Looking for hiking near Burlington, VT? Look no further than Eagle Mountain, which is only a 30-minute scenic drive from downtown. Although Eagle Mountain is one of the highest points along the Lake Champlain shoreline, the easy family-friendly trails reward the hiker with expansive views from the Hoyt Lookout. This Milton, Vermont community treasure permanently protects 226 acres of hiking trails and overlooks of the islands of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains. The areas away from the trails contain forests of statewide significance that harbor several rare plants and animals. With its rolling hay fields, sugar maple forests, rocky ledges, and stunning Lake Champlain views, a trip to Eagle Mountain offers visitors a quintessential Vermont hiking experience.
Hiking Guides
Download our printable Guide to Eagle Mountain, including driving directions and a brief history of this popular Vermont hiking destination.
Download a printable hiking trail map.
Pet Policy: Pets must remain fully under control and shall not disturb natural communities or the experience of other users.
Directions
From the South: Take Exit 17 off of I-89 onto US Route 2 W toward the Islands for about 2.4 miles. Take a right on Bear Trap Road. Continue for about 1.8 miles, the road forks. Bear left toward the barn. At the stop sign, turn left onto Cadreact Road and follow this for 2 miles to another stop sign. Go straight through the Everest Road stop sign as it turns to Beebe Hill Rd. After about one mile, take a left onto Henry Road and follow it to the end of the road, which is the new Eagle Mountain parking lot.
From the North: Take US Route 2 E and turn left onto Bear Trap Road. Take a sharp left onto Cadreact Road and follow this for 2 miles. Go straight through the Everest Road stop sign as it turns to Beebe Hill Rd. After about one mile, take a left onto Henry Road, which dead ends at the Eagle Mountain Natural Area parking lot (marked by large boulders and a kiosk).
(Before you visit, sign up for our Lake Champlain Land Trust E-newsletter!)
Nature Snapshots
Download a series of Nature Snapshots for the Eagle Mountain landscape.
History
John and Peggy Hoyt donated almost half of this incredible treasure for the benefit of future generations to the Lake Champlain Land Trust in 1998. (The hiking trails still follow forestry roads the Hoyts used for sugaring during the Great Depression.) The Land Trust then worked with the community to purchase the adjacent land. The Lake Champlain Land Trust and Vermont Housing and Conservation Board retained a conservation agreement (also known as a conservation easement) and donated the entire property to the Town of Milton.
Partners
The Eagle Mountain Natural Area project was made possible thanks to the partnership of the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, the Town of Milton, and the Lake Champlain Land Trust. We are also indebted to John and Peggy Hoyt for their conservation vision and generosity.
The Lake Champlain Land Trust, Milton Conservation Commission, and Town of Milton continue to work together to maintain the trails, remove invasive species, and promote Eagle Mountain as a kid-friendly destination for outdoor adventures (hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, bird-watching) and nature appreciation. Visit Eagle Mountain today and enjoy some of the best hiking trails near Burlington, VT.
