Vermont is a small New England state of extraordinary natural beauty, famous for fiery fall foliage, world-class ski resorts, covered wooden bridges, and a thriving farm-to-table food culture. Burlington, its largest city, sits on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain and buzzes with craft breweries and independent shops. From the rolling Green Mountains to maple-syrup farms and award-winning cheese dairies, Vermont rewards travelers who seek authenticity over spectacle.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Vermont.
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- Swimming area with lifeguards (summer)
- Bathrooms and changing rooms
- Picnic tables and grills
- Boat launch
- Volleyball court
- Concession stand in summer
North Beach, Burlington
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- Swimming area
- Lifeguards in summer
- Picnic area
- Baseball fields nearby
- Parking (free)
- Dog-friendly park adjacent
Leddy Beach, Burlington
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- Sandy swimming beach (longest sand beach on Lake Champlain's eastern shore)
- Lifeguards
- Bathrooms
- Picnic areas
- Concession stand
- Boat access
Sand Bar State Park Beach
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- Swimming area with roped-off section
- Lifeguards in summer
- Picnic tables
- BBQ grills
- Bathrooms
- Boat rentals (kayaks and canoes)
Knight Point State Park Beach
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- Swimming area
- Lifeguards in summer
- Nature museum
- Camping (reservations at vtstateparks.com)
- Picnic area
- Boat launch
Button Bay State Park Beach
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- Narrow sandy beach
- Swimming area
- Camping (reservations required in summer)
- Picnic tables
- Boat access
- Day-use fee $5/adult (USD)
Grand Isle State Park Beach
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- Sandy swimming beach
- Lifeguards in summer
- Boat rentals (kayaks, canoes, paddleboats)
- Bathrooms
- Picnic area
- Camping
Lake Elmore State Park Beach
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- Freshwater reservoir swimming
- Boat launch
- Picnic area
- Camping at Little River State Park
- Excellent kayaking and canoeing
- Day-use fee $5/adult (USD)
Waterbury Reservoir Beach
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- Vermont's largest lake entirely within the state
- Sandy swimming beach
- Boat rentals
- Picnic tables
- Camping
- Fishing dock
Lake Bomoseen Beach
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- Freshwater pond swimming
- Sandy beach
- Camping
- Boat rentals (no motors)
- Fishing
- Nature programs in summer
Groton State Forest Beach (Ricker Pond)
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.