Family Vacations and Kids Summer Camp in Vermont

(We regret that this camp is no longer offered at Mountain Top Resort. However there are plenty of fun and adventurous things to do on property – including horseback trail riding.). Central Vermont is a hidden gem, beckoning to families craving adventure and relaxation. If you and your kids are yearning for outdoor exploration, the area offers outstanding opportunities for hiking, swimming, horseback riding, kayaking, and rock-climbing. If you’re after relaxation, you will find no better place to shop, dine, and unwind than the quaint towns and villages nestled between the Taconic and Green Mountains. Here are some of our favorite destinations and activities for families vacationing in Central Vermont in the summer.

Swim, canoe, or kayak on Chittenden Reservoir

The Chittenden Reservoir is a pristine, 741-acre, man-made lake, surrounded by wilderness. Kayaks and canoes are available to use free of charge at our private beach, located less than a mile from the main lodge. The Chittenden Reservoir is home to some incredible wildlife, including moose, deer, beaver, river otters, bald eagles, and nesting loons. The lake is perfect for cooling off on a hot day, or casting a line as the sun sinks behind the mountains.

Hike the Long Trail

The Long Trail is a 270 mile hiking trail traversing Vermont’s highest peaks from the Massachusetts border in the south to the Canadian border in the north. The Killington section of the Long Trail can be reached from route 4, and is a moderately difficult climb suitable for adults and older children.

Head into Rutland for shopping, dining, and fun

Rutland, the region’s biggest town, has experienced a renaissance as of late, and offers visitors plenty of downtown shopping, casual and fine dining, and fun for the kids. The Green Mountain Rock Climbing Center offers indoor climbing walls for beginners and experts, and the historic Paramount Theatre includes world-class musical, theater, and dance acts all year long.

Take advantage of one of our unique summer camps

Our Vermont Summer Exploration Camp (NOTE: THIS PROGRAM IS NO LONGER OFFERED AT MOUNTAIN TOP RESORT. Children’s riding lessons are still offered.)offers a quintessential Vermont experience for kids of all ages. Kids take part in hiking, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, and much more. Three flexible options allow parents to take advantage of a five-day week, one day at a time, or even just a half day. The Vermont Summer Exploration Camp is perfect for parents who want to combine vacationing as a family with much-needed alone time. The Children’s Horsemanship Camp (NO LONGER OFFERED) is a horse lover’s dream. Weekly camps will take place this summer from July 1^st to August 22^nd for kids ages 6 to 12. Space is very limited for this popular camp, so please make advance reservations.

Just one taste of Central Vermont’s pristine mountain hideaway and your family will want to experience it again and again. Summer in Vermont is like no place on earth, and the Mountain Top Inn and Resort puts your family in the middle of it all.