Where to base yourself
Questions, answered
When is the best time to visit Lake Willoughby?
July and August for swimming and paddling, and late September into early October for foliage on the cliffs, which is spectacular and much less trafficked than central Vermont. Winter brings ice fishing and ice climbing on the Pisgah cliffs, but most seasonal lodging and food closes.
Is there a town here?
Not really. Westmore on the east shore is a scattering of houses and a small store, and the nearest real services are in Barton and Orleans, ten to fifteen minutes away by road, or St. Johnsbury and Newport for anything larger. Plan on buying groceries before you arrive.
Can you drive around the whole lake?
VT-5A runs the length of the east shore with the cliffs directly above it, which is the drive worth doing. The west side has no continuous shore road, so a full loop means going around by VT-16 and the surrounding country roads.
Why do people call it fjord-like?
Glacial ice gouged a deep, narrow trench and left Mount Pisgah and Mount Hor rising as sheer cliffs directly out of the water on either side of the narrows. The proportions genuinely do not look like the rest of New England.
Where to stay — Lake Willoughby
Live prices for every hotel and inn in the area — free cancellation, updated daily.
