Paddling
Vermont has whitewater & flatwater for canoeing, kayaking, paddling trips
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.
19 places to visit
Chittenden, VT
Mountain Top Resort
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.195 Mountain Top Road 802-483-2311
Island Pond, VT
Brighton State Park
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.102 State Park Road 802-723-4360
Lake Elmore, VT
Elmore State Park
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.856 VT Route 12 802-888-2982
Grand Isle, VT
Grand Isle State Park
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).36 East Shore South 802-372-4300
North Hero, VT
North Hero State Park
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)3803 Lakeview Drive 802-372-8727
St. Albans, VT
Kill Kare State Park
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)2714 Hathaway Point Road 802-534-6021
Castleton, VT
Bomoseen State Park
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.22 Cedar Mountain Road 802-265-4242
Brandon, VT
Branbury State Park
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.3570 Lake Dunmore Road (Route 53) 888-409-7579
Vergennes, VT
Button Bay State Park
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.118 Button Bay State Park Road 802-475-2377
Hubbardton, VT
Half Moon Pond State Park
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.1621 Black Pond Road 802-273-2848
Poultney, VT
Lake St. Catherine State Park
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.3034 VT Route 30 South 802-287-9158
Springfield, VT
Wilgus State Park
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.3985 CT River Road (Route 5) 802-674-5422
Shaftsbury, VT
Lake Shaftsbury State Park
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)262 Shaftsbury State Park Road (Route 7A) 802-375-9978
East Dorset, VT
Emerald Lake State Park
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).65 Emerald Lake Lane 802-362-1655
Woodford, VT
Woodford State Park
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.142 State Park Road 802-447-7169
Barton, VT
Crystal Lake State Park
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.96 Bellwater Avenue 802-525-6205
Jamaica, VT
Jamaica State Park
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.48 Salmon Hole Lane 802-874-4600
Waterbury Center, VT
Waterbury Center State Park
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)177 Reservoir Road 802-244-1226
Ludlow, VT
Camp Plymouth State Park
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.2008 Scout Camp Road 802-228-2025