Local Attractions

Island Pond, Vermont

A focal point of the town spring, summer, fall and winter, Island Pond’s lake, by the same name, brings many visitors to the area to enjoy swimming, boating and fishing, as well as snowmobiling, every year. The water is clean and there are a number of sandy beaches surrounding the lake that are free to be enjoyed by the general public.

Boating is a favorite pastime of visitors and residents alike. The Island Pond Country Inn has available a private dock for our guests to enjoy. Feel free to bring your boat. If you don’t have a boat available, you may rent a motor boat or kayak at The Lakeside Campground that is also located on Island Pond.

Loon, once an endangered species, have made Island Pond’s lake their home. Many visitors travel to Island Pond in the summer to view this wonderful bird.

Visitors in the spring summer and fall also enjoy the town’s tennis courts. Court time is free. The courts are maintained by the Town of Brighton, VT.

Bluff Mountain Hiking Trail

The Bluff Mountain Hiking Trail is located in Island Pond, VT and offers a mild to moderate climb up Bluff Mountain. The entrance is located on Mountain Street. Hiking and parking are free and available to the general public. The hiking trail is maintained by the Northern Woods Stewardship Center, also located in Island Pond.

The hiking trail is marked and extends through the woods to the top of the mountain. The trail forks to allow more aggressive climbers a steep adventure to the top. For a moderate hike, one may also choose the extended pathway.

The photo above is Bluff Mountain with fall foliage just beginning to show its colors. Downtown shops, restaurants and The Island Pond Country Inn sit along its shoreline.

Snowmobiling The VAST Trail

Island Pond, is, perhaps, best known for the VAST Trail, a snowmobile trail network that originated in 1967 in Island Pond and vicinity. The VAST Trail network throughout Vermont now consists of over 5000 miles of groomed, well marked trails for snowmobile travel, that also offer easy access to fuel, restaurants and lodging. Trail maps are available at The Lakefront Express Mart that is located directly adjacent to our lodging facility. VAST Trail TMA Passes are available at the Island Pond Welcome Center that is to the right of The Island Pond Country Inn.

The VAST Trail is directly located on the premises of The Lakefront Inn, Snowmobilers travel to Island Pond to enjoy snowmobiling across the town’s lake that is frozen and passable for most of the season.

The VAST Trail system in Northeastern Vermont will bring you through stretches of wilderness, past snow covered mountains to many townships and villages. From The VAST Trail that extends from Island Pond, VT you may travel to Quebec, New Hampshire and points south. Sightseers might catch a glimpse of deer and moose while traveling the VAST from the Island Pond Country Inn. The Northeast Kingdom of Vermont is remote and home to many moose, and a variety of wildlife.

Stay current on news & updates from VAST.  For more information about the Snowmobile Clubs of Vermont, click here!