Early on a summer morning at the Waterbury Reservoir, mist drifts off the water and mountains rise on every side. The reservoir is one of the largest bodies of water in Vermont, about 850 acres at Waterbury Center State Park, with a sandy beach, a boat launch, and long stretches of wooded shoreline to explore by canoe, kayak, or paddleboard. River paddlers can follow gentle sections of the Lamoille and Winooski Rivers, where herons and ducks often keep you company around the bends. With a full day to spare, Lake Champlain is about an hour away, with wide-open water and views across to the Adirondacks.
The reservoir is about 25 minutes from Topnotch on Route 100, and Umiak Outdoor Outfitters rents canoes and kayaks there during the summer season. Umiak also leads guided river trips for paddlers who’d like a local to show them the way. Check Umiak’s website and Vermont State Parks for current seasons and details before you go. Wherever you launch, be a good neighbor to the water: clean, drain, and dry your boat before moving between lakes so invasive species don’t hitch a ride. Then head back to Topnotch, trade the life jacket for a robe, and let the indoor jacuzzi work out the knots in your shoulders.