hotel vermont activities
EXPLORING OUR FAVORITE VERMONT STATE PARKS
Our team members love to get out and explore Vermont — and the best way is our State Parks.
Vermont’s 55 state parks offer an incredible mix of natural beauty, deep forests, pristine lakes, and mountain peaks. One of the best ways to experience a visit to Vermont is to experience all that our parks have to offer.
From remote islands to family-friendly camp spots to crystal-clear swimming and hiking spots, there is a park for everyone.
Our team members have recommended their top state parks. Take a look and plan your Vermont adventure.
Niquette Bay State Park
“My favorite Vermont State Park is Niquette Bay State Park. I frequent the trails during both the summer and winter months, and it’s a short trip from Burlington with various routes that offer a new experience each time.
In the summer, the park offers beautiful hiking trails and swimming holes for a quick dip. In the winter, I love to use spikes or snowshoes to trek around the trails, and the trails are dog‑friendly, so everyone in the family can tag along!”
Jazmin Smith
Learn more about Niquette BayNiquette Bay State Park
“My favorite Vermont State Park is Niquette Bay State Park. I frequent the trails during both the summer and winter months, and it’s a short trip from Burlington with various routes that offer a new experience each time.
In the summer, the park offers beautiful hiking trails and swimming holes for a quick dip. In the winter, I love to use spikes or snowshoes to trek around the trails, and the trails are dog‑friendly, so everyone in the family can tag along!”
Jazmin Smith
Learn more about Niquette BayMount Philo State Park
“My favorite state park is Mt. Philo. It is a short drive from Burlington but feels like a world apart.
Whether it’s the peaceful quiet at the summit, watching birds soar from one of the Adirondack chairs, or taking in the views of the Champlain Valley to the west, it always brings me joyfully back to center.”
Deb Robinson
Soak in the spirit of Mount Philo in our Mount Philo Suite, which you can stay in as part of our Vermont Parks Forever package.
Learn more about Mount PhiloGreen River Reservoir
“If you’re looking for calm, quiet, and space to disconnect, find it at Green River Reservoir. Sleeping under the stars for the first time just a few years ago, the park gifted me my first canoe camping experience. A friend and I rented a vessel, packed light, and leisurely paddled to our remote campsite in early September. The weather wasn’t perfect — rain began not long into our expedition — but the absence of motorboats and plethora of loons made the float serene and beautiful, nonetheless. Our site was a perfect balance of lake-facing and tucked away, offering reprieve from the rain, cover for a dinner fire, and a shoreside coffee-sipping spot for the dewy morning.”
Maddy Moore
Lean into the calm of the Green River Reservoir in a room that embraces that spirit, part of our Vermont Parks Forever package.
Learn more about Green RiverGreen River Reservoir
“If you’re looking for calm, quiet, and space to disconnect, find it at Green River Reservoir. Sleeping under the stars for the first time just a few years ago, the park gifted me my first canoe camping experience. A friend and I rented a vessel, packed light, and leisurely paddled to our remote campsite in early September. The weather wasn’t perfect — rain began not long into our expedition — but the absence of motorboats and plethora of loons made the float serene and beautiful, nonetheless. Our site was a perfect balance of lake-facing and tucked away, offering reprieve from the rain, cover for a dinner fire, and a shoreside coffee-sipping spot for the dewy morning.”
Maddy Moore
Lean into the calm of the Green River Reservoir in a room that embraces that spirit, part of our Vermont Parks Forever package.
Learn more about Green RiverCamel's Hump State Park
“Among Vermont’s State Parks, Camel’s Hump Mountain is one of my favorites for hiking adventures. I love a challenge, and because of the trail’s nature and distance, my friends and I have hiked Camel’s Hump about a dozen times so far. There are half a dozen of the trails to choose from when hiking Camel’s Hump Mountain which gives us the opportunity to set our preference.
From the top of Camel’s Hump, which is 4,083 feet high, we can get the panoramic view of Lake Champlain, the White Mountains to the east, and the Adirondacks to the west.
I personally find challenging to descend because of the slopes and the way we need to control our body.”
Lal Pradhan
Celebrate the challenge of Camel’s Hump in a room that embraces that energy, part of our Vermont Parks Forever package.
Learn more about Camel's HumpLittle River State Park
“I love so many of our state parks, but the one that really stands out to me is Little River State Park. I love how it is situated beautifully on the Waterbury Reservoir, which is a dammed up section of the Little River. The below waters along the access road are some of the best trout waters in the state, as that section is a tailwater, meaning that it is fed from the depths of the reservoir and runs cold year round, making it a wonderful trout habitat. Tight lines!”
John Abair
Learn more about Little RiverLittle River State Park
“I love so many of our state parks, but the one that really stands out to me is Little River State Park. I love how it is situated beautifully on the Waterbury Reservoir, which is a dammed up section of the Little River. The below waters along the access road are some of the best trout waters in the state, as that section is a tailwater, meaning that it is fed from the depths of the reservoir and runs cold year round, making it a wonderful trout habitat. Tight lines!”
John Abair
Learn more about Little RiverColchester Causeway
“Though not officially a state park, I personally prefer the Airport Park/Causeway Park since it is close to the Colchester Causeway. Once we reach the causeway, we can enjoy the stunning view of Lake Champlain and mountains close by. We can bike, walk or run which literally gives the feeling of doing these activities over the water.”
Lal Pradhan
Explore one of our state parks and make Burlington your home base with our Vermont Parks Forever package.
Stay in rooms that celebrate life in the Green Mountains and the energy of our natural world, plus you support Vermont Parks Forever, the official nonprofit foundation that works to enhance and protect Vermont’s 55 state parks.