Outdoors in Addison County

The finest river swimming in central Vermont. Bartlett Falls pours into a deep pool; Split Rock and Circle Current are just upstream. Go mid-July through mid-August for the best water levels.

A free-flowing natural spring on Lincoln Road — cold, clean, and continuous. Turn left at the Ripton Country Store onto Lincoln Road, drive 2.3 miles (road turns to gravel), spring on the left. Bring glass jugs.

A mile-long loop through the landscape that inspired Frost's poetry, with his poems mounted on posts in the woods. Accessible boardwalk, beaver pond, the South Branch of the Middlebury River. Free.

One of Vermont's tallest waterfalls — 125 feet — at the end of a short walk in the Granville Gulf State Reservation. Best after spring rains. The drive through the Gulf on Route 100 is worth it on its own.

One of the finest backcountry destinations in central Vermont. About 3.5 miles with 1,500 feet of gain to a clear pond at 3,400 feet. Lean-to shelter at the pond. Worth every step.

A series of cascading falls and glacial potholes carved over 12,000 years along Hancock Brook, deep in the Green Mountain National Forest. The footbridge over the gorge is the main event — smooth rock walls, clear cold water, and a drop unlike anything else in the region. An easy 1-mile loop trail winds through the surrounding woods. Swimming is no longer permitted near the falls, but there's a picnic area upstream with river access. Free, well-marked, and a natural stop on any Route 125 drive between Middlebury and Route 100.

The most prominent geographic feature in Middlebury — a forested hill about 360 feet above the town center with panoramic views back over Middlebury and the Champlain Valley. In the 1940s and 50s it was Middlebury College's downhill ski area, complete with a ski jump; the remains are still in the woods if you know where to look. The forest has since grown back beautifully. Multiple loop options, three access points, and open to mountain bikers as well as hikers. The Chipman Hill Loop is about 2.1 miles; connecting to the Trail Around Middlebury extends it. Managed by the Middlebury Area Land Trust.

One of the best birdwatching spots in Vermont — a 2,800-acre wetland and waterfowl management area in Addison that draws tens of thousands of snow geese during fall migration, typically peaking in October. Great blue herons, ducks, osprey, and bald eagles are regulars throughout the warmer months. Free, open year-round, with a wildlife viewing area right off Route 17. Bring binoculars.

Lake Dunmore is one of the most beautiful lakes in Addison County — clear, relatively uncrowded, with the Green Mountains as a backdrop. Branbury State Park on the eastern shore has a sandy beach, boat launch, and camping. The lake is excellent for swimming, kayaking, and canoeing. Tiny Fern Lake sits just above it, reachable by a short trail from the park — a lovely bonus.

Otter Creek is Vermont's longest river and one of its most rewarding for flatwater paddling — a slow, winding journey through farmland, wetlands, and forest between Middlebury and Vergennes. The 18-mile stretch between the two towns is largely calm and accessible for canoes and kayaks. Put in at the Battell Landing in Middlebury or the launch in Weybridge; take out in Vergennes near the falls. Great blue herons, muskrats, and river otters are regular company.

The Middlebury River runs cold and clear out of the Green Mountains through East Middlebury — a classic Vermont trout stream with good populations of wild brook and brown trout. The upper reaches near Ripton and through the national forest are the most productive. Vermont fishing license required; pick one up online at vtfishandwildlife.com. Best in May–June and again in September. The river is catch-and-release in some sections — check current regulations before you go.

Vermont's smallest designated wilderness area — 3,738 acres of rocky ridgeline, cliff faces, and forest on the western slope of the Green Mountains above Bristol. The trail to the top is steep and unmaintained in places, which is the point: this is one of the few spots in Addison County that genuinely feels remote. Views from the ledges take in the Champlain Valley, the Adirondacks, and on clear days, the outline of Montreal. Not a beginner hike — bring a map.

One of the best summit hikes in Addison County — a 3.4-mile round trip up a ridge that rises dramatically from the flat Champlain Valley floor, ending at the ruins of the old Grand View Hotel and a sweeping 360-degree panorama: Lake Champlain to the west, the Adirondacks beyond, and the full spine of the Green Mountains to the east. Moderate difficulty. The contrast between the flat farmland you drive through to get there and the view from the top is genuinely startling.