Vermont at Water Level

You don’t need a motor, a trailer, or a captain to enjoy some of Vermont’s best summer scenery. A canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard is all you need to spend a few hours exploring local waters at a decidedly more Vermont pace.

A Very Old Way to Get Around

People have been paddling for a long time. The Pesse Canoe, discovered in the Netherlands and estimated to be roughly 10,000 years old, is considered the oldest known canoe in the world.

Here in Vermont, waterways were highways long before there were roads. The Abenaki traveled the region’s rivers and lakes by canoe for transportation, hunting, fishing, and trade.

Dugout canoes, or logboats, have also been discovered around places like Shelburne Pond and the Champlain Valley. Made from large trees such as white pine, these shallow-draft boats were well suited to Vermont waters. Wooden dugouts were sometimes even intentionally submerged during the winter, helping keep the wood from drying and cracking.

By the late 1800s and early 1900s, recreational canoeing had become part of Vermont’s outdoor culture. Wilderness camps around the state incorporated canoe trips as a way to teach outdoor skills and explore the backcountry, a tradition that continues today.

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Your Turn to Grab a Paddle

Fortunately, getting on the water today doesn’t require hollowing out a white pine.

No boat? No problem. Vermont Canoe and Kayak in Jeffersonville offers rentals and trips on the Lamoille River. Or, if you’re staying right here at Smuggs, head to Bootleggers’ Basin and give a kayak or stand-up paddleboard a try.

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5 Places to Paddle Near Smuggs

If you have your own canoe, kayak, or SUP, there are plenty of places to explore within an easy drive of the Resort.

Green River Reservoir
If you want to feel like you’ve gotten away from everything, this is the place. Green River has some of the most undisturbed shoreline in Vermont, and with no motorized boats allowed, it stays remarkably quiet. Paddle into a cove and there may be little to hear besides your paddle and the call of a loon across the water.

Belvidere Pond
Small, quiet, and surrounded by woods, Belvidere has the feeling that a moose could wander out of the trees at any moment and start feeding on aquatic plants along the shoreline. Whether one actually appears is another matter, but the wild setting is a big part of the appeal.

Lake Eden
The most developed of these five, Lake Eden allows motorized watercraft and tends to have more activity. It also offers good fishing and a public beach for swimming, making it a nice choice when paddling is only part of your day on the water.

Metcalf Pond
Close by, small, and tucked out of view, Metcalf is rarely very busy and offers some great fishing. Aside from boats associated with camps on the pond, there’s little motorized traffic, making it an easy place to spend a quiet couple of hours.

Arrowhead Mountain Lake
Bring the binoculars. Arrowhead’s shallow water, marshes, and wetlands provide excellent bird habitat, with eagles, osprey, herons, ducks, and plenty of other species frequently seen. There’s good fishing here, too. It’s definitely not a swimming spot, but for wildlife watching from a canoe or kayak, Arrowhead offers something completely different.

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Before You Push Off

Paddling is pretty simple, but water deserves respect. A little preparation can keep a great day from becoming a bad one.

• PFD. Under 12 years old it must be worn. All others must have their coast guard approved PFD abord. 
• Check the weather. Vermont conditions can change quickly, and wind, thunderstorms, and cold water can make an easy paddle considerably harder.
• Know your limits. Consider the wind, current, water temperature, and distance before heading out.
• Tell someone where you’re going, particularly if you’re paddling alone or heading somewhere remote.
• Bring the basics. Water, sunscreen, an extra layer, and a charged phone in a waterproof bag are worth having.
• Give wildlife some room. Enjoy the loons, eagles, moose, and other residents from a respectful distance.
• Fishing? Know the rules. Make sure you have the appropriate Vermont fishing license and check regulations for the water you’re visiting.

Then pack some snacks, grab a friend or the family, take a swim where appropriate, wet a line, or just float around and enjoy the view. It’s a simple and fun way to spend a summer day in Vermont.

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 Text SMUGGS to 855-421-2279 for real-time alerts about weather updates, schedule changes, and more!

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You don’t need a motor, a trailer, or a captain to enjoy some of Vermont’s best summer scenery. A canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard is all you need to spend a few hours exploring local waters at a decidedly more Vermont pace. A Very Old Way to Get Around People have been paddling for a long time.…