6 Best Natural Wonders To Visit In Vermont This Year
From the verdant Green Mountains to the sandy beaches of Lake Champlain, Vermont’s diverse landscapes offer family-friendly outdoor fun in every season. Over 70% of the state is forested, making it a major draw for leaf-peepers planning a fall foliage getaway but there’s more to Vermont than the New England colors. There are 808 lakes and ponds in the state, and five mountains with peaks higher than 4,000 feet in elevation. That adds up to a natural playground that promises an unforgettable vacation. Take a gondola up the state’s highest mountain to marvel at the views, go swimming in a glacial lake, hike a pathway once used by smugglers and runaways, or simply kick back at the beach. Vermont is packed with natural wonders waiting to be explored.
Quechee Gorge, Quechee
Known as Vermont’s “Little Grand Canyon”, Quechee Gorge is the state’s deepest. Plunging 165 feet to the Ottauquechee River, this unique forested crevice was formed by glacial activity around 13,000 years ago and is one of Vermont’s most popular natural attractions.
It’s easy to visit the gorge, which is located in Quechee State Park. The park has campsites, hiking trails, and plenty of scenic viewpoints. Start your visit at the Visitors Center to grab a map, pick up a souvenir, and see displays of the gorge over the years. You’ll get the best views from the Route 4 Bridge and the 1.3-mile Quechee Gorge Trail. The park is open from Memorial Day weekend to the second Monday in October but the best time to visit is fall. Not only will you escape the summer crowds, but you’ll also see the gorge in full color as the surrounding forest blooms with autumnal foliage.
Mount Mansfield, Stowe
Rising 4,393 ft above northwestern Vermont, Mount Mansfield is the state’s highest peak and one of the few places in New England where you can wander through an alpine tundra. Join the Long Trail, America’s oldest long-distance footpath, at Stowe Mountain Resort to summit the peak. It’s steep in parts and fairly challenging but once at the top, hikers are rewarded with incredible views over Lake Champlain, the White Mountains, and the Adirondacks.
The best time to visit Mount Mansfield is the summer, as that’s when you’ve more options for getting to the peak. From mid-June to mid-October, the Gondola SkyRide at the Stowe Mountain Resort ferries passengers to the Mount Mansfield Visitor Center at the summit. You can also take the Auto Toll Road, which is open from late May to mid-October and climbs 4.5 miles through the lush mountain scenery with plenty of places to pull over for a memorable photo opportunity.
Lake Willoughby, Westmore
The deepest lake in the state, Lake Willoughby, is a stunning glacial lake ringed by the mountains of northeast Vermont. Five miles long and more than 12,000 years old, the lake is clear, cold, and pristine, making it a favourite of anglers, boaters, kayakers, and swimmers. Sandwiched between Mount Pisgah and Mount Hor, there are also plenty of hiking trails around the lake, each promising jaw-dropping views of the fjord-like scenery.
Visit in the dog days of summer to really appreciate the lake’s crystal-clear cold waters and enjoy a refreshing dip from the public beach at the north end. At the south end of the lake, you’ll find White Caps Campground, where you can rent paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes.
Hamilton Falls, Jamaica
Not to be confused with its Caribbean counterpart, the town of Jamaica in Vermont is home to one of the state’s largest and most impressive waterfalls. Located in the Hamilton Falls Natural Area, the falls are a series of cascades formed as the Cobb Brook tumbles 125 ft down a mountain slope and through woodlands into rocky potholes.
Hamilton Falls is a popular picnic area and beauty spot, but visitors are warned to be careful. The falls can be treacherous thanks to their slippery rocks and strong currents. Swimming is not advised in the upper or middle pools. The best way to see the falls and enjoy them safely is via a hiking trail. Take the West River and Switch Road Trails from Jamaica State Park for an accessible 3-mile one-way hike, but watch your step as the terrain can be rocky. If you want to see the waterfall at its peak, visit in spring when the snowmelt run-off is at its highest. Be aware, though, that this is called ‘the muddy season’ for a reason; trails will be slick and messy, so you’ll need to be extra careful.
Smugglers’ Notch, Stowe
Vermont is nicknamed the ‘Green Mountain State’. If you want to know why, visit Smugglers’ Notch. This narrow pass through the Green Mountain range is one of the best places to see firsthand the incredible beauty of this pristine alpine terrain. The notch is lined with 1,000-foot cliffs on either side, making a natural pathway that was once a furtive trade route. In the 1800s, local traders used the notch to illegally transport goods into Canada. Years later, it became a path to safety for escaped slaves and, in the Prohibition era, was a way to get liquor across the border.
Today, the notch is the top attraction in Smugglers’ Notch State Park, where you can hike, bike, climb, picnic, and camp. Take the 3.5-mile scenic highway from the Barnes Camp Visitor Center to see incredible views from the comfort of your vehicle, take a breather at the Smugglers’ Notch Picnic Area, or stretch your legs on the challenging Long Trail. The 1.1-mile Sterling Pond Trail is a more accessible option that leads to a mountain-top pond. Closed in winter, the scenic byway is especially breathtaking in fall when the autumn colors blaze amid the mountains. Peak color in Vermont is typically early to mid-September at higher elevations.
Alburgh Dunes, Alburgh
The Alburgh Dunes lie along the shore of Lake Champlain, home to some of Vermont’s best beaches. The dunes are a natural wonder, still evolving as erosion shapes them from year to year. Together with the beach, they form a barrier island composed of sand derived from glacial soil. There is currently protective fencing around the dunes to prevent further erosion, but you can still visit the beautiful beaches and wetlands in Alburgh Dunes State Park.
Behind the beach lies a large black spruce bog and a white cedar forest upland, home to wild turkey, deer, and a wide variety of bird species. In addition to wildlife viewing, the park offers swimming, boating, fishing, and paddleboarding. Boats and paddleboards are available to rent. The Alburgh Dunes State Park is open from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day Weekend. One of the best times to visit is late summer and fall. Not only are the beaches less crowded, but water levels are low, exposing more of the sand.
Timeless Beauty and Natural Wonders
Vermont is known for its quaint colonial villages and historic sites but the northern state isn’t just the perfect destination for history-lovers. Outdoor adventurers and nature enthusiasts will also enjoy the many natural wonders of the Green Mountain State, which boasts a surprising diversity of landscapes. From glacial gorges to sandy dunes and from skyscraping peaks to dazzling waterfalls, there are lots of opportunities to hike, swim, bike, camp, or simply sightsee amid the timeless beauty of Mother Nature.
