Kamp Kill Kare State Park Map & Guide (pdf) - Vermont State Parks

Kamp Kill Kare State ParkSt. Albans Bay, VermontClick On A Site For Photo And Additional InformationFORESTS, PARKS & RECREATIONVERMONTAGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCESNorthLake Champlainthis map is intended forinformational purposes onlynot survey accurateLEGENDfunctiontent areaRocky PointHousePark officeParkingPicnic areaRestroomsWheelchair accessiblePicnic shelterSwimming areaFerry dockBoat launchVERMONT363 mi.to St. Albans Bay &Private property0 50 100 200 400feetephelps - 01/2013Cartop Boat LaunchSundialMemorial fireplacePark boundary

Kamp Kill Kare State ParkWelcome to Kamp Kill Kare. This state park is namedfor Kamp Kill Kare, a summer camp for boys whichoperated on this site from 1912 until 1966. Located onthe southwestern tip of St. Albans Point, a three-milepeninsula that defines St. Albans Bay, Kamp Kill Kare issurrounded on three sides by the sparkling water of LakeChamplain. The three-story Rocky Point House in thecenter of the park was built in the 1870s and operated asa summer resort hotel until 1912, when the boys’ camppurchased the property. In addition to the hotel building,then known as “The Main House,” the camp includedtennis courts, a baseball field and several small cabins.Recognizing the need for a mainland base fromwhich to service Burton Island State Park, the State ofVermont purchased the 17-acre Kill Kare property in1967. The cottages were removed, and the boat rampwas created on the east shore. The breakwater protectingthe boat ramp and ferry dock was built into the lake.Some group picnicking was allowed on the grounds, butthe primary purpose of the park, in the early days, wasto support Burton Island. It was not until the mid-1970s,a period during which water quality within St. AlbansBay was particularly poor, that the public began to swimand picnic at Kill Kare, and to appreciate the park forits clean water and cooling summer breezes. Visitationwas such by the early 1980s that modernization wasa necessity. The Rocky Point House was renovated in1982, but by 2009 further improvements were necessary.In 2010, the hotel building was completely renovatedto reflect the original lakeside hotel architecture. TheDepartment of Forests, Parks and Recreation partneredwith the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation torenovate the historically significant Rocky Point House.The renovation process was a conscious effort to restorethe Rocky Point House to the original post-Civil War-eraarchitecture. The stately building you see today closelyresembles the original lakeside hotel as it stood in thelate 1800s. The Rocky Point House architecture exudesa feeling of class, elegance and distinction; patrons ofthis establishment who sought recreational enjoyment ofLake Champlain, during that time, would have expectedthis level of sophistication.Park AmenitiesThe park features the Rocky Point House Museum,dedicated in 2012. The displays are lively and interesting,recognizing the history of the site from the Hotel Era topresent day. Additionally, the Rocky Point House WestRoom is available for small wedding receptions andmeetings (call the park directly). The southeast lawnfunctions as large tent space for weddings, with electricityavailable adjacent to the tent site. Picnic tables andcooking grills are located throughout the park in both openand shaded lawn areas. The 26’ x 40’ open-air shelter has agroup-sized cooking grill, electricity and may be reservedfor group functions. The south-facing swimming area hasa mostly sandy bottom. The boat ramp gets your boatquickly into deep water. If you do not have a boat, kayaksare available for rent, or you can ride the Island Runnerferry, departing from the dock to Burton Island State Park,seven times daily.DirectionsFrom St. Albans, take VT Route 36 (Lake Street) westthree miles to St. Albans Bay. Bear right at the Bay, stayingon Route 36 one-half mile, across a bridge. After the bridge,turn left onto Hathaway Point Road. In three miles the roadends at Kamp Kill Kare.For More Information, contact:Kamp Kill Kare State ParkP.O. Box 123St. Albans, VT 05481(802) 524-6021 (operating season) orVT State Parks Reservation Center(888) 409-7579 M-F 9 AM-4 PMwww.vtstateparks.comThis document is available upon request in large print,Braille and audio format.VT TDD Relay: (800) 253-0191.Printed on recycled paper01/2013Kamp Kill KareState ParkMap & GuideMemorial Day Weekend - Labor Daypicnickingswimmingfishinggroup events