Niquette Bay State Park, Colchester - To experience the Lake Champlain landscape as Samuel de Champlain did in 1609, join us on an easy, family-friendly hike down to a rare undeveloped sandy beach and ancient sand dunes on the shores of Malletts Bay.   Our naturalist-led exploration of this tremendous wildlife reserve is only 25 minutes from Burlington.  For those willing to hike uphill on the Islands View trail, one can spot South Hero and, perhaps, new ships exploring Lake Champlain. This 550 acre State Park was originally purchased by the State of Vermont in the 1970s and doubled by the Lake Champlain Land Trust in 2000.  The park includes landscape features and natural communities reminiscent of the 1609 landscape, including amazing displays of spring wildflowers along exposed rock outcroppings, rugged knolls and forests with bobcat habitat, and expanses large enough to harbor a black bear.  Please join us on this free, naturalist-led walk: registration is required at info@lclt.org.

Conserved by Lake Champlain Land Trust in 2001

Print Niquette Bay.pdf

Goodsell Ridge Fossil Preserves - Come join us in a family friendly walking tour of the geology of Lake Champlain and the irreplaceable 480 million year old fossils of Isle La Motte.  As we celebrate the quadricentennial of the discovery of the Lake Champlain Region, what better place than the fossils found on Champlain’s first landing in Vermont—Isle La Motte.  Conserved in 2005 by the Lake Champlain Land Trust and the Isle La Motte Preservation Trust, the Goodsell Ridge Fossil Preserve protects exposed ancient rock containing the oldest known reef in the world.  History comes alive as you see and feel some of the oldest inhabitants of the area, sea creatures and reef dwellers from 480 million years ago, fossilized in several exposed outcroppings.  Walking along the outdoor museum’s trails, you will also have a chance to see Isle La Motte as Samuel de Champlain saw it 400 years ago.  Come see for yourself and join us on this free, geologist-led walk: registration is required at info@lclt.org.

Conserved by Lake Champlain Land Trust in 2005

Print Goodsell Ridge.pdf

Eagle Mountain Natural Area -To experience the Lake Champlain landscape as Samuel de Champlain did in 1609, join us on an easy, family-friendly hike to a prominent vista overlooking Lake Champlain, the islands, and the Adirondacks.  Our family-friendly tour, only 25 minutes from Burlington, includes an easy twenty-minute walk from the parking area to the Hoyt Overlook—found above the cliffs of Eagle Mountain.  If one wanted to spot Samuel de Champlain sailing south toward Burlington, one could not find a better vantage point. Conversely, among the easiest landmarks to guide Champlain’s travels would have been the prominent cliffs of Eagle Mountain.  This 225 acre protected natural area, conserved by the Lake Champlain Land Trust in 1998, protects landscape features and natural communities reminiscent of the 1609 landscape, dazzling displays of spring wildflowers, rugged outcrops and bobcat habitat, as well as many different rare species and natural communities. This protected natural area, conserved by the Lake Champlain Land Trust in 1998, protects landscape features and natural communities reminiscent of the 1609 landscape. Please join us on this free, naturalist-led walk: registration is required at info@lclt.org.

Venue: Eagle Mountain Natural Area
Location: Milton

Conserved by Lake Champlain Land Trust in 2005

Print Eagle Mountain.pdf

Round Pond Natural Area - Our family-friendly hike rewards the hiker with an easy 10 minute walk to the shores of Lake Champlain.  Come skip a stone with us or spot hundreds of frogs hopping along the shale beach!   Much of this tremendous natural area, featuring rare natural communities, plants and animals, would have been easily accessible by Samuel de Champlain during his journey down the Lake Champlain.   Round Pond Natural Area, a regional model in land conservation partnerships, permanently protects 225 acres of rolling hills and critical lakeshore on the eastern edge of South Hero.  The land conservation partners also conserved the neighboring farm across the road as part of the project.  Please join us on this free, naturalist-led walk: registration is required at info@lclt.org.

This protected natural area, conserved by the Lake Champlain Land Trust, the South Hero Land Trust, The Vermont Land Trust, the Nature Conservancy Vermont Chapter and the State of Vermont in 2001, protects landscape features and natural communities reminiscent of the 1609 landscape.  Check the weekend bike ferry schedule and bike up from Burlington on the causeway!

Venue: Round Pond Natural Area
Location: South Hero

Print Round Pond.pdf