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Lake St Catherine
Overview
Lake St. Catherine State Park offers a quintessential Vermont camping experience situated along the eastern shore of its namesake lake. Covering 117 acres, this park was once comprised of farmland and slate quarries before becoming a recreational haven in the 1950s. Today, it provides a scenic woodland setting for RVers looking to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with nature. The park balances quiet, forested campsites with active waterfront access, making it a staple for regional travelers seeking a traditional outdoor getaway.
Location & Surroundings
Located in Poultney within the Taconic Mountains region, the park is defined by its stunning glacial lake views and lush greenery. The surrounding area is famous for its history of slate production, which is still visible in the local landscape and architecture. Visitors will find themselves surrounded by mature trees and clear waters, with the rolling hills of the Vermont countryside providing a peaceful backdrop. It is conveniently positioned near the New York border, offering easy access to both Vermont's Green Mountains and the Adirondacks.
Amenities & Park Features
The campground features sites suitable for RVs, though travelers should note that these are primitive sites without hookups, emphasizing a rustic camping experience. To support self-contained rigs, the park provides a convenient dump station and potable water spigots. Comfort is maintained through well-kept restrooms with flush toilets and hot coin-operated showers. For recreation, the park offers two sandy beaches, a large grassy picnic area, and an informative nature center. A boat launch and on-site rentals for kayaks and canoes allow easy exploration of the 852-acre lake.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Water activities dominate the itinerary here, with excellent fishing for pike and bass right from the shore or a boat. For those who prefer land, the park features hiking trails like the Shortleaf Pine Trail, which offers a moderate trek with rewarding views of the lake. Nearby Poultney is a charming town perfect for exploring local history or visiting seasonal farmers markets. Golf enthusiasts can find a course just minutes away, while history buffs might enjoy the slate heritage museums scattered throughout the local valley.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for nature lovers and families who enjoy an unplugged atmosphere over high-tech resort amenities. It is a perfect fit for smaller RVs, pop-ups, or camper vans that do not require constant shore power. Those who prioritize waterfront access and quiet evening campfires will find this state park particularly appealing. If your goal is to spend your days on the water and your nights under a dense canopy of stars, Lake St. Catherine provides the perfect Vermont sanctuary.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Elizabeth Whittemore
Very relaxed, great staff, crystal clear warm waters. Only bummer was not being able to rent a paddle boat because no one was at the rental window. Posting hours of service would make a huge difference. Otherwise, a great way to spend a few hours.
Bill Scharadin
Beautiful, clear lake. Next to no one there. Grass, tree-covered parking area. Next time, I’m bringing a kayak. They do rent them if you don’t have one.
Jesse Marczak
A little slice of paradise nestled in the beautiful countryside of southern VT. Great place to camp, hike, swim, fish and have a wonderful day out with the family. The personnel on site are super friendly and knowledgeable. Voted State Park of the Year 2024... It's a smaller park but 100% worth your time to visit for a day.
Barbara Holst
I loved spending time at the lake. It was warm and beautiful. I rented a cabin in the camping area. It was nice because it did rain a few nights. The water was warm.
Noah Dion
We had a wonderful camping experience at Lake St. Catherine. There are a couple helpful tips to know: the campground is pretty spread out, and most of the sites are plenty roomy. The boat launch allows dogs but the kayak/canoe rentals take place at a day use area, where dogs aren’t really wanted and/or are straight-up not allowed. So keep that in mind if you want to go float about with your furry friend—it’d be best to bring your own boat in this case…we left our inflatable kayak at home but wished we had brought it and I wanted others to be aware of this. We took the last tent-only spot available on a busy but beautiful weekend, having arrived on a Friday night just before the main office closed. We were able to buy ice and an armful of firewood, $11 together. We set up just as it was getting dark but made it just in time. The weather was gorgeous and the lake views are amazing. We saw some local wild critters (bunny and a bunch of cool birds) during a refreshing nature walk, took the time to take in the fresh air, and enjoyed our campsite which was in partial shade (nice for the direct sun at midday). The staff was friendly and we were greeted our night of arrival with enthusiasm and a helpful positive attitude. The park is pet-friendly although there were many barking dogs throughout every one was friendly. The first night we stayed there was a group of folks that were carrying on well past the 10:00 quiet curfew, but camp staff showed up in their gator and took care of that quickly; we never heard a peep after they got spoken to. This is a very family-friendly campground, so if you’re a family of two+a pet, just keep this in mind if you’re looking for a super-removed peaceful experience you may want to consider other smaller rural campgrounds. It didn’t bother us much but that is something to keep in mind. Overall it was a fine sleeping experience and if you’re up before everyone else is you can enjoy quiet walks alone and have the bathrooms all to yourself which is nice. We found a little slice of heaven at our site #23 and will still recommend this campground to those looking in this area. West Rutland is close by and there is a large grocery store to stop at on your way to the park to stock up, but we stopped by at Castleton Village Store and could not be happier with the goodies and treats we bought there for our camping trip. Lake St. C was definitely worth the trip from Home for us and is well worth checking out!!