Champlain Valley

The Champlain Valley is the fertile (mostly rural) strip of land that borders Lake Champlain's eastern (Vermont) and western (New York) shores.

Understand
This region borders Lake Champlain which is a large, fresh water lake stretching over 100 miles in length and nearly 12 miles wide at its broadest point. Named for French explorer, Samuel de Champlain, it divides New York State and Vermont, and stretches north across the Canadian border into Quebec province. After the Great Lakes, Lake Champlain is the next largest fresh water lake in the United States. Flowing south to north, the lake is connected to the Richelieu River in the north (flows into the St. Lawrence River near Montreal), and to the south Lake Champlain connects to the Champlain Canal, and by extension the Hudson River. Lake Champlain is therefore connected to the Atlantic Ocean indirectly at both extremities. Exceeding 400 feet deep at its most profound, the lake nevertheless freezes solid in many areas during the dead of winter. The principal cities on Lake Champlain are Burlington, Vermont and Plattsburgh, New York. Ferries and bridges allow automobiles to cross the lake at various points.

Do
Champlain Area Trails (CATS) is a network for hiking, walking, skiing, snowshoeing, birding, tracking, and picnicking in and around the Champlain Valley in New York State's Adirondack Park. CATS trails encompass a rich tapestry of preserved wildlife habitats, pastoral farmland, historic villages, scenic woodlands, and a diverse aquatic system of streams, rivers, wetlands, ponds including the Boquet River and Lake Champlain.

Eat
There are many restaurants in Burlington, Vermont. A notable place for dining is in the church street marketplace. Ben and Jerrys has hometown ice cream there.

Go next
Some New York cities are easily accessible by ferry across the lake.


 * Crown Point
 * Essex (New York)
 * Plattsburgh, NY
 * Westport, NY
 * Willsboro, NY