Ausable Chasm
Ages: 2 - 14+
Cost: Children under 5 free.
Parking: Yes
Features: Snack Stand, Restrooms
The Ausable Chasm, one of the oldests natural attractions in the US, is a unqiue and fun geological adventure for the entire family.
Some of the highlights include:
Walking - there are up to 3 miles of well-maintained, self-guided walking trails with interpretive signage describing native flora, wildlife, and geologic history.
Rafting - rafting tours are a good choice to experience the chasm as a family (2 and up; 30+ lbs). After suited with a life jacket, an experienced guide navigates the raft between the towering cliffs of the "Grand Flume" and past the "Broken Needle." You cruise through the rapids and around the "Whirlpool Basin" and the tour ends with a long glide into the landing area where you can walk back or a trolley/shuttle bus will return you to the welcome center.
Tubing - if a raft is not your style, then try a tube (must be 48" tall) and float down at your own pace. Tubes and life jackets provided. Please note: lockers are not available at the tubing start location - please plan accordingly. You'll want to leave the entrance location (one mile from tubing) ready to get wet and have some fun! Water shoes (or shoes you don't mind getting wet) are a must. Water shoes are available in our gift shop.
Lantern Tour - discover the beauty of Ausable Chasm at night with a lighted, guided walking tour. At dusk, each person is supplied a lantern while knowledgeable guides lead you into the Chasm. Tour includes a community campfire and marshmallow roast. Yum!
Chasm Mining Company - pan for gemstones and fossils on the sluice located inside the welcome center (across from the Chasm Cafe). Guests of all ages are welcome to participate in this unique activity.
Camping - The Ausable Chasm Campground, open Mid-May thru Mid-October, has facilities and recreation to satisfy all. Wide range of sites from full hookups to tents to camping cabins. 1000 acres of Mountain Biking Trails and Hiking Trails now available just for campers. Sites from $18.
Plan a minimum of two hours. Tours not recommended for those with difficulties walking or descending/climbing stairs. Strollers not permitted. Child carrier (baby backpack carrier) rentals available - $5/visit.
No Reservations Required. Opens May 16, 2008
Admissions
Adult/Teen (13+): $16
Child (5-12): $9
Under 5: Free
Raft/Tube Adventures: Add $9 each
Complimentary Trolley/Shuttle Bus Return to the Welcome Center
♦ Vermonter Daytrip Package: If you are coming across via the Burlington, VT – Port Kent, NY ferry, you can purchase a package that includes your fare for the round-trip ferry as well as up to four (4) Chasm Admissions (rafting additional) for $65.
3 Reviews
Kellie
Reviewed on 08/17/2008
The price was very expensive and wanted to warn families that if you plan to go the best deal is to use the coupon found in the Burlington Free Press that includes the ferry ride because the whole trip will only cost half of what the admission & rafting price is for Ausable alone. Unfortunately we chose not to use the coupon as we were not going to come back via ferry but afterwards realized it still would have saved us money.
CRidge
Reviewed on 07/17/2008
I took my two kids (9 & 6) and my niece (17). We loved it. The hour ferry ride over was pretty. A short drive to Ausable Chasm. The walking tours were nice and kept everyone moving. The tubing was great fun. My kids felt like they were white water rafting but really there was no danger. The tubing stopped at three so we only got to do one round of tubing down the river. I would have loved to do it over and over. Ill get there earlier next...more
Jeff1967
Reviewed on 07/11/2008
My wife and I took our 2 kids to Ausable Chasm this week (7/9/08) and we were more astonished by the prices than the chasm. To take the self-guided tour and a single raft ride, the cost was $89 for the four of us! We took this in stride, understanding that we could have unlimited raft/tube rides; afterall the "deal" is unlimited rides for $5. We figured the $5 was included in the $89 per person we'd already paid, which is not the case....more
