You Won't Believe This Town Is In Vermont
If you were to close your eyes and picture island towns in the United States, your mind might drift to the Atlantic or Pacific coasts, or perhaps somewhere along the Gulf of Mexico. But would you ever expect to find one in Vermont? As unlikely as it sounds, such a place exists in Isle La Motte. This tiny island town, home to about 600 residents, sits on Lake Champlain and feels worlds away from the rest of the state’s rolling hills. And while its island setting is surprising enough, Isle La Motte is also home to the oldest fossil reef on Earth! From the moment you step foot onto Isle La Motte, it will not take long to forget you are still in Vermont.
The Chazy Fossil Reef
Incredibly enough, the tiny island of Isle La Motte is home to the world’s oldest fossil reef, dating back between 450 and 480 million years. Known as the Chazy Reef and designated a National Natural Landmark, travelers can view this reef for themselves at two publicly accessible sites on the island. The first site is the Goodsell Ridge Preserve, an 83-acre outdoor museum located in the center of the island. During July and August, its visitor center is open to the public, offering fossil displays, informative texts, slideshows, and a video about the reef’s formation. A 4,600-foot educational trail winds through the preserve as well, featuring 80 illustrated panels that trace 4.6 billion years of Earth’s history. And, of course, visitors can also explore several fossil areas, where they can see prehistoric fossils etched into stone, along with a giant boulder deposited by glaciers 13,000 to 20,000 years ago.
The second fossil site that travelers should visit while on the island is the Fisk Quarry Preserve, which was first mined by the French in the 17th century and later more extensively during the 19th and 20th centuries. In 1998, the Isle La Motte Preservation Trust purchased this abandoned site, converting it into the preserve that exists today. Year-round, travelers can walk the trails, keeping an eye out for fossil remnants on the quarry floor. Along a pedestrian path to the north, travelers will find information about the quarry’s history and views of the pond and stromatoporoid fossil remains embedded in the quarry walls.
Isle La Motte Vineyard
You might not typically associate islands with vineyards, but that’s exactly what you’ll find on Isle La Motte. Since the 19th century, vineyards and orchards have thrived on the island. In fact, the town was briefly renamed “Vineyard” in 1802, before reverting to its original name in 1830. Today, visitors can sample some of the island’s local wine at Isle La Motte Vineyard, one of the town’s more recent additions. Depending on the weather, wine enthusiasts and curious travelers can choose from a range of varietals on the vineyard’s patio with a lakeside breeze, or do their sipping in the cozy indoor tasting room.
The vineyard offers guided tastings for those interested in a more educational experience, as well as flights and glasses for those who prefer to sip at their own pace. On August 2nd, 2025, the vineyard will celebrate its 5th anniversary with live music, an artisan market, charcuterie boards, Italian sandwiches, and plenty of drinks. Make sure to stop by and join in the celebration of this unique island’s viticulture!
Saint Anne’s Shrine
Along the northeastern shores of Isle La Motte, travelers will find Saint Anne’s Shrine, a peaceful chapel built on the site of Fort St. Anne, a historic French fort once used to defend Montreal, Quebec, from attacks. For the past century, the chapel has been maintained by the Society of Saint Edmund and welcomes thousands of visitors and history buffs each year, as well as worshippers for daily mass. It is situated on a beautiful, 32-acre piece of land, overlooking the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain. There are also picnic tables on the property and a gift shop for visitors hoping to purchase a snack or souvenir.
Final Thoughts
If you are craving an island escape, your next vacation destination may be closer than you think. In addition to the typical water recreation activities, Isle La Motte offers a range of historical and geological sites to explore, making it an interesting destination for all kinds of travelers. It is also home to a beloved vineyard, giving you the chance to sit back and relax with a glass of locally-produced wine, and a historic site still very much in operation today. Regardless of your itinerary on the island, your visit is bound to feel like a refreshing change of routine from the usual Vermont getaway.
