Submitted by usernameisrando t3_11deqi5 in vermont
Friend got a kayak last year, went a few times, liked it, wants to explore. Any suggestions for easy access, easy paddle locations where one is likely to see a lot of wildlife? Anywhere in VT is fine.
Yes, this book is our best friend every summer!
Dead Creek, Green River Res, extreme south end of Shelburne bay all come immediately to mind.
Second on the Dead Creek. Pay attention to hunting season and wear your orange if it is. Hats and vest recommended.
The Moscow put-in at the Waterbury Reservoir is really great for this. It's a narrow channel chock full of birds, beavers, muskrat, fish, etc.
Super easy and the good stuff starts right from the put-in.
It does get quite busy on weekends, so I'd recommend going either early morning or in the evening near sunset.
Anywhere on the green river reservoir is pretty excellent.
Missisquoi Wildlife Refuge
Just be aware that while the river is very slow, you are still paddling up river on the way back. My wife and I found this out in our canoe
This for sure! Easy waters, incredible wildlife (especially birds)
My fave place to paddle!
Just watch out for the bugs!
If you are close to the NH border there are spots of the CT river that don't have any power boats and everytime time I am out I see at least one bald eagle.
The oxbows in Bradford are easy paddling and often have nice wildlife.
The laplatte River in shelburne is an easy paddle from shelburne bay. Lots of birds and turtles but bring some bug spray!
Entrance to the Lamoille River from Lake Champlain in Milton. Park at the Milton side of the Sandbar Bridge.
I was going to say this! Favorite paddle in the state because of the view once you reach the lake!
Laplatte nature park is great for this- park at Shelburne Bay and put your kayak in there, but take a right (down the river) instead of a left into the bay. Love seeing all of the birds and turtles!
Clyde river
Nulhegan Pond Spectacle Pond
Close by is the ADK, and all of the rivers are amazing! So incredibly beautiful. The Missisquoi National Wildlife refuge is pretty nice in Goose Bay near Canada.
The meadows / Connecticut river in Brattleboro is always a nice place to kayak. Plenty of wildlife to check out and even in the river it’s not too difficult to paddle against the current. I’m an out of shape fat guy and I go up and down the river without any issues.
Otter creek, especially close to where it joins the lake. Lots of birds to spot, easy in/out landing.
Here are 3 great resources to help you find a spot that works for you.
https://winooskiriver.org/uploads/files/Paddling%20Guide%203-31-2011%20low%20res.pdf
Go to Waterbury Resivoir, the day use access area in Stowe is protected and calm, a nice spot to paddle and you can get out on the reservoir for bigger adventures.
Figure out how to strap a kayak to your roof, it will open a lot of doors. Also consider an inflatable SUP they can be lighter and easier to carry than a kayak
If you are south, Sherman Reservoir is great for wildlife, it is a quiet area and there are bald eagles and beavers, as well as plenty of other birds.
Put in at the Shelburne Bay Ramp, take a right under the bridge and paddle the LaPlatte. Not super long, but very quiet and in the woods
I'm by the battenkill and mettowee rivers and both have many different access points. Emerald lake and lake st Catharine are very beautiful, open lakes that I see kayakers on often. Buttermilk Falls near Killington would be fun, but probably a little rocky.
Somerset Reservoir, beautiful paddle, no motors
Following
Glen Lake is very small and nice, Lake St. Catherine is beautiful but lots of motorboats and houses, my personal favorite place for kayaking or small boat sailing is Chittenden Reservoir. Chittenden reservior is very little known, it has pretty much the cleanest water ive ever seen in a lake in VT, theres no houses and very few people on it. Highly recommend. Keep an eye out for big rocky shores for spots to sit on a rock and eat or swimming. my favorite spot is on the right (from the lot) theres like a bay ish area and a boulder you can climb and the water is very deep.
optional_gary t1_ja8718j wrote
After I got my kayak I got a book called “Quiet Water - VT/NH” that has some amazing paddles around the state. I’d highly recommend a copy of that book.