🌤 Weather at Silver Lake State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17–67 °F | 50–79 °F | 27–72 °F | 9–34 °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 Rochester, 13 mi away, elevation 830 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Silver Lake State Park lies in Barnard, in Windsor County, Vermont, where a clear lake sits ringed by the low wooded hills of the Green Mountains. The park runs on a short summer season and is built around one thing above all: a large, sandy swimming beach that day visitors and campers share.
Quick Facts
| State | Vermont |
| County | Windsor County |
| Address | 20 State Park Beach Rd, Barnard, VT 05031 |
| Campsites | 39 tent/RV sites and 7 lean-tos |
| Season | Friday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend |
| Swimming | Large sandy beach |
| Boat rentals | Kayaks, canoes, pedal boats and row boats at the park office |
| Fishing | Perch, pike, largemouth bass, bullhead |
| Phone | (802) 234-9451 |
Hours, fees and facilities verified against the official Vermont State Parks page on 9 August 2026.
Location & Getting There
From I-89 Exit 3, take VT 107 west, then VT 12 south and North Road into Barnard village; the entrance is on the left. Coordinates are 43.7327, -72.6138.
Camping & Swimming
The campground holds 39 tent and RV sites plus 7 lean-tos — small enough that the beach never feels like a resort. The sand is the centrepiece, wide and gently shelving, and it is open to day-use visitors as well as campers.
A picnic pavilion can be reserved for larger groups, and there are picnic tables scattered through the park, a horseshoe pit and a volleyball net in the day-use field.
On the Water
Kayaks, canoes, pedal boats, row boats and stand-up paddleboards rent through the park office, so you can arrive with nothing and still get out on the lake. Anglers work the water for perch, pike, largemouth bass and bullhead.
One rule worth knowing before you pack the car: do not bring firewood into Vermont state parks from outside the state unless it is packaged, labelled and heat-treated with USDA or state agriculture certification.
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 Silver Lake State Park
Park policy: The park's own listing states pets are not permitted on the sandy beach or in the designated swimming area but are allowed elsewhere throughout the park, and asks you to clean up after them. The campground has 39 tent/RV and 7 lean-to sites, all open to leashed pets.
- Pets allowed?
- Dogs allowed throughout the park except the sandy beach and designated swimming area
- 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
- Park-specific rules
- Vermont's day-use policy names Silver Lake as one of only three parks (with Branbury and Lake Shaftsbury) where dogs may use the far side of a beach, away from swimmers; the park page words it as a blanket beach ban, so confirm the current line at the contact station.
- 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 Silver Lake State Park?
Dogs allowed throughout the park except the sandy beach and designated swimming area.
Beyond that, Vermont’s statewide rules apply.
Rules verified July 2026 via vtstateparks.com. More: Vermont state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
Plan your gear for Silver Lake State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
