Vermont has whitewater & flatwater for canoeing, kayaking, paddling trips

Vermont > State > On the Water > Paddling

Vermont is rich with lakes and ponds and state parks where canoeing and kayaking and paddling is welcome. Experts in canoeing and kayaking and paddling are available to give lessons, rent equipment and gear, and guide paddling trips on white water or flat water, in Vermont's rives, lakes, and streams. Find a boat ramp and get out on the water during your Vermont vacation. If you’re tired at the end of the day, mountain resorts offer the peak of comfort.

To see some Padding adventure videos, click here to visit Explore New England.

Follow these links for : Fishing Locations - Boat Ramps - Beach Areas - State & Local Parks

Canoes - Mountain Top Inn & Resort - Chittenden, VT

Mountain Top Resort

195 Mountain Top Road Chittenden, VT, 05737 Phone: 802-483-2311

Kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding among the lake-centric activities at mountain resort

Summer at the Mountain Top Resort centers around the pristine lake and its private, golden-sands beach. Borrow one of the resort’s kayaks, canoes or stand-up paddle boards and explore the picturesque lake. Watch for birds and other wildlife on the shore as you glide along. (Or pick up the pace, and get your daily cardio exercise in.) When you get back to the resort, consider a soak in the four-season outdoor hot tub, or take a dip in the in-ground heated pool. Treat yourself to a massage or facial at the luxurious on-sise spa. Or just grab a lounge chair and relax on the beach. Other lake-centric activities include pontoon boat rides and fishing excursions. Summer really is a celebration at this mountain resort.

Lake Morey Resort

82 Clubhouse Road Fairlee, VT, 05045 Phone: 802-333-4311 Toll-Free: 800-423-1211

Kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing on Lake Morey makes for memorable moments at lakeside resort

Paddling in a variety of forms is one of the many activities that make staying at the Lake Morey Resort such a memorable vacation. Whether you want a relaxing time paddle boarding on the pristine 600-acre lake, a few hours searching the shores and skies for birds and other wildlife as you coast by in a canoe, or want to get the heart rate going with some serious kayaking, this popular lakeside resort can make that happen. Afterward, take a relaxing soak in the heated indoor pool or relax in the sauna. Accommodations at the four-season resort include 130 rooms and suites, over half with lake views, and lakeside cottages that provide the ultimate in privacy. Dine on-site in a lakefront restaurant, pub, or grab a drink at the tiki bar.

Grand Isle State Park

36 East Shore South Grand Isle, VT Phone: 802-372-4300

Many campsites; large sandy beach, swimming, shore fishing, sports fields

This is a very large and popular destination for family camping, with lots of campsites, some on the shore of Lake Champlain. Lakeshore areas permit water access for swimming and shore fishing. There is a boat launching ramp for registered campers. Kayaks and rowboats are available for rent. Campers are allowed free entry to the sand beach at Knight Point State Park (seven miles to the north) and Alburg Dunes State Park (19 miles to the north).

Elmore State Park

856 VT Route 12 Lake Elmore, VT, 05657 Phone: 802-888-2982

Good family camping; hikes and walks; lake swimming; pets but not on beach

Boat rentals are available at the large sandy beach of this park, very popular family camping and hiking. Beach area has concessions, cafe, restrooms. The park has an on-air picnic pavilion for rent by the day. Holds 100 guests.

Camp Plymouth State Park

2008 Scout Camp Road Ludlow, VT, 05149 Phone: 802-228-2025

One of Vermont’s top parks for paddling; beach; boat rentals; horse camping; walking trails

On the north side of the brook there are a large picnic area, play area, sandy beach, horseshoe pits, concession, and boat rentals.
Open: Memorial Day thru Labor Day, 10am - Sunset.

Jamaica State Park

48 Salmon Hole Lane Jamaica, VT, 05343 Phone: 802-874-4600

Tent and trailer camping; white water release; fishing; pets allowed

This park hosts the West River whitewater release the last Saturday of September when the Army Corps of Engineers releases water from the Ball Mountain Dam,, creating great rafting, kayaking and canoeing. Whitewater enthusiasts gather to take on the class II to class IV rapids. Concessionaires sell food, equipment and gear. A shuttle services is provided from the West River Rail trail parking area to the Cobb Brook bridge. See park website for information on white water release.

Brighton State Park

102 State Park Road Island Pond, VT, 05846 Phone: 802-723-4360

Remote, rustic camping; fishing; paddling; swimming; boats for rent

Paddling is accessible and exciting at this remote state park in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, where the calls of loons are easily heard from campgrounds. The campground sits on the Spectacle Pond, which has a sandy beach, bathhouse, and boat rentals.

Waterbury Center State Park

177 Reservoir Road Waterbury Center, VT, 05677 Phone: 802-244-1226

One of VT’s top five parks for paddling and boating; also, swimming, fishing; no pets

Waterbury Center State Park lies on a 90-acre peninsula on Waterbury Reservoir. Visitors may use the reservoir for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, motor boating, jet skis, and water skiing. There is a 5 mph/no-wake zones. Open : Memorial Day-Labor Day; day use hours, 10 a.m.-sunset - Waterbury Reservoir Boating Guidelines (PDF)

Lake Shaftsbury State Park

262 Shaftsbury State Park Road (Route 7A) Shaftsbury, VT, 05262 Phone: 802-375-9978

Furnished cottage on the lake; group camping; boat rentals; swimming; pets allowed

Location on the small but very pretty Lake Shaftsbury, this park has camping, a day-use beach and play area, and rentals of canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and pedal boats. The Healing Springs Nature Trail along the lake shore is good for walking. - Interactive Campground Map (PDF)

Kill Kare State Park

2714 Hathaway Point Road St. Albans, VT, 05481 Phone: 802-534-6021

Swimming and boating; kayaks for rent; public boat ramp; pets not allowed

The south-facing swimming area at this park, located on a long peninsula, has a public boat launch ramp that reaches deep water quickly. There are kayaks for rent. - Park Map (PDF)

Button Bay State Park

118 Button Bay State Park Road Vergennes, VT, 05491 Phone: 802-475-2377

Camping on Lake Champlain; great views; guarded pool; trails; nature center

Canoes, kayaks, and rowboats are available to rent at this park, elevated above Lake Champlain.

Wilgus State Park

3985 CT River Road (Route 5) Springfield, VT, 05156 Phone: 802-674-5422

On Connecticut River; popular for paddling, canoeing, kayaking; campsites; cabins with WiFi

On the Connecticut River, this park is popular with boaters, canoeists, and kayakers. This park provides day use access to the Connecticut River and the Pinnacle Trail hike provides a scenic vista of the Connecticut River Valley.

North Hero State Park

3803 Lakeview Drive North Hero, VT, 05474 Phone: 802-372-8727

Paddling is the main activity at this park

North Hero is a stop on the Lake Champlain Paddlers’ Trail. North Hero is a day use park; no camping or other facilities. Pets are allowed. - Park Map & Guide (PDF)

Woodford State Park

142 State Park Road Woodford, VT, 05201 Phone: 802-447-7169

Good camping, walking and hiking; lakes with boat rentals; pets permitted

Woodford State Park is on an elevated plateau and near several lakes and ponds. A small beach and picnic area are located near the dam. Rowboats, canoes, and kayaks are available for rent.

Emerald Lake State Park

65 Emerald Lake Lane East Dorset, VT, 05253 Phone: 802-362-1655

Great camping, swimming, paddling, fishing, walking and hiking; motor boats prohibited

At this camping and water-sports park on Emerald Lake, paddling is welcome; motorized boats are not allowed, There is a small beach with a snack bar and boat rental facilities (canoes, kayaks, row and pedal boats).

Crystal Lake State Park

96 Bellwater Avenue Barton, VT, 05822 Phone: 802-525-6205

Swimming and boating in a glacial lake; cottage for rent; pets not allowed

Crystal Lake is a glacial lake surrounded by rough mountains. The beach area has a mile of sandy shoreline with a swimming area. There is a full-service bath house. Non-motorized boats and canoes are available for rent.

Bomoseen State Park

22 Cedar Mountain Road Castleton, VT, 05743 Phone: 802-265-4242

Good for camping, swimming, fishing, boating w/ rentals; pets allowed in campground

The park has a beach for swimming and boating. Canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and pedal boats are available for rent.

Half Moon Pond State Park

1621 Black Pond Road Hubbardton, VT Phone: 802-273-2848

Camping park has a pond; boats for rent; no motor boats allowed

There are two sandy beaches on the pond for swimming and sunning; rowboats, kayaks, canoes and pedal boats are available for rent (no motor boats allowed). The pond also has excellent fishing for largemouth bass, panfish, and perch. More fishing is at nearby Glen Lake and Lake Bomoseen.

Branbury State Park

3570 Lake Dunmore Road (Route 53) Brandon, VT, 05733 Phone: 888-409-7579

Popular for hiking and swimming; pets allowed in some areas

Branbury State Park is located on the eastern shore of Lake Dunmore. The park has a long sand beach on Lake Dunmore and the large open meadows. The park is popular for swimming, sunbathing, fishing and boating. Rowboats, canoes, and paddle boats are available for rent. Pets are not allowed on the beach.
Open: mid-May thru Columbus Day, 10am - Sunset.

Lake St. Catherine State Park

3034 VT Route 30 South Poultney, VT, 05764 Phone: 802-287-9158

Lake side camping; beach; boating, fishing; boat rentals; pets allowed except in day use area

Located on Lake St. Catherine, this park has a campground, picnic and swimming areas, a playground. The snack bar concession rents out with canoes, kayaks, rowboats and pedal boat rentals.

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