Popular Summer Activities in Vermont

If you are looking to spend much of your time outdoors in Vermont with the family and are looking for ideas of things to do, we’ve compiled a handy list of popular summer activities in Vermont that you can enjoy with your kids. They include:

Biking

Vermont boasts lots of paved trails and backroads that run through beautiful rolling hills and stunning mountain scenery. If you're looking for path trails, two of the best cycling trails in Vermont are the Bike Path Trail and Island Line Trail in Burlington.

places to visit in Vermont

Both the Bike Path and the Island Line Trail join and run along Burlington’s waterfront offering lovely views of the bay and Lake Champlain.

One of the best things about Burlington’s Bike Path and Island Line Trail is that they run past the ECHO Lake Aquarium, Burlington Earth Clock and the Waterfront Boat Rental where you’ll be able to hire kayaks and paddle boats for trips along Burlington bay.

Grand Isle State Park in the Champlain Islands is another popular place for biking in Vermont as it boasts nice bike trails, as well as boat rental facilities, cabins and tent areas for camping.

Road Biking and Mountain Biking

As far as road biking and mountain biking, the Green Mountain National Forest and the Champlain Valley are two of the best areas in Vermont.

things to do in Burlington Vermont

The dirt roads near Arlington in the Green Mountain National Forest are great for off-road biking.

For instance, the River Road, Dunham Road and Green Mountain Road are all great, though the River Road trail is one of the most popular bike trails as it passes through the former house of Norman Rockwell, which has been turned into a beautiful bed and breakfast called the Inn on Covered Bridge Green.

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By the way, if you’re a fan of Norman Rockwell, you may also want to visit the Norman Rockwell Museum in Rutland VT.

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For fun rides with the family, the backroads near Vergennes (Maple St and Green St) and Middlebury (Creek Rd and Morgan Horse Farm Rd) in the Champlain Valley are great for road biking.

Boating

Boating is undoubtedly, one of the most popular summer activities in Vermont even though it may not crop up in most people’s heads when looking for boating destinations in New England.

You’ll be glad to know that Vermont offers plenty of boating opportunities in its many lakes and reservoirs such as Lake Champlain where you'll find half a dozen of state parks where you can enjoy water skiing and speed boating.

These state parks include Burton Island, Grand Isle and Alburg Dunes all of which have boat launches, boat rentals facilities and marinas (Note. only Burton Island state park has a marina).

If you’re just looking for quiet spots for kayaking and paddling, head to Green River Reservoir, Niquette Bay or Lake Carmi.

Swimming

If you love swimming, another of the most popular summer activities in Vermont is heading to a beach area such as Boulder Beach and Balm of Gilead Beach, which are two of the most popular spots for a beach vacation in Vermont.

Balm of Gilead Beach is located in Lake Salem (in Derby) and boasts a lovely sandy shoreline and the Char-Bo Campgrounds nearby; while Boulder Beach Recreation area is located in Lake Groton.

Boulder Beach is probably the best beach area in Vermont because it’s located within the Groton State Forest, so you’ll be able to enjoy other activities like hiking, wildlife spotting and camping out in Ricker Pond Campground near Groton Pond Dam, or Big Deer state park campground.

Fly Fishing

Fly Fishing is no doubt, another of the most popular summer activities in Vermont and with so many lakes, river streams and reservoirs to choose from you’ll be spoiled for choice!

Popular spots for fly fishing in Vermont include Knapp Brook Ponds in Cavendish VT, Colchester Pond in Colchester VT, Marshfield Dam in Marshfield VT, and Sandbar State Park in Milton VT.

Besides casting a line by yourself, you can also charter a fishing boat with providers such as “Fish N Rigg Charters” and “Bronzeback Guide Service, or book guided fishing trips with operators such as “Fishing Champlain” and “Catamount Bassin”.

If you don’t know much about fly fishing, but want to learn how to cast a fly rod, you can join one of the fly fishing schools in Vermont such as the Vermont Fly Fishing School in Quchee VT, the Fly Fishing School at Hawk Inn & Mountain Resort in Plymouth VT, and the Orvis Fly Fishing School in Manchester VT.

By the way, if you’re a bit of a fishing buff, you may want to visit the American Museum of Fly Fishing in Manchester VT to check out rods and reels centuries old.

Lastly, don’t forget to get Vermont Fishing License which costs around $45 for non-residents and $22 for Vermont residents. (15 year-olds and under won’t need a fishing license).

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