Stratton and Little Stratton mountains stand out to
the north of Somerset Reservoir. Rich Macha

PADDLING

Green River Reservoir provides paddling in
a quiet natural setting. Vermont State Parks

Top Fall Foliage Spots

The best fall foliage paddling in Vermont includes calm, mirror-flat lakes, reservoirs and lazy rivers lined with brilliant red and gold maples. Here are some top spots for quiet water canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding, featuring quiet waters and stunning reflections.

SOUTHERN VERMONT

Somerset Reservoir – This large, 5.6-long remote wilderness lake in Somerset and Stratton, changes color early due to its high elevation. You will paddle past unbroken forest canopy with frequent sightings of loons and mergansers. Rolling mountains – including Mount Snow, its northern face visible from most of the lake – bound this long, narrow lake on the upper Deerfield River – and it’s surrounded by the Green Mountain National Forest. The lake extends from the dam to the northern-most point, the East Branch of the Deerfield River inlet. Another arm extends farther to the east, fed by the Grout Pond outlet. Islands dot the lake’s northern extension, including Streeter Island which is maintained as a picnic area. The heavily wooded shoreline lends itself to exploring and wildlife viewing.

Grout Pond – Perfect for a quieter flatwater paddle, this smaller 86-acre gem sits inside the Green Mountain National Forest with a convenient boat launch right near the parking area and offers on-site primitive camping. Located in the towns of Stratton and Sunderland, this marshy wilderness pond – and nearby Branch Pond – offer plenty of space for a relaxed day of paddling without motorboats. It’s also an ideal place to introduce children to canoe camping. With a trail all the way around the lake and a quick paddle from the farthest campsite, you can get back to civilization easily.

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"You are one ride away from being in a good mood."
-Sarah Bentley

Thursday, October 1

Film Screening: Best Day Ever. 7pm. Best Day Ever follows the stories of Vermont adaptive mountain bikers Greg Durso and Allie Bianchi as they navigate the relentless challenges of their disabilities and embrace the tremendous support, friendship, and joy they find in their rural Vermont riding community. Admission is free, donations accepted to help develop accessible mountain bike trails in Bristol! Holley Hall, Bristol, VT. discoverbristolvt.com.

Friday, October 2

The Grind: Junior MTB Races. 1,2, or 3 laps of 2M course. 2pm. Mt Van Hoevenberg, Lake Placid. bikereg.com.

Friday-Sunday, October 2-4

WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series: Lake Placid. Series finale in downhill: Whiteface, Wilmington. Series finale in cross country: Mt Van Hoevenberg, Lake Placid, NY. lakeplaciduci.com.

Pico Ski Club Annual Swap & Sale. Fri: 5-8pm, Sat: 9am-4pm, Sun: 9am-12pm. Annual swap benefiting the Pico Ski Club & its racing programs. New/used skis, snowboards, clothing & more. Consignments welcome, see website for details. Pico Mtn Base Lodge, Mendon, VT. killington.com.

Saturday, October 3

Vermont Rare Gravel Ride. 9:30am. 46 miles, 4500 vertical feet of climbing with 5 sections of good ole VT Class IV. Seasonal lunch following ride. All proceeds go to Rare disease research and advocacy. Wild Wings XC Center, Peru, VT. vermontrare.org

Pepsi Mountain Clean-Up. 9-4pm. Come clean-up upper mountain locations, lunch and live music included. Killington Resort, Killington, VT. killington.com.

Buck 50! 50K adventure running race across five Lake George peaks. 9,000’ elevation gain. 6:30am. Start/finish: Buck Mountain. Post-race BBQ. A Mountain Dog Running event. Camp Chingachgook, Kattskill Bay, NY. ultrasignup.com.

Sunday, October 4

Saint Michael’s College Youth Triathlon. 8am. 6-13 year olds swim, pedal & run through campus, supporting the Saint Michael’s Nordic Ski Team & promoting the multi-sport lifestyle in VT. No experience necessary. Fun & medals for all. Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, VT. raceentry.com.

Friday-Sunday, October 9-11

KSC Monster Ski & Bike Swap. Fri: 5-8pm, Sat: 9am-4pm, Sun: 9am-2pm. Need gear for this season? Or have gear you want to sell? Get great deals on ski/snowboard equipment & road/mountain bikes. Proceeds support KSC Scholarship Fund. Ramshead Lodge, Killington, VT. killington.com.

Saturday, October 10

Grateful XC MTB Race & Community Event. 10M of pure singletrack bliss per lap. Race one lap or two, or ride the untimed “party lap”. Live music, local food, post-race activities. In honor of Anthony Moccia, proceeds will support the Halo Foundation & Little Bellas. Memphremagog Trails, Newport, VT. bikereg.com.

15th Annual Leaf Blower Fall Classic. 8am. Group rides for all levels and types of riders. Plus food trucks, beer from The Alchemist, live music & more. FUNdraiser for Stowe Trails Partnership. Strawberry Hill Farm, Stowe, VT. stowetrails.org.

Harvest Faire. 10am-3pm. Come enjoy fall in the mountains w/ amazing food, hayrides, fun & games for the whole family! All activities are free. Snowshed Base Area, Killington, VT. killington.com.

3rd Annual Vermont PANS/PANDAS 5K Run/Walk. 10am. Raising awareness for an autoimmune disorder affecting children & young adults. Burlington Surf Club, Burlington, VT. runsignup.com.

Saturday, Oct. 10-11

Bikeatoga’s 4th Saratoga Foliage Ride. Six scenic rides on scenic, low-traffic routes: 30M/50M/75M. Catered lunch, downtown happy hour, restaurants & store discount, hotel deals. Saratoga Springs, NY. saratogafoliageride.com.

Sunday, October 11

Mohawk Hudson River Marathon & Half Marathon. Registration opens 2/2. Beautiful, fast, award-winning courses. Point-to-point races w/ complimentary bus transportation to start. 26.2M: Schenectady to Albany. 13.1M: Colonie to Albany, NY. mohawkhudsonmarathon.com.

Friday-Saturday, October 16-17

Cambridge Area Rotary Winter Sports Sale. Fri: 6-8pm. Sat: 9am-2pm. Find new-to-you winter/ski/snowboard gear or consign your old items. Sale supports Cambridge Area Rotary Winter Wellness Days & getting schoolkids out on the slopes. Cambridge Community Center, Jeffersonville, VT. rotarycambridge.org.

Saturday, October 17

CircumVictory. Marathon (XCM) MTB race or XC MTB Challenge on cool singletrack and remote logging trails for hardcore racers and recreational riders alike. XCM completes 2 laps totaling 36M & XC completes 1 lap totaling 18M. All entry fees reinvested into trail maintenance by non-profit Victory Hill Trail Club. Great food & merch. Just added: new CircumVictory Trail Run! Victory Hill Trail Club, Victory, VT. bikereg.com.

Saranac Lake Backcountry 3P Multisport Race. 9am. 5-stage race: Bike, trail run, bike, paddle, bike. Starting & finishing at Charlie’s Inn w/an afterparty & awards. Charlie’s Inn, Lake Clear, NY. saranaclake3p.org.

Saturday, October 18

Middlebury Maple Run. 9am. Vermont’s “sweetest races” w/amazing foliage views! Run the 5K, 10K or Half & get great swag, music & post-race breakfast. Free training program w/registration & post-race recovery services by Dr. Davida Murray. Middlebury, VT. middleburymaplerun.com.

Champlain Islands Marathon & Half Marathon. 8:30am. Beautiful flat to rolling terrain on west shore of South Hero & Grand Isle. Folsom Elementary School, South Hero, VT. gmaa.run.

Saturday-Sunday, October 24-25

62nd Northeast Winter Expo. Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4. Alpine skiing, snowboarding, XC skiing, Nordic sports, snowshoeing, recreation, health, fitness, travel. 200 exhibitors & 10,000 attendees expected. The longest-running ski show in the US! Saratoga Springs City Center, Saratoga Springs, NY. northeastwinterexpo.com.

Sunday, October 25

GMAA Ghostly Gallop Trail 5K. 9:30am. Wear your best running costume! Enjoy crisp fall weather along the picturesque course, then stick around for post-race refreshments. Arrowhead Golf Course, Milton, VT. gmaa.run.

22nd Hairy Gorilla Half Marathon & Squirrelly Six Mile. 9:30am. Kids’ 1/2M Gorilla Chase. Costumes encouraged. An AREEP event. Thacher Park, Voorheesville. areep.com.

Ongoing

DAILY Green Mountain Bicycle Club. Touring, gravel, racing, training. Chittenden County, VT. Schedule: thegmbc.com.

WED Weekly Cyclocross Race Series. 5:30-6:30pm. Fun, relaxed races for all skill levels w/ participation-based end-of-season awards. Catamount Outdoor, Williston, VT. catamountoutdoor.org.

SUN GMAA Sunday Group Run. 8am. Long run on backroads of Richmond, Huntington & Jericho. Beginner friendly, all welcome. Volunteers Green, Richmond, VT. gmaa.run.