Vermont's pristine natural landscapes offer families countless opportunities to connect with nature and create lasting outdoor memories together. From dramatic gorges and mountain peaks to serene lakes and forest trails, the Green Mountain State provides outdoor experiences that cater to all ages and activity levels.
These carefully selected outdoor destinations combine natural beauty with family-friendly facilities, ensuring that multi-generational groups can safely explore Vermont's wilderness while enjoying the fresh mountain air and spectacular scenery that make the state a premier outdoor recreation destination.
Known as "Vermont's Little Grand Canyon," Quechee Gorge offers spectacular views from the historic bridge and hiking trails that descend into the 165-foot-deep chasm carved by the Ottauquechee River. The state park provides camping facilities, picnic areas, and accessible viewing areas that accommodate wheelchairs and strollers for family members of all mobility levels. With easy walking trails along the gorge rim and more challenging paths to the river below, the park offers outdoor experiences suitable for various fitness levels while providing some of Vermont's most dramatic and photographable scenery perfect for family reunion memories.
The scenic gondola ride to Mount Mansfield's summit offers breathtaking panoramic views accessible to family members of all ages and mobility levels, while the 5.3-mile paved recreation path winds through meadows and forests with stunning mountain views throughout the journey. The path features multiple access points, rest areas, and benches, making it suitable for family members of varying fitness levels. During winter, portions become cross-country ski trails, while summer offers wildflower viewing and peaceful nature experiences that showcase Vermont's four-season outdoor recreation opportunities for multi-generational families.
Killington provides access to the famous Appalachian Trail, offering families the opportunity to hike portions of America's most iconic long-distance trail with varying difficulty levels and scenic rewards including day hikes to scenic overlooks, waterfalls, and mountain summits. The resort's gondola system provides mountain access for all mobility levels, while adventure activities like zip lines and mountain biking cater to more active family members. With trail maps, parking facilities, and options for short walks or longer hikes, families can participate in this legendary hiking tradition while enjoying Vermont's pristine mountain wilderness and creating unforgettable outdoor memories together.
The Burlington waterfront offers eight miles of scenic lakefront with parks, beaches, and recreational facilities perfect for family gatherings, featuring accessible walking and biking paths, picnic areas with grills, and boat launches for water activities. Families can enjoy swimming at North Beach, take scenic cruises on Lake Champlain, or simply relax in the waterfront parks while taking in spectacular mountain and lake views. The sixth-largest freshwater lake in the United States provides endless recreational opportunities including fishing, boating, and water sports, while the calm waters and beautiful mountain backdrop create an ideal setting for multi-generational activities and relaxation that showcase Vermont's natural beauty.