Things to Do 802
Things to Do Near Jay Peak, Vermont.
Ski in winter, paddle and ride in summer, chase color in fall. Northbound Vermont is a comfortable home base for every season in the Northeast Kingdom.
EXPLORE THE AREA
Explore the Northeast Kingdom
From mountain adventures to local favorites, discover what's waiting just beyond Northbound Vermont.
Cabin
Mountain Adventures
Hiking & Nature
Water Activities
Dining & Local Favorites
Chapter One
Winter in the Northeast Kingdom
Jay Peak Resort is about a 20-minute drive from the cabin. Spend the day on the mountain, then come home to a wood stove, a quiet deck, and a Vermont evening that slows right down.
Skiing & snowboarding
About 20 minutes to Jay Peak
Wood stove to come home to
Snowmobiling in the Northeast Kingdom
Groomed trails wind through snow-covered woods across the region. Vermont's snowmobile network is run by the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST), with nearly 5,000 miles of trails statewide. Check VAST for trail maps and pass information, and confirm conditions before you ride.
Visit VASTChapter Two
Summer Adventures
Hike a mountain, ride the trails, chase a waterfall, paddle the river, or play a round. Summer in the Northeast Kingdom has plenty of ways to get outside.
Hiking
The Long Trail & Belvidere Mountain Fire Tower
THE LONG TRAIL
Vermont's Footpath to Canada
Vermont's 272-mile Long Trail runs the length of the Green Mountains to the Canadian border, and it reached Jay Peak back in 1927. In the north it means mountain summits, quiet forest trails, and views you earn on foot.
Green Mountain ClubBELVIDERE MOUNTAIN FIRE TOWER
A 70-Foot Tower and Sweeping Views
6.0 miles round trip
Rated difficult
2,240 ft climb
The Green Mountain Club's route starts at the parking lot on Route 118 in Eden and follows the Long Trail north, including a newly relocated section opened in September 2026, to Belvidere Saddle. From there the Forester's Trail leads 0.2 miles to the summit and its fire tower.
This is a serious hike with steep, rocky ledges, and mountain weather can change quickly. It is not suitable for everyone. Check current trail and tower conditions with the Green Mountain Club before you go.
Belvidere Hike DetailsSummer
Mountain Biking
Two very different ways to ride, both a scenic drive away in the Northeast Kingdom: cross-country trail riding at Kingdom Trails, and lift-served downhill at Burke Mountain.
CROSS-COUNTRY TRAIL RIDING
100+ miles
Kingdom Trails
A network of non-motorized, multi-use trails for all ability levels in East Burke. You ride on your own power, choosing your own route and pace through cross-country singletrack.
A Kingdom Trails membership or day pass is required. Check the official site for current trail conditions.
Visit Kingdom TrailsLIFT-SERVED DOWNHILL
2,115 ft vertical
Burke Mountain Bike Park
Ride the lift up and the trails down: 24 trails, from wide, flowy beginner runs to expert terrain. A signed waiver and helmet are required, and bike rentals are offered at the base lodge.
Seasonal and weather-dependent. The 2026 season ended October 12, so check skiburke.com for next season's dates and hours.
Visit Burke Bike ParkNot at the cabin
Both are in the East Burke area, a scenic drive from the cabin. Neither is directly accessible from Northbound Vermont.
Separate access
Kingdom Trails and Burke Bike Park sell access separately. Check each official site for passes, tickets, and requirements.
Seasons change
Trails and lifts open and close with the weather and the calendar. Confirm current status before you plan your day.
ATV & Side-by-Side Riding
Off-Road Riding with VASA
The Vermont ATV Sportsman's Association (VASA) works with local clubs and landowners to maintain about 1,000 miles of legal ATV trail statewide, from smooth and flat to steep and rocky. Side-by-side (UTV) riders can ride too, within VASA's registration and vehicle requirements.
Most trail systems open around mid-May and close by the end of October, but each club sets its own dates. There's no riding from the cabin, so plan to trailer or drive to a VASA trail system, and check VASA for current availability. VASA is for ATV and UTV riding. Snowmobile trails are run separately by VAST.
Before You Ride
Trail Access Decal
A TAD is required. It comes with joining a VASA club and is valid for one calendar year.
Registration
You need a current state registration showing the vehicle as an ATV, UTV or OHRV.
Where you can ride
Trails cross private land with landowner permission. Not every road or forest trail allows ATVs, and local rules vary by town.
Trail maps
VASA points riders to the free Polaris Ride Command app to preview trail systems and check status.
Waterfalls & Scenic Nature
Chasing Waterfalls in the Northeast Kingdom
The Missisquoi River and its tributaries are full of falls. Some are easy to reach, some sit on private land, and some are unsafe to approach, so we only point you to places with confirmed public access.
PUBLIC ACCESS
Big Falls of the Missisquoi, Troy
Big Falls is one of the largest undeveloped waterfalls on a major Vermont river. The Vermont River Conservancy's Big Falls Eddy access, off River Road, is the safe way to reach the water below the falls. Parking is limited to a few cars near the gate, followed by a short walk down a dirt road.
Swimming
Fishing
Photography
Picnicking
ACCESS VARIES
Be Careful Around the Falls
Reaching Big Falls itself from the adjoining state land is extremely dangerous because of steep cliffs. Use the Eddy access instead.
Expect poison ivy near the river, no cell service, and limited parking. Swimming and wading are at your own risk.
Conditions and access can change, and some regional falls are on private land. Check before you go, and please respect posted signs.
Summer
River & Outdoor Adventures
The Upper Missisquoi River runs through the Lowell area, with public access points along its length. One of them is a favorite of ours.
NORTHBOUND LOCAL FAVORITE
A Little-Known Spot Along the Missisquoi River
This is one of our favorite places to visit in summer, conveniently located along Route 100 near the cabin, about a minute away. Stone steps lead down to the Missisquoi River at the official Lowell VT-100 access point, a spot to paddle, cool off, or simply sit by the water.
Canoeing
Paddling
Swimming
Know Before You Go
River conditions vary with rainfall, snowmelt, and the season. Check conditions before you go and use your own judgment.
Swimming is at your own risk. There are no lifeguards, and this is not a designated swimming beach.
Paddlers should bring their own boat and wear a life jacket.
Parking is a roadside pull-off on Route 100. Please don't block farm access roads, and leave no litter. It is a shared access point.
Summer
Golf at Jay Peak
Play an 18-hole mountain course set among the northern Vermont woods, with natural waterways, manicured greens, and big views of the surrounding peaks. Hole 12 sits at the course's high point, overlooking a broad valley bowl.
18 holes · Par 72
Mountain views
Seasonal play
Seasonal. Check Jay Peak for current dates, tee times, and rates.
Plan Your Round
For All Ages
Family Adventures
Game night at the cabin
Board games are on hand for rainy afternoons and cozy evenings by the wood stove.
River days
Splash and paddle at the Lowell river access. Conditions vary, swimming is at your own risk, and children should be closely supervised.
Jay Peak Aerial Tram
A scenic ride with family ticket options. Weather-dependent and seasonal, so check Jay Peak for the current schedule.
Pump House Indoor Waterpark
Jay Peak's indoor waterpark makes a good rainy-day option. Check the resort for current hours.
Chapter Three
Our Local Favorites
Owner-written picks for after the trail, the river, or the mountain, plus a few moments back at the cabin.
Owner Recommendations
Eat Like a Local
Three places we love, from a seasonal snack bar around the corner to a classic Vermont breakfast diner.
JUST AROUND THE CORNER
Cajun's Snack Bar
Lowell, on Route 100
A Route 100 snack bar known for its Cajun-style fare, close to the cabin. It's a seasonal spot, so check before you go.
Get DirectionsNEAR JAY PEAK
Jay Village Inn
Jay, Vermont
A local dining option near Jay Peak, handy after a day on the mountain. Check the inn's website for current dining service.
Visit WebsiteBREAKFAST FAVORITE
Martha's Diner
57 Main Street, Coventry, Vermont
A classic Vermont diner with home-style meals and fresh-baked goods, and a favorite of ours for breakfast. Snowmobile and ATV riders can even reach it directly from the trails.
Visit Website
Evenings on the deck, watching the light fade.
Fire pit nights under the Vermont sky.
Chapter Four
Fall in Vermont
When the hills turn, the Northeast Kingdom is something to see. Our own aerial footage and photographs show the woods around the cabin in full autumn color.
Timing and intensity of fall color change from year to year, so check current foliage conditions before you plan your trip.
Book Your Stay
Base Yourself at Northbound.
Adventure by day, a wood stove and a quiet deck by night.