A recent survey of America’s best beaches revealed the “95 best secret beaches in the nation.” Vermont rivaled the rest of New England, with Crystal Lake ranking at number 10, off the tails of beaches in Hawaii and California. The publication notes:
Near Barton in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, Crystal Lake boasts glacial-fed waters so clear they reflect the surrounding mountains. Its small, grassy beach invites peaceful swims and trout fishing, with loons calling at dusk. Once an ice-harvesting site in the 1800s, this tranquil lake now offers a serene escape framed by natural splendor.
The lake is far up in Northern Vermont, just over 3 hours from Boston. For something a bit closer, but still secret, these 12 spots made the list of America’s top secret beaches according to Frugal Flyer, a travel media company with the tagline, “travel more, pay less”:
- Crystal Lake, Vermont (No. 10)- 3 hours 15 minutes from Boston
- Seawall Beach, Maine (No. 20)- 2 hours 50 min
- Madaket Beach, Massachusetts (No. 21)- on Nantucket
- Roque Bluffs, Maine (No. 32)- 5.5 hours
- Mansion Beach, Rhode Island (No. 49)- on Block Island
- Seabrook Beach, New Hampshire (No. 53) – 1 hour
- Jenness Beach, New Hampshire (No.63)- 1 hour 20 min
- Dubois Beach, Connecticut (No. 77)- 2 hours
- Bound Brook Island Beach, Wellfleet, Massachusetts (No.78)- 2 hours
- Alburgh Dunes State Park, Vermont (No. 84)- 4 hours
- Fortune’s Rocks Beach, Maine (No. 94)- 2 hours
- Plum Island Beach, Massachusetts (No.95)- 1 hour
Maybe these secret spots are worth checking out to escape the Cape traffic this Fourth of July weekend? But if not, here’s a hack to avoid Cape traffic all summer long.