Sports and the Outdoors

Alburgh Dunes State Park. This park has one of the longest sandy beaches on Lake Champlain and some fine examples of rare flora and fauna along the hiking trails. The wetlands are also an important area for wildlife refuge, providing a safe habitat for breeding, feeding, and nesting for surrounding animals like deer and wild turkey. 151 Coon Point Rd., off U.S. 2, Alburg, Vermont, 05440. 802/796–4170; www.vtstateparks.com/alburgh.html. $4. Mid-May–early Sept., daily sunrise–sunset.

Apple Island Resort. The resort's marina rents pontoon boats, rowboats, canoes, kayaks, and pedal boats. 71 U.S. 2, South Hero, Vermont, 05486. 802/372–3922; www.appleislandresort.com.

Grand Isle State Park. You'll find hiking trails, boat rentals, and shore fishing at Grand Isle. 36 E. Shore S, off U.S. 2, Grand Isle, Vermont, 05458. 802/372–4300; www.vtstateparks.com/grandisle.html. $4. Mid-May–mid-Oct., daily sunrise–sunset.

Hero's Welcome. This general store rents bikes, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards; come winter, they switch to ice skates, cross-country skis, and snowshoes. 3537 U.S. 2, North Hero, Vermont, 05474. 802/372–4161; www.heroswelcome.com.

Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge. On the mainland east of the Alburg Peninsula, the refuge consists of 6,729 acres of federally protected wetlands, meadows, and woods. It's a beautiful area for bird-watching, canoeing, and walking nature trails. 29 Tabor Rd., 36 miles north of Burlington, Swanton, Vermont, 05488. 802/868–4781; www.fws.gov/refuge/missisquoi.

North Hero State Park. The 399-acre North Hero has a swimming beach and nature trails. It's open to rowboats, kayaks, and canoes. 3803 Lakeview Dr., North Hero, Vermont, 05474. 802/372–8727; www.vtstateparks.com/northhero.html. $4. Mid-May–early Sept., daily sunrise–sunset.

Sand Bar State Park. One of Vermont's best swimming beaches is at Sand Bar State Park, along with a snack bar, a changing room, and boat rentals. 1215 U.S. 2, South Hero, Vermont, 05486. 802/893–2825; vtstateparks.com/sandbar.html. $4. Late May–early Sept., daily 10–9.