Outdoor Pocket Adventures near Burlington, Vermont

The number of outdoor adventures possible near where the Winooski River enters Lake Champlain near Burlington, Vermont are endless. Indeed, there is hiking, paddling, biking, or birding.  In addition, other special areas around Lake Champlain provide more backyard adventure. Here’s the rundown of my favorite outdoor pocket adventures starting in or near Burlington, Vermont.

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Get lost in the Derway

Derway Island is an otherworldly place that gets flushed out every year in the spring floods. As a result, a unique marsh environment teeming with wildlife and rare plants is produced.  It’s full of trails to nowhere. Therefore, a fun way to explore it is off-trail walking through sylvan glades of silver maple, cottonwood, and ferns. Sneak up on a pileated woodpecker on a dead tree a beaver has girdled.  The adventures start when you need to cross some of the canals that abound. Imagine you’re Simone Biles on the balance beam and have a go at the logs fallen across the water. Drop a pin on your GPS at the parking lot to find your way out.  I guarantee you will emerge with wet feet but happy smiles. 

Derway Cove

Exciting developments for outdoor adventures in Burlington include the opening of Derway Cove. Hiking trails and a car-top boat launch area are located where the old marina used to be. The marina buildings have been removed now. Visitors can walk their leashed dogs. All can enjoy views of the Winooski River and the “Burlington bayou”.

Wing your way through Delta Park in Colchester

Birdwatch

If you are a birder you already know about Delta Park. But if you are not a birder, Delta Park will make you want to be one.  Audubon has designated the park as an Important Bird Area (IBM). It’s a pretty big deal if you are a migrating bird looking for a safe resting place after flying all the way up Lake Champlain.  The many different ecosystems packed into this 55-acre park—marshlands, floodplain forest, and a beach encircling the whole peninsula—make quite diverse habitats for bird species.  You’ll need to thumb through the entire bird guidebook to keep on top of all you will see. 

Picnic

There are not many places on the lake to have a sandy beach to yourself so enjoy a picnic. You can also watch the kiteboarders. On a windy day, they try to emulate the migrating birds taking off from the lake.

Paddle the “Burlington Bayou” in the spring or early summer

Rent a boat or launch your own at Airport Park. Then head up the Winooski River taking a turn right into any opening your boat will fit through.  If you need to pull over a log or berm, do it.  You’ll find experiences not found much outside of the Louisiana bayous.  As you paddle through the sloughs you will experience a wildlife wonderland of herons, egrets, bald eagles, Canada geese, and other migrating birds. I’ve seen otters, beavers, and deer as well. On a sunny day, the turtles lazing on logs are everywhere including the rare Northern Map turtle. 

The paddling is kamikaze. You duck under branches, back out of dead ends, and push the boat over swallow spots but what an outdoor adventure you will have in Burlington.

Ramble through Lone Rock Point

Thanks to the generosity of the Episcopal Church in Vermont adventurers can explore a 130-acre sanctuary in the heart of the city.  Trails leading out to Lake Champlain shores and overlooks are the holy grail of Rock Point. My favorite jaunt is out to the rocky shoreline at the end of the point near Bishop’s Rock, an impressive sea stack (or is it called a lake stack?) in the water under towering cliffs.  

Rock climb

Scramble over the rocks around the peninsula and you might catch hardcore rock climbers sharing beta about whether the project they just climbed was a 5.13d or 5.14a.  If your climbing ability is near those numbers check in with CragVT.org to join in.  It’s fun to just watch if you are like most of us grounded mortals. Then you can make intelligent comments when the Olympics include rock climbing.  

On your way out, if you are lucky, you might run into amazing local painter Katharine Montstream as she frequents the park to create her stunning plein air watercolors.

Related Post -> Day Hikes of Northern Vermont

Find the Tiny Houses of South Hero

Stone Castles

Ride a bike on this outdoor adventure. You’ll get to see the miniature stone castles and the color palette of birdhouses tucked around South Hero Island.  The story has it that Harry Barber came to the area from Switzerland, fell for a local fruit seller, settled, and started making tiny castles made from Vermont fieldstones.  The castles are so intricate and detailed you might expect to see a gnome emerge and head across the tiny drawbridge to greet you. 

A bike loop to see the castles most visible from the road is a magical day trip.  I like to vary the suggested route by parking at Causeway Park in Colchester and ride the Island Line Trail across the causeway.  Take the Local Motion bike ferry to connect to South Hero.  Or have one group member take the bikes on the ferry and swim across the Cut as we did one hot day. Time your swim so the speedy boats cruising through the 200-foot gap in the causeway don’t turn you into fish food.

Bird House Forest

You can double dip on cute tiny structures by stopping by the birdhouse forest on West Shore Road right across from White’s Beach.  Starting out with a few birdhouses to draw nesting swallows to reduce the mosquito population, the owners now have over 400 colorful birdhouses strewn throughout the forest.  I bet there’s no need for citronella candles at summer cookouts at their house. There’re a couple of bonus dinosaur structures thrown in for true Americana status.  A fantastic stop past the bird village and a tiny castle on the left is Snow Farm Vineyard.  Sit out on the rolling lawn looking over the vineyard with a charcuterie plate and a glass of their best red. You will think you have died and gone to Tuscany.

Outdoor adventures abound around the city of Burlington and Lake Champlain. So use these ideas as a starting point for many future pocket adventures.

Related post -> Outdoor Adventure Guide to the Champlain Islands

Accommodations in the area

With so many outdoor adventures in the Burlington area, it’s worth it to make your trip into an overnight. There are a variety of nice franchise hotels in the town of Burlington. However, if you want to be closer to some of these outdoor places and experience classic Vermont life, try any of the following accommodation suggestions.

The Lang House B & B is right downtown so you are close to the Island Line Trail for biking plus the walkable sights of Burlington. You will be totally spoiled at this family-run B & B with afternoon cookies and tea, and bathrobes in the fashionably appointed rooms.

Lakeshore Vermont is closest to most of the outdoor adventures detailed here. With stunning views of the lake, these large suites have full kitchens and beach access. You can grill out on the deck while watching the sailboats in Malletts Bay. Take the provided watercraft out on crystal clear water for paddling adventures.

The Anchorage is a popular beachfront property on South Hero Island with cute little cabins and a great breakfast. South Hero Island is a step back in time with all the charm of old-time Vermont coupled with rural beauty. The biking is fantastic using this as a base. Be sure to book early so you can make sure to snag a cottage.

The Starlight Inn is a great value motel located in Colchester near many of the outdoor adventures around Lake Champlain. With a Hollywood theme, the Starlight Inn offers great amenities for those on a budget. The four-screen drive-in movie theater across the street is a summer-time favorite.

Burlington is a happening place so make sure to book your accommodations early.

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