Things to Do

Outdoor Recreation

/ Things to Do / Outdoor Recreation

Things to Do Outdoors in Vermont

Vermont stands out as a four-season outdoor recreation destination, offering unparalleled opportunities to explore new horizons. Summer brings adventures like hiking lush trails, kayaking on pristine lakes, and cycling through scenic countryside. Fall showcases Vermont’s iconic foliage, creating a picturesque backdrop for hiking, mountain biking, and more. When winter blankets the state in snow, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and ice skating become cherished pastimes. And Spring reawakens the senses with warmer air and activities on recreation paths and rail trails. Vermont’s diverse outdoor experiences recharge your batteries year-round, no electricity required.

Find Clarity in Nature

Hiking trails crisscross Vermont, offering everything from challenging mountain ascents to accessible paths through lush forests. Cyclists and mountain bikers, including those who use adaptive equipment, can explore scenic countryside routes, while camping options range from secluded spots in state parks to private campgrounds. Additionally, Vermont’s extensive rail trails, repurposed from old railroad lines, provide picturesque and accessible routes that connect downtowns and regions.

A person bikes on a paved road on a sunny day. A barn and mountains sit in the background.

Biking

Three hikers walk on a path in a lush green forest.

Hiking

A person sits in an open tent looking at the view of a mountain.

Camping

Seen from above, a gravel path with a bridge stretching across a river in summer.

Recreation Paths and Rail Trails

On the Water

From the leisure of paddling to the refresh of swimming, Vermont’s pristine waterways offer adventure in spades. Canoeing and kayaking allow for serene exploration of tranquil lakes and winding rivers, providing an up-close encounter with the state’s natural beauty. Swimming in Vermont’s crystal-clear lakes, ponds, and swimming holes is refreshing on a hot summer day. Boating enthusiasts can enjoy leisurely rides or exciting water sports, including sailing on Vermont’s lakes, embracing the flow of wind and water.

Four people midair after jumping off a dock on a lake.

Swimming

Seen from above, a person kayaks along a narrow, curving river.

Paddling

Sailing & Boating

Two children fish from a small body of water.

Fishing

Winter Recreation

Vermont’s snow-covered landscapes offer a winter wonderland for activities like skiing and snowboarding, with world-class resorts providing well-groomed and heart-dropping vertical for all ages and ability levels, including those who need adaptive equipment. Elsewhere, hundreds of miles of backcountry terrain and trails beckon Nordic skiers and snowmobilers.

Seen from behind, a person snowboards down a snowy mountain.

Skiing and Snowboarding

Two people snowmobile down a path in a snowy forest.

Snowmobiling

A person cross-country skis on a sunny day.

Cross-Country Skiing

Seen from behind, two people snowshoe while walking a small dog. The sky has sunset colors.

Snowshoeing

More Ways to Get Outside

From teeing off to clipping in, there are so many ways to get outside in Vermont. Find more recreation resources here.

Hunting

More bucks are harvested per square mile in Vermont than any other New England state. With over 800,000 acres of land open for hunting from late October through November, Vermont is a game destination for deer, bear, moose, and turkeys.

Game On

Ice Skating

Vermont’s lakes and ponds, as well as public and maintained ice rinks, make for great places to get out and glide. The state is also home to the longest maintained ice skating trail in the U.S. on Lake Morey.

Fat biking

Shred the trails on two wheels. With their extra-large tires, wide rims and unorthodox dimensions, fat bikes are equipped to take on hundreds of miles of maintained trails in Vermont.

Pedal Power

Sledding and Tubing

Sledding is a great way to experience the adrenaline rush and fun of letting gravity take you down the hill. Vermont is home to several family-friendly public sledding hills and many ski areas offer tubing hills.

Golfing

Vermont’s natural setting challenges golfers with rolling hills on course and frames scenic mountain views in the backdrop. More than 60 golf clubs and courses beckon throughout the state.

Tee off

Ice fishing

Ice fishing gives the angler a unique advantage during the hard-water season; once there is six inches or more of ice, you can easily and safely move off-shore without a boat to fish trout, salmon, bass, and more.

Disc Golf

With 24 courses in Vermont’s picturesque outdoors, disc golf is a growing sport in the Green Mountain State.

Find a Course

Rock Climbing

Vermont’s climbing routes can be found throughout the state, whether seeking cliffs and cracks to reach new heights or bouldering near a river. There are also many indoor climbing gyms where you can hone your skills.

Climb on

Ice Climbing

When Vermont’s schist freezes over, this hidden gem appears in plain sight. Ice picks are located throughout the state from Smuggler’s Notch rugged terrain to Lake Willoughby’s steep lines above the scenic glacially-carved lake.

Learn More

Hunting

Game On

Ice Skating

Fat biking

Shred the trails on two wheels. With their extra-large tires, wide rims and unorthodox dimensions, fat bikes are equipped to take on hundreds of miles of maintained trails in Vermont.

Pedal Power

Sledding and Tubing

Golfing

Vermont’s natural setting challenges golfers with rolling hills on course and frames scenic mountain views in the backdrop. More than 60 golf clubs and courses beckon throughout the state.

Tee off

Ice fishing

Disc Golf

With 24 courses in Vermont’s picturesque outdoors, disc golf is a growing sport in the Green Mountain State.

Find a Course

Ice Skating

Fat biking

Shred the trails on two wheels. With their extra-large tires, wide rims and unorthodox dimensions, fat bikes are equipped to take on hundreds of miles of maintained trails in Vermont.

Pedal Power

A person bikes using a three-wheeled adaptive bike on a gravel path.

A person uses adaptive skis to ski down a mountain.

Outdoors for EveryBODY

Vermont Adaptive Sports

There are many ways to get outside in Vermont for those who use adaptive equipment. The state’s first fully adaptive mountain biking trail network, The Driving Range, was designed for three-wheeled bikes, aiming to present the same levels of challenge and accessibility to all. Vermont Adaptive aims to make outdoor recreation, from sailing, cycling, and mountain biking to skiing, riding, and more, accessible with guide services, adaptive equipment, and programming.

Learn More