Nature preserves and walking trails
The Fossil Preserves of Isle La Motte
Formed nearly 13,000 years ago when what is now North America was south of the equator where Zimbabwe is today, these fossil preserves offer a look into what that world was like. Fossils abound in the Isle La Motte bedrock, which was once part of the earliest reef in the history of life on Earth, formed on the continental shelf of proto-North America and is now a National Natural Landmark.
The Goodsell Ridge Preserve is an 83-acre nature and geologic preserve with reef outcrops visible in the old pastures and woodlands of the preserve. Visitors can walk the trails throughout the year. During the summer, the Visitor’s Center is open where exhibits and an educational video tell the story of the ancient fossil reef. The work of local artists is also on display. Nature trails wend their way through every ecosystem of the preserve.
An Outdoor Kiosk tells the story of the ancient Chazy Fossil Reef in English and French. It is located at 69 Pine Street in Isle La Motte.
The Fisk Quarry Preserve is a 20-acre preserve. A kiosk tells the geology story as well as the human history of the quarry. Look for fossil forms called stromatoporoids in the quarry walls. Other reef dwellers such as gastropods and cephalopods can be seen in the quarry floor...sometimes ringed by stones placed by visitors. Numerous bird species have been sighted on the preserve. It can be accessed from 4039 West Shore Road in Isle La Motte.
For more information or directions to the preserves, visit www.ilmpt.org
The Goodsell Ridge Preserve is an 83-acre nature and geologic preserve with reef outcrops visible in the old pastures and woodlands of the preserve. Visitors can walk the trails throughout the year. During the summer, the Visitor’s Center is open where exhibits and an educational video tell the story of the ancient fossil reef. The work of local artists is also on display. Nature trails wend their way through every ecosystem of the preserve.
An Outdoor Kiosk tells the story of the ancient Chazy Fossil Reef in English and French. It is located at 69 Pine Street in Isle La Motte.
The Fisk Quarry Preserve is a 20-acre preserve. A kiosk tells the geology story as well as the human history of the quarry. Look for fossil forms called stromatoporoids in the quarry walls. Other reef dwellers such as gastropods and cephalopods can be seen in the quarry floor...sometimes ringed by stones placed by visitors. Numerous bird species have been sighted on the preserve. It can be accessed from 4039 West Shore Road in Isle La Motte.
For more information or directions to the preserves, visit www.ilmpt.org
Round Pond Natural Area
Located in South Hero, the Round Pond Natural Area is 225-acres of rolling hills with beautiful views of Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s tallest peak. The area also contains a critical lakeshore and wetland area that is home to nesting migrating waterfowl and two rare plants: slender bulrush and pale vetchling.
Round Pond Natural Area is managed by Vermont’s Agency of Forests, Parks and Recreation. Hikers, hunters, snowshoers and birdwatchers are welcome. Parking for access to the area is a gravel pull-off on East Shore Road in South Hero; the entrance is marked by a small, yellow state park sign.
Round Pond Natural Area is managed by Vermont’s Agency of Forests, Parks and Recreation. Hikers, hunters, snowshoers and birdwatchers are welcome. Parking for access to the area is a gravel pull-off on East Shore Road in South Hero; the entrance is marked by a small, yellow state park sign.
Pelots Point Natural Area
A 3-mile walking trail winds through several types of habitat, giving visitors a chance to see a wide variety of plants and animals. Signs educate visitors about the various habitats including a deciduous forest, a marsh, meadows and a sugarbush, as well as the lake itself. The nature area is located at 1244 Pelots Point Road, North Hero.
Northern Forest Canoe Trail Kiosk
The Northern Forest Canoe Trail links the watersheds of northern New York, Vermont, Quebec, New Hampshire and Maine and is a unique thread tying together the Northern Forest Region. Flowing with the stories of Native Americans, European settlers, the development of mill towns and the timber industry, the Trail’s rich heritage serves as a basis for widely accessible, environmentally friendly fun and education.
The 740-mile trail traces historic Native American travel routes through the rivers of the region and is a living reminder of our history, when rivers were both highways and routes of communication.
The kiosk in our region features spectacular photography of the Champlain Islands and northern Lake Champlain and highlights the history of the region. It also provides current information about paddling, local businesses and services and is located on Route 2 in North Hero Village in front of the Lake Champlain Islands Chamber of Commerce.
For more information on about the Northern Forest Canoe Trail visit www.northernforestcanoetrail.org or call 802-496-2285.
The 740-mile trail traces historic Native American travel routes through the rivers of the region and is a living reminder of our history, when rivers were both highways and routes of communication.
The kiosk in our region features spectacular photography of the Champlain Islands and northern Lake Champlain and highlights the history of the region. It also provides current information about paddling, local businesses and services and is located on Route 2 in North Hero Village in front of the Lake Champlain Islands Chamber of Commerce.
For more information on about the Northern Forest Canoe Trail visit www.northernforestcanoetrail.org or call 802-496-2285.
Camp Ingalls and Butternut Hill Trails
Camp Ingalls in North Hero includes a half-mile interpretive nature trail, a picnic area with lake and mountain views, as well as athletic fields.
A one-mile trail, perfect for kids, takes visitors through a unique floodplain forest which includes the vernal pools that are home to blue-spotted salamanders and fairy shrimp along with a swath of beautiful wood duck nesting habitat.
The trail stretches from Camp Ingalls to the shoreline of Lake Champlain with a spectacular view of the lake and Adirondack Mountains.
The Ingalls and Butternut Trails are accessible from Camp Ingalls at 1769 South End Road in North Hero. Follow the signs from the parking lot to trails. Pass the Long House and at the fork in the trail, take the north trail and follow it for about 200 yards.
A one-mile trail, perfect for kids, takes visitors through a unique floodplain forest which includes the vernal pools that are home to blue-spotted salamanders and fairy shrimp along with a swath of beautiful wood duck nesting habitat.
The trail stretches from Camp Ingalls to the shoreline of Lake Champlain with a spectacular view of the lake and Adirondack Mountains.
The Ingalls and Butternut Trails are accessible from Camp Ingalls at 1769 South End Road in North Hero. Follow the signs from the parking lot to trails. Pass the Long House and at the fork in the trail, take the north trail and follow it for about 200 yards.
Missisquoi Natural Wildlife Refuge
The 6,700-acres refuge is an internationally recognized bird habitat, providing a home for more than 200 species, including great blue herons, bald eagles, and osprey. In addition to being a must-see stop for bird watchers, the refuge is open for kayaking, fishing, and hiking from dawn to dusk. Visitors are asked to stop in at the office at 29 Tabor Road in Swanton before heading out onto the trails.
Landon Community Trail
The Landon Community Trail is one of the most recent additions to the public recreation areas in South Hero. Local farmers granted easements for the 170-acre parcel. The trail is open most of the time, but may be closed for farm operations.
The trail offers visitors the chance to stroll working farmlands and spot the wildlife that thrives alongside farm fields, such as white-tailed deer, muskrat, red fox, wild turkey, woodcock and red-tailed hawk.
See signs at the trailhead on Landon Road, South Hero for more information on restricted activities and operation times.
The trail offers visitors the chance to stroll working farmlands and spot the wildlife that thrives alongside farm fields, such as white-tailed deer, muskrat, red fox, wild turkey, woodcock and red-tailed hawk.
See signs at the trailhead on Landon Road, South Hero for more information on restricted activities and operation times.