Drive the Lake Champlain Byway in Vermont: A 6-Day Summer Itinerary
Note: Advertising is how we keep this site free for you to enjoy, and we earn a commission from affiliate links that may be included in this post. Thank you for supporting Vermont Explored!
Summer in Vermont may be short, but it’s also legendary, and there’s no better spot to enjoy it than on the shores of Lake Champlain.
Table of Contents
It’s a glittering gem of a lake delineating the border between Vermont and New York, and at 107 miles long and 14 miles wide at its widest point, Lake Champlain is massive. The Adirondack Mountains rise up from the lake’s western shore, making for dramatic sunsets from the Vermont side.
Because of its size, Lake Champlain attracts all types of adventurers, including sailors, fisherfolk, bird watchers, paddlers, and beach bums.
The 185-mile-long Lake Champlain Byway hugs the western edge of Vermont from the farmlands of Addison County through Burlington and up into the Lake Champlain Islands. It’s an outdoor lover’s paradise in the summer, and this 6-day Vermont itinerary embraces everything we love about summer in the Green Mountain State.
At-A-Glance: 6 Days on the Lake Champlain Byway
Distance: 185 miles
Best time to go: June through early September
Where to stay: Shelburne Farms Inn (Shelburne), Hilton Garden Inn (Burlington), North Hero House (North Hero). Book two nights in Shelburne, one in Burlington, and two in North Hero.
Camping: Button Bay State Park in Ferrisburgh has 53 tent/RV sites and 13 lean-tos; North Beach Campground in Burlington has 137 sites (a mix of primitive tent sites and RV sites with hookups); and Grand Isle State Park in Grand Isle has 115 tent/RV sites and 36 lean-tos. Book two nights at Button Bay, one night at North Beach, and two nights at Grand Isle.
Nearest Airport: Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (BTV)
The Lake Champlain Byway officially begins at Chimney Point in Addison and follows Route 7 north before transitioning to Route 2 through the Champlain Islands. Along the way, there are more than 200 sites, attractions, and points of interest, which means you could spend a month here and still find something new.
Don’t have five days? If you only have a weekend, I recommend choosing either the southern Champlain Valley (Addison, Ferrisburgh, Vergennes, and Shelburne), plus Burlington, or the Lake Champlain Islands and Burlington. Don’t try to do it all in a weekend!
Planning mode? Read our guide to the best camping near Burlington
Day 1: Addison, Vergennes, Kingsland Bay, and Mount Philo
Our drive starts at the southern end of the Lake Champlain Byway (and the southern tip of Lake Champlain).
This beautiful area is characterized by a largely rural landscape with far-reaching views of both the Green Mountains to the east and the Adirondacks to the west.
Start at Chimney Point State Historic Site
Before you point north on Route 7, make time for the official start of the byway at Chimney Point in Addison.
Chimney Point State Historic Site sits right on the lake at the spot where the Crown Point Bridge connects Vermont to New York, and the views alone are worth the stop.
The museum here covers 9,000 years of human history on Lake Champlain, from the Abenaki people to French colonizers to American settlers.
The circa-1785 tavern is the centerpiece of the site, and the views from the porch alone are worth the stop.
The museum inside covers that full sweep of history with seasonal and permanent exhibits, and there’s a picnic area near the water, a dock for lake access, and an interpretive trail that connects to Crown Point on the New York side via the bridge sidewalk.
Camping details: If you are camping at Button Bay State Park, this is your next stop. Set up your tent before spending the afternoon/evening exploring more of the region.
Vergennes: Vermont’s Smallest City
Next stop, the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum just outside Vergennes. The museum chronicles the rich and often dramatic history of Lake Champlain through shipwrecks, naval battles, and the working lives of the people who depended on the water. Admission is free.
Vergennes likes to call itself the smallest city in the United States, and with a population of around 2,500, the claim holds up. It’s also one of the most charming, with a compact downtown anchored by Otter Creek Falls right in the middle of things. Take some time to browse the shops before heading back to the lake for a swim.
Kingsland Bay and Mount Philo State Parks
Kingsland Bay State Park in Ferrisburgh is one of the prettiest swimming spots on the lake. The bay is sheltered and calm, the water is clear, and an easy trail wraps around the wooded peninsula.
This is one of our top swimming spots in the whole state!
If you still have some daylight after your swim, hike or drive to the top of Mount Philo in nearby Charlotte. This is one of six Vermont mountain summits you can drive to, though the hike is short and easy if you want to earn your view.
Lake Champlain spreads out below you to the west, the Adirondacks across the water, and the Green Mountains at your back. Bring your camera and get there in time for sunset.
Day 1 & 2: Dinner ideas
Vergennes: Black Sheep Bistro is a sweet little fine dining restaurant with a cozy atmosphere and amazing food. Be sure to make reservations.
Shelburne: Shelburne Farms Inn is an ideal choice if you’ve booked a room for the night. This is a farm-to-table restaurant with products grown right at Shelburne Farms.
Shelburne: Folino’s Pizza is a great casual spot next to Fiddlehead Brewing. Their fantastic pizzas are made with sourdough crusts in a combination wood/gas-fired oven.
Shelburne: Electra’s offers upscale dining in Shelburne Village with an emphasis on steak and seafood, but there are a few solid vegetarian choices as well.
Head south to Button Bay State Park to camp or north to Shelburne Farms Inn. We’ll see you in the morning!
Day 2: Rokeby Museum and Shelburne Farms
Today, you’ll be exploring more of Shelburne Farms (start here if you’re staying at the inn) and the nearby Rokeby Museum in Ferrisburgh. But first, the most important meal of the day…
Breakfast at Vergennes Laundry
Vergennes Laundry is a French-inspired bakery in a converted laundromat space in downtown Vergennes, and if you appreciate strong coffee and divine pastries, it’s a mind-blowing experience.
Go early if you can. The croissants, morning buns, and pastries sell out, and the maple latte will set you up for a full day of exploring. Seating is limited, but you can grab something to go. There are spots to sit near the Otter Creek at both Settler’s Park and MacDonough Park.
Rokeby Museum
Before heading north toward Shelburne, make time for Rokeby Museum in Ferrisburgh.
The museum’s centerpiece exhibition, Seeking Freedom: The Underground Railroad and the Legacy of an Abolitionist Family, traces the family’s evolution from enslavers in earlier generations to radical abolitionists in the 19th century, when they sheltered escaped enslaved people at this farm during the 1830s and 1840s.
It’s one of the best-documented Underground Railroad sites in the country, and the farmhouse is fully furnished with 200 years of domestic belongings.
A short film covers the national significance of the family’s antislavery activities and the individual stories of people who sought freedom here.
If you’re visiting with kids, the museum recently added a dedicated learning space where young visitors can follow a parallel exhibition path through the story of a fictional character named Dinah as she journeys to freedom on the Underground Railroad.
Rokeby is open Thursday through Monday from late May through mid-October. Give yourself at least an hour, more if you want to walk the trails on the 90-acre property.
Shelburne Farms
From Rokeby, head north a few miles to Shelburne Farms, a 1,400-acre working farm and nonprofit organization on the shores of Lake Champlain. This is one of my favorite spots to meander, especially in the summer.
Park at the Farm Store and Welcome Center. There are so many gorgeous picnic spots on the grounds, and you can easily buy the day’s picnic provisions before starting out. Walk toward the Children’s Farmyard, where you can meet the Brown Swiss dairy herd, chickens, pigs, and sheep.
Cheesemaking tours run at 11 am and 2 pm; the different varieties of cheddar made here are worth building your schedule around, and you’ll want to buy some before you leave.
Next, walk up to Lone Tree Hill for incredible views of Lake Champlain.
Finally, head toward the pebbly beach at Shelburne Farms, which is one of the quieter spots on Lake Champlain, and the views of the Adirondacks from the water’s edge are, again, spectacular.
The formal gardens near the inn are worth a look, too.
Plan on at least two to three hours here. It sounds like a lot until you’re actually walking the property, and then it doesn’t feel like nearly enough.
Lunch at Le Marché
If you didn’t picnic on the farm, drive to Le Marché, a French café and market in Shelburne Village, one of my favorite stops on the drive. The crispy eggplant sandwich, the maple latte, the sticky buns, everything here is worth ordering.
It’s a short drive from Shelburne Farms and the perfect midday stop before an afternoon of exploring the village. There are a few great shops here, including the independent bookstore Flying Pig Books.
From here, you’re on your own. Choose from one of our recommended dinner options above and head back to your lodging or campsite. Both Button Bay and Shelburne Farms will give you front row seats to an amazing Lake Champlain Sunset!
Only have a weekend? Grab our weekend itinerary for Shelburne, Vermont
Day 3: Shelburne Museum and Burlington
Today marks a shift in the trip. You’re leaving the quiet back roads of Addison County and trading them for Vermont’s biggest, most energetic city. But first, one of the best museums in New England.
Morning at Shelburne Museum
Plan to arrive at the Shelburne Museum when it opens and stay until early afternoon. It’s not the type of place that you can walk through quickly.
Northern New England’s largest art and history museum sprawls across 45 acres with 39 exhibition buildings, more than 150,000 objects; no matter how many times you visit (I try to go a few times a year), there’s always something new and unexpected.
A few highlights worth seeking out: The Arnold Circus Parade is my personal favorite, and I’ve been visiting it for more than 40 years. More than 4,000 one-inch-to-one-foot scale figurines depicting a 500-foot-long circus parade, carved and painted between 1925 and 1955, fill a horseshoe-shaped building designed specifically to showcase them.
Don’t miss the Ticonderoga, either. This 220-foot sidewheel steamboat is the last remaining example of her kind, hauled overland to the museum in 1955 in what remains one of the more audacious preservation efforts in Vermont history.
Walking her decks gives you a visceral sense of what travel on Lake Champlain looked like a century ago.
The Shaker-designed Round Barn, the general store, and the carousel round out the must-sees, but leave room to wander. The campus rewards curiosity.
Plan a day trip to the Shelburne Museum with our handy guide
Lunch at the Weathervane Café or Rustic Roots
When you’re ready for a break, the Weathervane Café on the museum grounds is open from 11 am to 3 pm. Grab lunch without leaving the property, rest your feet, and then decide whether you want another hour in the galleries or whether Burlington is calling.
For a more elevated lunch, you can walk to Rustic Roots in Shelburne Village. Great breakfast and lunch items include the carrot cake pancakes and grilled falafel.
Afternoon on Church Street
Drive north into Burlington and find your way to Church Street Marketplace, a pedestrian-only, open-air stretch that serves as the city’s social and commercial hub. After days of back roads and state parks, it’s a genuine pleasure to walk somewhere car-free.
Church Street is lined with independently owned boutiques alongside some bigger names, coffee shops worth lingering in, and restaurants with outdoor seating that spill onto the brick walkway.
There are street musicians, happy dogs, kids with ice cream cones, and enough people-watching to fill an afternoon without spending a dime.
This is also a good moment to pick up a copy of Seven Days, Burlington’s free alternative weekly. It’ll tell you exactly what’s happening in the city while you’re there: concerts, markets, pop-ups, and events you won’t find anywhere else.
If you need a coffee or a snack to fuel the afternoon, Church Street has no shortage of options. Take your time here. After two days of scheduled stops and driving, an unstructured afternoon in a walkable city will feel like a gift.
Camping details: If you’re staying at North Beach Campground, it’s worth checking in before dinner; the campground sits right on Lake Champlain with easy access to the bike path, and settling in while there’s still daylight makes the evening more enjoyable.
Hotel Vermont (pricey) and the Hilton Garden Inn (less pricey) are both solid choices within walking distance of everything Burlington has to offer.
Dinner at Honey Road
Honey Road on Church Street is my favorite restaurant in Burlington, full stop. The cuisine is Eastern Mediterranean, think small plates, bold flavors, and a menu with no bad choices.
The kale salad with tahini dressing sounds simple, but tastes complicated (in a good way). And the walnut baklava is not to be missed — order it even if you think you don’t have room. You have room. Make a reservation (several weeks in advance if possible). Honey Road is small, and it fills up every night.
A Night on the Town
After dinner, you have options depending on your energy level.
If you’re camping, now might be the time to head back to your campsite at the beach. There’s stargazing and s’mores, and not much can compete with that.
If you’re in the mood for a proper evening out, check the calendar at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts.
Housed in a beautifully restored 1930s Art Deco theater on Main Street, the Flynn hosts world-class musical performances, Broadway shows, and comedians throughout the year.
The Flynn also produces the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival each June, a 10-day event spread across indoor and outdoor venues throughout the city, featuring both established musicians and rising artists. If your trip overlaps with Jazz Fest, rearrange your schedule accordingly.
If a night on the town sounds more appealing, Burlington has real nightlife, a nice change of pace after days in rural Vermont.
A few reliable spots:
The Archives: Beer, cocktails, and vintage arcade games. Exactly what you’ve been looking for after a long day of museums and walking.
Red Square: Known for its extensive drink menu, live music, and DJs. The place to be if you want to stay out late.
Three Needs Taproom: A Burlington institution. Craft beer, cocktails, a pool table, and cozy outdoor seating. Don’t miss it.
Whatever you choose, tonight is your chance to enjoy the city. The islands are quiet and beautiful, but they are not known for their nightlife.
Explore more! Read our guide to summer in Burlington
Day 4: Burlington Waterfront and Lake Champlain Islands
Today you’ll explore the Burlington Waterfront before heading north into the Lake Champlain Islands.
Breakfast at the Grey Jay
The Grey Jay on Pearl Street is owned by the same team behind Honey Road, and the same care shows up in the food. This is a breakfast and lunch spot with a menu that rewards indecision; order more than you think you need and share everything.
The maple-glazed apple fritter is the thing if you want something sweet. If you’re leaning savory, the crispy eggplant sabich, eggplant wrapped in Lebanese flatbread with chopped salad, tahini, and a pickled egg, is a lunch dish, but so tasty, I almost always order it. Go early, eat well, and fuel up for a morning on the bike path.
Bike the Burlington Greenway
The Burlington Greenway, also known as the Burlington Bike Path, is, in my humble opinion, one of the prettiest urban trails in the country.
The paved path runs eight miles along the lake from Oakledge Park in the south to the Winooski River in the north, connecting a string of parks, swimming spots, and waterfront access points along the way.
Rent your ride at Local Motion on the waterfront, and wear your swimsuit. There are plenty of places to cool off in Lake Champlain along the route, and North Beach has a proper swimming beach if you want to make an afternoon of it.
The views of the Adirondacks across the water and the Green Mountains at your back make this the perfect ride for snapping photos.
A Note on ECHO
The ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain is right on the waterfront and worth a visit; it’s part museum, part aquarium, with hands-on exhibits covering the ecology, history, and culture of the Lake Champlain basin, plus more than 70 species of fish, amphibians, and reptiles.
If you’re traveling with kids, or if the weather turns on you, this is an excellent few hours. On a beautiful summer day, though, the waterfront itself is hard to compete with. File it away for a rainy afternoon or a future trip.
Cruise on the Spirit of Ethan Allen
After riding alongside the water, it’s time to get out on it. The Spirit of Ethan Allen offers affordable narrated sightseeing cruises throughout the summer.
The luncheon cruise runs from noon to 1:30 pm, and the afternoon cruise runs from 2 to 3:30 pm.
Keep an eye out for Champ while you’re out there. Vermont’s beloved lake monster has been making appearances on Lake Champlain since 1819, and it is officially protected by both Vermont and New York. You’ve been warned.
Drive to the Lake Champlain Islands
From the Burlington waterfront, head north on Route 2. The drive to the islands takes about 30 to 40 minutes, and the approach is beautiful.
As you cross the causeway toward South Hero, the land falls away on both sides, and you’re suddenly driving through the middle of Lake Champlain with open water stretching in every direction.
It’s a view that arrives without warning and makes you reach for your camera, only to remember you’re driving. Pull over if you can.
Cross onto South Hero and feel the pace of everything shift. The road narrows, the farms open up, and the lake is never far away.
Check into Grand Isle State Park (if you’re camping) or the North Hero House, settle in, and then head to South Hero for dinner.
Dinner at Blue Paddle Bistro
Blue Paddle Bistro in South Hero has been a local institution for more than 15 years, and it was the first recommendation I received when I asked around about where to eat on the islands. The menu is straightforward, but the cooking is anything but.
Start with the veggie spring rolls, and save room for the butternut squash ravioli. Make a reservation, and don’t rush through dinner. You’re on island time now.
Day 5: South Hero and Grand Isle
The beauty of a base on the islands is that everything moves more slowly, and today is built around that. No big drives, no museums with timed tours, just a leisurely loop through two of the most charming islands on Lake Champlain.
Breakfast at North Hero House
Start your morning at the North Hero House (perhaps you’re already staying there?) which serves a straightforward breakfast to get you fueled for the day. Nothing fancy, nothing to overthink, just a solid meal before you head south toward Grand Isle.
Hyde Log Cabin, Grand Isle
Your first stop is a quick one, but worth it. The Hyde Log Cabin in Grand Isle was built in 1783 by Jedediah Hyde, a Revolutionary War soldier among the first settlers on the islands. It’s the oldest log cabin in Vermont and one of the oldest in the United States.
The cabin is open on weekends from July 4 through mid-October, but you can walk around the grounds anytime.
The Birdhouse Forest, South Hero
Cross back onto South Hero and make your way to the southern tip of the island, where one of the most delightfully unexpected roadside attractions in Vermont awaits.
The Birdhouse Forest on West Shore Road is exactly what it sounds like, roughly 1,000 colorful, handmade birdhouses lining the edge of a wetland.
About 25 years ago, two neighbors, Hank and Jay, decided to do something about the mosquitoes coming off the swamp next door. After some research, they discovered that tree swallows, which migrate to Vermont each summer, eat an impressive number of flying insects daily and can be attracted with birdhouses.
They built 20. Their wives suggested painting them in bright colors with red roofs. The birds moved in immediately.
Twenty-five years, generous donations of wood and paint from local contractors, and roughly 1,000 birdhouses later, the tree swallows return every spring to their South Hero “Jelly Bean Suites” and earn their keep by devouring mosquitoes.
You can purchase a birdhouse on-site for $25 or leave a donation. It’s on private property, but the whole thing is easily visible from the road.
The Harry Barber Castles, South Hero
As you make your way around South Hero, keep your eyes open for the miniature stone castles scattered across the island landscape.
Local gardener Harry Barber built them as a tribute to his native Switzerland, working from local fieldstone with extraordinary attention to detail. Some feature working moats, fireplaces, and dungeons. Others have been wired for electricity with miniature glazed windows.
Most are on private property, but several can be spotted and photographed from the road. A bicycle is the best way to hunt them down; more on that shortly.
Allenholm Farm
Stop at Allenholm Farm on South Street, the oldest commercial orchard in Vermont.
In summer, the farm stand is stocked with fresh berries, local products, and maple creemees that are worth every calorie after a morning of exploring.
If you’re feeling ambitious and the bikes are available, Allenholm rents them out, a great way to spend an hour or two hunting for Harry Barber castles or cruising the quiet island roads at your own pace.
Lunch: Seb’s Snack Bar
For a classic island lunch, Seb’s Snack Bar on Route 2 is the move. The hand-cut French fries are some of the best on the islands, the burgers are solid, and there’s a casual, unhurried energy to the place that feels exactly right for a summer afternoon on South Hero. Browse next door at Viva Marketplace while you’re there — it’s a great little gift shop if you’re looking for something to bring home.
Afternoon Wine Tasting at Snow Farm Vineyard
Snow Farm Vineyard in South Hero is the oldest commercial winery in Vermont, and the tasting room is a lovely afternoon stop.
The first grapes were planted here in 1997, and today the vineyard grows a variety of both red and white grapes. Choose a flight of four or eight wines, and order the local cheese and crackers to go alongside.
When you’re done tasting, walk up Fox Hill behind the property. At 279 feet, it’s the highest point on the Lake Champlain Islands, with views in every direction across the water. Keep an eye out for the hill’s namesake; I spotted a fox up there once, and it felt like a reward for a short climb.
Dinner at Kraemer & Kin, North Hero
Head back north to North Hero for dinner at Kraemer & Kin, a small craft brewery that has become one of the best reasons to linger on the islands.
The beer is what keeps us coming back, but they also have wood-fired pizza on the weekends.
Also Read: The Perfect Fall Weekend on the Lake Champlain Islands
Day 6: Alburgh and Isle La Motte
Your final day on the Lake Champlain Scenic Byway is quiet, the way island life should be. The northern reaches of the islands feel quite remote, with fewer tourists, more farmland, and the gorgeous lake views this region is known for.
Breakfast and Picnic Supplies
Start your morning at the North Hero House for a simple breakfast, or stop into Hero’s Welcome General Store for coffee and pastries to go. While you’re there, grab picnic supplies for lunch; Hero’s Welcome has a good deli counter, and today’s itinerary is perfectly suited to eating outside.
Alburgh Dunes State Park
Head north out of North Hero on Route 2 toward Alburgh, the peninsula that dips south from Quebec into the northern end of Lake Champlain.
Alburgh Dunes State Park is your first stop, and it’s a good one.
This 625-acre day-use park contains one of the largest sandy beaches on Lake Champlain, which already sets it apart from the rocky shores you’ve been swimming off all week, as well as a unique system of sand dunes more commonly found along ocean shorelines than inland lakes.
Behind the beach, a black spruce bog adds to the sense that you’ve wandered into a different ecosystem entirely. Black spruce swamps are more typical of the far north than the Champlain Valley, and this one is the largest in Grand Isle County.
Walk the shore, spread out on the beach, and go for a swim. There’s a small playground and picnic tables if you want to eat an early lunch before heading to Isle La Motte.
From Alburgh, head south along the western shore and cross the bridge to Isle La Motte, the smallest and most historically significant of the Lake Champlain Islands.
Saint Anne’s Shrine
Saint Anne’s Shrine sits on 32 acres on the western shore of Isle La Motte, maintained for more than 100 years by the Society of Saint Edmund.
You don’t have to be Catholic or religious at all to appreciate this place.
The grounds are peaceful and beautifully kept, with a shrine chapel, several rustic grottos dedicated to the saints, a quiet nature walk, and picnic areas right on the lake with sweeping views of the Adirondack Mountains across the water.
This is a good spot to spread out your picnic lunch if you haven’t eaten yet. Sit by the water, look across at New York, and take stock of how far you’ve come since Chimney Point six days ago.
The Chazy Fossil Reef
Save the most extraordinary stop for last.
The Chazy Fossil Reef on Isle La Motte is one of the oldest known coral reefs in the world, approximately 480 million years old, and the fact that you can walk right up to it and find your own fossils still feels slightly unbelievable.
Lake Champlain was once part of a tropical sea called the Iapetus Ocean, and the fossilized plants and animals preserved in the limestone here are part of a 1,000-mile reef system that extends from Newfoundland to Tennessee.
Isle La Motte is where it’s most accessible and best interpreted, thanks to the Isle La Motte Preservation Trust.
There are two preserves to visit.
The 20-acre Fisk Quarry Preserve gives you a close look at the reef in an old quarry setting, where the ancient coral structures are clearly visible in the cut stone.
The 83-acre Goodsell Ridge Preserve has a longer trail through fields and forest with additional fossil outcroppings and ample interpretive signage to guide your search. Both are self-guided and free to visit.
Walk slowly, read the signs, and look carefully at the rocks beneath your feet. It’s a perfect final stop on a road trip that began 185 miles south at the edge of the same ancient lake.
Where to Next?
When you’re ready to leave the islands, head south on Route 2 back through Grand Isle and South Hero. From South Hero, you can take the causeway back toward Burlington; the same approach that wowed you on Day 4, just in reverse.
For Burlington International Airport (BTV): From South Hero, follow Route 2 east across the causeway into Colchester, then take I-89 South to Exit 14W toward Burlington. The airport is about 30 to 40 minutes from the islands, depending on traffic.
For I-89 North toward Montreal: Stay on Route 2 through Alburgh and cross into Quebec at the border. From there, Autoroute 35 connects to the highway system north.
For I-89 South toward Montpelier, White River Junction, and beyond: Follow Route 2 east from South Hero to I-89 South in Colchester. From here, you can connect south through Vermont or east toward New Hampshire and the rest of New England.
FAQ: Lake Champlain Scenic Byway
How long does it take to drive the Lake Champlain Scenic Byway? The full 185-mile route from Chimney Point to the northern tip of the islands could be driven in three or four hours without stops. With stops, plan for at least five days to do it justice.
When is the best time to drive the byway? Summer, late June through early September, is ideal for swimming, kayaking, farm stands, and open restaurants and attractions. September is beautiful and less crowded, though some seasonal businesses begin to close after Labor Day. The byway is drivable year-round, but many island businesses close from November through May.
Do I need a car? Yes, for the full route. That said, the Lake Champlain Islands are exceptionally bikeable, with flat terrain, light traffic, and dedicated routes, making a cycling day or two a great option once you’re based there.
Can I camp the whole route? Absolutely. Button Bay and Mount Philo State Parks anchor the southern stretch, North Beach Campground puts you in Burlington’s backyard, and Grand Isle State Park is one of the nicest state park camping experiences in Vermont. Reserve well in advance for summer weekends; these fill up fast.
Is this a good trip for families? Very much so. The ECHO Center in Burlington, the Children’s Farmyard at Shelburne Farms, the fossil reef on Isle La Motte, and the birdhouse forest on South Hero are all engaging for kids. Camping at Grand Isle gives families room to spread out and easy access to the lake.
Are dogs welcome? Mostly, yes! The campgrounds are dog-friendly, and Burlington is a very dog-friendly city. Shelburne Museum and Shelburne Farms do not allow pets, and they are not allowed on the Spirit of Ethan Allen cruise.
What should I pack? A swimsuit and a towel are non-negotiable. Layers, because summer evenings on the lake can be cool. Binoculars if you’re even a little interested in birds. A paper map or downloaded offline maps for the back roads, where cell service can be spotty.
Follow us on social media for more Vermont inspiration!
