With Memorial Day Weekend as the unofficial start of summer, Vermont State Parks are ready for all your outdoor activities. As the days get longer, we’ve been daydreaming of sunny days on the water and getting out on the trails. Whether you’re looking for heart pumping adventure or getting away from it all, Vermont State Parks have a little bit of something for everyone. Take a peek at our top five parks for biking, paddling, and nature watching and plan your next excursion!

To the right: Bicyclists at Grand Isle State Park

Part of the 363-mile Lake Champlain Bikeway, Button Bay State Park bike trails provide scenic views and easy riding on mostly paved trails. Minimal traffic and the flatter terrain make these trails perfect for family riding.

If you’re looking for intermediate to advanced riding with spectacular scenery, look no further than the rugged, steep mountains of Emerald Lake State Park . The Taconic mountain range is known for its white-rocked cliffs, limestone caves, and deep emerald green lakes. The vales of the Battenkill, Otter Creek, and Mettawee River and the adjoining corridors of Routes 11, 30 and 7 make for some world class bike routes as well.

The Champlain Islands, including Grand Isle State Park , are known for their many road biking options. The Lake Champlain Bikeways network includes over 992 miles of theme loops ranging in length from 10 to 60 miles along a network of quiet country roads. Five loops in the Champlain Islands include “Island Life” (11.6 miles), “Stone Castles” (15.0 miles), “A Trail to Two Beaches” (17.5 miles), “Liquid Elixir” (11.7 miles), and “A Legacy of Ancient Stone” (10.1 miles).

Lake Carmi State Park is just a short ride from the midpoint of the 26-mile Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail, which runs between the towns of St. Albans and Richford. The packed gravel surface of this old railroad grade makes for an easy ride, and the fact that you’re off the highway with no traffic to worry about makes it all the more enjoyable. Much of the trail follows the beautiful Missisquoi River, known for its spring whitewater, great fishing and downstream heron rookeries. At Lake Carmi State Park, the paved campground roads are great for kids’ bike riding.

In the Groton Forest, Ricker Pond State Park has 10 miles of the Cross-Vermont Trail. With a packed gravel bed and average gradient of less than 2%, this rail trail is appropriate for family riding and is easily accessible for people with disabilities. The trail takes you in and out of woodlands and past secluded lakes. Family riders can do an easy out-and-back, where experienced cyclists may choose a day-long loop.

Look for our favorite mountain biking parks in our next issue!

To the left: A canoe near the edge of Molly's Falls Pond.

Accessible only by boat or passenger ferry,  Burton Island State Park  sits just off of St. Albans Point in the northern reaches of Lake Champlain. Known in the northeast as the “Sixth Great Lake,” Lake Champlain and its islands provide a paddler’s paradise with large expanses of open water, quiet bays and stunning views of both Vermont’s Green Mountains and New York’s Adirondacks.  Forming a large part of the border of Vermont, New York and Canada, the Vermont side of Lake Champlain is known as the “West Coast of New England” and is famous for its fabulous sunsets. A warning to novice paddlers: the Lake can change from calm to extremely choppy very quickly so be prepared to change your plans, adjust your route, or wait things out if safety considerations so dictate.

Because Echo Lake is so long and narrow, it makes for some interesting paddling at Camp Plymouth State Park . The paddle goes through landscaped park areas, forested patches, under bridges and up to the wetlands and wildlife of Lake Rescue. The full trip takes several hours, but can be tailored to meet your needs by simply turning around when ready.

Lake Carmi , with a 1375-acre surface area, is the fourth largest natural lake entirely within Vermont. It is 7.5 miles around, averages about 20 feet deep, and is 33 feet at the deepest point. The lake supports northern pike, walleyes, and other warm water species. The southern end of Lake Carmi is home to the third largest peat bog in Vermont. Most of the shoreline is privately owned, and except for the park frontage on the south shore and a public launch ramp on the north end, there are few places to stop for a break along the shore.

Surrounded by mountains,  Waterbury Center State Park  is located on a peninsula on 860-acre Waterbury Reservoir, formed when the Civilian Conservation Corps. (CCC) constructed a flood control dam in the 1930’s. You can choose your own adventure in the three distinct sections of the lake whether you’re looking for a more remote paddling experience or wish to go powerboating. Although mostly a day use park, there are several primitive boat-to-only campsites along the lake shore.

Wilgus State Park  is situated on a peaceful stretch of the Connecticut River in Southern Vermont, where paddlers of all abilities will enjoy a single or multi-day float. This park is a well-known stop-over spot for those on multi-day river trips. The park has cabins, tent and lean-to campsites as well as a group camping area. Hot showers, wood and ice, and canoe and kayak rentals are available. A local outfitter also runs a shuttle service and/or arranges half day and full day river trips from the park.