1. Emerald Lake State Park

    1. Emerald Lake State Park

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    Dorset, VT

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    Emerald Lake State Park

    4.5 (13 reviews)

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    Beautiful foliage colors
    Joshua S.

    Emerald Lake is gorgeous. I went in the fall, and the tree colors were amazing. It was off season, so parking was free and plenty of picnic tables were available for lunch. If going off season, make sure you use the restroom beforehand; they are locked it seems. Looks like a great swimming spot for the summer. Definitely worth the visit!

    Tricia R.

    Loved this place! Great camp sites and super helpful staff. There was actually some space between certain campsites so it was more private then we were used to. There were severe thunderstorms and a couple of campsite spots did get slightly flooded. The path around the lake is gorgeous.

    Marysa N.

    Let me preface my review by saying that we go here to enjoy the lake, but we feel like the campground is too crowded. Emerald Lake State Park is in the Green Mountain National Forest in Dorset, and an easy drive to us from New York to Southern Vermont, just off Route 7. The campground here is pretty big. We have driven through it several times, and each time it is extremely busy. The campsites aren't very spread out, and there is a busy highway just outside the campground, so you get a lot of road noise. The sites aren't very secluded, and some have a lot of gravel as well. We stayed here in September 2018, so there weren't many people there. We rented the "Sycamore" leanto, which was nice, but we woke up to the sound of traffic on the main road. You don't have to camp at Emerald Lake State Park - you can just go for the day to use the day-use area, which is what we have been doing for years. The lake is named after it's emerald green water. We like to swim here, kayak, rent a row boat, etc. If you bring your own kayaks, there is a spot where you can put in near the parking lot so that you don't have to carry your kayak down to the beach. There is only non-motorized boating on the lake, which makes it peaceful for swimming, stand-up-paddleboards, and so on. There is a small beach, which is nice for playing and swimming. We usually find crayfish, fish, snails, newts, etc. The lakefront has bathrooms, and concessions during the summer months (closed in September when we were there). A nice place to enjoy a day at the lake!

    Beautiful hemlock forests
    Matt P.

    This is the most beautiful and scenic location ive been to in Vermont. Pictures are required, lol, its really that beautiful, especially coming here in the fall, where the leaves change and they blend with the green conifers. The water is crystal clear and theres a ton of fish! There is a little beach with sand, a perfect day to spend. There is a beautiful trail all around the lake. There is also a camping ground up in the mountains! Its a memorable experience!

    View of the little island from the beach

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    9 months ago

    One of the best campgrounds going, this place is well kept. The restrooms are constantly monitored and clean.Really enjoy coming here

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    Review Highlights - Emerald Lake State Park

    There is a small beach, which is nice for playing and swimming.

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    Buttermilk Falls

    Buttermilk Falls

    4.5(14 reviews)
    17.5 mi

    Wow ! What a hidden gem ! We were visiting Ludlow VT and saw this fall . Kids wanted to enjoy…read morewater and this was a perfect choice for us . The water was colddddddddddd though. Ufff . Very cold . The first dip was tough ! Later once you get use of it , it felt a bit better . Pathway was a bit crazy , in some places .it is about a 2 mile walk but we just went not too far : .. the lower and middle falls is also accessible from car parking lots outside . Parking is outside and sometimes you have to park 5-8 mins away from the falls . Not much of restrooms around . Lots of dogs in the water :) It was an amazing tint though ! Loved it . 5 stars !

    This is a kid-friendly swimming hole that is only a few miles away from Ludlow, VT. Our family…read morestopped by for a visit with our dog in July 2026. Here are 3 tips for newbies. First, it can get very crowded along the road (there is no official parking lot). Be sure to pack your patience. If you arrive mid-afternoon, more spaces near the entrance may open. Second, no public restrooms are available. So, plan accordingly. Third, the middle falls are easiest to access if you're here for a short time. Overall, it was a nice place for a quick visit. However, Buttermilks Falls are not as impressive as other Vermont locations with swimming holes such as Bartlett Falls or Warren Falls. The latter is particularly scenic with a high cliff jump that is for brave teenagers and adults only. The state of Vermont is blessed to have so many natural swimming areas!

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    Buttermilk Falls
    Buttermilk Falls
    Buttermilk Falls

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    Emerald Lake State Park - campgrounds - Updated July 2026

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