The Best Things to Do in Vermont this Summer
May 20, 2026
Make the most of your Vermont summer by exploring hiking trails, bike paths, ponds, rivers and lakes. You can also find endless opportunities for festivals, music, and outdoor adventures.
Things to Do in Vermont this Summer
Get Outside on Bike Paths and Trails
In Vermont’s summer and fall months, you can choose from hundreds of miles of bike paths, gravel routes, and easy and challenging trails. Whether you want to bike along scenic Lake Champlain on the Burlington Bike Path/Island Line Trail (and take the bike ferry!) or opt for more rural paths along the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, you can’t go wrong.
For mountain biking, Kingdom Trails is always a top pick. If you’re looking to pedal off-the-beaten-path, try Saxon Hill Bike Trails in Essex Junction, Pine Hill Park in Rutland, Blueberry Lake trails in Warren, Catamount Outdoor Center in Williston, Slate Valley Trails in Poultney, or Ascutney Trails in Windsor. (courtesy photo /Ascutney Trails)
Stop and Smell the Peonies at Hildene
Hildene in Manchester was once home to three generations of President Lincoln’s descendants from 1905 to 1975. Every June, about 100 fragrant peonies are in bloom at Hildene’s public garden. Everything is weather dependent in Vermont, but an ideal time to see the peonies in bloom is at the beginning of June. The Formal Garden includes early and late blooming peonies, so visitors have about a three-week window to catch the peonies at their finest. (courtesy photo/ 1005 Hildene Road, Manchester; hildene.org)
Festivals, Music, and Country Fairs
Take a ride in the sky at the Quechee Hot Air Balloon Festival, discover new beers at the Vermont Brewers Festival in Burlington, or head to summer concert series big and small at places like Trapp Family Lodge, The Tillerman in Bristol, and town greens.
Check out traditional country fairs including the Caledonia County Fair in Lyndonville or the Addison County Fair & Field Days in New Haven. If you’re around July 4th weekend, Independence Day celebrations in towns like Warren, Stowe, and Richmond feature quirky parades, live music, and fireworks. (courtesy photo / The Tillerman in Bristol)
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Off to the Races
Vermont has no shortage of marathons, 5Ks, and bike races this summer. Try the Covered Bridge Half Marathon in Pomfret, the Goshen Gallop hosted by the Blueberry Hill Outdoor Center, the Birdland 5K in Montpelier, the Race to the Top of Vermont in Stowe, and the Mad Marathon in Waitsfield.
For biking, try the Overland gravel race in West Windsor, The Ranger in Tunbridge, and Farm to Fork in the Champlain Islands. (courtesy photo / Goshen Gallop)
Take a Hike
Hiking in Vermont is one of the most rewarding experiences of summer. If you want to climb the tallest peaks, head to Mount Mansfield, Camel’s Hump, or Mount Abraham.
To beat the crowds, try lesser known trails or locations, such as Beaver Meadow Loop in Morristown, the Skylight Pond Trail in Ripton, Okemo State Forest (with a fire tower at the top) off Route 155 in Mount Holly, Merck Forest in Rupert, or Wheeler Mountain in Sutton.
Don’t forget about town forests in places like Dover, Chester, Dorset, and Newbury, which offer low-key options that get you outside but aren’t as rigorous as scaling those 4,000-foot peaks. Visit the Green Mountain Club for hiking trail information.
Kayaking and Canoeing
Vermont has more than 800 lakes and ponds, which means you’re never far from a place to canoe or kayak. You can meander along remote ponds or paddle rivers like the Clyde, Connecticut, or West River. Another option are larger bodies of water, such as Lake Champlain, Harriman Reservoir, or Lake Bomoseen.
Outfitters like Clyde River Recreation in West Charleston, Umiak Outfitters in Stowe, Waterbury and Jeffersonville, or Great River Outfitters in Windsor can help with rentals and guided trips.
Most Vermont State Parks have boat launches and rent out kayaks and canoes, so you don’t need to be an expert, or even own a paddle, to get out on the water.
Cool Off at a Vermont Swimming Hole
Splashing around a Vermont swimming hole is an annual rite of summer. Kid-friendly spots like Pike’s Falls in Jamaica, Buttermilk Falls in Ludlow, Bartlett Falls and Circle Current Swimming Hole in Bristol, and Lareau Farm Swimming Hole in Waitsfield offer easy access and calm waters.
For deeper pools, try the Dorset Marble Quarry, Four Corners Falls/Jay Branch Gorge in Troy, Trout River Falls in Montgomery, and the Green River Timber Crib Dam in Guilford.
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-Main photo: courtesy / The Quechee Hot Balloon Festival
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