Lake Eden, a reservoir in Lamoille County, Vermont, is near to Smugglers’ Notch, Stowe, and other favorite eastern ski hills. It’s near the Canadian border but still a doable drive for those in the Boston metro area who want to get away for a long summer weekend.

Access: From Stowe, take VT-100 N north. If you’re coming from Boston, it’s about a four-hour trip up I-93 N toward US-5 N, which you’ll take the remainder of the way. You may want to plan to stay in the nearby town of Eden.

Fees: none

What to do: Relax on the public beach, canoe, swim, fish, hike, camp, or ride horseback nearby. 

When to go: Though ice fishing is an option in winter, try to aim for early summer or early fall.