Mist skated across the glassy reservoir. Autumn foliage transformed the surrounding Green Mountains from deep emerald into a collection of gold, ruby, and burnt orange. Our Waterbury Reservoir canoe camping trip came during a brief window of peak autumn color, and we timed it just right.
A Chilly Start to an Autumn Adventure
The night before, however, made me question my planning. It was the long weekend before Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and temperatures dropped from the high 50s when we arrived Saturday afternoon to the mid-30s overnight. Sleeping in hats, gloves, and several layers was a new Canoe52 experience. When we emerged from the tent the following morning—Jess surprisingly well-rested and me considerably less so—the view from our campsite made it all worthwhile.
After heating water for coffee, we slipped the canoe gently into the mist-covered reservoir. That morning, we paddled in blissful solitude. Water lapping against the hull, droplets falling from our paddles, and an occasional squawk were the only interruptions to the silence.
The shoreline and surrounding mountains were a mosaic of fall color. This was Canoe52’s first autumn paddle, and the experience was especially memorable. It was a break from the familiar bustle of October and a chance to appreciate the season’s final display before the quiet of winter.
After about an hour, the sun peeked over the mountaintops, bringing welcome warmth just as we finished our coffee. Its rays shimmered on the reservoir’s surface as the mist began to lift.
We had a full day of paddling ahead of us, but for now, it was time to retreat to camp. Breakfast would be a cast-iron brioche French toast bake smothered in Vermont maple syrup. After a night spent shivering in our sleeping bags, I couldn’t imagine anything better.
Canoe Camping on Waterbury Reservoir
Waterbury Reservoir is situated in Waterbury Center, just a few miles from the famed ski resort town of Stowe. Managed by Vermont State Parks, the 850-acre reservoir was created by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s to help control flooding along the Winooski River.
In my experience, there are several versions of backcountry camping. On trips through the Boundary Waters or Everglades, packing light and carrying dehydrated food is often essential. But with our campsite just a short paddle from the launch, we had the luxury of bringing a camp stove, Orca cooler, and camp cupboard. We also brought a BearVault for dry goods and secured the cooler with locks. This setup gave us considerably more flexibility when planning meals.
Our dinners were especially satisfying for camping in the cool autumn weather. We had a sausage, pepper, and sweet potato hash on the first night, followed by a spicy white bean and escarole dish on the second.
A Day Exploring the Reservoir
After breakfast, we packed sandwiches and a couple of apples before setting out for a longer paddle.
As we paddled north across Waterbury Reservoir, we noticed how few people were camping that weekend. A handful of paddlers were out on the water, but for the most part, we had the reservoir to ourselves. By afternoon, the landscape seemed a little less vibrant than it had that morning, but the views were still spectacular.
After reaching the northernmost point of the reservoir, we turned back, eventually pulling into a vacant campsite for lunch.
On the way back, Jess and I decided to switch roles. With her in the stern and me in the bow, we practiced paddling from unfamiliar positions. She practiced the J-stroke to keep us traveling straight, while I discovered just how little steering control I had from the bow. Before long, we found a rhythm. We certainly veered off course a few times, but with patience and persistence, we made our way back to camp.
After a full day of paddling, we started packing some of our gear before sunset. With rain forecast overnight and our departure planned for the following morning, we wanted to avoid packing up a soggy campsite. The second night was considerably warmer, although the rain made for a different kind of camping experience.
Fortunately, the rain had stopped by morning. We heated water for coffee, loaded the canoe, and set out for the launch point.
Between the freezing first night, the rain that followed, and a spectacular day on the water, Vermont earned its place in the Canoe52 adventure.
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