🌤 Weather at Sand Bar State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15–60 °F | 49–76 °F | 21–65 °F | 1–24 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Wolf Ridge Elc, 10 mi away, elevation 1,400 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Sand Bar State Park is 15 acres of beach on the mainland shore of Lake Champlain at Milton, in Chittenden County, Vermont. It takes its name from the natural sandbar that runs west from here to South Hero Island in Grand Isle County — the reason the water off the beach stays only a few feet deep for a long way out, and the reason people forded the lake here long before the first bridge was laid in 1850.
Quick Facts
| State | Vermont |
| County | Chittenden County |
| Address | 1215 US Route 2, Milton, VT 05468 |
| Size | 15 acres |
| Season | Friday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend |
| Hours | 10 a.m. to official sunset |
| Fees | Day-use fee applies |
| Pets | Not permitted |
| Managed by | Vermont State Parks |
Season, hours, fees and pet rule verified against the official Vermont State Parks page on 10 September 2026.
Location & Getting There
The park lies on US Route 2 where the causeway leaves the mainland for the Champlain Islands, at 44.6271, -73.2399. It is a day-use park with no camping.
The Beach and the Sandbar
The beach is what people come for — wide, sandy and shallow, which makes it one of the more forgiving swimming spots on the lake for families. The shallows are the top of the sandbar: without it the lake here would be more than 150 feet deep. The Lamoille River built it over tens of thousands of years, dropping sediment as it slowed into the lake, and the same deposits formed the marshland south and east of the park.
Those marshes are the other half of the park’s character. They draw waterfowl and wading birds, and the causeway across the sandbar is a well-known birdwatching stretch. Bring binoculars as well as a towel.
Explore More Vermont State Parks
Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Vermont guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Sand Bar State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are allowed at all Vermont State Parks campgrounds and on trails unless otherwise posted, but are not permitted on beaches or in most picnic areas.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leash shorter than 10 ft required (or pet safely confined) at all times
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are not permitted on beaches; limited exceptions let pets use the far side of the beach away from swim areas at Branbury, Lake Shaftsbury and Silver Lake
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are permitted in designated pet-friendly cabins only (full list on the Vermont State Parks cabins page); cottages do not allow pets
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Pets allowed in picnic areas at Allis, Camp Plymouth, Elmore, Kill Kare, Knight Point, Lake Shaftsbury, Mt. Philo, Osmore Pond and Owl's Head; at Camp Plymouth pets may swim only at the cartop boat launch; current rabies vaccination expected
Are dogs allowed at Sand Bar State Park?
Pets are allowed at all Vermont State Parks campgrounds and on trails unless otherwise posted, but are not permitted on beaches or in most picnic areas. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via vtstateparks.com. More: Vermont state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
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