Maidstone State Park
Maidstone State Park is the most remote state park in Vermont, reached by a long gravel road deep in the eastern forest. Its reward is Maidstone Lake — a deep, cold, exceptionally clear glacial lake ringed by old-growth spruce and hemlock, with quiet campsites and no development in sight.
Loons & clear water
Maidstone is famous for its nesting common loons, whose calls carry across the water at night, and for swimming and paddling in some of the purest lake water in the state. Anglers fish it for lake trout and landlocked salmon.
Brighton & Spectacle Pond
Closer to Island Pond, Brighton State Park on Spectacle Pond is the county’s more accessible lakeside base — a sandy beach, boat rentals, a nature center and family camping, all minutes from the village.
Planning a remote lake trip
These parks are far from services, so arrive fueled and provisioned. The payoff is solitude: on many nights you may have a Kingdom lake almost entirely to yourself.
Good to know
How remote is Maidstone State Park?+
It is the most remote state park in Vermont, down a long gravel road — bring everything you need, as services are far away.
Can you swim and fish there?+
Yes — Maidstone Lake is clear and cold, good for swimming and for lake-trout and salmon fishing, with nesting loons on the water.
Which lake is easier to reach?+
Spectacle Pond at Brighton State Park, right beside Island Pond village, is the more accessible option.