Lake Champlain

Lake Champlain is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the United States — a long, scenic lake stretching about 120 miles along the border between Vermont and New York (and reaching into Quebec), cradled between the Green Mountains of Vermont and the Adirondacks of New York. Sometimes called the ‘sixth Great Lake,’ it is the heart of a beautiful and historic region.

Dotted with islands and ringed by mountains, farmland and the lively city of Burlington, Lake Champlain offers boating, sailing, fishing, swimming and paddling, with ferries crossing to New York, lighthouses, and a rich history from Revolutionary War battles to the legendary lake monster ‘Champ.’ Spectacular sunsets glow over the Adirondacks across the water. A great lake between two mountain ranges, Lake Champlain is a treasured natural icon of Vermont.

Summer (June through August) is the prime season, when the water warms for swimming and boating, the Burlington waterfront is lively, and the weather is best (and busiest), while fall brings spectacular foliage on the Green Mountains and Adirondacks around the lake and beautiful sailing. Spring is fresh, and winter brings ice and quiet. Sunsets over the Adirondacks are spectacular year-round. Summer for boating and the waterfront, and fall for the foliage, are the highlights — come in summer for the full lake experience, or autumn for the color and crisp sailing.

Lake Champlain and its shores host a rich birdlife — bald eagles, ospreys, herons, ducks and other waterfowl, and migrating birds (the lake is a major flyway) — along with the wildlife of its wetlands, islands and shore forests, and a notable fishery of bass, lake trout, landlocked salmon and other fish. The wetlands (like the Missisquoi delta) are especially rich for birds. The lake, its islands and wetlands support abundant wildlife. Lake Champlain offers fine wildlife watching and birding, with eagles, ospreys and the great wetland bird populations among the highlights.

Lake Champlain is large and can turn rough fast — sudden winds raise dangerous waves far from shore, so wear life jackets, check the forecast, and stay alert to conditions and boat traffic when boating, sailing or paddling. The water is cold outside high summer. Watch children at beaches and swim in designated areas. In winter, ice conditions vary and can be dangerous. Be aware of seasonal blue-green algae blooms (avoid contact with scummy water). Respect the lake’s size, the sudden winds and waves, the cold water and any algae advisories.

Lake Champlain offers boating, sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding and swimming across its long waters, fishing for bass, lake trout, salmon and more, ferry rides to New York, lakeside biking (the Burlington waterfront and the Island Line causeway trail), and exploring its islands and historic sites. The city of Burlington’s waterfront is a hub, and state parks line the shore. Boating and sailing the lake, biking the waterfront and exploring the islands are the signature draws. The combination of a vast scenic lake, mountain backdrops and a vibrant city makes Lake Champlain a beloved destination.

Lake Champlain is the homeland of the Abenaki people and is named for French explorer Samuel de Champlain, who reached it in 1609. Its strategic position made it a crucial corridor and battleground in the French and Indian War, the American Revolution (Fort Ticonderoga, Benedict Arnold’s fleet at Valcour) and the War of 1812 (the Battle of Plattsburgh). Lakeside Burlington grew into Vermont’s largest city. The lake is also famous for the legend of ‘Champ,’ its lake monster. Lake Champlain preserves this great lake and its rich history, a treasured icon of Vermont.

Lake Champlain fills a long, deep valley between the Green Mountains and the Adirondacks — a basin formed by faulting and deepened by the Ice Age glaciers, which scoured the valley and, as they retreated, left it flooded first by the sea (the Champlain Sea) and then by the freshwater lake. The lake is long, narrow and deep in places, with islands that are bedrock ridges. The fault-bounded valley, the glacial carving and the post-glacial flooding created this great lake between two mountain ranges.

Lake Champlain is a large, ecologically rich freshwater lake supporting diverse fish, abundant birds, and important wetlands (notably the Missisquoi delta) in a basin between mountain ranges. Its water quality faces challenges from nutrient runoff (causing algae blooms) and invasive species, and is the focus of major restoration efforts across Vermont, New York and Quebec. The lake, its wetlands and its fisheries are vital and sensitive. Protecting the water quality, the wetlands and the wildlife sustains both the ecology and the beauty of this great lake.

Lake Champlain holds a treasured place among the icons of Vermont — the great lake of the Northeast, stretching between the Green Mountains and the Adirondacks, rich in Revolutionary and military history, ringed by the lively city of Burlington and beautiful countryside, and home to the legendary lake monster ‘Champ.’ Its waters, islands and sunsets embody the beauty of the Champlain Valley. Lake Champlain is a cherished natural icon of Vermont.

Lake Champlain stretches along Vermont’s western border with New York, with the city of Burlington (and its airport) on the Vermont shore, reached via Interstate 89 and U.S. 7, about 3.5 hours from Boston. Public access includes the Burlington waterfront, numerous state parks (with beaches and launches), marinas, boat launches, the Lake Champlain Islands (Grand Isle), and car ferries to New York. Some sites charge fees. Check Vermont State Parks, the city of Burlington and the ferry operators for beaches, launches, ferries and conditions before visiting.

Vermont, New York, Quebec and many partners work to protect Lake Champlain’s water quality. Visitors help by cleaning, draining and drying watercraft to prevent aquatic invasive species, preventing pollution and nutrient runoff, respecting wildlife and wetlands (keeping distance from nesting birds), protecting the shoreline, packing out everything, and following boating rules. The water quality, the wetlands and the wildlife are sensitive (algae blooms and invasives are concerns). Protecting the water, the wetlands and the wildlife sustains both the ecology and the beauty of this great lake.

Clean, drain and dry watercraft to prevent aquatic invasive species. Follow Vermont (or New York) boating laws, life-jacket requirements and no-wake zones. State-park beaches and launches charge fees; respect private shoreline property. Fishing requires a license (VT or NY). Heed blue-green algae advisories. Pets must be leashed at public beaches. Pack out all trash. Check Vermont State Parks, the ferry operators and state agencies for access, fees, boating rules and algae advisories before visiting.

The city of Burlington (with its vibrant waterfront, shops and restaurants), the Lake Champlain Islands (Grand Isle), the Green Mountains to the east, the Adirondacks across the lake in New York, historic Fort Ticonderoga, and the Champlain Valley lie near the lake. Burlington and the Champlain Valley define the region. Lake Champlain is the heart of the Champlain Valley, a centerpiece of a Vermont adventure, easily combined with Burlington, the Lake Champlain Islands, the Green Mountains and the Adirondacks across the water.

Base in Burlington to enjoy the lively lakefront — bike the waterfront and the Island Line causeway, take a sunset sailing cruise or ferry across to New York, and swim or paddle at a lakeside state park. Explore the Lake Champlain Islands by car or bike, and come in summer for the warm water and lively shore, or fall for spectacular foliage on the surrounding mountains. Clean your boat to protect the lake, watch the wind on the open water, heed algae advisories, and savor the sunsets over the Adirondacks.