Submitted by DernKala1975 t3_114x00w in vermont
I’ve recently moved back to NE and am looking for lakes in VT where I can take the kids paddling. I have nothing against power boats but ideally I’d like to not have to worry about them when paddling with kids. Looking for recommendations for lakes that are open to paddling but not to power boats.
Thanks in advance.
Grab the "Quiet Water" book series, published by the AMC, for wherever you want to go. The VT/NH one is full of great options for single-day paddles of all lengths (not much in there of the multi-day variety).
I believe Blueberry Lake in Warren is still paddle only.
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Noyes pond in Groton ( but you have to rent their boats)
idk, part of what I love about Vermont is the ability to go to the other end of it to explore and make it back home the same day. Plus, it's usually a beautiful drive to wherever you're going. I've learned a lot about the state by venturing beyond the borders of my county for hikes or paddles!
Waterbury reservoir
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Chittenden Reservoir used to be quiet, but for Mt Top Inn pontoon boat, which was rare to see.
Thanks for this suggestion!
Only the northern portion. Stay away from the dam if you’re planning on paddling.
Big Brook trout in there as an added bonus
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The res itself allows power boats. Little river is a great spot for paddling though. Even if power boats can come up, there’s a no wake zone for most of it
I lived in that lodge for a couple years. Hidden gem of Vermont
Nulhegan Pond in East Brighton has a new access along Rt 105 and no motors. I kayak Spectacle Pond, Bald Hill Pond, Long Pond, Job Pond & Center Pond quite a bit too and though they allow motors, I hardly ever see anyone with motors. All those ponds are very close to one another. All fishing boats go fish Echo, Willoughby, Seymour. This is in NEK. Westmore, Newark, Brighton.
Oh man, people will probably actually send me death threats for this, but silver lake in Goshen
Berlin pond is a really nice spot to paddle!
But you gotta get your boat or SUP up there, I always admire the few paddlers I’ve seen up there and thought the campground hosts should transport some up at the start of the season to rent out. I would love to paddle up there but know I am not committed enough to either buy an inflatable/foldable Kayak/SUP or to schlep my Kayak up the trail!
Wrightsville in the East Montpelier/Middlesex area is great- I rarely see motor boats and when I do they are always down by the damn/boat launch and don’t go fast. If you head away from the damn and up the river there is some lovely paddling and when the water is high enough you can get almost to the falls. Blueberry lake in Warren is all non-motorized and is small. I also really like Nichols Pond, the access is pretty remote and a little tricky to put in though.
A bike and a cart go a long way, especially if you come in on the Goshen side
In the southern end, Emerald Lake, Lowell Lake and Gale Meadows Pond, all beautiful
Green River Reservoir is lovely.
Osmore and Kettle Ponds in Groton; Emerald Lake in Danby
Lowell Lake in Londonderry is a great small lake. There are beavers, so if you go at twilight, you'll usually get to see them. Bass fishing is pretty decent, too, if that's your thing.
Ticklenaked pond in Ryegate. Upper and lower Symes ponds in Ryegate.
I’ve done a few weekend camping trips with my brother and our kids with all of the gear in the canoe on a set of wheels down the service road. We had a flat on one trip, which made it a little more difficult, but still worth the adventure. Now we will unload on the Goshen side, take a hike back up to the cars on the following day, drive around to the bottom (picking up supplies if needed) and hike back up to the falls/the lookout on the way back to the lake. Then when we pack out, it’s more downhill with the canoe.
The trail from the Goshen side is shorter than the service road and also manageable if you’re carrying a SUP.
Colchester Pond is another I believe to be motor free, with close boat access.
May Pond in Barton is cute.
Colchester pond, Indian brook, lake Iroquois (ok power boats are allowed here but all I've ever seen are fishermen ... )
That would require me to learn how to ride a bike😆 but definitely more efficient than just a trailer and man power.
Yeah, put in at cotton Brook and you can go pretty far before you get to the area that allows motor boats.
There's a group of guys who've been going every year for fifty years, they bring everything in on those motorized trail carts. It's pretty interesting to see, and definitely shows that making it accessible without making a lot of changes to the infrastructure could be possible.
Silver Lake in Barnard - you can rent stuff there or bring your own.
This looks like a hidden gem - thanks!
Also Berlin Pond.
Emerald lake in Dorset.
Woodford
Glen Lake in Bomoseen (unless it has changed in recent years).
GammaRaystogo t1_j8ycde3 wrote
Off the top of my head, Green River Res (N of Morrisville) and Colchester Pond (Colchester, N of Essex Junction) come to mind. You might also check listings for 'quiet' water in the Vermont parks listings.