Relax on Lake Whitingham
In the summer, vacationers flock to the gorgeous Lake Whitingham (Harriman Reservoir) to swim, boat, sail, and fish Lake Whitingham is one of Vermont’s largest lakes, covering more than 2,000 acres. This human-made lake was created in 1923 by the New England Power Company, which dammed the Deerfield River as part of a hydroelectric power project. Today, Lake Whitingham is more than eight miles long and features more than 28 miles of wild, undeveloped shoreline
Link for power boat rentals Power boat and jet ski rentals
https://www.highcountrymarine.com
The Best Water Access and Beaches in Wilmington VT
I still chuckle to think of Vermont as a place with honest-to-goodness beaches, but many of the ones on the shores of Lake Whitingham even have sand!
There are many places to swim in Lake Whitingham. The shore is undeveloped, and there are plenty of pull-offs and trails to the water.
We regularly visit three designated spots for swimming. I’ll call them beaches, but that’s not exactly what they are. Fall foliage is beyond amazing here as well, so if you’re visiting in October, be sure to visit these spots for a picnic!
Disclaimer: The names listed below seem to be what the locals call these spots, but I’m not sure they’re official names. Each spot has picnic tables, grills, and porta-potties, though, and on a busy summer day, you’ll share the lake with lots of locals and visitors.
Check out the View and Attractions at Hogback Mountain
This amazing view requires zero effort on your part. From Wilmington, drive east on Route 9 and pull off the road when you see the general store and the expansive views.
Technically, this is considered Marlboro but it’s just a couple of short miles outside of Wilmington. From this vantage point, you’re looking east into New Hampshire, where you’ll see Mt. Monadnock and the White Mountains.
Take a Hike: Best Hikes near Wilmington VT
Wilmington has good hiking too! There are mountain trails and lake trails. Meanders and treks. Here are our favorite hiking trails in Wilmington, VT.
Mt. Olga in Molly Stark State Park: You can access the fire tower on top of Mount Olga by parking at Molly Stark State Park (fee area) and hiking a 1.5-mile loop that brings you to the top of Mount Olga and then down the campground. It’s one of the easiest fire tower hikes in Vermont! You can also access the fire tower from behind Metcalf’s Distillery if you’re already parked at the 100-mile view. From here, the trail is just 1.4 miles round-trip. (Note: the fire tower is temporarily closed for repairs).
Wilmington VT Restaurants
There are no chain restaurants in Wilmington, and every dining opportunity is unique. From roadside stands to incredible fine dining, here are our top choices for eating out in Wilmington.
Wilmington VT Hotels
We admit that we’re suckers for small roadside motels, which you can definitely find in Wilmington.
There are also some incredibly luxurious inns if that’s your thing, plus a handful of comfortable bed and breakfasts. These are our favorite places to stay in Wilmington, Vermont.
The Viking Motel – It’s not for everyone, but for families looking for affordable lodging, the Viking Motel has everything you need. It’s clean and cute, if a bit outdated, and the owners will happily chat and give you tips about where to go and what to do. It’s unique and within walking distance of everything — our favorite kind of place.
Camping in Wilmington VT
You know, sometimes we’d rather just pitch our tent! Vermont summers are short, so we sleep outside when we can! Here are our recommendations for camping in or near Wilmington.
Molly Stark State Park: We just returned from a trip to this beautiful park and can’t recommend it enough. The park staff was extremely helpful, dogs are welcome, there are wooded and grassy sites to choose from, and the hiking trail to the top of Mt. Olga is awesome.
The best part? Molly Stark State Park is just a short drive from everything Wilmington has to offer. You can explore all day and come home to a blazing campfire and fireflies at this beautiful mountain campground. Another plus – the bathrooms are super clean at Molly Stark State Park and showers are free.
Mount Snow
Mount Snow is noted for its widely cut runs on the front face of the mountain (disparaged by some skiers as "vertical golf courses"), yet it still remains an excellent destination for intermediates and advanced intermediates. More advanced skiers migrate to the North Face, another world of bumps and open glades. This is also a great spot for snowboarding. Because it's the closest Vermont ski area to Boston and New York (about a 4-hr. drive from Manhattan), the mountain can get more crowded than other Vermont hills on weekends -- maybe that's why the resort's lift-ticket prices have surged in recent years? But Mount Snow's village is attractively arrayed along the base of the mountain; the most imposing structure is a balconied hotel overlooking a small pond, but the overall character here is still shaped mostly by unobtrusive smaller lodges and homes. Once famed for a groovy singles scene, the hill's post-skiing activities have mellowed somewhat and embraced the baby-boomer and family markets, though 20-somethings can still find a good selection of après-ski activities.
