Vermont’s severe summer drought caused problems for farmers, boaters and people with wells. But it also led to some new adventures. As Lake Champlain’s water receded, Vermonters explored islands that were suddenly accessible by foot. Social media was awash with images and videos from their trips to Law and Mosquito islands.
Law Island is a nine-acre nature area west of the Colchester Causeway and is usually reachable only by boat. It offers rustic camping sites, windswept bluffs and a trail that loops around the island. Conserved in 1994 by the Lake Champlain Land Trust, Law Island is now owned and managed by the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.
In the latest episode of “Stuck in Vermont,” Seven Days senior multimedia producer Eva Sollberger joined naturalist educator Teage O’Connor on a trip to the island. In early November, they crossed about 30 feet of shallow water to reach it; since then, the lake has reclaimed more land. Thanks to rain and snow, much of the state is no longer experiencing extreme drought conditions.
Filming date: 11/4/25
Music: Nico Staf, “Walking in the Sky”
This episode of “Stuck in Vermont” was supported by The Vermont Community Foundation.
This article appears in Nov 26 – Dec 2 2025.
