With a waterski course and slow-wake areas and stand-up paddle races and clinics, Waterbury Reservoir has a little something for everyone.
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rom lakes and rivers to mountains, trails and parks, this tiny state is home to some of the best areas in the country for outdoor recreation. With 52 state parks, there’s something for every interest and the variety is reflected in the culture of some of Vermont’s bestknown adventure towns. Here, readers pick their favorite places to hike, swim, paddle, spend a weekend or just relax.
Favorite Body of Water: Waterbury Reservoir We asked for any body of water other than Lake Champlain (which would win by virtue of size alone.) This year’s winner is located just minutes from Waterbury, Stowe and Montpelier. This 900-acre reservoir is a favorite spot for swimming, paddling, boating and picnicing. Swing by on a Tuesday evening in July for SUP clinics and rentals from Stowe and South Burlington-based Umiak Outfitters.
the west shoulder of Mount Mansfield features seven lean-to sites and two tent campsites for quiet weekends and includes a log shelter built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. For hiking, the Sunset Ridge Trail, three miles to the summit, is popular. Vermont’s Long Trail traverses the summit ridge and, with several trails from the eastern side of the mountain, many loops are possible on the rare alpine terrain. Runners-up: 2. Burton Island State Park, 3. Brighton State Park, 4. Groton State Park, 5. Button Bay State Park.
Best Gym: Waterbury Crossfit
Best Camping Area or State Park: Underhill State Park
If you’re looking to get into shape, the people at Waterbury Crossfit are there to help. A certified CrossFit facility, Waterbury CrossFit runs a series of strength and conditioning programs that combine a variety of functional movements (like lifts and squats) performed at high intensity. You won’t find any weight machines here – expect freeweights, chin-up bars and tractor tires. If you’ve never tried CrossFit before, the gym offers a free introductory class every other Saturday morning.
Easy access to trails and stunning views from the highest peak in Vermont made this our readers’ favorite spot for camping. This small state park on
Runners-up: 2. Metro Rock, Essex 3. Recfit, St. Johnsbury 4. The Swimming Hole, Stowe, 5. Petra Cliffs, Burlington.
Runners-up: 2. Green River Reservoir 3. Lake Memphremagog 4. Lake Willoughby 5. Echo Lake.
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016
Photos by Sarah Hoffmeier/VermontVacation.com
Boats, bikes and now a skatepark make Burlington's waterfront the city's playground.
Best Sports Town (Large): Burlington With Vermont’s largest lake a stone’s throw away, a wealth of craft brewers, local fare restaurants, sports outfitters and a young and athletic populace, the Queen City is a perennial favorite for this category. With the Rec Path running by the Lake Champlain Sailing Center and the new skate park, the waterfont has become a true playground. Add to that the climbing gyms, sports stores and bike routes and it’s no wonder that Burlington leads many national lists of the best outdoor towns in the country.
Runners-up: 2. Montpelier 3. Middlebury 4. St. Johnsbury 5. Rutland
Best Sports Town (small): Stowe/Waterbury This category was a virtual tie between the top three but Stowe/Waterbury won by a nose. With skiing at Stowe Mountain Resort and Trapp Family Lodge, miles of mountain biking between Waterbury’s Perry Hill, Stowe’s Cady Hill and the Trapp Family Lodge Trails, paddling and kayaking on the Waterbury Reservoir and literally hundreds of bars, restaurants and excellent brew pubs, these towns are fun in any season. Runners-up:2. Waitsfield/Warren/Fayston 3. Burke/Lyndonville 4. Killington 5. Woodstock/Quechee
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