Point Au Roche State Park — Attraction in Town of Beekmantown

Coming in at 856 acres, the Point au Roche State Park is among the smallest of state parks that I’ve had the pleasure of visiting across the United States. However, the spirit of the park more than makes up for its size, enthusiastically offering a variety of amenities, including: boat moorings, fishing spots, trails, grilling areas, playgrounds, generous parking lots, a swimming beach, and education and awareness programs.

Sequestered on the northwestern shore of Lake Champlain, the state park can be accessed via two main roads: Camp Red Cloud Road and St. Armand’s Road. Guests that use Camp Red Cloud Road will be able to access a parking lot and trails leading to Deep Bay and Conner Bay free-of-charge, whereas those using St. Armand’s Road will be required to donate $7 to access the trails that lead to Middle Bay and the beachfront at Treadwell Bay.

The parking areas were large, with overflow areas scattered throughout the access road, and were well incorporated into the environment without becoming an eyesore.

I had visited the state park while vacationing in the area with my wife, her parents, and a collection of aunts, uncles, and cousins. The roads were flat and well-paved, making them suitable not only to drive to the parking area but also to walk along. The trails were mostly flat, offering little challenge to those with limited mobility and could perhaps be accessible to those in wheelchairs at the discretion of the user and the equipment in possession.

On each venture into the park, it seemed to be quiet and resistant to congestion, save for a few people walking dogs or trying to find a secluded spot to fish the bay.

However, this immediate positive leads into a more profound criticism of the park. For all the natural beauty and undeveloped land, the Point au Roche State Park felt more neglected than preserved. Of the few structures that were present, the majority seemed to require repair. Equally, there was a distinct lack of signage discussing local history, flora and fauna that could be found, colorful and distinct trail markings, maps and infographics on the environment and the bay, or any other information that one might expect to find on an excursion to the park.

This light-touch to the park sits in a curious contrast with the level of effort made by those to maintain and drive interaction with the Point au Roche State Park. There are obvious efforts to host education events, community cleanups, and day camp activities, yet the lack of interactive elements to the park leaves one to wonder whether it is a question of intention or budget that leaves the environment so bare.

Overall, there are many that will find the untouched natural beauty of the Point au Roche State Park to be a refreshing escape from an occasionally oppressive attempt to commercialize American wildlife but, for me, it lacked the well-tended touch that helps so many of us appreciate every inch of the parks in which we stand, from its history, to its ecology, to its place in our local...

This was the first time my wife and I went for a hike along the trails even though we've stayed across the street at Point Au Roche Lodge numerous times over the last few years and we both commented on how we should have done it sooner! The trail was super nice and seemingly well maintained. The board at the start of the trail mentioned pamphlets that describe all the stops along the way, sadly there were no pamphlets, the buildings on site where you park were not manned nor did they haver any description of what they were, we were left a little confused as where to park for the different trails or if there were bike trails or which entrance lead to what? Ultimately we made our way down to the point and back and enjoyed it every step of the way, Definitely check it out if your in the...

One of our favorite weekend pass times is bringing our dogs to the trails at Point Au Roche. In fact we've been going there for the last 30+ years. When we first started going, there were still the remnants of old cottages on Long Point which have since been demolished. Over the past several years they have made considerable improvements to the trails. Ideal recreation area year round for hiking, biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing . I am in awe of at the girth of many trees that must be 100- 200 Years old. Lots of wildlife including blue heron, foxes, deer, squirrels. Beautiful foliage in the autumn and views of Lake Champlain year round. Point Au Roche is truly...