Megan Bryant is a passionate writer and traveler who has combined her two loves to help others fulfill their traveling dreams. When she isn’t writing, she’s usually curled up with her 3 Dachshunds and a good book or planning her next adventure—wherever that may be.
The state of Vermont may be landlocked, but that doesn’t stop it from having some incredible beaches—it can thank its countless lakes for that.
In Vermont, you may not get that salty seaside feeling, but its lakes offer a level of solitude and tranquility with sandy shores, waters ideal for paddling, and plenty of recreational activities to keep even the adventurous members of the family entertained.
So whether you’re a Vermont resident or visiting the state on vacation, you won’t want to miss these beautiful lakeside beaches.
Bomoseen State Park
The Bomoseen State Park plays host to Lake Bomoseen—Vermont’s largest lake that lies entirely within the state’s boundaries. With the state park covering 3,500 acres of land near Castleton and the lake itself offering sandy shores, swimming opportunities, boating opportunities, and even fishing for all you anglers out there, it really is a fantastic Vermont beach choice if you’re looking for a day out in the sun.
Plus, to top it all off, the Bomoseen State Park has campgrounds with RV sites and Airbnb rentals that surround the lake, allowing you to turn your trip into a weekend-long event.
Boulder Beach State Park
Boulder Beach State Park is another great beach option in Vermont, as Lake Groton provides visitors with crystal-clear waters and the chance to boat, swim, and fish.
While relaxing on the beach, you can also make use of Boulder Beach State Park’s amenities, which include various picnic areas, a playground, and a concession stand.
For families looking for the perfect beach in Vermont, Boulder Beach State Park is definitely one of the best options.
Branbury State Park
Located in both Leicester and Salisbury, Branbury State Park and its lake, Lake Dunmore, offer visitors and locals impeccable sandy beaches with recreational activities in abundance. Whether you prefer to relax in the sun or swim, boat, or fish, Branbury State Park has something for everyone, which is why it’s one of the best beach options in the state.
Additionally, even out of the water, the state park has so much to offer, as you can pitch a tent and camp out in nature or set off on one of many hiking trails that take you through caves and past waterfalls.
Burton Island State Park
One of the most popular beaches in Vermont can be found in the Burton Island State Park, which sits in the northern part of the state. As its name suggests, the park is set on an island, so it does require a short boat journey before you can marvel at the tranquil waters. But hey, that’s all part of the adventure.
The beach, for the most part, is rocky, but the nature surrounding the water almost makes you forget about the lack of sand.
As the island state park is so beautiful, we highly recommend camping out in the park’s campground or taking the more luxurious route and renting a cabin. With disc golf courses, a museum, a bistro, and hiking trails to keep you entertained while out of the water, you’re guaranteed endless fun from the moment you arrive.
Camp Plymouth State Park
Camp Plymouth State Park, which stretches over 300 acres, contains Vermont’s Echo Lake—a beautiful stretch of water that the entire family can enjoy. What makes the park so great for families, however, is the fact that it features various amenities to make your time by the water even more enjoyable.
With three pavilions, a concession stand, and a playground to make use of, Camp Plymouth State Park is an excellent Vermont beach choice that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Caspian Lake
Caspian Lake is one of the most popular Vermont beaches in summer, and it’s easy to understand why. Fishermen flock to the waters to fish for Brown, Rainbow, and Lake Trout, as well as Rainbow Smelt and Yellow Perch, while boaters and birdwatchers also indulge in their favorite pastimes all throughout the summer season.
You can even enjoy live classical music right on the sandy beaches as every Sunday evening, the sound of bands playing at the Landon Lake House amplifies over the water.
Crystal Lake State Park
Crystal Lake—a glacial lake with a sandy shoreline—lies in the Crystal Lake State Park and has quickly become a popular destination for swimming, boating, and fishing.
Families, in particular, make use of the lake and its beaches from May through to Labor Day weekend, but people of all ages can enjoy all the lake has to offer. Recognized as one of the most well-maintained beaches in Vermont, Crystal Lake should be a top choice when choosing a stretch of Vermont sand to relax on.
Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain in the Sand Bar State Park is one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Vermont, so it probably comes as no surprise that it gets extremely busy—especially in the peak of summer.
Getting to the lake as early as possible is definitely recommended so that way you can secure a patch of sand and even a picnic table if you wish.
Of course, one of the most popular activities at Lake Champlain is relaxing on the sand, but the area also has hiking trails for those of you who can’t sit still. You can also boat, swim, and hike while your little ones burn off energy in the park’s playground.
Lake Elmore
Elmore State Park, featuring Lake Elmore, is another great beach option in Vermont as not only does it have stretches of sandy beaches to enjoy, but it also boasts campgrounds, picnic tables, hiking trails, and boat rentals.
Lake Saint Catherine
Lake Saint Catherine State Park is a top beach choice amongst Vermont locals as the park is well maintained, the lake’s waters are magnificently clean, and there are plenty of recreational activities to keep everyone entertained.
Although the beach is the park’s main attraction, visitors to Lake Saint Catherine can also camp, picnic, boat, fish, snorkel, and scuba dive—yes, that’s how clear the waters are!
Maidstone State Park
The Maidstone State Park is one of the lesser-known beaches in Vermont, but in our opinion, that’s what makes it so great. One thing we will say, however, is that Maidstone Lake is more remote than other Vermont beach options. But with a few different campgrounds on offer, you can spend the entire weekend truly unwinding on the sand or hitting the water to swim, boat, or fish.
Silver Lake State Park
If you’re after a smaller beach in Vermont that doesn’t attract the crowds like the state’s more popular beaches, then Silver Lake State Park is a fantastic choice. Silver Lake is a popular beach option among families as it’s filled with amenities, including showers, a concession stand, a playground, and various campgrounds.
The water itself offers opportunities to boat, fish, and swim, while the sand acts as the perfect sunbathing spot for those looking to top up their vitamin D.
Waterbury Center State Park
And the final of Vermont’s best beaches is the Waterbury Center State Park, which features the Waterbury Reservoir. Open between May and October, the Waterbury Reservoir hosts a wide range of water sports and outdoor activities, including fishing, camping, picnicking, boating, and swimming. If recreational activities aren’t your thing, then you can instead take the day to chill by simply laying down your towel and relaxing on the sand.