Champlain Islands Scenic Drive: Vermont’s Ultimate Lake Road Trip

Wondering what Vermont looks like once you leave the mountain passes behind? Head just 30 minutes northwest of Burlington, and the scenery opens up into wide-open water horizons, apple orchards, and peaceful island backroads.

The Champlain Islands sit in the northern waters of Lake Champlain, linked together by US Route 2. Unlike the steep switchbacks of the Green Mountains, this route is one of the easiest, flattest scenic drives in New England. As you cross the causeways, you have water on both sides, with Vermont’s mountain ridge lining the eastern horizon and New York’s Adirondacks rising to the west.

In this guide, I will walk you through the best stops along the Champlain Islands scenic drive, from historic wooden cabins and roadside cider donuts to 450-million-year-old fossil reefs and sunset viewpoints.

Quick Travel Planning Tips for the Champlain Islands

Heading out to explore the islands? Here are a few quick resources to help you plan your drive:

• Starting Point: Sand Bar State Park along US Route 2 North (about 30 minutes from downtown Burlington).
• Driving Time: Roughly 1 hour of continuous driving from the southern causeway to Isle La Motte, but plan for 3 to 4 hours to explore the shoreline lanes, farm stands, and historic stops.
• Best Season to Visit: Mid-September through late October for apple picking, warm cider donuts, and clear, crisp lake views.

1. Drive Across the Sand Bar State Park Causeway

Your road trip begins where mainland Vermont hands off to the islands.

Driving north out of Milton on Route 2, the road drops directly onto a two-mile-long paved causeway cutting across Lake Champlain. With water lapping right against both sides of the roadway, it feels like cruising across the surface of the lake.

• Where to Pull Over: Stop just past the entrance gates of Sand Bar State Park. There are gravel pull-off shoulders where you can step out, watch great blue herons fishing in the marshy shallows, and grab wide landscape photos of the water backed by mountain peaks.
• Travel Note: The causeway is completely open to the elements and gets breezy on autumn afternoons. Hold car doors tightly when stepping out to snap photos.

2. South Hero: Orchards, Cider Donuts, and Farm Stands

Crossing the causeway brings you onto South Hero, the southernmost and largest island in the archipelago.

Because Lake Champlain holds onto heat longer than the surrounding highlands, the islands enjoy a slightly milder microclimate. That makes South Hero prime agricultural land, packed with dairy farms, vineyards, and apple orchards.

• Allenholm Farm: Operating continuously since 1870, this is Vermont’s oldest commercial apple orchard. In the fall, their farm stand is a must-visit for warm cider donuts, homemade pies, and fresh cider. You can also wander out through the pick-your-own orchard rows.
• Hackberry Trees: Keep an eye out along the back lanes for massive hackberry trees. They are a rarity in New England, but thrive here thanks to the lake’s sheltered microclimate.

3. Grand Isle & The Historic Hyde Log Cabin

Continuing north over a short bridge brings you onto Grand Isle, where the pace slows down even further.

• Hyde Log Cabin: Located right along Route 2, this hand-hewn cedar cabin was built around 1783 by Jedediah Hyde Jr., making it one of the oldest surviving log cabins in the United States. It offers a fascinating look at what early settlement life looked like right after the Revolutionary War.
• Scenic Coastal Detour (East Shore Road): Instead of staying strictly on Route 2, turn onto East Shore Road. This quiet, paved backroad hugs the eastern waterline, giving you postcard views of quiet docks, sheep pastures, and Mount Mansfield in the distance.

4. North Hero Village & City Bay Docks

Heading over the bridge into North Hero, you enter the charming civic heart of the island chain, named in honor of Revolutionary War hero Ethan Allen.

• North Hero Pier: Pull off near the village green and walk down to the public wooden docks on City Bay. The water here is calm, with classic wooden boathouses and anchored sailboats framed by colorful shorelines.
• Shoreline Stroll: The village is small and easily walkable. Grab a warm drink or sandwich at a local waterside spot, sit on the lawn, and watch boats navigate the bay.

5. Isle La Motte: Ancient Fossil Reefs & Quiet Shores

To reach the northernmost and quietest island, take Route 129 west off Route 2 and cross the small drawbridge onto Isle La Motte.

Isle La Motte feels virtually untouched by commercial traffic. The island is defined by gravel lanes, open hayfields, and fascinating geological landmarks:

• Fisk Quarry Preserve: Walk the flat stone paths of this former limestone quarry to view exposed sections of the Chazy Fossil Reef. Dating back roughly 450 million years, it is recognized as one of the oldest known coral reefs on Earth. You can spot fossilized prehistoric sea creatures embedded directly in the stone layers.
• Saint Anne’s Shrine: Situated on the western shoreline, this open-air sanctuary marks the historic 1666 site of Fort Sainte Anne. The peaceful waterfront grounds open directly onto the rocky beach, providing an ideal vantage point to watch the sun drop behind New York’s Adirondack Mountains.

Tips for Driving the Champlain Islands

• No Ferries or Tolls Needed: You do not need to book a boat ticket or pay highway tolls. US Route 2 runs continuously across modern bridges and stone causeways linking every main island to mainland Vermont.
• Watch Causeway Crosswinds: The long crossing at Sand Bar State Park has zero tree cover. Hold the steering wheel firmly when big gusts sweep across the open lake.
• Check Farm Stand Operating Hours: Many seasonal apple stands and roadside markets reduce their hours after Columbus Day weekend. Plan morning and midday stops to ensure you do not miss fresh treats.
• Great for Cyclists: Route 2 and its adjoining island loop roads feature wide, paved shoulders and very flat terrain, making it one of the most popular cycling routes in northern Vermont.

Roadside Pit Stops & Local Island Flavor

The Champlain Islands are famous for slow-food agricultural stands and community markets:

• Hackett’s Orchard (South Hero): A beloved family-run stop offering dozens of apple varieties, fresh apple cider slushies, and cider donuts made daily.
• Snow Farm Vineyard (South Hero): Vermont’s oldest commercial vineyard, tucked between pastures and the lake, with outdoor tastings and lake views.
• Seb’s Snack Bar (South Hero): A classic seasonal roadside shack near the village center, popular for quick burgers, fries, and creamy maple creemees.
• Hero’s Welcome General Store (North Hero): A quintessential lakefront general store and bakery packed with sandwiches, Vermont souvenirs, local preserves, and dockside seating.

Best Photo Spots Along the Water

If you are packing a camera for your drive, build these scenic photo angles into your route:

• Sand Bar Causeway Shoulders: Shoot facing northeast in the morning to catch golden sunrise light reflecting across the water toward the Green Mountains.
• East Shore Road Farm Gates: The rustic wooden fences along East Shore Road frame cows grazing in the pasture with Lake Champlain and Mount Mansfield in the background.
• City Bay Marina Pier (North Hero): Walk to the edge of the public dock for clean, symmetrical lines looking out over moored wooden boats.
• West Shore at Saint Anne’s Shrine (Isle La Motte): The rocky, driftwood-strewn shoreline offers an unobstructed foreground for capturing vibrant pink and orange sunset horizons over the Adirondacks.

Final Thoughts

If you want a change of scenery from dense valley forests and steep mountain roads, the Champlain Islands offer one of the most refreshing drives in New England.

The wide-open water views, flat lake crossings, roadside apple orchards, and ancient quarries showcase an authentic, peaceful side of Vermont that many visitors miss.

Whether you spend an afternoon picking apples in South Hero or linger until sunset on the shores of Isle La Motte, this relaxed lake drive makes a wonderful addition to any Vermont itinerary.

FAQs

How long does it take to drive the Champlain Islands?

Driving Route 2 non-stop from the southern Sand Bar Causeway up through North Hero takes roughly one hour. However, with detours onto quiet shore roads, stops at apple orchards, and walks around Isle La Motte, you should budget 3 to 4 hours for a relaxed half-day trip.

Can you drive the Champlain Islands as a day trip from Burlington?

Yes, it is one of the easiest day trips from Burlington. The southern entrance to the islands at Sand Bar State Park is only a 30-minute drive from downtown Burlington via Route 7 and Route 2.

Do I need to take a ferry to reach the islands?

No. All the major islands—South Hero, Grand Isle, North Hero, and Isle La Motte—are linked to each other and mainland Vermont by paved roadways and causeways. (An optional seasonal car ferry connects Grand Isle to Plattsburgh, New York, but it is not required for exploring the Vermont islands.)