight Barn on Route 2 in North Hero also serves as Island Arts’ headquarters, hosting gallery shows, youth arts scholarships, and community workshops throughout the year.
Quick Reference: What Knight Point State Park Offers
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Park Size | 54 acres |
| Season | Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day |
| Hours | 10 a.m. to sunset |
| Day-Use Fee | $5 adults, $2 children (ages 4 to 13), under 4 free |
| Annual Pass | $40 individual / $105 vehicle |
| Address | 44 Knight Point Rd., North Hero, VT 05474 |
| Phone | (802) 372-8389 (operating season) |
| Pets | Allowed in park, not on beach |
Why Visit from a Lake Champlain Islands Vacation?
Knight Point sits right in the heart of the Champlain Islands, which means it pairs perfectly with a broader island getaway. It’s one of several Lake Champlain beaches within a short drive of the islands, alongside options like Alburgh Dunes, Sand Bar State Park, and North Hero State Park. The area also puts visitors close to the Hyde Log Cabin State Historic Site in Grand Isle, St. Anne’s Shrine and the ancient coral reef on Isle La Motte, and Alburg Dunes State Park. For visitors staying at lakefront cottages in Alburgh or elsewhere on the islands, a day at Knight Point is one of those easy, low-key outings that ends up being a trip highlight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Knight Point State Park have a disc golf course?
Yes. Knight Point State Park North Hero has an on-site disc golf course that weaves through the park’s open lawns and wooded areas. It’s a casual, family-friendly course suitable for beginners and experienced players alike.
Can you swim at Knight Point State Park?
Yes. The park has a sandy swimming beach with a designated swim area on Lake Champlain. There are no lifeguards on duty, so swimmers should take normal precautions. Restrooms and changing facilities are available nearby.
How much does it cost to visit Knight Point State Park North Hero?
Day-use admission is $5 per adult and $2 per child (ages 4 to 13). Children under 4 enter free. Vermont also offers an individual season pass for $40 or a vehicle season pass for $105 that covers day-use entry at all state parks statewide.
Is Knight Point State Park open year-round?
The park’s staffed season runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, with day-use hours from 10 a.m. to sunset. The trails are technically accessible year-round, but restrooms and rentals are only available during the operating season. No fee is charged outside the summer season.