Explore the Champlain Shores
Colchester
Colchester is Vermont’s largest town by land mass. Places to visit include Malletts Bay and Fort Ethan Allen.
Island Line Ferry
Operated by a non-profit cycling organization, Local Motion, the Island Line Bike Ferry connects Colchester with South Hero. It is part of a 40 mile bike trail stretching from Burlington’s Oakledge Park to South Hero. The ferry is free to use, but a $10 donation is recommended for a round trip. From Memorial Day weekend thru the first weekend it October, it operates on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until 6 p.m. on weekends.
The 4-mile Causeway Path runs from Airport Park in Colchester to the Colchester Causeway and the bike ferry.
Airport Park
500 Colchester Point Road
The starting point for the Causeway Path, Airport Park has numerous athletic fields, a playground, a 1.3 mile walking path and an 1815 Log Schoolhouse to explore.
Bayside Park
2 West Lakeshore Drive
The home to Colchester’s summer concert series, Bayside has a lifeguarded beach with a water park made with inflatables. Kayaks, pedal boats, and paddleboards are available for rent.
Fort Ethan Allen
Junction of Vermont Route 15 and Barnes Avenue, Essex
Straddling the line between Essex and Colchester, the former fort includes a park and a museum. The park hosts tennis and pickleball courts, athletic fields and a walking trail. The Fort Ethan Allen Museum covers the history of the fort itself, which was built as a cavalry post in 1896. The museum is located in the Pump House.
Rossetti Natural Area/Thayer Beach
171 Holy Cross Road, Colchester
This 47-acre natural area includes a beach on Malletts Bay. There is no lifeguard on duty, but there are portable restrooms.
Island Line Ferry
Operated by a non-profit cycling organization, Local Motion, the Island Line Bike Ferry connects Colchester with South Hero. It is part of a 40 mile bike trail stretching from Burlington’s Oakledge Park to South Hero. The ferry is free to use, but a $10 donation is recommended for a round trip. From Memorial Day weekend thru the first weekend it October, it operates on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until 6 p.m. on weekends.
The 4-mile Causeway Path runs from Airport Park in Colchester to the Colchester Causeway and the bike ferry.
Airport Park
500 Colchester Point Road
The starting point for the Causeway Path, Airport Park has numerous athletic fields, a playground, a 1.3 mile walking path and an 1815 Log Schoolhouse to explore.
Bayside Park
2 West Lakeshore Drive
The home to Colchester’s summer concert series, Bayside has a lifeguarded beach with a water park made with inflatables. Kayaks, pedal boats, and paddleboards are available for rent.
Fort Ethan Allen
Junction of Vermont Route 15 and Barnes Avenue, Essex
Straddling the line between Essex and Colchester, the former fort includes a park and a museum. The park hosts tennis and pickleball courts, athletic fields and a walking trail. The Fort Ethan Allen Museum covers the history of the fort itself, which was built as a cavalry post in 1896. The museum is located in the Pump House.
Rossetti Natural Area/Thayer Beach
171 Holy Cross Road, Colchester
This 47-acre natural area includes a beach on Malletts Bay. There is no lifeguard on duty, but there are portable restrooms.
Milton
The town of Milton has a number of outstanding recreational areas, as well as The Milton Artists Guild Art Center and Gallery (199 Route 7, Milton), which displays works from artists and artisans around the region.
Bombardier Park East and West
Milton boasts an outstanding recreation area in Bombardier Park, which has two sections, east and west. Both have facilities for numerous activities such as, walking and biking trails, tennis, pickleball, horseshoe, volleyball, and basketball courts, a GaGa ball pit, picnic areas and public restrooms.
The walking trails include a story walk which changes every two weeks courtesy of the Milton Public Library. Live music will be returning to the park in July on Tuesday evenings.
Eagle Mountain Natural Area
Henry Road
This 226-acre parcel overlooking Lake Champlain has a 2.5 mile trail of easy to moderate difficulty.
Lamoille River Walk
A 1.5 mile trail along the Lamoille River. Stations along the walk explain both the history of the area, which has three dams, and some of the plants and animals you will encounter. The walk begins at Ritchie Avenue.
Milton Town Forest
The forest is 485 acres surrounding a 33-acre wetland, with 6 miles of trails. The town’s guide to the forest describes the various trails, including length and level of difficulty. The forest is open to both fishing and hunting.
For each of the trails, visit www.miltonvt.gov for a downloadable brochure and trail map.
Bombardier Park East and West
Milton boasts an outstanding recreation area in Bombardier Park, which has two sections, east and west. Both have facilities for numerous activities such as, walking and biking trails, tennis, pickleball, horseshoe, volleyball, and basketball courts, a GaGa ball pit, picnic areas and public restrooms.
The walking trails include a story walk which changes every two weeks courtesy of the Milton Public Library. Live music will be returning to the park in July on Tuesday evenings.
Eagle Mountain Natural Area
Henry Road
This 226-acre parcel overlooking Lake Champlain has a 2.5 mile trail of easy to moderate difficulty.
Lamoille River Walk
A 1.5 mile trail along the Lamoille River. Stations along the walk explain both the history of the area, which has three dams, and some of the plants and animals you will encounter. The walk begins at Ritchie Avenue.
Milton Town Forest
The forest is 485 acres surrounding a 33-acre wetland, with 6 miles of trails. The town’s guide to the forest describes the various trails, including length and level of difficulty. The forest is open to both fishing and hunting.
For each of the trails, visit www.miltonvt.gov for a downloadable brochure and trail map.
St. Albans
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Nearby St. Albans is a community of 14,000 split between two municipalities. Combined, they offer plenty of places for dining, shopping and recreation, including on the shores of St. Albans Bay.
Once a center for the railroad in New England, St. Albans City has a charming, historic downtown filled with unique shops and outstanding restaurants, as well as beautiful Taylor Park. Spend an afternoon walking its streets and you won’t be disappointed. On Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., you’ll find Taylor Park filled with local foods and crafts during the Northwest Farmers Market. The St. Albans Bay Farmer’s Market and Concert Series takes place every Thursday until Sept. 16. Shop local vendors while listening to great music, all on the shore of Lake Champlain. Some additional St. Albans events to put on your calendar include: Saturday, June 5, The St. Albans Bay Park Car and Motorcycle Show Registration for participants begins at 7 a.m., with the show opening to the public at 11 a.m. The show ends at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 21, Make Music Day. The Smokey Newfield Project will be performing in front of St. Albans City Hall, and residents and visitors will be encouraged to pick up an instrument and make some music either in Taylor Park or on their front porch. Friday, July 9 to Sunday, July 11 Downtown St Albans Sidewalk Sales and Art Walk Downtown shops will display the work of local artists and artisans while offering sales on some of their own items. Saturday, July 17 Kingman Street Klassic This year the classic car show will be on Main Street and in Taylor Park. Saturday, Aug. 14 Live at the Lake The Phil Abair Band will perform at 5 p.m. in the St. Albans Bay Town Park, with Bond/Fire Vt taking the stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, The St. Albans Bay Brewfest Try local beer while listening to live music at the St. Albans Bay Town Park from noon to 6:30 p.m. A $45 ticket comes with ten drink tickets. Sibling Reverie and Glass Onion will perform. Saturday, Sept. 25 Harvest Fest Vendors will be in the St. Albans Bay Park from 12-4 p.m., with a chili competition and a performance by Nobby Reed at 1 p.m. Recreation Hard’ack Recreation Area Corner of Route 104 and Congress Streets A year-round recreation area, Hard’ack has hill trails that wind through a forest, perfect for hiking and mountain biking. On your walk be sure to keep an eye out for the spot where a U.S. Senator, Lawrence Brainerd, shot a large wolf that was terrorizing area sheep farms. A new disc golf course is being built at Hard’ack. There is also a dog park and athletic fields. St. Albans Bay Park Lake Road St. Albans Bay Park offers swimming, picnic areas, a playground and a dock for fishing, as well as boat slips for visitors. The privately-owned Saint Albans Bay Marina is located next to the park and offers slips for visitors. Kill Kare State Park 2714 Hathaway Point Road Boating, fishing and swimming are available on this peninsula jutting into Lake Champlain. It is also the connection for ferries going to Burton Island. Burton Island State Park Camping, canoeing, swimming and fishing are available on this 256-acre island park in Lake Champlain. A 100-slip marina is available for those who wish to bring their own transportation. There are tenting sites, cabins, and lean-to sites for campers. Trails are available for walking and biking. There is a nature center, museum, small store and beaches for swimming and fishing. Woods Island State Park While the public is allowed at Woods Island State Park, there are no ferries or places to dock. Visitors must beach their boats or anchor off-shore. The 125-acre island is home to wide variety of plant life, many of which are rare or endangered in Vermont. St. Albans Town Forest Forest Road This 162-acre forest is criss-crossed with trails for hiking and mountain biking. Parking is available at the trail head. Be sure to keep an eye out for the beaver pond. Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail Vermont Route 7 The 26-mile trail extends from St. Albans to Richford, much of it running alongside the Missisquoi River. There is no charge to use the trail, which is open for biking, walking and snowmobiling. Learn more at www.mvrailtrail.com. |