Point Au Roche State Park stretches across 856 acres of Lake Champlain's northwestern shoreline near Plattsburgh. The campground combines open meadows, forested areas, and extensive marshlands with a clean beach and access to diverse water activities. Facilities include showers and picnic tables, though there's no concession stand on-site.
Point Au Roche State Park does not have dedicated camping facilities.
Historical Significance
Families built summer camps along Long Point before the state acquired the land, establishing a tradition of lakeside gatherings that the park maintains today.Weather and SeasonsSummer delivers the best lake experience. Daytime highs reach the mid-70s to low-80s, nights drop to the mid-50s to mid-60s, and lake breezes keep afternoons comfortable. Water warms enough for swimming, trails stay active with dragonflies and shorebirds, and long daylight extends paddling and fishing hours. Weekends and holidays fill up. Spring mornings are crisp for bird watching, autumn brings moderate temperatures and solitude, and winter transforms the shoreline into ice formations.
Natural Features and SceneryThe park sits at 128 feet elevation where rocky points meet sandy beaches along Lake Champlain. Marshlands wind between upland forests and the lake, creating habitat for beavers, eagles, ospreys, and waterfowl. Cattail-lined channels transition from open water to shaded groves. Wildflowers shift with the seasons, and the shoreline alternates between secluded coves and weathered stone outcrops shaped by the Champlain Valley's geology.
Geological RegionPoint Au Roche occupies a fascinating ecological crossroads where Lake Champlain's northwestern shoreline creates a mosaic of distinct habitats. Here, the landscape transitions seamlessly from sun-drenched open spaces to cool forest groves, while extensive marshlands bridge the gap between land and water. This unique positioning has sculpted a terrain where rocky points meet sandy beaches, where wetland channels wind through cattails, and where the ancient geology of the Champlain Valley reveals itself in every weathered stone and carved shoreline.
Scenic ViewsLake Champlain provides breathtaking views, particularly along trails like Ram’s Head, which offers scenic water overviews.
Programs & ActivitiesEducational programs are hosted by the Nature Center, which offers school programs and nature hikes year-round.