 Lake Carmi
State Park
460 Marsh Farm Rd
Enosburg Falls, Vermont 05450Park Phone: 802-933-8383
Lake Carmi, with a 1375-acre surface area, is the fourth largest natural lake
entirely within Vermont. It is 7.5 miles around, averages about 20 feet deep,
and is 33 feet at the deepest point. The lake supports northern pike, walleyes,
and other warm water species. Water from the lake drains north into Quebec's
Pike River then into Lake Champlain. Lake Carmi was once much larger. In the
thousands of years since the last ice age cleaned it out, the southern end of
the original lake has filled in with silt and vegetative matter to create
wetland forests and the third largest peat bog in Vermont. Most of the 140-acre
bog lies within Lake Carmi State Park and is a designated State Natural Area.
The road to camping area "B" cuts through the bog and is the northern boundary
of the natural area. High ground on which camping area "B" is built would be an
island if not for the bog.
The state park includes more than two miles of lake frontage on the south and
east shore of Lake Carmi. Most of the 482 acres were purchased in 1959, and the
park was developed in stages through the 1960s. Some of the land is under an
agricultural lease so the open fields are maintained by farming activity.
There are 140 tent/trailer sites, 35 lean-to sites, and 2 cabins that make
this the state's largest campground. Rest rooms have running water and hot
showers($). There is a trailer dump station but no hookups. Most sites are large
enough to accommodate self-contained RVs. There are swimming beaches in both
camp areas. There is also a day use beach with concession area, rest rooms, and
rental boats.
Area Attractions: Missisquoi Rail Trail, Franklin Town Museum, 3:00 to
5:00 p.m. Sundays; Franklin County Historical Society, St. Albans; Jay Peak Ski
Area; Smugglers' Notch and Stowe ski areas (gondola and alpine slide);
Missisquoi National Wildlife Rufuge, Swanton; Granby Zoo, Granby, Quebec.
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