Location
United States
Status
Informal / Traditional
Suitable for
Families and adults
Terrain
Rock
Best season
Late May to early September (park season)
About Knight Island
Knight Island is a wooded, 185-acre island in northern Lake Champlain, about two miles east of North Hero village in Vermont's Champlain Islands. Almost all of it is Knight Island State Park, apart from a small private area at the south end. The island is about a mile long and half a mile wide, with roughly 2.5 miles of mostly rocky shoreline. It has no sandy public beach, and you swim off rock ledges and small coves. A trail circles the island and links seven remote campsites (one tent site and six lean-tos), each for up to eight people. The only facilities are composting toilets, and there is no drinking water. The island appears on a Wikipedia list of social nudity places as a spot for nude use. We found no other guide, forum or news report describing naturist use. Treat it as a quiet boat-in island where skinny-dipping at a secluded campsite may go unremarked, not as an established nude beach.
Getting there
The island is reached by boat only, and there are no docks, so you pull boats ashore or anchor. Paddlers usually launch from Knight Point State Park in North Hero, about a 3-mile crossing, with free parking for island campers. Motorboats use Kill Kare State Park in St Albans, about 5 miles away. Two licensed water taxis serve the island from Grand Isle County. Campsites must be reserved, with a two-night minimum. The campsites are 1/3 to 1 mile from the main landing on foot. There is no wheelchair access.
Amenities
Legal context
Vermont has no statewide law against simple public nudity. A 2026 bill (H.683) to create one was referred to the House Judiciary Committee in January 2026 with no further action recorded. Vermont State Parks publishes no clothing-optional designation for Knight Island, so discretion around other campers is expected.
Naturism at Knight Island sits under United States's rules for traditional tolerance — custom more than statute.
Full country law: United States public nudity guide.
Researched 24 October 2026. No official source confirms naturist status, so treat it as unverified.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 44.8109, -73.2521
Visitor tips
- 1 Informal / tolerated site — be discreet and leave no drama.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
More in United States
Frequently asked questions
Is Knight Island a nude beach?
Not officially. It is a remote state park island listed by Wikipedia as a place for nude use, but there is no designated area and little evidence of regular naturist use.
How do I get there?
By your own boat, kayak or a water taxi from Grand Isle County. Paddlers usually launch from Knight Point State Park, about 3 miles away.
Are there facilities?
Composting toilets only. There is no drinking water, so bring all you need.
Is nudity legal in Vermont?
Vermont has no statewide ban on simple nudity, though some towns have ordinances and a 2026 bill proposed a statewide ban.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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