Our Communities
The Missisquoi Valley Railroad has been connecting our communities since 1883 and the Lamoille Valley Railroad since 1877. As you travel along the rail trails, we invite you to stop and explore the amazing sights, shops, and amenities we have to offer! Browse our interactive map below to discover community amenities and Trail Friendly Businesses along the route and read on further below for more information about each town along the trails.
Trail Friendly Business Directory
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Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail Guide to Trail Friendly Businesses - (2026)
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Lamoille Valley Rail Trial Guide to Trail Friendly Businesses - coming 2027
Saint Albans
Known as “Rail City,” St. Albans has been home to the New England Central Railroad for more than 100 years. It has a vibrant downtown that reflects the railroad’s influence. Visit downtown to shop at local businesses, tour Taylor Park or the St. Albans Historical Museum, and take a self-guided walk. The city hosts frequent festivals and special events, including the Vermont Maple Festival in April, Christmas in Taylor Park, and a Saturday farmer’s market (May-Oct.) in Taylor Park.
St. Albans Town Website (Town) and St. Albans City Website (City).
Sheldon
Sheldon acquired considerable importance as a summer resort in the 1800s due to the town’s abundance of mineral springs. Springwater was bottled for distribution and was marketed as a remedy for cancer, scrofula, and other diseases of the blood. Sheldon Springs became a mill town in 1894 when Joseph Shipley began producing ground wood pulp at the Missisquoi Mill. The ownership of the mill has changed throughout the years, but the mill itself remains a stable employer for the rural community. The trail parallels Sweet Hollow Road and travels through the village of Sheldon Springs. South of the village, trail users must cross VT 105. Always use extra caution on VT 105. Services are available in the village along VT 105.
Enosburg Falls
Enosburg Falls was a unique community in the 1800s due in part to Dr. B.J. Kendall’s medicinal cure for horse and cattle spavin, which along with the completion of the Missisquoi Valley Railroad, propelled the sleepy village of Enosburg Falls into a center for business and residential development. In the 1900s and continuing today, the dairy industry became very important to the town. Enosburgh became known as the “Dairy Capital of the World” with a bustling and vibrant downtown known as Enosburg Falls. Since 1956, the annual “June Dairy Days” festival has celebrated Enosburgh’s agricultural heritage. Held the first weekend in June, the festival provides activities for all ages, including live music, cow paddy bingo, garden tractor pulls, the “Milk Run” footrace, and a parade.
Enosburg Falls Website (Village) and Enosburgh Town Website (Town).
Berkshire
Berkshire was one of six towns authorized by the legislature in the spring of 1780 as a way to raise money to supply Vermont's troops. Since that time Berkshire has thrived as a dairy and agricultural center and retains much to the traditional agrarian landscape, with agriculture and forestry a vitally important element of the community’s character. Family dairy farms and rural homesteads are woven together with the foothills and forests of the Green Mountains, the historic village of East Berkshire, and the views seen along the trail to create a unique sense of place.
Richford
Early settlers in Richford were wilderness pioneers who smuggled products to Canada as their principal livelihood in the early 1800s. The arrival of the railroad in the late 1800s opened world markets for the sale of virgin mountain timber and local produce. Social and economic ties to Canada continue today as Richford’s residents work to create a community with economic opportunities and strong local pride. The Town hosts concerts and festivals, such as Old Home Days and Hometown Harvest. The Town is currently working to extend the trail into the village, and eventually to the Canadian border. For now, cyclists can make an on-road connection to Canada following directions to la Route verte.
Swanton Town & Village
Swanton Town and Village are situated on the Missisquoi River and Lake Champlain near the New York and Canadian borders. Swanton has a rich cultural heritage--with evidence of Native Americans. Swanton is a typical early settlement--the town grew around the area of the Taquahunga Falls (site of the current dam in Swanton) on the Missisquoi River. Sawmills were established along the waterways to process and transport lumber products. In 1860, a railroad was constructed through Swanton to Maquam Bay and a facility was constructed for the interchange of goods from water to rail. Through the late 1800's several railroad lines provided important links to Canada and other parts of Vermont. Rail continued to be the major form of transportation until Interstate 89 was completed in the early 1970's, but rail travel is still part of Swanton today. Swanton Village and Town maintain several miles of sidewalks and pedestrian paths. There are several opportunities to encourage non-vehicular modes of transportation, including the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail, the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, and Swanton Fit and Healthy Recreation Trail.
Highgate
Highgate is located in the northwestern corner of the State of Vermont in Franklin County. Lake Champlain makes up Highgate's western border while Quebec, Canada makes up the northern border. The Town covers approximately 33,803 acres, which is 52.82 square miles. Highgate was chartered on August 17, 1763, during that time many businesses were located in the Town such as sawmills, shingle and cider mills, an axe factory, carriage and blacksmith shops, a foundry, grist mills, and hotels. The Town has a vibrant diversified ag community including maple products, bakeries, organic meats/cheeses and vegetables. The LVRT crosses through town on one side is the Recreational Facility a year-round regional sports center with ice in the winter and summer activities in the summer including outdoor concerts. On the opposite site of the trail is the elementary school and playground. Many businesses offer travelers places to get food, hardware store for bike repair items and places to relax and enjoy the scenery. There is a historical society museum, library and community center for computer access.
Fairfield
Fairfield was chartered August 18, 1763. Fairfield, having about 47,000 acres, is the largest town in Franklin County. It is situated about 30 miles northeast of Burlington and is bounded north by Sheldon, east by Bakersfield, south by Fletcher and Fairfax, and west by St. Albans and Swanton. The Town lies in the rolling hills of northwestern Vermont. Black Creek, a tributary of the Missisquoi River, flows through town in a major valley formation. Fairfield is the birthplace of President Chester A. Arthur who took office in 1881. Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail cuts across the northwest corner of town (for about 1/3 of a mile) from Swanton to Sheldon. Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, which will run parallel to the Black Creek for several miles through the villages of Fairfield and East Fairfield from Sheldon to Bakersfield. Other trails in Town are the Chester A. Arthur Walking path and a walking path around the school.
Bakersfield
The Town of Bakersfield is located in Franklin County in the northwestern part of Vermont. Bakersfield shares borders with the towns of Fletcher, Fairfield, Enosburgh, Montgomery, Waterville and Belvidere (in Lamoille County). Bakersfield is within 20 miles of the City of St. Albans, the regional growth center, and approximately 40 miles from the City of Burlington, Vermont’s largest City.
Fletcher
Fletcher's town charter was granted by Thomas Chittenden in 1781 while Vermont was still an independent republic. The town of Fletcher, located in the southeast corner of Franklin County among the western foothills of the Green Mountains, is true Vermont hill country. Fletcher shares its western border with the town of Fairfax; the towns of Fairfield and Bakersfield lie to the north. The Franklin County line separates the town from Cambridge and Waterville; its Lamoille County neighbors to the south and east. Fletcher is one of Franklin County's more uniquely configured towns, incorporating 38 square miles of rolling hills and valleys, bottomlands, and areas of steep and rugged terrain. The town's topography lends much to its natural beauty, rural character and the quality of life enjoyed by its residents.