13 Best Views in Vermont You Can’t Miss for Stunning Scenery and Photo Opportunities

Vermont offers a variety of scenic views that attract visitors year-round. The state’s natural beauty, including forests, mountains, and lakes, creates many spots perfect for sightseeing. People come to enjoy peaceful landscapes and fresh air in different seasons.

A scenic view of Vermont's countryside with colorful autumn trees, a calm river, and distant mountains under a blue sky.

The best views in Vermont provide memorable experiences through stunning natural scenes and peaceful surroundings. Whether traveling by car or on foot, travelers can find viewpoints that showcase the state’s unique charm and beauty.

1) Mount Mansfield Summit

View from the rocky summit of Mount Mansfield overlooking green hills and forests under a clear blue sky.

Mount Mansfield is the highest peak in Vermont at 4,393 feet. It offers rocky summit views that stretch in nearly all directions on clear days. Hikers can explore alpine tundra and unique natural features along well-marked trails. More details are available at the Mount Mansfield hiking guide.

2) Camel’s Hump Trail

Panoramic view of green hills and colorful autumn trees seen from a rocky trail on a mountain in Vermont.

Camel’s Hump is Vermont’s third-highest peak at 4,083 feet. The trail offers 360-degree views, including sights of nearby mountains like Killington Peak. Hikers start from a small parking area off Camel’s Hump Road. The route includes some steep sections near the summit.

For more details, see Camel’s Hump Trail on AllTrails.

3) Lake Willoughby Overlook

View of a deep blue lake surrounded by green forested mountains under a partly cloudy sky, seen from a rocky overlook.

The Lake Willoughby Overlook offers clear views of the lake nestled between steep cliffs. It is a popular spot for hikers and photographers looking for natural beauty. Visitors can see green forests and blue waters stretching toward the horizon.

The area is easy to reach and provides a quiet space to enjoy the scenery without crowds. It highlights Vermont’s rugged landscape and peaceful environment.

More details about this spot are available at the Lake Willoughby guide.

4) Peacham Village View

A peaceful Vermont village with rolling hills, colorful autumn trees, traditional houses, and a winding country road under a blue sky.

Peacham Village offers clear views of the Green and White Mountains. The village is known for its historic charm and rural landscapes. Visitors often enjoy quiet scenes of farms, ponds, and fields around the area. More about Peacham’s views can be found at this detailed Peacham overview.

5) Burlington Waterfront Park

Panoramic view of Burlington Waterfront Park with Lake Champlain, sailboats, green trees, walking paths, and the Burlington city skyline with mountains in the distance.

Burlington Waterfront Park offers clear views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains. It features walking trails and bike paths along the shore. Visitors can enjoy small restaurants and peaceful spots for relaxing by the water. For more details, see Waterfront Park in Burlington.

6) Mount Ascutney State Park

Panoramic view of Mount Ascutney with green hills, forests, rocky outcrops, and a clear blue sky.

Mount Ascutney State Park offers scenic views from its 3,144-foot summit. Visitors can hike multiple trails or drive up a toll road.

A 25-foot observation tower near the summit provides wide views of Vermont and New Hampshire. The park also allows hang gliding and paragliding at designated sites.

More details about the park and trails can be found at Mt. Ascutney State Park.

7) Smugglers’ Notch Vista

A panoramic view of lush green mountains and forests under a clear blue sky with rocky outcrops and wildflowers in the foreground.

Smugglers’ Notch Vista offers clear views of Mount Mansfield and the surrounding Green Mountains. The narrow mountain pass and winding roads add to the scenic experience. Visitors can enjoy quiet nature spots and take pictures of the rugged cliffs and forested slopes.

Smugglers’ Notch is especially popular in fall for vibrant foliage colors that brighten the landscape. The area also provides access to hiking trails and outdoor activities year-round.

More details about this scenic spot can be found at Smugglers’ Notch Scenic Drive in Vermont.

8) Jay Peak Panorama

Panoramic view of Jay Peak in Vermont with forests, mountains, and clear blue sky.

Jay Peak offers wide views of northern Vermont and parts of Canada. Visitors can see the Champlain Valley, Northeast Kingdom, and distant mountains from the summit.

The aerial tram provides easy access to these views. It’s a popular spot for both hikers and skiers.

More details about the views and tram rides are available at the Jay Peak Vermont Family Ski Resort Review.

9) Ticonderoga Lookout Trail

Panoramic view of green forests and rolling hills from a rocky lookout point on a clear day.

The Ticonderoga Lookout Trail offers a moderate hike with rewarding views. It leads hikers to a vantage point overlooking Lake Champlain and the surrounding forest. The trail is popular for its easy access and scenic outlooks near Ticonderoga. More details can be found on the Lookout Trail Hiking Trail, Ticonderoga, New York.

10) Bolton Valley Ridge

Panoramic view of green forested mountains and hills under a clear blue sky with wildflowers and rocks in the foreground.

Bolton Valley Ridge offers clear views of the Green Mountains and surrounding valleys. Hikers can reach the ridge via well-marked trails that vary in difficulty. The area is known for peaceful natural scenery and good vantage points.

More details about hiking at Bolton Valley can be found at Bolton Valley Hiking.

11) Bald Mountain Fire Tower

A fire tower atop a green mountain with forested hills and distant mountains under a blue sky.

Bald Mountain stands at 3,315 feet and is the third highest peak in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. From the restored fire tower at the summit, hikers can enjoy 360-degree views of lakes, mountains, and forests. The fire tower offers clear views of Lake Willoughby, Mt. Mansfield, and surrounding peaks.

The hike to the summit is moderate and mainly done via the Mad Brook or Long Pond Trails. The fire tower is one of the state’s oldest lookout stations, recently restored to preserve its history. It provides one of the best vantage points in the region for scenic landscapes. More details about Bald Mountain fire tower hikes are available at how to hike to the Bald Mountain Fire Tower in Vermont.

12) Mount Pisgah Observation Deck

View from a wooden observation deck overlooking rolling hills and dense forests under a clear blue sky.

The observation deck on Mount Pisgah offers clear views of Lake Willoughby. It overlooks the surrounding mountains and forests in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Visitors can see into southern Quebec on a clear day.

The trail to the deck is moderate and well-marked. It begins near Route 5A and passes between ponds. The woods and hillside create a quiet, natural setting for the hike.

This spot is popular for hikers seeking scenic but accessible views. It provides a good reward after the climb with peaceful, wide-ranging scenery. For more details, see the Mount Pisgah hiking guide.

13) Stowe Pinnacle Trail

A panoramic view from a mountain trail showing green forests, rolling hills, rocky outcrops, and distant peaks under a clear blue sky.

The Stowe Pinnacle Trail is a steep, 2.8 to 3.1-mile hike with rewarding views. It climbs through hardwood forests before reaching a rocky summit. From the top, hikers see Mount Mansfield and the Stowe valley clearly. The trail is popular and best started early to avoid crowds. For more details, visit the Stowe Pinnacle Trail page.

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