Love this sweet little beach by Knowlton! The lake is shallow here and quite warm, but deep enough…read moreto get a good swim and even do some laps. It's surrounded by trees and the occasional kayaker meanders past, and the beach area has a lifeguard, picnic tables, and a nice sandy beach for lazing and kids playing. It's not overrun with folks and it's clean and relaxing and I love it. It's a good 1.5hrs from Montreal (not including traffic) and that prob keeps the crowds down. The best part might be the little casse croute run by a local dad and some kids. They make the hot dogs and burgers and things when you order them on a small hotplate and chat with you at the window while you wait. It's delicious and cheap and perfect.

Stunning water and mountain views in the middle of nowhere Vermont. Plenty of space for grilling,…read morechilling, or avoiding crowds. Shaded space set back from the beach available (under trees). Relieved that the entry fee was not too steep.

Just like Lake Willoughby...crystal clear water. I guess it's appropriate it's called Crystal Lake…read more $4 to get in (it's a state park). Lovely beach and there are picnic areas with grills, though those were not in use due to COVID. They have a bath house where you can change and use the restroom. Such a nice place to enjoy a swim and relaxing in the sun.

We could have stayed all day just admiring the beautiful view, enjoying the sun and the refreshing…read morebreeze. I wish I could live on this pond in the summertime. It really is big enough to be a lake and it goes by a couple of different names. It was quiet with just a few people around. A boat ride around the pond is ideal to fully appreciate the beauty of of the area.

Our first visit to this campground and we were so pleased. The staff is friendly. The grounds are…read morebeautiful! The owners take pride in the campground and it shows. Our site was clean and well maintained. The views are spectacular !! This is a must go to campground.

This was the first time my wife and I stayed two nights in the ramblewood cabins. We rented the…read moreBalsam Fir cabin which is located right next to First Connecticut Lake (see picture) and were not disappointed. The view was amazing. The cabin was very clean with a spacious kitchen and living room with cable TV. There were two bedrooms, one with queen size mattress and the other with two full size beds. There was also an extra full bed in the living room. The bathroom was small but functional. The cabins come with pots, pans, mugs, plates, bowls, utensils, coffee machine, microwave and fridge . Just be sure to bring your own salt, pepper, and other condiments. On Saturday we spent the whole day outside riding ATVS and water skiing. Then grabbed dinner at the Rainbow Grill on Beach Rd. It was the best food we have had in a long time. We will definitely be back Ramblewood Cabins next year and hopefully spend more than just a few days.

This place is like visiting heaven for a day - truly. The crystal clear water, serene atmosphere,…read moreover all vibes and sandy beach will have you falling in love with this place instantly. My husband and I were Flight Attendants for over a decade and saw many places in the world and one visit to this place and it was quickly our favorite. Absolutely stunning and a must visit. Now as for us, we'll be dreaming up a way to move here so we can visit all the time!

A nice getaway for the week. Amazing place to sit on a log, get in the clear, clean water or take a…read morehike. I have more thoughts than words. Still. Divine. Bliss.

Burton lsland State Park has to be the ultimate in the camping experience !…read more I have frequented many parks over my lifetime, and Burton Island is among the happiest in my camping experiences . There is not one draw-back that l can think of here. It has epic beauty. The trees and forests with lake views are magnificent. Everything is sanitary. Vermont people are exceedingly clean and conscientious about their surroundings. Camp sites are pristine. Restrooms are equipped and clean and accessible. If you are counting on an amazing camping trip, look forward to visiting Burton lsland !

As we are driving home to Boston we are feeling incredibly thankful to have visited Burton Island…read moreState Park. By far our favorite campground we've been to. Park at Kill Kare State Park and take the Island Runner to Burton Island, about a 10 minute ride. The ferry crew help to load your items onto the boat and you can pay $10 to have it delivered to your site.  Upon boarding the ferry, crew member Morgan welcomed us and gave us an overview of the Island and how everything worked. She recommended alternative swimming areas and prime sunset viewing spots. Morgan remembered us on our way back a few days later. She really made our visit that much more memorable, and the rest of the staff were super friendly as well. The island is equipped with showers & bathrooms (don't forget quarters!), trash & recycling recepticals, water spickets, kayak & canoe rentals, and weekly nature/survival lessons for kids. There are a few hiking trails and even some secret spots where you can post up and hang on the water for the day.   They offer traditional tent sites and lean-tos - some of which are right on the water. We plan to book one of these next time. Wood is available for purchase but be sure to ask for dry wood depending on recent weather conditions. The best spot about BI is the store, which is stocked with pretty much everything camping-related: beer & wine, drinks, snacks, ice, souveniers, etc. The store has a small kitchen with a grill and they make sandwiches and sides cooked to order. All of it is reasonably priced, and they accept credit/debit cards. Overall this experience was a very unique one but extremely rewarding. I highly recommend visiting Burton Island!!!

We were looking for somewhere to tent camp up north and came across the Lake Francis page on the NH…read moreParks site. We made a reservation and eagerly awaited our trip. It's a beautiful drive up to camp from the Sunapee region. From the moment we arrived, we were pleased with the park. The lake and grounds are absolutely beautiful. The showers and bathrooms are immaculate!! Not a speck of trash anywhere. There are water locations around the park as well as fire pits and picnic tables in each site. Some sites have full hookups. The park itself was active during the day, but by 10pm everyone is quiet and respectful. There is a boat launch as well ATV trails right there. The little store on site has necessities and fire wood. I highly recommend this park. We already scheduled another trip, but in one of the lake front sites! Can't wait.

Came here for weekend camping in early June. Because it is not a busy season, most sites are not…read moreoccupied. So we were able to have a quiet night. We are tent camper so it was normal site and so glad that was far from RV site which can be noisy. The site has plenty room, a firepit, and picnic table. Usually we are backpackers not car campers, but sometimes nice to car camping. Bonus is very close to Lake Francis: we did kayaking.

You'll find this fantastic hidden gem of nature as you head north into the Rangeley Lakes region -…read moreand it's well worth a stop! The main draw (for me anyway) is the 15-foot waterfall where the Swift River gushes over the smooth carved boulders - it's beautiful! Definitely a lovely visit in the fall colors - they were just starting to show on my visit in late September. But it's my understanding that this is a great place to frolic in natural swimming holes and jump off the rocks and enjoy the water in the warmer months. I had a great time exploring the area! There were butterflies EVERYWHERE!! Many different species - but one species was being particularly cooperative and I had a great time with my camera - and turns out it was a Pink-edged Sulfur which is the State Butterfly of Maine! It's easy to find - right off Swift River Rd and it's free. Theres a picnic area with several tables and a fun giant chair with a story about Paul Bunyan next to it. Everything is well maintained and there's a campground nearby. I didn't see any bathrooms.

Actually I love this place. But Cassie made me feel very very unwelcome. I have been a Coos Canyon…read moreand rented cabbage twice, the first time I just figured maybe Cassie was having a few bad days because I did stay a few days. But the second time I went she was even worse. It's a shame that a wonderful place like this has such a mean spirited and rude person working for them

I love the VT- Canada border and when I heard of this bike path, I made a special trip north to…read morecheck it out. 11.2 miles, round trip., the path starts in downtown Newport at the waterfront - State building. Trail markers point the way north to Beebe. The path starts in town, through the waterfront park, past the Prouty Beach and to the North County Hospital, where it leads onto an old gravel train rail bed. The trail is for beginners. Its all flat and look a little over 1 hour to complete the round trip. Hybrid bikes will work fine. Some locals call this trail the Beebe Spur 'n spin. Beautiful scenery that travels along Lake Memphremagog, and the backyards of the locals that have lake access. In Beebe, the path turns off the lake, and travels through some local farms for a few more miles, until it ends at a local road at the US- Canada Border. A sign will warn you to check in with customs if you wish to continue to ride. We did not have our passports so we turned around. Next time we may venture further.

This (along with two other trails over the border) make for a great (and relatively easy) 1/2 day…read moretrip. Here is a description of the 30-mile ride I took this week - PASSPORT REQUIRED: Park at North County Hospital on Prouty Rd. (Newport). Trail starts 200 feet east. Pick up the gravel trail heading north by Lake Mephremagog. Good conditions for Hybrid and trail bike tires. At the end of the trail, take a right onto the paved road (North Derby Rd.) Approx. 2 miles to the end, then left. Pass through Canadian customs. Take a quick, few-hundred feet detour, east from the Customs house for a photo of Canusa St. dividing the US/Canada. Then back to the customs station and a right following Rt. 247 north for about 3/4 mile, past a large "Rediker" stone and a couple of banks, until you see the Tomifobia Nature Trail heading off to the right. The first mile of this 19-km trail isn't too scenic but it gets better very quickly. I went about 5 miles down the trail, then turned around and came back to the marked road barrier at "Ch. de Stanstead" (Stanstead Rd.?). There's a pond to your right at this crossing. Left /southeast on Ch. de Stanstead for about 2 miles to its end, then left (east) on Rue Maple. (This Stanstead/Maple roads part is seriously uphill for a total of about 2.5 miles). At the end of Rue Maple, you're in downtown Stanstead. Take a right (south) onto Rt. 143/Rue Dufferin heading back towards the US border. Just before the border, make a left on Boulevard Notre Dame, then a quick right on Baxter. A couple of blocks take you to the Haskell Library and Opera house, straddling the border. Park the bike on the Canadian side and walk around to the front door of the library which is on the US side. Make sure to take a tour for 5 bucks to see the opera house and the stripes on the floors that mark the border running through the building. From the library, go back north on Rue Church, 1/4 mile to Blvd. Notre Dame (Rt. 247) and take a left (west). Cross Rt. 143 (large stone fountain will be on your left). After a quick down-hill (1/4 mile), bear to the right on Rue Passenger, following black on white signs for "Piste Cyclable de Stanstead" bike trail . It's a little hard to find, so best to look at a Google Map before leaving the library to get familiar. Basically it's up a short hill on Rue Passenger than downhill left. You'll see the trail to the right at a power substation. It's less than 5 minutes from Library to this trail by bike. Follow this bike trail about 2 miles until it crosses Rt. 247, about a 1/4 mile from the border station you where you entered Canada. Go left (south) on Rt. 247, through US customs, then a quick right at the post office to follow your way back on N. Derby Rd. to the Newport Trail and the start of the ride. The Tomifobia and Newport trails are both loaded with beautiful sites. The final trail (Piste Cyclable Stanstead) is more functional than beautiful, but was in excellent condition (hard-packed dirt) and kept me off the main road (Rt. 247) just to the south of the trail. Enjoy!