The Champlain Islands of Vermont consist of five lakeside communities in the northwest corner of Vermont. The islands host a number of small businesses specializing in hospitality and most are owned by the person at the counter, on the phone, or behind the desk. A series of bridges link the islands as they edge closer and closer to the Canadian border.
People have been coming to the islands for over a century for the lake experience, including boating, fishing, swimming in the warmer months and ice skating, cross country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter – not to mention the peace and quiet that is enjoyed all year round. Along with lake related activity, the islands are home to many interesting features such as Harry Barber’s miniature castles and the birdhouse property. Local heroes Ethan Allen and his brother Ira even wanted two islands named after them!
This is a perfect getaway for a day trip or an extended stay. There is always something new to discover, and after your first visit, you’ll want to come back to explore them all!
- Travel on the causeway.
Flickr/Richard Due The causeway heading toward South Hero Island is exceptionally beautiful and a dreamy ride on a bicycle.
- Explore the inland.
Flickr/Jay Parker The coasts are not the only place to admire, as evidenced by this beautiful shot on Grand Isle.
- Enjoy the shoreline and take a boat ride in warmer weather.
Flickr/Denisbin For a small group of islands, tourism is big with a multitude of things to do. Rentals are available if you can’t bring your gear.
- The mysterious Cloak Island.
Flickr/Elias Abkar Legend has it that in 1770 a woman named Eleanor Fisk got tired of her husband’s angry tempers so she hitched up her team of horses and set out across the frozen lake towards Alburgh, but never made it. Later, her red cloak was found along the bushes and rocks of the island, which would forever be known as Cloak.
- There are things to explore everywhere.
Flickr/BostonTx Like this uprooted tree on Burton Island State Park.
- You may drive from island to island…
Flickr/BostonTx Or be a little more adventurous and boat it.
- Check out the birdhouses.
Flickr/karina y Located in the swamps just north of Whites Beach, just feet from the roadside, are hundreds of brilliantly colored bird houses that hang from the many hardwood trees in the thick marshland. They were put there to house Tree Swallows which eat mosquitos. The owner of the birdhouses put them up so he and his wife could enjoy an evening on their lawn without getting attacked by mosquitos.
- Go fishing off the breakwater.
Flickr/BostonTx It’s a great spot!
- Paddle in a canoe.
You may pull your boats right up to your campsite.
- See the Northern Lights.
Flickr/Nicholas Erwin If you’re lucky, on a clear night you can see the Northern Lights from the islands.
- Visit Harry Barber’s miniature castles.
Flickr/Don Shall Throughout South Hero, several castles built by Harry Barber are scattered about. They were built between the 1920s to 1966, and they remain there today as amazing examples of true craftsmanship.
- Check out Carlton’s Prize.
wikipedia.org This rock island has been known since the American Revolutionary War when Sir Guy Carleton brought it to notoriety in 1776, the morning after the Battle of Valcour Island. The legends say that it was a foggy night when the Brittish saw what they thought to be the last of Benedict Arnold’s fleet and began pounding it with their cannons. This allowed Arnold to escape undetected and the rust from the cannon balls can still be seen on the island today.
- Isle La Motte’s Coral Reef.
wikipedia.org Here on this tiny island you can find something prehistoric, unique, and completely unexpected. Around the island, curious visitors can witness evidence of the oldest fossilized coral reef in the world – some 480 million years old. As a matter of fact, almost the entire southern half of the island is made up of this incredible natural resource.
- Pink Lighthouse on Isle La Motte.
Flickr/Mark Lighthouses are traditionally white, but this one was painted bright red and has faded over time.
- Be sure to stop and watch the sun set.
Flickr/BostonTx
Flickr/BostonTx It will be worth it.
What do you like best about the beautiful Champlain Islands?
Flickr/Richard Due
The causeway heading toward South Hero Island is exceptionally beautiful and a dreamy ride on a bicycle.
Flickr/Jay Parker
The coasts are not the only place to admire, as evidenced by this beautiful shot on Grand Isle.
Flickr/Denisbin
For a small group of islands, tourism is big with a multitude of things to do. Rentals are available if you can’t bring your gear.
Flickr/Elias Abkar
Legend has it that in 1770 a woman named Eleanor Fisk got tired of her husband’s angry tempers so she hitched up her team of horses and set out across the frozen lake towards Alburgh, but never made it. Later, her red cloak was found along the bushes and rocks of the island, which would forever be known as Cloak.
Flickr/BostonTx
Like this uprooted tree on Burton Island State Park.
Or be a little more adventurous and boat it.
Flickr/karina y
Located in the swamps just north of Whites Beach, just feet from the roadside, are hundreds of brilliantly colored bird houses that hang from the many hardwood trees in the thick marshland. They were put there to house Tree Swallows which eat mosquitos. The owner of the birdhouses put them up so he and his wife could enjoy an evening on their lawn without getting attacked by mosquitos.
It’s a great spot!
You may pull your boats right up to your campsite.
Flickr/Nicholas Erwin
If you’re lucky, on a clear night you can see the Northern Lights from the islands.
Flickr/Don Shall
Throughout South Hero, several castles built by Harry Barber are scattered about. They were built between the 1920s to 1966, and they remain there today as amazing examples of true craftsmanship.
wikipedia.org
This rock island has been known since the American Revolutionary War when Sir Guy Carleton brought it to notoriety in 1776, the morning after the Battle of Valcour Island. The legends say that it was a foggy night when the Brittish saw what they thought to be the last of Benedict Arnold’s fleet and began pounding it with their cannons. This allowed Arnold to escape undetected and the rust from the cannon balls can still be seen on the island today.
Here on this tiny island you can find something prehistoric, unique, and completely unexpected. Around the island, curious visitors can witness evidence of the oldest fossilized coral reef in the world – some 480 million years old. As a matter of fact, almost the entire southern half of the island is made up of this incredible natural resource.
Flickr/Mark
Lighthouses are traditionally white, but this one was painted bright red and has faded over time.
It will be worth it.
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