Most of Vermont’s state park campgrounds are set alongside lakes, especially popular with families for safe beaches and water sports. Whichever park you choose for family travel and whether you plan to stay in one park or travel around the state to several, make reservations ahead of your trip.
Lake St. Catherine State Park
In western Vermont, this lake is connected by channels to two smaller lakes, making the park a favorite for kayakers; you can rent kayaks, canoes or paddleboards at the beach. Cold water in the deeper parts of the lake make for good fishing, too.
Bomoseen State Park
At the large swimming beach are canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards to rent, and the campground has a children’s playground. This is in a former slate mining region, and kids love picking up pieces of slate to write on.
Branbury State Park
Two camping areas give campers a choice of shaded sites surrounded by woods or those alongside a grassy field. The beach is more than 1,000 feet long, and on Wednesday mornings, a farmers market brings fresh local fruits and vegetables, as well as prepared foods.
Emerald Lake State Park
Near the popular resort town of Manchester, small Emerald Lake is surrounded by forests and does not allow motorized boats. This makes it a peaceful and safe place to kayak with children. Behind the sandy beach is a grassy hillside where parents can watch children play in the water.
Elmore State Park
In northern Vermont, near Stowe, Lake Elmore sits at the foot of 2,600-foot Elmore Mountain. The park has a large sandy beach with boat rentals and a bath house with a refreshment stand. You can climb the mountain from trails beginning at the campground; the fire tower at the summit offers panoramic views of the Green Mountains.
Kamp Kill Kare State Park
North of Burlington, on the shores of Lake Champlain, the former boys camp is a popular campground for its sandy beach, where you can rent canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. Shore fishing is good from here, and there’s a boat ramp with a breakwater. The Island Runner ferry service to Burton Island leaves from the park.
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