Whether you’re gazing out at the blue water of Lake Champlain, having an outdoor adventure, or speeding across the causeway, there is certainly a lot to love. Sunsets, picnics, beaching and more – let’s explore this beautiful lake in the great state of Vermont.

Lake Champlain.

Flickr/sushiesque With 587 miles of shore, 490 square miles of surface, and water as deep as 400 feet, Lake Champlain is truly Vermont’s great lake. In fact, for a short time in 1993, Lake Champlain briefly became one of the Great Lakes when President Clinton signed Senate Bill 927. This caused a small uproar and the Great Lake status was rescinded. The dates that Lake Champlain was one of the Great Lakes were from March 6 through March 24, 1998.

Go on, get active.

Flickr/GD Taber There are endless opportunities for fitness, adventure, and recreation along this gem, and while you may have your favorite activity in mind, there is always a way to explore something new. Boat rentals, ferries, and bike paths take you over Lake Champlain in many different ways.

Summer isn’t over yet…

Flickr/denisbin Have you tried stand up paddle boarding? Graceful and fluid, this is a way to get a relaxing workout while exploring the lake. There are plenty of places to rent them, too!

Did you know there are over 300 shipwrecks in Lake Champlain?

Flickr/Shiraz Ritwik You can even explore them from the water without getting wet! Find out more here.

Drive on over!

Flickr/Liz There are three bridges that connect Vermont to New York that go over Lake Champlain. The connecting towns are Crown Point, NY to Addison, VT; Rouses Point, NY to Alburgh, VT; and Whitehall, NY to West Haven, VT. Or you can take one of the three ferry boats that connect Vermont to New York. You can find them running from Charlotte, VT to Essex, NY, from Burlington, VT to Port Kent, NY and from Grand Isle, VT to Plattsburgh, NY. Additionally, four major railroad crossings were built over the lake, but today only one remains.

Sleep under the stars.

Flickr/BostonTx One of the most popular places to camp is on Burton Island, which is part of the Champlain Islands. This island is only available via boat, so you’ll definitely get up close to the blue water.

Vermont’s own Loch Ness Monster.

Flickr/sushiesque Do you believe in Champ, the monster who may or may not live deep in Lake Champlain? The legend of Champ has colorfully been handed down through the generations. Some have speculated it’s possible such a creature does live deep in the lake, possibly a relative of the plesiosaur, an extinct group of aquatic reptiles. True or not, it’s fun to try to spot him!

Bike over the causeway.

Flickr/Richard Due One of the best ways to see Lake Champlain is to zip across on your bicycle. With water on both sides, you have the feeling that you’re flying over. Check out more on the causeway here.

Ice age.

Flickr/Devon Lindsey Did you know that Vermont was once covered in glaciers at the peak of the Ice Age. The ice gives the lake a cool shade of blue.

Check out the mountain views.

Flickr/Julian Rotela Rosow Nothing beats looking over the blue water to see the mountains in the distance. Pictured is a view from Shelburne, one of the many picturesque towns on the shore.

Be sure to catch a sunset.

Flickr/Pammie76 The amazing sunsets may cast a different hue on the lake, know that tomorrow is another day and the water will be just as blue.

Check out these facts and trivia tidbits about Lake Champlain here.

Flickr/sushiesque

With 587 miles of shore, 490 square miles of surface, and water as deep as 400 feet, Lake Champlain is truly Vermont’s great lake. In fact, for a short time in 1993, Lake Champlain briefly became one of the Great Lakes when President Clinton signed Senate Bill 927. This caused a small uproar and the Great Lake status was rescinded. The dates that Lake Champlain was one of the Great Lakes were from March 6 through March 24, 1998.

Flickr/GD Taber

There are endless opportunities for fitness, adventure, and recreation along this gem, and while you may have your favorite activity in mind, there is always a way to explore something new. Boat rentals, ferries, and bike paths take you over Lake Champlain in many different ways.

Flickr/denisbin

Have you tried stand up paddle boarding? Graceful and fluid, this is a way to get a relaxing workout while exploring the lake. There are plenty of places to rent them, too!

Flickr/Shiraz Ritwik

You can even explore them from the water without getting wet! Find out more here.

Flickr/Liz

There are three bridges that connect Vermont to New York that go over Lake Champlain. The connecting towns are Crown Point, NY to Addison, VT; Rouses Point, NY to Alburgh, VT; and Whitehall, NY to West Haven, VT. Or you can take one of the three ferry boats that connect Vermont to New York. You can find them running from Charlotte, VT to Essex, NY, from Burlington, VT to Port Kent, NY and from Grand Isle, VT to Plattsburgh, NY. Additionally, four major railroad crossings were built over the lake, but today only one remains.

Flickr/BostonTx

One of the most popular places to camp is on Burton Island, which is part of the Champlain Islands. This island is only available via boat, so you’ll definitely get up close to the blue water.

Do you believe in Champ, the monster who may or may not live deep in Lake Champlain? The legend of Champ has colorfully been handed down through the generations. Some have speculated it’s possible such a creature does live deep in the lake, possibly a relative of the plesiosaur, an extinct group of aquatic reptiles. True or not, it’s fun to try to spot him!

Flickr/Richard Due

One of the best ways to see Lake Champlain is to zip across on your bicycle. With water on both sides, you have the feeling that you’re flying over. Check out more on the causeway here.

Flickr/Devon Lindsey

Did you know that Vermont was once covered in glaciers at the peak of the Ice Age. The ice gives the lake a cool shade of blue.

Flickr/Julian Rotela Rosow

Nothing beats looking over the blue water to see the mountains in the distance. Pictured is a view from Shelburne, one of the many picturesque towns on the shore.

Flickr/Pammie76

The amazing sunsets may cast a different hue on the lake, know that tomorrow is another day and the water will be just as blue.

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