Cabin

Blue Camp - An Authentic Vermont Lake Champlain Getaway

Photo gallery for Blue Camp - An Authentic Vermont Lake Champlain Getaway

A wooden table with a lamp, a chair, and a view of a snowy landscape through a window.
Property video
A dining area with a round table and six chairs, large windows with a view of a lake, and a door leading outside.
A dining area with a round table and chairs, large windows with a view of a lake and dock.
A lake with a boat docked on the shore, surrounded by lush greenery and flowering plants.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Scenic water view
    Relax and unwind with top-rated water views, offering a scenic experience.
  • Arcade/game room
    A rare find - fun for all ages with on-site arcade/game room.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Patio
  • Arcade/game room
  • Pet-friendly
  • Barbecue
  • Refrigerator
  • Internet

Explore the area

View map
Colchester, VT
  • Place, Sunset Drive-In Theater
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Airport Park
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Place, North Avenue Shopping Center
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Airport, Burlington, VT (BTV-Burlington Intl.)
    ‪17 min drive‬

Where you'll sleep

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

Living Room 1

1 Queen Sofa Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Number of living rooms
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Blue Camp - An Authentic Vermont Lake Champlain Getaway


Step back in time and relive those lazy summer days by the lake!

Built in 1930, Blue Camp is one of the few remaining original Vermont lake camps. Located directly on beautiful Malletts Bay, this charming three-bedroom waterfront retreat combines the character and nostalgia of days gone by with the comforts of home.

Whether you're planning a family vacation, a fishing trip, a visit to Burlington, or simply a peaceful getaway, Blue Camp offers a wonderful opportunity to experience life on Lake Champlain.

Relax, Unwind, and Enjoy the Lake

One of Blue Camp's most treasured features is its spacious screened-in porch overlooking Malletts Bay. Start your morning with coffee while watching the boats pass by, enjoy meals with family and friends, or simply settle into a comfortable chair and take in the lake views.

The porch is a favorite gathering place, rain or shine, and some guests even enjoy sleeping there for a more traditional outdoor camp experience.

Spend your afternoons swimming, fishing, or sunning yourself on the private raft. Waterfront access includes a combination of sandy and stony shoreline areas.

Two kayaks and a paddleboard are provided for exploring the bay.

Bringing your own boat? Limited dock space and a mooring may be available by advance arrangement, subject to water levels and the size and type of boat. Dock access is reserved for getting on and off a prearranged motorboat or sailboat and is not available for general recreational use, swimming, sunbathing, or relaxing.

A Classic Vermont Camp with the Comforts of Home

Blue Camp accommodates up to eight guests, including the queen sofa sleeper.

Sleeping arrangements include:

Bedroom 1: Queen bed

Bedroom 2: Double bed

Bedroom 3: Two twin beds

Living room: Queen sofa sleeper

The camp also features one bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen with a natural gas stove and oven, a dining area, and a comfortable living room.

A remote-controlled natural gas fireplace in the upstairs main living area provides effective heat during cooler spring and fall weather. For those who enjoy the warmth and ambiance of a traditional wood fire, a woodstove is also available for guest use in the main living area, with firewood provided.

As an authentic seasonal camp dating to 1930, Blue Camp does not have air conditioning.

A gas grill is available for outdoor cooking, and guests can enjoy the camp's recreational amenities, including a ping-pong table.

Bed linens and towels are provided, and laundry facilities are located on the lower level.

Bike, Walk, and Explore Right from the Camp

Four adult-sized bicycles are provided for guest use, and access to the local bike path is less than two minutes away.

From there, you can head toward Burlington or in the opposite direction toward one of the area's most memorable cycling experiences—the Island Line Trail and Colchester Causeway. The Causeway carries the trail for miles out across Lake Champlain, with water on both sides and expansive views of the lake, islands, Green Mountains, and Adirondacks.

For a shorter outing, nearby Rossetti Beach Natural Area is approximately four minutes away by car or about 15 minutes by bicycle. Follow a wide trail beneath a canopy of trees, cross a bridge over a peaceful wetland, and emerge onto a sandy Lake Champlain beach with a panoramic view across the bay—a beautiful outing just minutes from the camp.

Burlington Is Just Minutes Away

Blue Camp is situated on a quiet, dead-end dirt road within walking distance of the local general store, yet downtown Burlington is only about 15 minutes away by car.

You can also reach Burlington by bicycle along the community bike path, approximately 30–45 minutes, or by boat.

Explore Church Street Marketplace, enjoy waterfront dining, browse local shops and breweries, or take a scenic cruise on Lake Champlain.

On the Burlington waterfront, visit the ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Vermont's science and nature museum. Its interactive exhibits and live animals provide a fascinating look at Lake Champlain's ecology and wildlife, including native fish, turtles and amphibians. It's a particularly enjoyable way for families to discover more about the lake they're experiencing during their stay.

The camp is also conveniently located for visits to the University of Vermont and the greater Burlington area.

Explore More of the Champlain Valley

There's much more to discover within an easy drive of Blue Camp.

Visit Shelburne Farms, the former country estate of Dr. William Seward Webb and Lila Vanderbilt Webb, daughter of railroad magnate William H. Vanderbilt. Beginning in the 1880s, the Webbs assembled nearly 4,000 acres overlooking Lake Champlain, with famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Sr. helping shape the estate. Today, visitors can explore this historic working farm, its trails and magnificent Lake Champlain setting.

Nearby Shelburne Museum has an equally fascinating family history. Founded by Electra Havemeyer Webb, who married into the Webb/Vanderbilt family, the museum reflects both the Vanderbilt connection and the Havemeyer family's sugar fortune.

Spread across 45 acres, the museum combines art, Americana and historic buildings with some wonderful surprises. Among them are the restored Lake Champlain steamboat Ticonderoga and original French Impressionist works by Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Édouard Manet and Mary Cassatt.

For a memorable Vermont day trip, drive through Smugglers' Notch on scenic Route 108 when the road is open for the season. The narrow, winding mountain road passes between dramatic cliffs and enormous boulders and is closed to through traffic during the winter.

Anglers can arrange Lake Champlain fishing charters, while those who would like to spend a day cruising can find pontoon and other boat rentals in the area.

Hikers can explore both the Green Mountains of Vermont and the Adirondacks across the lake in New York. You'll also find wineries, historic sites, scenic drives, seasonal ferry trips, and the nearby Sunset Drive-In Theater.

Whether you prefer biking, boating, fishing and hiking or simply relaxing by the water, Blue Camp makes an excellent home base for exploring the Champlain Valley.

A Traditional Vermont Camp Experience

Blue Camp welcomes one pet with advance approval when booking.

We take pride in offering a traditional lake-camp experience and maintaining a welcoming property for our guests.

Our Guest-Managed Cleaning Arrangement

To help keep rental costs down and avoid a separate cleaning fee, Blue Camp operates under a guest-managed cleaning arrangement.

Guests are responsible for leaving the camp clean and ready for the next visitors. For guests using the linens and towels provided by Blue Camp, this includes washing, drying, folding, and putting them away, along with completing the other cleaning tasks outlined in our house rules.

Guests who prefer to simplify their departure are welcome to bring and use their own bed linens and towels, reducing the amount of laundry that needs to be completed before leaving.

Please review our house rules and rental agreement before booking to ensure this arrangement is suitable for your group.

We appreciate our guests' cooperation in helping preserve this traditional Vermont camp experience.

We look forward to welcoming you to Blue Camp and helping you make lasting memories on Lake Champlain!

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before noon
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Graduation
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs and cats less than 453 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
Prior approval from owner required when booking.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking not allowed under any roofed area of camp.
Camp to be left clean, Linens and towels used to be washed, dried, folded and returned to room dresser drawers in respective rooms prior to departure.
No smoking inside camp at any level, including screened porch.
As part of your post-stay inspection, verify boats, bicycles, in safe condition, confirm smoke detectors are functioning and windows and doors locked.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 3517020
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 10
Note from host: Graduation
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Colchester

Located on the waterfront, this cabin is in Malletts Bay, a neighbourhood in Colchester. Auer Family Boathouse and Ethan Allen Tower are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Waterfront Park and Colchester Pond Natural Area. Travelling with kids? Consider Sunset Drive-In Theater and Gordon H. Paquette Arena at Leddy Park. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and scuba diving nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails and cycling.
Map
Colchester, VT

What's nearby

  • Sunset Drive-In Theater - 4 min drive - 4.0 km
  • Airport Park - 6 min drive - 4.8 km
  • Ethan Allen Park - 7 min drive - 7.6 km
  • North Avenue Shopping Center - 7 min drive - 7.2 km
  • beach near Airport Park - 7 min drive - 5.5 km

Getting around

  • Burlington Union Station - 12 min drive
  • Burlington, VT (BTV-Burlington Intl.) - 19 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Starbucks - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Burger King - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Dunkin' - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Casa Real - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Built in 1930, Blue Camp is one of the few remaining original Vermont Camps pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 453 kg per pet.

How much does it cost to stay at Blue Camp - An Authentic Vermont Lake Champlain Getaway?

As of 26 September 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Blue Camp - An Authentic Vermont Lake Champlain Getaway on 22 May 2027 start from NZ$1,602, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Built in 1930, Blue Camp is one of the few remaining original Vermont Camps?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Built in 1930, Blue Camp is one of the few remaining original Vermont Camps?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Built in 1930, Blue Camp is one of the few remaining original Vermont Camps?

Checkout is at noon.

Where is Built in 1930, Blue Camp is one of the few remaining original Vermont Camps located?

This family-friendly Colchester cabin is located on the waterfront, within 3 mi (5 km) of Sunset Drive-In Theater and Airport Park. Gordon H. Paquette Arena at Leddy Park and North Beach are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 105 out of 124 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 16 out of 124 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 124 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 124 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 124 reviews

8.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely perfect! We loved the view and the charm of the home. The screen porch was a highlight as was having our son and his girlfriend over for some ping pong. We will be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We really enjoyed our stay at Blue Camp. Our days were filled with adventure in the area. And coming back to the house was absolutely beautiful and peaceful. Sitting in the screened in porch, looking out on the lake was a wonderful way to end each day.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What an amazing place! A great location and totally charming cabin, full of bonuses (kayaks, paddle board, bikes, ping pong table and more). Outstanding communication from the owner. Would definitely stay again. Can’t recommend highly enough.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful week long stay at the Blue Camp for graduation at UVM. Colchester is so close to the festivities, restaurants, and events yet coming back to the camp felt like a cozy place to enjoy food and continue the celebration! Everything was available to cook and clean with. The porch was expansive with magnificent views of the bay. A great place to pull up a rocking chair, listen to music and chat. Beds were very comfortable and if you bring sheets no need to launder the linens making clean-up easy and quick! The gas stove kept us cozy and warm with the remote. We were sad to leave - we plan to return when the lake temperature warms up for swimming and kayaking fun! Thank you John for a great, memorable stay.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Felt as though I was a child again as we had many friends with similar cabins. Loved the beautiful porch and the view of the bay. Was perfect for our annual getaway!.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location

Beautiful property and surrounding area.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
Beautiful spot Malletts Bay, in Colchester Vt. House was very comfortable and clean.Met John the owner, very accommodating & friendly. The spot where the house is absolutely beautiful. I highly recommend it!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice place, great location!

Nice place, great view, good location.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Stay

The property was amazing and the decor made it feel very homey. Its location is in proximity to a lot businesses and recreational chances. Thank you for an amazing stay!!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great time at the Blue Camp. The screened in porch was the highlight. Wonderful breeze off the lake. Very peaceful setting. Central to Colchester, Burlington, and not too far from Stowe.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

This is a wonderfully peaceful place

The view is amazing, accessibility to stores an other amenities is pleasant. I just wanted to overstay a bit longer, lol.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful cabin. Fantastic screened porch overlooking the water. Didn’t get a chance to use all the extra amenities. Hopefully next time.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Place!

We had a great stay in the blue house. John was a great host and the location was perfect. Even when we had rain sitting on the screened in deck was so relaxing. Def will come back and recommend to anyone looking!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Charming

This cabin was truly the perfect getaway. The decor is lovely, the rooms are quaint, and the area is gorgeous. The biggest highlight is the porch facing the lake with the rocking chairs - you want to spend all day there. Highly recommend a stay here.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place - wonderful host!

Very nice residential neighborhood with an excellent host. Rooms are all Open at ceiling - just a note if you have restless sleepers.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 13 November 2020
The bedrooms and kitchen have an open ceiling. Other rooms including living room with sleep sofa and bathroom have closed ceilings.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Stay

Great place, felt like living in an episode of the Waltons. A bit dusty and cobwebby in the best way. It would be nice if the bedroom walls were extended to the roof.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The view was excellent. It's on a quiet road, with plenty of activities nearby. The camp is rustic and unique, but well-maintained. It felt like going back in a time machine. John lives nearby, and responded quickly via direct message. The screened porch is massive and would be perfect for summer dinners. Overall, it was a lovely experience for my parents and they would certainly stay there again.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely place!

We loved this little camp, perfect spot on the lake and very nostalgic feeling. It has all of the necessary items and many comforts as well. It was a chilly weekend but the heating stove kept us toasty! Very easy to use with a remote. If we come when the weather is better we’d definitely use the kayaks and bikes. Loved our stay at Blue Camp!!!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lake house Haven

Cozy & rustic lake house with amazing views & access to the lake! Great location to enjoy downtown Burlington, accessing great hiking trails & Stowe, VT within an hour. Host super responsive& helpful. We can’t wait to come back!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great cabin

What a cool old cabin! John was always responsive leading up to our stay and very kindly had the heater on for us since it was pretty cold and we arrived a few hours later than we planned due to a storm. Hope to come back again and for a longer stay to spend more time in the area and on the lake!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Fabulous Porch View @ Blue Camp

We enjoyed Blue Camp's porch view of Mallets Bay, especially the sunrise views and watching the boats on the bay. It's in a quiet neighborhood and is well located for easy drives to the islands or mountains for hiking or Burlington for dining and shopping.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Little Treasure

The blue cabin was a wonderful little retreat nestled right on Lake Champlain. The views were spectacular, the cabin was spotless and also has every amenity you could possibly think of, and then some! Communication with the renter was quick and easy and seamless. A total 10/10 experience. I would totally recommend this place!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Blue Camp - Wonderful place as advertised

Sometimes these places sound too good to be true. Not the case here, perfect place for a quiet getaway, explore the beautiful Burlington area, including the lake. You can hike, bike, kayak or just chill in the serenity of the amazing screen porch. Everything you need is right there. The hosts do a wonderful job with the place. Thank you for a great stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

amazing host amazing stay

I can’t say better things about my stay at the Blue Camp. My mom and I had a mother daughter trip here in late September. it’s absolutely picturesque and so so cozy. John is a wonderful human and host. There is an uncles number of things to do, and I really enjoyed riding the bikes on the property to the nearby islands. You will have the coziest beast time here. Already looking forward to coming back in the summer with friends and getting in the lake.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Will be coming again

The listing was accurate, pics and all. It wasn't spotless, which we kinda figured since it relies on other guests and is an older place. The weather sucked, but we made the best of it! Our last day was amazing though, and we loved the porch. Best part? We got to sit out there even though it rained.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

About the host

Hosted by John

Host profile image
My wife, Patricia, and I live in the green house next door to Blue Camp during the summer months. I purchased our home in 1995 after moving to Vermont for work and quickly came to appreciate the beauty of Malletts Bay and the character of this small lakeside neighborhood.
We began welcoming guests to Blue Camp in 2013. I wasn't sure at first how much I would enjoy being a vacation-rental host, but it quickly became something I genuinely enjoyed. One of the most rewarding parts has been getting to know our guests and welcoming back many of the same families year after year.
Because we live next door when we're in Vermont, we're generally available if guests have a question or need assistance, while respecting their privacy and allowing them to enjoy Blue Camp as their own during their stay.

Why they chose this property

I first moved to this neighborhood in 1995 and have enjoyed spending summers on Malletts Bay ever since. It offers an unusual combination: a quiet waterfront setting on a dead-end dirt road while Burlington is only about 15 minutes away.
Lake Champlain is naturally the centerpiece, with swimming, boating, fishing and beautiful views, but there is much more nearby. The bike path is less than two minutes from the camp and provides access toward Burlington in one direction and the spectacular Colchester Causeway and Island Line Trail in the other.
We also enjoy being close to places such as Rossetti Beach Natural Area, Burlington's waterfront and Church Street, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Shelburne Farms, Shelburne Museum and the Green Mountains. It's a wonderful location for enjoying both the lake and the many things that make this part of Vermont special.

What makes this property unique

Blue Camp isn't a reproduction of an old Vermont lake camp—it is one.
Built in 1930, it is one of the traditional summer camps that once lined much more of the Lake Champlain shoreline. When the longtime owner contacted me in 2012 and told me he wanted to sell, I was concerned that a new owner might tear it down and replace it with a modern waterfront home. Since I had lived next door for many years and had grown fond of the camp, I decided to purchase it in large part to preserve its character.
Today, guests can experience many of the simple pleasures that have drawn families to Lake Champlain for generations: mornings and evenings on the large screened porch overlooking Malletts Bay, swimming and relaxing on the private raft, exploring the bay by kayak or paddleboard, bicycling nearby trails, and gathering around a wood fire on a cool Vermont evening.
We've added modern conveniences—including a fully equipped kitchen, Wi-Fi and an effective natural-gas fireplace—while trying to preserve what makes Blue Camp special. It's still an authentic 1930 Vermont lake camp, and that's exactly what we want it to remain.

Languages:

English

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