D.A.R. State Park
🏕️ Swim in Lake Champlain. Sleep Under Vermont Stars. Wake Up to the Adirondacks. — D.A.R. State Park on Lake Champlain, Addison County, Vermont, donated by the Daughters of the American Revolution, swimming beach on Lake Champlain, 70 campsites, fishing, picnicking, Adirondack Mountain views across the lake, Chimney Point historic site nearby, Crown Point Bridge — Addison County, VT
The Daughters of the American Revolution donated this land in the 1930s — a strip of Lake Champlain shoreline in the Champlain Valley, where Vermont’s Green Mountains and New York’s Adirondacks face each other across 400 feet of water. The park sits at one of the narrowest points of the lake, directly across from Crown Point, New York.
The swimming is Lake Champlain at its best — a sandy beach with views across the water to the Adirondack peaks. The camping is old-school Vermont: wooded sites, campfires, and a sky full of stars. And the history runs deep — Chimney Point, adjacent to the park, has been a crossing point for 9,000 years.
What to Do
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Swimming | Sandy beach on Lake Champlain. The water warms to 70–75°F by midsummer — refreshing but swimmable. Views of the Adirondack Mountains across the lake. Shallow entry ideal for families. No lifeguards — swim at your own risk |
| Camping | 70 wooded campsites — tent and lean-to sites in a mixed hardwood and conifer forest. No hookups (this is Vermont — pack it in, enjoy the quiet). Fire rings, picnic tables, flush toilets, hot showers. Some sites with filtered lake views |
| Fishing | Lake Champlain holds largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, lake trout, landlocked salmon, and yellow perch. Bank fishing from the park shoreline or launch a boat from nearby access points. The lake is world-class for bass fishing |
| Picnicking | Day-use picnic area with tables and grills overlooking the lake. The Adirondacks form a dramatic backdrop. This might be the most scenic picnic spot in Vermont — mountains, lake, and sky in every direction |
| Chimney Point | The Chimney Point State Historic Site — adjacent to the park — marks a crossing point used for 9,000 years by Indigenous peoples, French colonists, and British soldiers. Interpretive exhibits tell the layered history. The Crown Point Bridge (to New York) provides context for why this narrow point mattered |
Lake Champlain & the Valley
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Lake Champlain | 120 miles long, up to 12 miles wide, 400 feet deep. The sixth-largest freshwater lake in the US. Forms the border between Vermont and New York. The lake is a mini-inland sea — with its own weather, its own ecology, and (allegedly) its own monster: Champ |
| Two Mountain Ranges | Stand at the beach and look east: Green Mountains. Look west across the lake: Adirondacks. Two of the most iconic mountain ranges in the Northeast, framing a lake between them. The sunset behind the Adirondacks from this beach is extraordinary |
| D.A.R. Legacy | The Daughters of the American Revolution donated the land for this park — one of several parks nationwide established through D.A.R. land donations during the 1930s. The organization’s commitment to historical preservation created this public access point on the lake |
| Crown Point Bridge | The bridge connecting Vermont to New York at Crown Point is visible from the park. It crosses the lake at one of its narrowest points — the same strategic crossing that made this location significant for millennia |
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Best For |
|---|---|
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | ☀️ Swimming. Camping. Fishing. Long Vermont evenings. The lake warm enough to swim. Adirondack sunsets. Peak season |
| Fall (Sep–Oct) | 🍂 Vermont foliage — the Green Mountains and Champlain Valley are legendary. Fewer campers. Fishing excellent. The lake reflecting autumn color |
| Spring (May–Jun) | Wildflowers. Birding on the lake (migrating waterfowl). The valley greening. Bass spawning. Cool but beautiful |
| Winter | Park closed for camping. The lake may freeze in severe winters. Ice fishing on Champlain is a Vermont tradition |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does D.A.R. stand for?
Daughters of the American Revolution — a lineage-based women’s service organization founded in 1890. The D.A.R. donated the land for this park, which is why it carries their name.
Is Champ real?
Lake Champlain’s legendary lake monster has been “spotted” since Samuel de Champlain’s time. The lake is deep enough (400 feet) and large enough (120 miles) to theoretically hide something. Science says no. Vermont says maybe. The gift shop says definitely.
🏕️ Green Mountains Behind You. Adirondacks Across the Water. Lake Champlain at Your Feet.
Swim in the sixth-largest lake in America. Camp under Vermont stars. Watch the sun set behind the Adirondacks. And wake up to a view that two mountain ranges have been sharing for 10,000 years.
