Bike the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail
The 26.3-mile Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail runs on a former railway bed from St. Albans east to Richford — a wide, flat, crushed-limestone corridor ideal for gravel and road bikes, running and winter cross-country skiing.
The stretch between Sheldon Junction and Enosburg Falls is the prettiest, paralleling the river rapids and crossing converted steel-truss bridges with Jay Peak rising ahead.
Hike the Long Trail
Along the county’s eastern edge, America’s oldest long-distance footpath climbs the northern Green Mountains.
Jay Peak summit — a strenuous 3.1-mile climb through spruce-fir to views deep into Quebec.
Belvidere Mountain — a moderate 5-mile climb to a historic 60-foot steel fire tower at 3,260 feet.
Haystack Mountain — a steady 1.7-mile trail from Hazen’s Notch through quiet hardwoods.
Paddle the delta & lakes
Franklin County is a paddler’s county. Launch onto the Black Creek Canoe Trail in the Missisquoi refuge to glide beneath silver maples past turtles, otters and kingfishers, or put in at Lake Carmi State Park — Vermont’s fourth-largest natural lake — to fish for pike and walleye in the quiet bays.
Island & lakeside parks
Franklin County’s Lake Champlain shore is dotted with low-key state parks.
Burton Island — a 253-acre car-free island reached by ferry from Kill Kare.
Kill Kare — stony beaches and the mainland ferry dock on Hathaway Point.
St. Albans Bay — a sandy swimming beach with Adirondack sunsets.
Lake Carmi — beaches and quiet camping on a big natural lake.
Good to know
Common questions
What is the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail?
A 26.3-mile multi-use path on an old railway bed from St. Albans to Richford — flat, scenic and open to bikes, walkers and winter skiers.
Which hikes reach the Long Trail?
Jay Peak, Belvidere Mountain (with its fire tower) and Haystack Mountain from Hazen’s Notch all tie into the Long Trail along the county’s eastern mountains.
Where can I paddle?
The Black Creek Canoe Trail in the Missisquoi refuge and the sheltered bays of Lake Carmi State Park are the standouts.
Every booking through Vermont Destinations funds one verified tonne of carbon removal — same room, same price, no markup.
Find a stay