Vermont may be best known for its mountains, but summer here makes a pretty compelling case for planning your trip around the water instead.
Lakes and ponds are scattered throughout the state, from the enormous expanse of Lake Champlain along Vermont’s western border to smaller mountain lakes where you can paddle early in the morning, spend the afternoon swimming and finish the day eating a creemee with wet hair and sandy feet. Some have classic state park beaches and boat launches, while others are surrounded by hiking trails, summer camps and cottages that seem to have changed very little over the decades.
Those are some of my favorite Vermont summer days.
Choose a lake you’ve never visited. Pack lunch and a swimsuit. Rent a kayak, find a hiking trail or do absolutely nothing beyond claiming a spot near the water. Stop for a creemee on the way home and leave enough room in the day for plans to change.
If you’re looking for a place to start, these are six of my favorite lakes in Vermont to prioritize this summer.
1. Lake Dunmore: For Swimming, Paddling and Waterfall Hikes
Lake Dunmore will always be a particularly special one for me because I spent countless early mornings here rowing crew during college. Even now, being on the lake when the water is completely calm immediately brings me back.
Located in Salisbury and Leicester, just south of Middlebury, Lake Dunmore covers nearly 1,000 acres and stretches for roughly 3.5 miles beneath the Green Mountains. It’s large enough to spend hours exploring by kayak or paddleboard while still retaining that nostalgic Vermont lake feeling, with cottages and summer camps lining parts of the shore and forested mountains rising behind the water.
For an easy beach day, head to Branbury State Park Local favorite: Branbury State Park on the eastern shore. The park has a 1,000-foot natural sandy beach along with grassy picnic areas and seasonal rentals for canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, pedal boats and a rowboat. It’s one of my favorite Vermont state parks when I want to combine swimming with an actual day beside the water rather than simply jumping in and leaving.
Lake Dunmore is also a great choice if you want to split the day between swimming and hiking. The Falls of Lana are nearby, with trails climbing through the forest toward the falls and connecting into the larger Moosalamoo National Recreation Area. You can continue toward Silver Lake or tackle more of the surrounding trail system if you’re looking for a longer adventure.
If you want to stay for a few nights, Golden Hour is one of my favorite Lake Dunmore rentals. The thoughtfully designed cottage sits just across the road from the lake with dock access, a sunny three-season porch, outdoor fire pit and easy access to Branbury, the Falls of Lana and downtown Middlebury.
Best for: Swimming, paddling, hiking and a quintessential Vermont lake cottage getaway.
2. Lake Willoughby: For Vermont’s Most Dramatic Lake Views
If you’re looking for a Vermont lake that doesn’t really look like anywhere else in the state, head north to Lake Willoughby.
Located in Westmore in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, Lake Willoughby is a long, narrow glacial lake tucked between Mount Pisgah and Mount Hor. The mountains rise steeply from either side of the water, creating dramatic cliffs that make the lake feel more alpine than the classic rolling Vermont landscape you may be expecting.
The water is famously deep, clear and cold, reaching depths of more than 300 feet in places. On a hot summer day, that first jump into Lake Willoughby will wake you up quickly.
There are public beaches at both ends of the lake, but I particularly love combining a swim with a hike. Willoughby State Forest surrounds much of the southern end, where trails climb the neighboring mountains for elevated views over the water. If you want to understand what makes Lake Willoughby so spectacular, seeing it from above and then swimming in it afterward is hard to beat.
And yes, if you’ve heard rumors about a nude beach here, they’re not entirely Vermont folklore. The secluded Southwest Cove area at the southern end of Lake Willoughby has historically been known for clothing-optional use, although visitors should always follow current posted rules and respect everyone sharing the shoreline.
Give Lake Willoughby an entire day rather than trying to make it a quick roadside stop. Bring your swimsuit, hiking shoes and picnic, and let the weather decide whether you spend more time on the trail or in the water.
Best for: Dramatic scenery, cold-water swimming, hiking and a Northeast Kingdom road trip.
3. Lake St. Catherine: For Classic Vermont Summer Camp Vibes
Lake St. Catherine in southwestern Vermont has a completely different personality.
Located near Poultney and Wells, the lake stretches for roughly five miles and has long been a summer destination for swimming, boating, fishing and spending slow afternoons near the water. If Lake Willoughby is where I’d go for dramatic cliffs and big hiking views, Lake St. Catherine is where I’d go when I want the day to feel easy.
Lake St. Catherine State Park provides one of the most accessible ways to experience it, with a beach, picnic areas, campground and boat rentals during the operating season. The protected swimming area makes it particularly approachable for families, while the calmer sections of the lake are ideal for exploring by kayak or paddleboard.
This is the lake where I’d pack more snacks than I think I need, bring a book and avoid putting too many other things on the itinerary.
Spend the morning paddling, come back for lunch and then go swimming again because there’s really no reason not to.
Best for: Families, paddleboarding, picnics and a relaxed state park beach day.
4. Lake Champlain: For Big Water and Adirondack Sunsets
Lake Champlain is the obvious choice on this list, but obvious doesn’t mean overrated.
At roughly 120 miles long and shared by Vermont, New York and Quebec, Lake Champlain operates on an entirely different scale from most Vermont lakes. From the Burlington waterfront, you can watch sailboats cross the water with the Adirondack Mountains rising on the New York side, while farther north the Champlain Islands break the lake into bays, coves and quieter stretches that feel completely removed from the city.
The best way to experience Lake Champlain depends on what kind of day you want.
In Burlington, walk or bike the waterfront, head to one of the beaches or get out on the water by boat. Drive north into the Champlain Islands and the experience becomes slower, with farm roads, orchards, vineyards and swimming spots scattered between stretches of lake.
Sand Bar State Park is another favorite for an easy summer beach day. Its famously shallow water allows you to wade surprisingly far from shore, making it particularly popular with families.
I also love Lake Champlain because there’s always another part of it to discover. You could spend an entire summer exploring its islands, beaches, coves and waterfront towns without experiencing the lake the same way twice.
And if you’re on the eastern shore in the evening, stay for sunset. Watching the sun drop behind the Adirondacks across Lake Champlain is one of those Vermont summer experiences that never really gets old.
Best for: Sailing, beaches, sunsets, cycling, island exploring and endless Adirondack views.
5. Lake Morey: For Paddling, Hiking and a Classic Vermont Resort Stay
Lake Morey may get a lot of attention in winter thanks to its skating trail, but don’t overlook it once the ice disappears.
The roughly 600-acre lake sits beside the village of Fairlee in eastern Vermont, surrounded by forested hills that reflect beautifully across the water on a still summer morning. It’s particularly good for paddling, and this is another lake where I’d make an effort to get onto the water early before the day gets busier.
If you’d rather see the lake from above, hike toward Eagle Cliff. The trail climbs to a rocky overlook with a panoramic view across Lake Morey and the surrounding Connecticut River Valley, giving you a completely different perspective on the water you were just paddling.
Lake Morey Resort sits directly on the shoreline and has been welcoming visitors for generations, making it an easy option if you want to build an entire weekend around the lake rather than drive in for the day. Golf, paddling and other seasonal activities give you plenty to do, although I’d still leave time to simply sit by the water.
Fairlee’s location near the Connecticut River also makes Lake Morey a good base for exploring both sides of the Vermont-New Hampshire border.
Best for: Paddling, hiking, golf and a classic Vermont lakeside resort weekend.
5. Lake Morey: For Paddling, Hiking and a Classic Vermont Resort Stay
Lake Morey may get a lot of attention in winter thanks to its skating trail, but don’t overlook it once the ice disappears.
The roughly 600-acre lake sits beside the village of Fairlee in eastern Vermont, surrounded by forested hills that reflect beautifully across the water on a still summer morning. It’s particularly good for paddling, and this is another lake where I’d make an effort to get onto the water early before the day gets busier.
If you’d rather see the lake from above, hike toward Eagle Cliff. The trail climbs to a rocky overlook with a panoramic view across Lake Morey and the surrounding Connecticut River Valley, giving you a completely different perspective on the water you were just paddling.
Lake Morey Resort sits directly on the shoreline and has been welcoming visitors for generations, making it an easy option if you want to build an entire weekend around the lake rather than drive in for the day. Golf, paddling and other seasonal activities give you plenty to do, although I’d still leave time to simply sit by the water.
Fairlee’s location near the Connecticut River also makes Lake Morey a good base for exploring both sides of the Vermont-New Hampshire border.
Best for: Paddling, hiking, golf and a classic Vermont lakeside resort weekend.
6. Lake Bomoseen: For Boating, Beaches and Southwestern Vermont Adventures
Lake Bomoseen is Vermont’s largest lake located entirely within the state’s borders, covering approximately 2,400 acres in the Taconic Mountains of western Vermont.
That size gives it plenty of room for boating, fishing, paddling and swimming, and there are multiple ways to get onto the water depending on the kind of day you’re planning.
Bomoseen State Park occupies part of the western shore and has a beach, picnic areas, camping and boat access, all surrounded by the forested landscape of the Taconic Mountains. Crystal Beach in Castleton is another popular public swimming option, particularly if you’re looking for a straightforward beach day.
There’s also an interesting layer of history here. The state park occupies the former site of the West Castleton Railroad and Slate Company, and remnants of the area’s slate-quarrying past remain around the park.
Lake Bomoseen works particularly well as part of a southwestern Vermont trip because you’re within reach of Castleton, Poultney and Rutland, while destinations around Manchester aren’t far enough away to feel disconnected from a larger itinerary.
But on a hot July afternoon, I’d probably skip the sightseeing and head straight for the water. With so much shoreline to explore, Lake Bomoseen is the kind of place where you can easily spend an entire day swimming, boating or relaxing by the lake before finding somewhere nearby for dinner.
Best for: Boating, swimming, fishing, camping and exploring southwestern Vermont.
Planning Your Vermont Lake Adventure
One of the things I love most about Vermont is how different the landscape can feel from one part of the state to another, and our lakes are no exception. From the dramatic cliffs surrounding Lake Willoughby to the expansive waters of Lake Champlain and the nostalgic summer camp atmosphere of Lake Dunmore, each offers a completely different experience.
If you’re planning a summer road trip, I’d recommend choosing one or two lakes in the same region rather than trying to see them all in a weekend. Give yourself time to get out on the water, explore a nearby town, stop at a farm stand or find a local restaurant for dinner. Some of my favorite Vermont summer memories have come from days when the only real plan was to find somewhere beautiful to swim.
It’s also worth checking state park operating schedules, beach conditions and boat rental availability before heading out. Vermont’s swimming season is relatively short, and while July and August generally offer the warmest water, June and September can be particularly beautiful if you don’t mind cooler temperatures and fewer people.
The Best Vermont Summer Days Are Spent by the Water
I spend a lot of time encouraging people to explore Vermont’s mountains, backroads, small towns and restaurants, but there’s something about a summer day on the lake that reminds me how fortunate we are to live here.
Maybe it’s the feeling of jumping into cold, clear water after a hot afternoon. The sound of boats passing in the distance. The smell of sunscreen and pine trees. Or those evenings when the sun starts dropping behind the mountains, the water turns golden and nobody seems particularly interested in packing up to leave.
You don’t need a boat, a lake house or an elaborate itinerary to enjoy Vermont’s lakes. Sometimes all it takes is a swimsuit, a towel, a picnic and a willingness to spend the day doing a little less.
And, of course, finding a creemee on the way home.
What’s your favorite lake in Vermont? I’m always looking for another place to spend a summer afternoon, and I’d love to know which ones belong on my list.
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