Swanton: Nature, Rail Trails, and Railroad History

Swanton appeals to travelers with different plans: At Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, habitats and wildlife viewing take center stage, while the Rail Trails and Recreation Path are suitable for walking or cycling. There is also a railroad museum and a historic walking tour. If you’re looking for hotels in Swanton, it helps to first decide whether nature, outdoor activity, or local history will shape your stay.

Nature and Water

Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge is located in Swanton and Highgate. It covers 6,729 acres and consists mostly of wetlands that provide habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. Five trails are open to the public and provide access to the refuge’s habitats. Together, they extend for 7.5 miles and offer opportunities to view wildlife in a variety of upland and wetland habitats. The total refers to all five trails, not to each one individually.

For exploring the water, the refuge has two boat ramps serving the Missisquoi River and Lake Champlain. At Swanton Beach, there is a public boat ramp to Lake Champlain, a picnic area, and a shale beach. These waterside locations offer different experiences: At the refuge, two named bodies of water are associated with the protected area; at Swanton Beach, the picnic area and shale beach complement the public boat ramp to the lake.

Walking and Cycling Trails

The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail has a trailhead at Robin Hood Drive in Swanton. It crosses the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail (MVRT), giving Swanton access to many miles of scenic trails for walking and cycling. Both walking and cycling are included, while the crossing with the MVRT provides an additional point of reference for the Rail Trail route.

The Swanton Fit & Healthy Recreation Path is connected to the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail and is intended for pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles. This gives you several considerations when choosing a route: The Recreation Path specifies its intended users, while the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail is notable for its crossing with the MVRT and access to walking and cycling trails. This can help you choose among the described routes based on your preferred way of getting around.

Railroad History and Walking Tour

The Ronald F. Kilburn Transportation Museum is housed in a preserved railroad depot and showcases Swanton’s transportation history. The museum grounds also include a historic railroad car known as a caboose. The depot and railroad car anchor the railroad theme in two distinct elements: a preserved building and a historic vehicle. This makes transportation history a focus in its own right, alongside nature and trails.

The Heritage Walking Tour in Swanton is a self-guided walk through the town’s history and includes 30 stops. These include historic buildings, churches, cemeteries, and landmarks. The tour offers a different way to explore history than the museum: Instead of a preserved railroad depot and transportation history, the focus here is a walking tour and different types of historic places.

Discover more destinations: Montgomery, St. Albans

For the main travel overview: Franklin County.