Lake Dunmore is a 985-acre lake in Salisbury and Leicester, Vermont, at the foot of the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area in the Green Mountain National Forest. Most visits center on Branbury State Park on the east shore, which has a 1,000-foot beach, campsites and boat rentals. The trailhead for the Falls of Lana, Rattlesnake Cliffs and Silver Lake is just up Route 53, so a beach day and a waterfall hike fit easily into one trip.
By Vermont Lake Collection · Last reviewed: October 2026
The Short Answer
Where can you swim at Lake Dunmore?
Branbury State Park on the east shore has a 1,000-foot swimming beach, plus picnic areas, a playground and a food concession.
How do you get to the Falls of Lana?
The trailhead is on Route 53 just before the Branbury State Park entrance, in the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area. The trail climbs along Sucker Brook to the falls and connects to Silver Lake and Rattlesnake Cliffs.
Can you camp at Lake Dunmore?
Yes. Branbury State Park has 37 campsites and 7 lean-tos. Waterhouses, on the lake, also runs a campground and marina.
Branbury State Park
Branbury sits on the lake's eastern shore at the base of Mount Moosalamoo, at 3570 Lake Dunmore Road (Route 53) in Salisbury. It has a 1,000-foot sandy beach, 37 campsites, 7 lean-to shelters, a nature center with interpretive programs, picnic areas, a playground and a food concession. Canoes, kayaks, rowboats and pedal boats are available to rent. Reservations go through the Vermont State Parks Reservation Center.
Falls of Lana, Silver Lake and Rattlesnake Cliffs
The best hikes start right next to the park. The Falls of Lana trailhead is on Route 53 just before the Branbury entrance. The trail follows Sucker Brook up to a series of cascades, then continues to Silver Lake, a small, quiet lake set high above Dunmore. Branch trails lead to Rattlesnake Cliffs, a bare rock outcrop with one of the best panoramic views in the area, looking straight down over Lake Dunmore. A loop linking the falls, Silver Lake and the cliffs makes a solid half-day hike. Branbury's own Lower and Upper Cliff Trails and Nature Trail are shorter options.
On the Water
Dunmore is about three miles long and narrow, which makes it a good lake for paddling. Rent a boat at Branbury, or visit Waterhouses, a marina founded in 1876 that is still run by the same family as a campground, marina and lakeside restaurant. Anglers come for bass, trout, landlocked salmon, northern pike and perch. See Lake Dunmore Wildlife & Fish. If you're on the water in summer, give the resident loon family plenty of room.
When to Go
Summer is beach and camping season at Branbury. Fall is the best time for the Rattlesnake Cliffs view, when Moosalamoo's hardwoods turn. Dunmore sits at the edge of the national forest, so the trails give you foliage from above. See our fall foliage lake guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lake Dunmore?
In Salisbury and Leicester, Addison County, Vermont, along Route 53, next to the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area.
How big is Lake Dunmore?
About 985 acres, a little over 3 miles long north to south, with a maximum depth of about 105 feet.
Is Branbury State Park good for families?
Yes. It has a long sandy beach, a playground, a nature center with programs, boat rentals and a food concession.
What is the best view of Lake Dunmore?
Rattlesnake Cliffs, reached by trail from the Falls of Lana trailhead on Route 53, looks straight down over the lake.
Shop the Collection
Explore our Lake Dunmore collection, including the Lake Dunmore "Fish • Boat • Swim" Tee and Lake Dunmore Wordmark Tee.