Lake Willoughby VT Willoughvale Inn and Cabin Rentals

Head out on the lake with one of our canoes, kayaks, Sunfish sailboat or row boat! Relax on our floating dock. Our Waterfront Activity Area makes having lakeside fun easy! A playground for kids...gas grill for lakeside cooking and picnicking...a fire pit for toasting marshmallows...and lounge chairs to settle in to and soak up the sun.

The Inn offers a premier location on the shores of Lake Willoughby - renowned for its crystal-clear waters. Guests may swim right from our shores, or opt to visit the public beaches on the north or south ends of the lake. For further exploration, or while enjoying other recreational activities in the area, many secluded swimming holes offer an exhilarating experience for visitors and locals alike.

Innsider's Tip: Take a refreshing plunge off "Devil's Rock" or flip from the rope swing a the South End beaches of Lake Willoughby - fun for all ages!

In 2003, Shawn Dutil caught a 35 lb, 3.2 oz trout from Lake Willoughby (the Vermont State record). It is no wonder that the area is a mecca for fishing year-round! The pristine waters of Lake Willoughby (up to 300' deep in spots) and the many area streams and ponds are home to many species. Expect to net large trout, salmon, muscolunge and more!

Innsider's Tip: The lake is always an extraordinary fishing experience. The Willoughby River is also a "hot spot" for fly-fishing trout. The Barton and Black Rivers are good spots as well and the Clyde River has an outstanding run of landlocked Atlantic salmon.

Fishing Licenses/Bait & Tackle:
Two local stores, Northern Exposure and the Evansville Store offer all that is needed to get you out fishing, including Vermont licenses - the cost for Adults (18+ years) is $20.00 for Vermont residents and $41.00 for non-residents; Youths (15-17 years) are $8.00 for Vermont residents and $15 for non-residents, and children younger than 15 years may fish for free. Fishing licenses may also be purchased online through the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

With 37,575 acres of public lakes and ponds, 3,840 miles of rivers and streams and 50 public boat launches, there truly is not much need for explanation as to why the area is renowned for flat and high water paddling. Flatwater paddling in the Kingdom pairs well with angling and birding.

Innsider's Tip: Take a moonlit canoe or kayak trip to experience the wonderment of the mountains reflected on the lake surface. Without running lights, just be sure that there is ample moonlight and that you paddle close to shore!

Canoe/Kayak Rentals:

The WilloughVale Inn has 1 double kayak, 2 single kayaks, 3 canoes and one small sailfish, available on a first-come/first served basis at no charge with a 2-hour limit.

East Burke Sports (East Burke) - Rents canoes and kayaks for $30 for a full day (starting at 9am) or $20 for a half day (starting at 1pm). Call 802-626-3215 for more information.

As a glacial cut lake, Lake Willoughby's cold waters run very deep, making it a unique diving experience.

Willoughby Divers - Offer air fills and some rental gear at the Northern Exposure store. For special diving arrangements contact Tharon Faulkner at 802-467-3104.

The Northeast Kingdom offers spectacular opportunities for adventures on foot! From rambling walks through the woods to challenging trails to mountain peaks - there are options for all abilities, many around Lake Willoughby - and all interesting! En route, you will be blessed with the opportunity to view the area's abundant wildlife - including over 100 bird species and beautiful flora and fauna. We've highlighted a few popular excursions...

Innsider's Tip: Pack a picnic and hike to fire tower atop Bald Mountain, offering an incredible 360-degree view! Of course, don't miss a hike up Mt. Pisgah - look for the rare arctic plants that make their home on the rocky walls carved by the glacier, and try to spot the nests of the Peregrine falcons who make their home here.

The summer and fall are great for bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts are always welcome at the Willoughvale Inn. The surrounding mountains and lakeside roads are made for biker fun and relaxation.

Once featured on the cover of Rock & Ice Magazine and most recently on the cover of Vermont Life Magazine, the famed cliffs of Mt. Pisgah and Mt. Hor (towering over Lake Willoughby), offer one of the most renowned climbing experiences in the Northeast. The famous cliffs rise almost 300 feet high over Lake Willoughby and are comprised of fractured granite.

The Vermont Northeast Kingdom and Lake Willoughby offer mountains and lakeside trails that will challenge and deliver the rides of a life time. The Northeast Kingdom is a vast wilderness area with relatively unlimited back roads and trails - a perfect place for superb off road biking!

Bring the family or just that one special person and create some memories on the biking trails in the beautiful Willoughby State Park, Crystal Lake Ledges Big Falls or Wheeler Mountain and Bubbling Springs. There are always some trails to be discovered and always that special place for trail bikers where there is no traffic.

The Northeastern Vermont Development Association provides extraordinary guide maps and tips on their website or just give us a call we can offer suggestions and we also have a few bikes available for our guests. There are also some other off road bike rentals available; there is East Burke Sports (phone 802-626-3215) and the Village Sports Shop in Lyndonville (phone (802) 626-8448)

Road Biking - the Northeast Kingdom is a vast wilderness area with relatively uncrowded roads - a perfect equation for superb road biking! Popular routes - including loops around beautiful Lake Willoughby - provide exhilaration and a feast for the eyes.

Bicycle Rentals:
The Inn offers two bicycles for guest's use (first come, first served basis). Other options include East Burke Sports, East Burke (802-626-3215) and the Village Sports Shop in Lyndonville (802-626-8448).

Several picturesque 18-hole courses for golfers of all abilities are available within a 30-minute drive from Lake Willoughby, including:

Innsider's Tip: For excellent value, golf at the Orleans Country Club and enjoy lunch in the screened porch overlooking the green. Be sure to book your tee-times well in advance (particularly during the peak summer months) to ensure that you get out there!

Enjoy the beauty of the landscape on horseback! Galloping Acres in Brownington (802-754-2337) offers trail, pony and wagon rides. The Mountain View Creamery in East Burke (802-626-9924) offers hayrides.

The Lake Willoughby area is among the finest country landscapes in New England - offering a haven for sightseeing, photography, birding and naturalist endeavors of all kinds. In many townships, there are more moose than people! Some highlights for outdoor spirits...

Birding - over 100 bird species have been seen around the lake - including thrushes, warblers, hummingbirds, jays, finches, loons, herons and gulls. The occasional peregrine falcon and bald eagle may also be glimpsed.

Favorite locales for wildlife viewing - Willoughby State Forest, Big Falls, Willoughby Cliffs on Mt. Pisgah, Crystal Lake Ledges, Wheeler Mountain & Bubbling Spring, Runaway Pond.

On the Lake - birding, sightseeing and angling tie in beautifully with a canoe or kayak excursion - a quiet early morning or sunset paddle sets the stage for remarkable wildlife viewing.

Northwoods Stewardship Center - Events, workshops, summer camps, outdoor recreation and more! Located in East Charleston. Visit NorthwoodsCenter.org or call 802-723-6551 for information.

Innsider's Tip: One advantage of a vacation on the lake and in the Northeast Kingdom is that nature is virtually all around you - with your heightened awareness, you will enjoy the beauty of nature while enjoying almost any outdoor activity! A highlight of note is the brilliant steelhead run that takes place on the Willoughby River - a rite of Spring each year!

There are many activities for families to enjoy - both indoors and outdoors, on and off the lake. From pure fun in the sun while swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, biking and more to area attractions and special events - the Kingdom offers a wonderful vacation experience for the whole family. Some of our warm season highlights include...

Outdoor Adventures - including hiking Mt. Pisgah or Wheeler Mountain, canoeing and swimming at the beaches on both ends of Lake Willoughby, horseback riding and rambling bike rides on quiet country roads. Or take in a visit to the The Great Vermont Corn Maze in North Danville (opens late July/early August through October). In addition to the maze itself they have pedal tractors for the kids and a Barnyard Nature Center with 100' of underground "Gopher Tunnels" for kids and "kids at heart" to explore, wildlife displays, a tube slide and Maisy - the corn maze calf. Of course, summertime memories of playing board games and cards, completing a puzzle or star-gazing on clear summer skies are the essence of a vacation on the lake!

Attractions - a visit to any one of the area's attractions can add a nice dimension to your family vacation - or a perfect option if the weather is less than ideal for outdoor activities! Visit our Cultural Activities and Attractions page for more information.

Special Events - Experience a down-home country fair in the Kingdom! Enjoy such activities as oxen and horse pulling, harness racing, demolition derbies, tractor pulls, country music, pig races, a mud bog, amusement rides and good ole' fashioned fair food! The Orleans County Fair and Caledonian County Fair are held in August each year.

Innsider's Tip: Visit our events page for links to sites with up-to-date information on events in the Northeast Kingdom!