Lake Champlain

State: Vermont (shared with New York, extending into Quebec, Canada). Type: large natural lake, the 13th-largest lake in the United States. Length: 107 miles. Maximum width: 14 miles. Surface area: 514 square miles. Maximum depth: 400 feet; average depth: 64 feet. Named for French explorer Samuel de Champlain, who reached it in 1609.

Lake Champlain is a large natural lake stretching along the Vermont-New York border and extending north into Quebec, Canada. At 107 miles long and covering 514 square miles, it ranks as the 13th-largest lake in the United States. Samuel de Champlain reached the lake in 1609 and gave it his name; it later served as a strategic invasion corridor during the Revolutionary War and was the site of the decisive Battle of Plattsburgh in 1814 during the War of 1812. Today the lake is a major recreational resource shared by Vermont and New York, supporting fishing, boating, swimming and kayaking, with roughly 80 islands, including Grand Isle and Isle La Motte, and ferry connections linking the two shores. It is also home to the enduring local legend of "Champ," a purported lake monster that has become part of the region's folklore and branding. Burlington, Vermont's largest city, sits directly on its eastern shore.

Lake Champlain lies mostly between Vermont and New York state, with its northern end extending into Quebec, Canada. Burlington, Vermont, is the largest lakeside settlement, and Plattsburgh, New York, is the second-largest. The Lake Champlain Basin Program, a joint U.S.-Canadian watershed organization, is headquartered at Grand Isle, Vermont.

The lake region shares Vermont and upstate New York's humid continental climate, with cold, snowy winters (the lake can partially freeze) and warm summers suited to swimming and boating. Specific water-temperature data by month were not found in the sources used for this entry.

Summer is the primary season for swimming, boating and lake recreation, while fall brings foliage views along the shoreline. Winter allows ice fishing in parts of the lake in favorable years, though ice conditions vary and should be checked locally before any on-ice activity; specific seasonal safety data were not found in sources used here.

French explorer Samuel de Champlain reached the lake in 1609 and it was named for him. During the Revolutionary War, the lake formed a direct invasion route between the American colonies and British Canada, making it strategically significant. In the War of 1812, the Battle of Plattsburgh in 1814 was fought on and around the lake, and the American victory there is credited with helping prevent further British territorial gains in the region.

Popular activities include swimming, boating, kayaking and fishing; the lake supports around 81 fish species, including lake trout and Atlantic salmon, and draws anglers seeking those species. Bird-watchers are drawn to the lake's role as habitat for more than 300 bird species. Ferry rides between the Vermont and New York shores, operated by the Lake Champlain Transportation Company, are a popular way to see the lake from the water.

The lake's roughly 80 islands, including Grand Isle and Isle La Motte, are notable destinations in their own right. Burlington's waterfront on the eastern shore and Plattsburgh, New York, on the western shore are the two largest lakeside communities. Ferry crossings, including Charlotte-Essex and Grand Isle-Plattsburgh routes, offer scenic lake views.

Burlington, Vermont, on the lake's eastern shore, is served by Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport, making it a common gateway for visitors to this part of the lake. Interstate highways on both the Vermont and New York sides provide road access to various lakeside towns and access points.

The lake itself has no set opening hours as a natural body of water; specific public access points, marinas, and ferry schedules each keep their own hours. The Lake Champlain Transportation Company's ferries run on published seasonal schedules that were not verified in this research pass.

General lake access at public beaches and boat launches typically involves modest parking or launch fees set by the individual site operator (state park, town, or marina); no single lake-wide fee applies. Ferry fares are set by the Lake Champlain Transportation Company and were not verified here.

A half-day suffices for a ferry ride or beach visit; a multi-day trip allows time to explore several shoreline towns, islands, and both the Vermont and New York sides.

Lakeside towns on both the Vermont side (including Burlington, Shelburne and the Champlain Islands) and the New York side (including Plattsburgh) offer a range of hotels, inns and campgrounds. Specific property names were not verified in this research pass and are intentionally omitted.

Waterfront dining is available in Burlington and other lakeside towns, generally featuring casual and sit-down restaurants with lake views. Specific restaurant names were not independently verified and are intentionally omitted here.

Burlington sits directly on the lake's eastern shore and offers the region's largest concentration of visitor amenities. The Champlain Islands (Grand Isle, Isle La Motte) and the New York shoreline around Plattsburgh are also easily reached from the lake.

Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport, on the Vermont side, is the closest major airport to much of the lake's eastern shore. Car and ferry travel are the main ways to move between shoreline points, since there is no rail service directly along the lakeshore.

Water conditions, including temperature and currents, should be checked before swimming or boating, and standard boating safety practices (life jackets, weather checks) apply given the lake's size. Ice conditions vary in winter and should never be assumed safe without local verification. For any emergency, dial 911.

Sun protection, a change of clothes, and a life jacket for boating or kayaking are worth packing for lake activities. Warm layers are advisable for ferry rides, since conditions on open water can be cooler and windier than onshore.

Combining a ferry crossing with time in Burlington and a stop on the New York or islands side is a popular way to experience both shores in one trip. Checking the Lake Champlain Transportation Company's current schedule before planning a crossing is recommended, since ferry service can be seasonal.

Dial 911 for any emergency. The Lake Champlain Basin Program, the joint U.S.-Canadian watershed organization, can be reached at 802-372-3213 or toll-free at 800-468-5227 for general watershed information (not an emergency line).

Lake Champlain Basin Program - https://www.lcbp.org

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.