20 Rock Point Road
Burlington, VT 05408
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TRAILS & LAND
A wilderness within the City of Burlington, Rock Point is one of the most significant rare plant sites in Vermont. It contains rare and fragile plant species, upland wetland and cliff habitats for wildlife, and one of the most visible exposure of a dolomite thrust fault in North America. It is critically important that all visitors serve as responsible stewards of this land. We welcome community members and ask you to respect the guidelines below, which will keep this unique natural area protected for others to enjoy.
Our trails are free and open to the public. To help our conservation efforts, please obtain a trail pass before arriving. Groups of more than 10 persons are requested to contact Rock Point Commons in advance of your arrival.
Please consider a voluntary contribution to support conservation efforts and Rock Point's mission to cultivate an inclusive, place-based community for education, spirituality, and environmental stewardship.
Trail Map
Rock Point offers over two miles of accessible walking and hiking trails on 130 acres of privately owned and conserved land along the shores of Lake Champlain in Burlington. Our trails are available for public use thanks to a partnership with the Lake Champlain Land Trust and the City of Burlington.
ROCK POINT TRAIL GUIDELINES
Open Dawn until Dusk
Leave No Trace: Please stay on trails to help us preserve the rare and fragile ecosystems at Rock Point. Refrain from disturbing plants & wildlife. No hammocks.
Leash Dogs at All Times & Take Waste With You
Consider a Contribution: Obtaining a digital trail pass is voluntary but highly encouraged. We rely on community support to maintain our trails and keep them open to the public.
Groups of 10 or more persons are requested to contact Rock Point Commons in advance of your arrival
Climbers Must Register with Crag-VT before climbing at Rock Point, and must follow all guidelines listed here.
No Bikes On Trails: While we encourage you to bike to Rock Point, we do not allow bikes on our trails. We provide bike racks for you to lock your bikes while you hike.
No Campfires or Camping: We do not allow fires. If you'd like to stay overnight, please book one of our rustic cabins through VT Huts.
No Drone Flying: Unless you obtain permission first, email our land steward Tyler at tpastorok@diovermont.org
No Speakers: Please be mindful of others and do not play music or audio out loud.
Parking & Directions
We welcome visitors, but parking on Rock Point is very limited. The best way to access our trails by car is by parking at Leddy Park and walking south on the bike path about 0.5 miles to the Holy Trinity Trail trailhead.
We offer limited trail parking at 5 Rock Point Road from dawn until dusk. Parking after dusk, and parking on the grass or along Rock Point Road is not permitted. Parking rules are strictly enforced and violators may be towed.
For overflow parking, we suggest parking at the following off-site locations:
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Leddy Beach parking lot is very close to the Holy Trinity trail head and a great place to start your hike
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The parking lot at Institute Road and North Avenue
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North Beach parking lot is very close to Lone Rock and Marsh Beach Trail (May-September only)
Accessibility Information
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Parking: Accessible parking is available for those with limited mobility at 7 Rock Point Road, which is also the beginning of a short ADA compliant trail out to an overlook. To access, please drive down Rock Point Road and turn left after the bridge crossing. Continue driving down the path until you see signs for ADA parking. Please note that access to this parking lot is unfortunately closed for much of the winter while the gravel road is covered in snow and ice.
Winter Trails
Winter Hiking Safety
Our hiking trails are open year-round, but please be aware that some areas become icy and dangerous in sections near 60ft cliff edges. Wearing micro-spikes in these conditions is strongly recommended. Stick to trails that you feel comfortable on, and turn around if you can't maintain stable footing. This sign, posted at our kiosks, will help you choose the best trails for you.
Nordic Skiing
With the help of super-volunteer David Lustgarten and the Burlington High School Nordic Ski Team, Rock Point maintains nearly 2 miles of groomed ski trails that connect with un-groomed trails in Arms Forest. The groomed trails are open for walking as well, but please do not walk in the ski tracks.
Rock Climbing
at Lone Rock Point
(Advanced Climbers Only)
Lone Rock Point is a spectacular and unique limestone crag less than 1 mile from downtown Burlington, VT. It offers an amazing setting with difficult sport routes and magnificent views on the shores of Lake Champlain. Lone Rock Point Cliff is currently open to climbing under a special use agreement signed between CRAG-VT and the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont. Access will only be maintained through strict adherence to the rules outlined below. Not following the property requirements may result in loss of access to the cliff.
You must register with CRAG-VT in order to rock climb at Rock Point, and follow all of the guidelines listed here: https://cragvt.org/lrp/
Thank you for respecting the rules and please consider a donation of time or money to Rock Point and/or CRAG-VT to help keep Lone Rock Point open!
Access Agreement: By accessing the land at Rock Point Commons, I certify that I am at least 18 years old and agree to abide by Rock Point's conditions. I understand that entering the premises is at my own risk, and I am responsible for ensuring compliance with the rules and being a responsible steward of the property. Rock Point Commons is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. We may use the provided information to periodically contact you regarding our mission and other services through Rock Point News.