Niquette Bay State Park is one of the Burlington area’s best hiking spots. A short 20-minute drive from downtown, this popular but uncrowded park offers classic Vermont hiking experiences spread through the core of the 584-acre park. A rewarding and short trail to the sandy shores of Lake Champlain follows a former road, smooth and wide enough for all ages. Other moderate hikes scale small ridgelines for gorgeous overlook views of the Green Mountains, Northern Adirondacks, and South Hero. The park is open to the public for hiking and swimming and is well worth the reasonable state park day use fees during the summer months.
Directions
From Burlington and Points South and North: Take Interstate 89 to Exit 17 (Lake Champlain Islands / Milton Exit), take Route 2 West, continue past the confusing Niquette Bay Road on Route 2 West for approx. 1.5 miles, take the Raymond Road exit ramp on the right. At the stop sign turn left onto Raymond Road and head straight across Route 2. The park entrance sign will be on your left approximately 0.25 miles after crossing Route 2.
From the Lake Champlain Islands: Take Route 2 East to Raymond Road, follow Raymond Road for approximately 0.25 miles until you reach the park entrance sign on your left.
(Note: See map below. The park entrance location is near 274 Raymond Road.)
Guides
Download our printable guide to Niquette Bay State Park, including driving directions and a brief history of this amazing Vermont hiking destination.
Pet Policy: Niquette Bay State Park is managed by the Vermont Department of Forest Parks and Recreation. Per Forest Parks and Recreation rules, pets must be leashed at all times. Pets may swim at Calm Cove only; all other areas of lake access are off limits for pets. Pet owners must clean up after their pets and carry out pet and other waste out of the park. Parties hiking with pets are limited to four (4) animals per group.
Nature Snapshots
Download a printable series of Nature Snapshots for the Niquette Bay landscape.
Conservation Project History
The Lake Champlain Land Trust worked with three different landowners to simultaneously add 263 acres to the then Malletts Bay State Park back in 2000. The Land Trust retained a conservation agreement (also known as a conservation easement) and donated all three parcels to the State of Vermont thanks to assistance from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. We have partnered with the park to improve trails, conduct research, and create educational experiences at the park.
Partners
The Lake Champlain Land Trust worked with our supporters and the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board to double the size of Niquette Bay State Park back in 2000. The State of Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation owns and manages the park using on-site year-round rangers and summer staff assistance.
(Before you visit, be sure to sign up for our Lake Champlain Land Trust E-newsletter!)
