Island Pond is nestled in the rolling hills of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, about 24 miles southeast of Newport. This scenic body of water forms the headwaters of the Clyde River and offers excellent opportunities for paddling, fishing, and taking in views of the surrounding hills. A town launch has features (gradual slopes, docks,) that lend themselves well to users with mobility challenges, although access currently requires navigating across grass and sandy to reach the water, limiting suitability for those in wheelchairs.
The shoreline is ringed by a road and dotted with homes, and there’s a campground along the northeast shore. Despite its proximity to town, Island Pond remains a peaceful and rewarding place to spend time on the water.
Although called a “pond,” the paddling experience here feels more like being on a small lake. With roughly 614 acres of open water, there’s plenty to explore. A highlight of the trip is circling the small central island, from which the lake gets its name. The island is steep and rocky, framed by evergreens, and provides a striking focal point from any angle. The island was recently conserved by the Vermont Land Trust, with support of many community patterns, for all to enjoy.
From Lakeside Park on the north end, it’s about 0.5 miles to the central island. A loop from the park, around the island, and back totals roughly 1.8 miles, which typically takes 30 – 50 minutes under calm conditions.
For those looking for a longer outing, a full circuit of the shoreline is manageable for most paddlers in a ½ day, , with plenty of places to pull off for a break or a swim. The scenery—mountains in the distance and the feel of a remote northern lake—makes Island Pond a classic Northeast Kingdom paddling destination.
Click here to download or view a detailed description of the access point in this suggested trip.
This is not a guarantee of accessibility, but a tool to help you determine if this location is appropriate for your needs.
