Weekend Itinerary: D.A.R. State Park

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The stone pavilion at D.A.R. overlooks Lake Champlain 
Plan your weekend at D.A.R. State Park in Addison, VT- here's a sample itinerary to help get ready for your trip.

FRIDAY EVENING:

Arrive at the park & set up camp. Dinner and of course s’mores for dessert. Play on the playground or take a walk down by the water to watch the sun set over Lake Champlain.

SATURDAY MORNING:

Breakfast. Relax at your site, or walk down to the “beach” to spend time by the water. It’s a rocky and rugged stretch of waterfront, not sandy by any means, but still a great spot to walk along the water, fish, skip rocks, or just watch the boats go by. If you have water shoes, it’s also a good place for wading.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON:

Trip to Button Bay State Park. This is free to get in for the day since you are camping at D.A.R., just show the car tag you received when you checked in. 

Button Bay is a lovely park overlooking a different stretch of Lake Champlain. Have a picnic lunch on the grounds, go for a swim in the pool, or walk the half-mile trail out to Button Point for a beautiful view of the lake. This is also a good spot to try fishing (and through the REEL FUN program, you can rent free fishing equipment at the park.) On the walk out, stop by the nature canter to see some natural history of the area. You can even see some of the natural formed "buttons" and see how Button Bay got its name. 

SATURDAY EVENING:

Dinner in camp, relax after a long day. 

SUNDAY MORNING: 

Break camp, pack up, and check out. Stop for a photo-op by the stone shelter on the way out, or play a game of horseshoes on the lawn. Bonus treat: there are several places nearby to stop for an ice cream on the way home! 

RAINY DAY ACTIVITIES: 

Option 1: Visit the John Strong Mansion & Museum of colonial life across from the park. 
Option 2: Spend the day in Middlebury, less than half an hour from the park.  

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