Portal to the
Northeast Kingdom
and
Island Pond, Vermont.

Vacation Destination

ISLAND POND WINTER CARNIVAL
Feb 19th 20th 21st, 2010
click here for info

 The Northeast Kingdom of Vermont got it's name from a frequent visitor to the region. U.S. Senator and former Governor of Vermont George Aiken, he gave birth to Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom in 1949. Senator Aiken gave the area the name because of the beauty of the region’s working landscape. "You know, this is such beautiful country up here, it should be called the Northeast Kingdom.”

 Comprising of Essex, Orleans and Caledonia Counties, and bisected by Interstate 91 and U.S. 5. and to the the east it is bordered by the Connecticut River.

 The highest point is Jay Peak at 3,681 feet.

 The NEK encompasses 56 towns and gores, with a land area of 2,027 square miles. The area is a year-round travel and tourism recreation destination, known for its snowmobiling, skiing, fall foliage viewing, and the production of maple syrup.

 The Northeast Kingdom has been listed in the North American and international editions of "1,000 Places to See Before You Die". In 2006, the National Geographic Society named the Northeast Kingdom as the most desirable place to visit in the country and the ninth most desirable place to visit in the world.

 The average growing season is about 123-130 frost-free days.

 On December 30, 1933 the lowest recorded temperature in the New England states was registered as -50.8 ºF (-46 °C), at Bloomfield in Essex County.

 In 2008, 74% of the roads were rated in poor or very poor condition. There were 480 bridges with spans of 20 feet or more. There were a number of bridges deemed structurally deficient. Sixty-three percent of those were municipally owned.

Located in the heart of Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, in the town of Brighton, you will find the village of Island Pond. It is renowned for it's distinctive four seasons.

 Springtime brings forth a display of exciting colors and new life. One can go to an area bog or just a short drive around the Northeast Kingdom and see a newborn moose, fawn, bear cub and other wildlife.

 Summer allows natures ability to be expressed in a pristine setting. With many great campgrounds, plenty of forestland to explore, you will have the best time of you life, while visiting the Northeast Kingdom. You may also want to try our miles of ATV trails during the summer months.  Our area lakes, ponds, streams, brooks and bogs not only offer great fishing in the spring, summer, and fall, but also the winter season brings out those who love ice fishing.

 Fall glows with a unique cover of brilliant colors. Hunting season begins and the area is known for some of the largest deer and moose in VT. Bow Season, Moose Season, Deer Season or whatever season it is, you will find it in the Northeast Kingdom.

 Winter covers the mountains, villages and towns with a blanket of tranquility. The snowmobiler's than start to arrive in droves, as our area is well known for its great snowmobile trail system. many call it the "Snowmobile Capital of New England. With hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails to ride, you will not be disappointed on your snowmobiling adventure here. If down hill skiing or snowboarding is your sport, we have Jay Peak and Burke Mountain for your enjoyment.

Island Pond, is the "Gateway to the Northeast Kingdom and the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge Nulhegan Basin." The surrounding area offers breathtaking views and a diversity of activities year round, including mountain biking, cycling, camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, skiing, bird watching, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, wildlife viewing, and more. If it is swimming, boating, sailing, or canoeing, Island Pond, and the Northeast Kingdom, is the place to be. With an abundance of fresh water lakes, streams and rivers, one will not run out of things to see or do. While the Northeast Kingdom is 1.3 million acres in size, its human population is extremely low. Moose, deer, bear and other wildlife are prevalent in our area and one should be watchful for them.

Places here in the Kingdom, have not changed in over a century. Island Pond was the first International Railroad Junction, in the United States. Its train station still stands today. The village was once alive with lumberjacks, railroad workers, and many others. It once had 13 sets of railroad tracks running through town. A large Round House, lumber mills and farms once occupied the area. The area still has country stores, and farms that have been in the same family for generations, lodging supplied by excellent inns, bed and breakfasts, motels, hotels, cabins and campgrounds.

Our Northeast Kingdom rentals ranging from cabins, cottages, and huts to lake front homes for you and your families enjoyment. In addition, here in the Northeast Kingdom our area restaurants and dinners, offer some of the best home style cooking in the United States.

In Vermont's Northeast Kingdom you will find:

2,027 square miles ; 1,313,710 acres of land;

93,315 acres of public state forest lands and parks;

27,632 acres of public federal forest lands and parks;

5,855 acres of public town park lands;

37,575 acres of public lakes and ponds;

3,840 miles of public rivers and streams;

50 public boat launches on the lakes;

 In addition, thousands of miles of snowmobile trails; Great Campgrounds; Great Beaches; Miles of Mountain Biking Trails: Miles of ATV Trails: Miles of Hiking Trails: Many other outdoor activities await you in the Northeast Kingdom, including fishing, hunting, mountain biking, cycling, wildlife viewing, ATV trails and much more for the outdoor enthusiasts.

Come and explore the Northeast Kingdom
New England's, Final Frontier