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!!!

Staying at the Grand Isle State Park allowed us to explore the Grand Isle, North and South Hero on…read morethe Island. Minimum 2 night stay and while you stay there, you can have free access to the day use state parks such as Sandbar State Park (not dog friendly) or Niquette Bay State Park (dog friendly) to name a few. We stayed on site 76 which was big and open. On a packed weekend, this site won't give you much privacy like the other campsites but it makes up for location - near the bathroom and water spigot, nature center, playground and beach. This and the others next to it would be a good site to reserve as a group of friends who are looking to go camping together. When we went, it was raining and so we went to the nature center where the staff there was very inviting and engaged our 4 year old to do an activity. Great spot for the kids to do indoor activities if it rains. Beach is a rock beach (no sand) and a great view of the water. I do wish it was sand but we still managed to have a good time in the water. Also the playground was very updated and my daughter enjoyed going there whenever she can. Everyone, including staff and campers, were all so nice there. It was our first time camping here and the staff explained everything to us and even offered us some free produce that they had. Firewood $6 (fairly dry), free kindle wood, ice $3.

Grand Isle State Park is my new favorite place to go camping. Located on Grand Isle in the middle…read moreof Lake Champlain it is as scenic as you can get. Just the drive here makes it worthwhile, even better if you can do it in the daytime and without rain. Add to that nice secluded little campsites, functional shower facilities, swimming at the beach, sporting equipment and bike rental, and (get this!) actual pleasant human beings for staff and you basically have a perfect idyllic getaway. It's dog friendly, a quick drive to Burlington, and surrounded by other local attractions. I was only here for two nights, but I hope to return someday. Maybe it was just the campfire-grilled steak and corn on the cob, or the way the sun looked setting over the lake, or all that fresh almost-Canadian air, but I think I'm in love. I can has more vacation days? You can even book your site online, where they have a interactive map with photos of each location. Seriously. best. campground.

Beautiful place to walk. Trails are decently maintained. A few people do regularly walk their dogs…read moreoff leash so occasionally an excited dog (or 4) will approach from out of nowhere without their person.

This was our first visit, and I only had a little time and energy--we just moved to a new house…read moreyesterday, so me and my quads are beat! But I'm excited to explore the area, and the dog has to be walked! (There are no signs saying dogs must be on leash, but all the one we saw--except mine--were on leash. I leashed mine whenever we saw people approaching. BTW, there are no poop bags available at the entrance.) We did not make it to the lake yet--a steep bit had my quads saying "no no no no no." But the first 3/4 miles is pleasant and super easy. The paths opens from the parking lot with a well-groomed, hard-packed, super flat trail that is mostly in the shade--perfect for kids and even for some who might have mobility challenges. (A manual wheelchair would be hard to push, but it could some.). After about 1/3 a mile, that groomed, hard-packed trail ends and you get a regular forest trail. Lots of tree roots cross the path, but nothing daunting. A ways down, there is a shallow stream for your dog to get a drink, and there is a Ford of stable boulders that even a little kid could navigate with assistance. When you see the sign that says "Milton Marsh Dry Bypass," follow it. That should be obvious, I know. But my moving fatigue caused me to choose poorly . (It wasn't terribly bad--just narrow and muggy. A photographer I saw there said most of the views are crossed with power lines, but if you just look past them, it's fine. Can't wait to go back and check it out! But first, I gotta go unpack my house!

Nobody said getting back in shape was easy--but if you're going to suffer, you might as well do it…read moresomewhere beautiful. I picked a hiking trail in Vermont after getting lured in by some stunning photos online. Inspired (and slightly delusional), I stopped and picked up a pair of Oboz hiking shoes and some solid hiking socks--thankfully, one of my better decisions. Let me be clear: this trail was no joke. It twisted, turned, and climbed in ways that made my heart rate spike enough to question my life choices. At one point, I genuinely thought I heard Bigfoot breathing down my neck--turns out it was just me gasping for air. Here are the stats: 4,083 ft summit 7.4 miles round trip 2,645 ft vertical rise 6 hours of hiking The mountain is known as Tawabodi-e-wadso, which means "The Saddle Mountain" in the Waubawakee Native American language. Yes, I did my research--mainly because I felt like I needed to know the name of the place that almost killed me. (Kidding... kind of.) But here's the real truth: it was absolutely worth it. The trail winds through beautiful groves of maple and oak, with peaceful river streams breaking up the climb. It was majestic, serene, and a perfect reminder of why nature is one of the best places to push your limits. And yes, the shoes held up like champs. Bottom line: A tough but rewarding hike--equal parts humbling and awe-inspiring. If you're looking to reconnect with nature and your cardiovascular system, this one's for you.

We started the hike via the Huntington parking lot and hikes the Burrow trail…read more Do not underestimate this hike. It is all incline up and lots of rock scrambling. We are not experienced hikes and took us 5 hrs to finish. It is true that it is shaded the whole time, but no one mentioned about the amount of bugs on the whole trail. After asking a local, we find out that they are called "black flies". They are small and annoying little bugs that cling on to your skin and bite you. We put bugs spray but did not keep them away from us. Apparently they come in season that received alot of rain. (first week of June) And it just happens to hatch new eggs as the weather gets hot and wet. So if you plan to hike this with there is alot of rain, I suggest wearing a netted hat. Because these flies are soon annoying and just takes out the fun of the hike. Although it was not an easy hike with annoying bugs biting our skin, the summit was one of 360 view of the landscape. It is beautiful and view are breathtaking!!!!

Do you like hiking? Go to Laplatte River. It has forty five acres. I like the steep parts and the…read moretroll bridge. I didn't like the mud in the spring. I suggest you bring boots. I felt happy, tired and excited. I would recommend this place. -Oliver 2nd grade The Laplatte river is magnificent. It has a troll bridge,4.5 miles of trials, a river and rock cliffs.I like that you can offer things to the troll. If he likes it he might play a tune. I don't like that it is muddy in the spring. I would recommend bug spray and an offering for the troll. I felt happy. I would recommend this place. -Whit 3rd grade

Cute and tiny little spot in a more rural area…read more My friend showed me this place while we were in the Burlington area. We only made a quick stop and grabbed some photos. If you are a photography buff, I would recommend stopping here to take some pics. I'm a novice trying to learn how to use a real camera, but it was fun to snap a few shots. If you like history, check out the sign about the Mills at Shelburne Falls. It is a very peaceful and serene setting. It was great to have a zen moment and listen to the rushing waters.

Such an amazing hike! Me and my family do it every time we visit VT. It's moderate to challenging…read moredepending on your physical fitness and athletic capabilities. Takes around 2 hours. Great length. Definitely uphill most of the way to the top but SO worth it for the view. Incredible summit. It's also easy to navigate because it's an out and back and the trail is very well marked. There's also a second parking lot a bit higher up if you want to do a shorter version of this hike.

Stowe Pinnacle Trail is a quick hike but strenuous in some parts. Towards the top there is a…read moreserious incline which can be tricky if it rained/snowed recently. Took us around 2hrs round trip and the steep incline really got the blood pumping. If you reach the top you are rewarded with a 360 degree view of the surrounding area. I highly recommend!

Burlington hike/bike trail....great outdoor trails along lake and 2 minute walk from Hilton hotel…read more....get up early and it is as peaceful as ever!

100% recommend this walking/bike path…read more Round trip, our bike ride was just about 10.5 miles. Along the way we passed a small memorial garden, athletic fields, an indoor public pool, restaurants, benches, a gazebo over looking the river and trash cans for your dog waste. At the other end, is a covered bridge just at the entrance to that parking area. There are several parking areas along the route with picnic tables and port-a-johns. Trails are kept in good conditiin. Lots of wooden brudges criss-cross the river. These are barely wide enough to pass pedestrians on a bike and most have an incline on both ends. This trail is in no way mostly flat. Our way out was an incline. Sometimes slight, sometimes more. The way back was *way* quicker and easier. Parking at this end is paved. Other lots along the way are a mix of dirt and paved. Signs trail side state to stop at road crossings and walk your bicycle across. Pedestrians and bicycles stay to the right. Let pedestrians, and other cyclists, know you are passing them. On-leash dog friendly.

The best hike of our whole trip to Vermont! Hardly took any photos because I was so in-the-peace of…read moreit all. Heavenly walk through the backside of Stowe, a paved nature path through meadows and woods and fields. So picturesque on even what started as a cold, rainy morning that became sunny and bright. A highlight of our trip and a good 4 miles (walked 2 miles each way). Can't wait to walk this again one day. 5 stars!!!!