Coastal Sites: Lighthouses in Vermont to Add to Your Boating Bucket List

When most people think of lighthouses, rugged coastlines and ocean views come to mind, Vermont isn’t usually the first state to come to mind. It is landlocked, after all. Thanks to the vast Lake Champlain (it’s 107 miles long and has a surface area of more than 500 square miles), however, Vermont has a collection of historic lighthouses standing proudly on its shores. They once guided steamboats, ferries and commercial vessels across the vast lake. Today, they remain fascinating landmarks for history lovers, boaters and travelers.

Located in the Champlain Valley, between the Adirondacks and the Green Mountains, Lake Champlain is a freshwater glacial lake that extends into Quebec, Canada and makes an excellent lake to explore from a private boat slip for rent.

Burlington Breakwater Lights

Among the most iconic of Vermont lighthouses, the Burlington Breakwater North and South Lights were built in the mid-1800s to help ships safely enter Burlington Harbor. Restored and still active, they’re best seen from the city’s waterfront or while boating. Walk along Burlington’s waterfront park, take a boat tour or rent a kayak for an up-close view. Sunset is a particularly magical time to watch their lights glowing against the water.

Juniper Island Lighthouse

Privately owned and not open to the public, Juniper Island Light is the oldest surviving cast-iron lighthouse in the United States. It dates back to 1826. While you can’t visit up close, it’s a fascinating sight from the water. You can spot it from the water on a local cruise out of Burlington or on a boat from a private boat dock rental.

Isle La Motte 

Isle La Motte Lighthouse, on Lake Champlain’s northern reaches, is a smaller lighthouse that helped guide mariners through tricky waters. It adds to the network of navigational aids that once made the lake a vital shipping route. Best viewed from the water, kayakers and sailors often pass by. Some local charters offer lighthouse tours in the summer months.

Colchester Reef Lighthouse

If you’re searching for a lighthouse to enter from a private boat lift rental, you’ll want to head to the Colchester Reef Light. It was built in 1871 to warn vessels of a dangerous reef. The most famous Vermont lighthouse, the structure has been carefully relocated and preserved at the Shelburne Museum, which is just south of Burlington. Visitors can tour its historic rooms and learn about life as a lighthouse keeper. The lighthouse is open seasonally with guided tours that show what life was like for keepers on the reef.