Letters from Highland Lodge

With some of the most breathtaking views on the continent and verdant greenery blanketing huge mountain peaks, the natural landscape of our region is legendary. But it’s not just our mountains that made us fall in love with the region and the true outdoorsmen knows how to appreciate all facets of Mother Nature’s effortless beauty. Exploring the Northeast Kingdom’s...

Take a break from exploring our miles and miles (and miles and miles…) of cross country skiing and snowshoeing trails and put something new on your feet. Lace up those ice skates and spend an afternoon exploring the Northeast Kingdom’s ice skating rinks!

Many of our guests choose Highland Lodge for their lodging while they trek the nordic ski trails nearby and explore the scenic outdoors of the Northeast Kingdom. But there’s nothing wrong with taking some time to relax; in fact, we encourage it! At the Highland Center for the Arts, join Sophie Barsalow for a breath-centered yoga session for students of all levels. 

A great day trip from Highland Lodge is Darling Hill Road, which is said to be the “prettiest mile in Vermont.” Pass historic barns and ornate Victorian homes while, up ahead, you look towards the landmark of Willoughby Gap.

Just because we are well into the autumn season and winter is soon approaching doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy fresh produce and the delicious things that grow. When you join in on the trend toward locally-sourced food, eating right becomes a four-season effort but it doesn’t have to be difficult during the winter months. Just like any other season, winter has its own host of...

Dedicated to enlightenment and enhancing our inner wisdom, compassion, and kindness for the betterment of society, Karmé Chöling has been offering meditative and contemplative programs for over 40 years using Buddhist traditions. Walk the beautiful grounds, volunteer for a day, or attend a meditation session in the evening.

On a ridge above the village of Barton, Windswept Farm is a part of the Northeast Kingdom’s working landscape with its roots in the rolling fields and rugged mountains, near and far away, that reach for the sky. It’s this breathtaking natural beauty that attracts visitors to Windswept Farm, also a popular wedding venue for those seeking the wholesome values of the rural Vermont...

Vermont is known for its outstanding views of one of North America’s most breathtaking landscapes especially the Fall season. From this roof of the world, nestled in the wilds at the highest, and northernmost, reaches of the United States, the true outdoorsman will find himself at home. Nature-lovers, outdoor explorers, and breathers-of-fresh-air all journey to the Northeast Kingdom for...

Now starting their third decade as a united venue, the Northeast Kingdom Artisans Guild now features works handcrafted by more than 100 juried artisans and makers from Vermont.  Jewelry, glass, painting, metal, paper, and wood are just a few of the many different facets of these new and traditional crafts. Located in St. Johnsbury's downtown Historical District, the Artisan's...

Our mountaintops may have some world-class views of the nearby fjord-like lakes or neighboring ranges, but nothing can compare to the views from pilot Don Post’s flight tours of Vermont’s spectacular scenery. His business, Stowe Soaring, has a variety of trips from ten minutes to one hour that explore local landmarks like the Lamoille Valley, Mt. Mansfield, Green Mountains, and...

We’re not quite sure what the best part of the Highland Center for the Arts is between the music, breathtaking art, and mouthwatering food. Recently opened this past year, the HCA is just a short drive south (as in five minutes short) on the south end of Caspian Lake. Nestled amongst the lake’s rolling hills, the HCA features an art gallery, state-of-the-art...

The Northern Forest Canoe Trail runs from Old Forge, New York to Fort Kent, Maine, allowing paddlers to explore the breathtaking natural beauty of the northeastern United States and Quebec. Following the customary routes of Native Americans, the Northern Forest Canoe Trail spans 740 miles through the states and provinces of New York, Vermont, Quebec, New Hampshire, and Maine.

There’s nothing more serene and tranquil than the cascades of a waterfall, especially during the annual snowmelt in the beginning of spring. Our famous mountainous terrain has created some beautiful waterfalls that give visitors a peaceful way to experience the breathtaking natural landscape found only in the Northeast Kingdom. So, pack your sneakers and a picnic lunch and prepare to...

Explore the natural landscape of Vermont this March with the team from the Northwoods Stewardship Center. The Dashney Nordic Center Naturalist Tours are educational and enchanting, and are always enjoyable. Meet at Burke Mountain and trek the surrounding Nordic Trails. The $10 tickets are cheap and include your snowshoe rentals!

The Northeast Kingdom of Vermont is a picturesque landscape that teeters between the civilization of its small villages and towns and the pristine, natural wilderness of its breathtaking landscape. Because of the distinctive terrain found here, we have some of the most remarkable and exhilarating outdoor activities in the country, especially during wintertime. With heavy snowfall, freezing...

Only a half hour drive to the east, you’ll find Lyndon, Vermont and its welcome sign that reads: Welcome to Lyndon, The Covered Bridge Capital of the Northeast Kingdom. With five bridges in close proximity, Lyndon has been revitalizing the old structures for their scenic beauty, their utility, and their history rooted deep in the heritage of the state, not to mention their unique...

If snow is your thing, then the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont is where you want to be this winter. One of the adventures we love is snowmobiling near St. Johnsbury less than an hour away from the Highland Lodge. So plan your trip and get snowed in with us here at Highland Lodge; with thousands of miles of trails, spacious fields, and glorious mountain peaks, getting snowed in just means another...

Vermont is home to one of America’s best kept secrets: Smuggler’s Notch a nice day trip from the lodge to Stowe. The narrow pass in the Green Mountains, with scattered caverns and caves, once helped anything from alcohol to cattle to runaway slaves across the border between the United States and Canada. If you’re looking for a glimpse at pristine America, or a Prohibition-era...

Vermont is famous for its rivers and ravines that unfold into broad expanses of dairylands blanketed in green grass. It’s the dairy farms that allow Vermont to produce another characteristic of its world-renowned reputation: cheese. To make a single pound of cheese, it takes ten whole gallons of milk; with the average person eating about 34 pounds of cheese per year, the United States...

Any bookworms and art aficionados, history buffs and collectors will find a welcoming atmosphere at the scholarly hub and local public library known as the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum. The Athenaeum is a combined art gallery and library housed in an architecturally and historically phenomenal building designed in the Victorian style and full of the flavors of the 19^th century, inside...

So what if your Highland Lodge getaway was supposed to be all about rest and relaxation? You can still escape the stress and bustle of everyday life while remaining active with a visit to the Craftsbury Outdoor Center in Vermont’s tranquil and picturesque “Northeast Kingdom.” The Craftsbury Outdoor Center is a great headquarters for the region’s athletes, nature-lovers...

Continue the tradition of craft beer at the nearby Hill Farmstead Brewery, a local craft brewery. The Tap Room is open Wednesday through Saturday 12 PM to 5 PM and features craft brews such as Mary, Marie, Edward, and George, as well as the ominous Birth of Tragedy, the oak barrel-aged version of Hill Farmstead’s annual winter porter called Twilight of the Idols. Available for onsite...

For over 65 years, Caspian Lake has been one of Vermont’s most popular vacation destinations and we’re just feet away from it. We have a great view of the lake, too, so we understand why so many people want to vacation here. Besides being famous for its quiet serenity and solitude in northern Vermont, the lake is also great for outdoor activities like water skiing, sailing,...