For a stay in Essex County, you can choose among lakes, hiking trails, and railroad history as different areas of focus. When looking for a vacation rental, it’s worth deciding first whether you want to focus on time by the lake, a particular trail, or the history of Island Pond. Options range from a short loop trail to a 20-mile backcountry trail; the waterfront destinations also differ.
Lakes, Rivers, and Time on the Water
Brighton State Park offers camping on the shore of Spectacle Pond and day use at Island Pond. Two swimming areas add to the amenities. Mostly flat, easy walking trails run around Spectacle Pond; there is also a self-guided nature trail. The park also includes the 15-acre Spectacle Pond Natural Area. The details clearly distinguish between the waterfront locations: camping on the shore of Spectacle Pond and day use at Island Pond.
Maidstone Lake has a different story of origin: glacial ice carved a deep basin into a pre-existing valley, creating a deep, clear, cold lake. Loons can be spotted nesting at Maidstone Lake. Visitors interested in wildlife observation and geology will find a different focus here than on the walking trails and at the swimming areas of Brighton State Park.
Island Pond is the headwaters of the Clyde River and offers opportunities for paddling and fishing. From there, the Clyde River flows 40 miles northwest to Lake Memphremagog. A recommended trip on the Upper Clyde River begins in Island Pond. The take-out is either at Five Mile Square Road or on Route 105 at the access point on Ten Mile Square Road. Check access before setting out.
Loop Trails and Longer Routes
Trails in the Nulhegan Basin vary considerably in length and character. The Nulhegan River Trail is a 1-mile loop that starts and ends at the Nulhegan Basin welcome center. The North Branch Trail is 4 miles long and also forms a loop. It follows the North Branch of the Nulhegan River and is accessible year-round from a parking area off Vermont Route 105.
For a longer route, consider the 20-mile Kingdom Heritage Trail: it is a backcountry trail with scenic overlooks, starting at Lewis Pond Overlook and continuing into downtown Island Pond. The three routes offer different scales for planning—a 1-mile loop, a 4-mile loop, and a longer backcountry trail with a different start and end point.
Seasonal road closures in the Nulhegan Basin Division are important for motorized travel: Every year, from December 16 until the Friday before Memorial Day weekend, the roads are closed to motorized traffic, except snowmobiles. During this period, they remain accessible on foot, by bicycle, on skis, or on snowshoes. Snowmobiles can use the groomed VAST trails.
Winter Activities and Nature-Based Recreation
The groomed trails in the Nulhegan Basin are used for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. In Victory State Forest, nature-based recreational activities include wildlife watching, snowmobiling, hiking, snowshoeing, and horseback riding. Multi-use trails through the forest are open to horseback riding. Parts of Victory State Forest are also open to primitive camping; check the seasonal dates before traveling.
These options offer different highlights: Winter in the Nulhegan Basin includes groomed trails and the winter sports listed there, while Victory State Forest offers additional nature-based activities, including horseback riding. This can help you distinguish which activities and trail types are most important when planning your trip.
Island Pond and Railroad History
The Island Pond Historic District owes its significance primarily to its historic connection with the Grand Trunk Railway, North America’s first major international railroad. The Island Pond station was built in 1903–1904 for passenger service and the U.S. Customs Service. It is the historic district’s central building and the last direct connection to the region’s railroad history. The district features a relatively intact, cohesive collection of buildings dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
A historical society in Island Pond permanently displays photographs, railroad memorabilia, 19th-century clothing and uniforms, tools from the timber industry, local newspapers, and Odd Fellows memorabilia. The wider history of the river landscape also extends beyond individual locations: the Connecticut and Nulhegan river basins provided the Abenakis and Mohicans with food, water, and transportation. In Essex County, the landscape, recreational activities, and regional history offer different reasons to visit.
More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Brighton, Orange, Lamoille, Orleans County, Washington, Caledonia, Bennington County, Chittenden.
For the broader travel overview: Vermont.
