Lake Willoughby

Lake Willoughby is a lake in the town of Westmore in Orleans County in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. The Willoughby State Forest surrounds the lake's southern end. Mount Pisgah and Mount Hor are part of this state forest. Willoughby was ranked the third finest lake in New England by Yankee magazine in 2010.

Lake Willoughby isn't as well-known as some of Vermont's other lakes, but that's exactly what makes it so alluring. It's not the place to go if you want big-city facilities; the only town on the lakefront is the tiny settlement of Westmore, which has only a few modest stores offering basic goods. Summer camps of many kinds, rental cabins, a boat launch, and the all-purpose Willoughby Lake Store, which sells everything from bait to Barr Hill gin, are located between the two beaches. Sandwiches, pizzas, and pub cuisine are made-to-order and available for takeout or eating at outdoor tables behind the store.

Visitors come to enjoy the public beach, the lake's outstanding fishing, and the Willoughby State Forest near the lake's southern end. If you want to see the lake from above, climb Mount Pisgah for some spectacular vistas. There's no better way to see the quaint seaside camps, some with clever names like Brookadoon and Restmore. Willoughby's west side has residences as well, but there is no through road, therefore it is less developed.

Location: Westmore, Orleans County, Northeast Vermont, United States

Best time to visit: all year around