Burlington Earth Clock

Updated June 10, 2025

Burlington Earth Clock – Burlington, Vermont – Atlas Obscura

## Burlington Earth Clock, Vermont – Guide to Burlington’s Lakefront Stone Circle

On a grassy rise above Lake Champlain, just off Burlington’s waterfront bike path, the Burlington Earth Clock brings together public art, astronomy, and a quiet, contemplative corner of the city. It’s part sculpture, part working sundial, and part community gathering space.

This guide walks you through what it is, how it works, and how to visit with realistic expectations.

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## What is the Burlington Earth Clock?

The Burlington Earth Clock is a large stone circle on the shore of Lake Champlain in Burlington, Vermont. It was created in the mid-2000s by the grassroots nonprofit Circles for Peace as a place to experience the rhythms of the sun and seasons. City Arts

Key facts:

– Function: Clock, compass, and seasonal calendar, all in one installation. City Arts
– Layout: A 43.5-foot (about 13.3 m) diameter circle of 14 granite stones, each weighing roughly 3.5–20 tons. City Arts
– Location context: Along the Burlington Bike Path / Island Line Trail, on the lake side of Oakledge Park / the Burlington waterfront. Obscura
– Purpose: To connect visitors with natural cycles and encourage reflection, meditation, and a sense of peace. City Arts

From the path, it looks a bit like a smaller, modern Stonehenge: upright slabs arranged in a ring, with an open view to Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks beyond.

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## How the Earth Clock Works

### Sundial you stand inside

At the center of the circle is a concrete or stone disc marked with dates. When you stand on the correct date line, your body becomes the gnomon (the part of a sundial that casts the shadow). Your shadow points toward numbered markers in the grass that indicate the time. City Arts

Important details:

– The hour markers run roughly from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. around the central pad.
– You may need to adjust slightly for daylight saving time, as noted on interpretive signage and in visitor descriptions.
– It’s only accurate when the sun is visible—on overcast days you still get the atmosphere, but not the timekeeping.

### Compass and seasonal calendar

The Earth Clock is oriented to do more than tell the hour:

– Certain stones line up with the cardinal directions (north, south, east, west), effectively turning the circle into a compass. Obscura
– From the center, looking toward specific stones shows where the sun sets at the equinoxes and solstices, so the circle works as a basic solar calendar. Obscura

Because of this alignment, the Earth Clock is a popular spot for solstice and equinox gatherings, meditation circles, and small community events organized by groups such as Circles for Peace and local druid or spiritual communities. for Peace

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## Location: Getting to the Burlington Earth Clock

### Where it is

The Earth Clock sits on the Lake Champlain waterfront along the Burlington Bike Path / Island Line Trail, near the southern end of Burlington’s shoreline parks system. Obscura

Different sources describe the immediate setting slightly differently—some refer to Oakledge Park, others to “waterfront park” or the Island Line Trail—but they all agree it is directly off the lakeside multi-use path with clear lake views. Obscura

### Access and parking

Common, current-as-far-as-available info:

– Approach on foot or bike: The Earth Clock is directly beside the Burlington Bike Path, so it’s straightforward to reach while walking, jogging, or cycling along the trail. Obscura
– From Oakledge Park: Many visitors park in the first lot on the left when entering Oakledge Park, then walk back toward the park entrance and join the bike path. From there, it’s roughly a few hundred meters / about 1,000 feet north along the shore to the stones. Obscura

#### Parking fees – watch for changes

Older city information and travel guides mention metered parking at Oakledge Park, historically around $2 per hour. Obscura

– Potentially outdated: These figures are from sources published several years ago. Local parking fees and rules change periodically, so treat the exact amount as approximate and verify on-site or via the City of Burlington before planning a long visit.

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## What to Expect When You Visit

### Atmosphere and setting

Visitors consistently describe the Earth Clock as:

– Quiet and contemplative compared with Burlington’s busier downtown waterfront.
– A good short stop on a longer walk or ride along the lake.
– Photogenic, especially with sunset over Lake Champlain behind the stones.

You’re standing in a small clearing of mown grass with the lake in front of you and trees or low brush behind. On clear evenings, the light on the stones and water is a big part of the experience.

### Crowds and who it suits

Based on recent trip reports and review summaries:

– Families: Many people bring children, who tend to enjoy standing in the center and watching their shadow tick around the hour markers.
– Walkers and cyclists: It’s an easy detour or waypoint on the waterfront path.
– Architecture / astronomy / “time-geek” travelers: The alignment with solstices, equinoxes, and cardinal directions gives it more depth than a simple sculpture.

There is no ticketing, staff, or formal tour structure on site; it functions as open public art in a public park.

### Accessibility notes

Information compiled from recent listings and reviews indicates:

– Parking area: Some listings specifically mention a wheelchair-accessible parking area and entrance related to the Earth Clock’s section of the park.
– Path: Most of the approach uses the multi-use path, which is generally paved. At least one description notes that the last segment approaching the circle itself is not paved, which can affect ease of access, especially in wet or icy conditions.
– On-site surface: The stones stand in a grass clearing; reaching the central sundial requires crossing lawn, which may be uneven or soft after rain.

Because park maintenance and surface conditions change through the year, travelers with mobility concerns should treat these details as indicative rather than guaranteed and, if needed, check very recent local information before visiting.

### Safety and environment

A few recent trail users have mentioned:

– Encountering homeless encampments along some sections of the waterfront path, especially farther south.
– Occasional unpleasant smells or insects near certain beach areas in warm months.

These are not specific to the Earth Clock itself but to parts of the surrounding trail network. Reviews still generally describe the area as a normal urban waterfront park environment—worth knowing about, but not typically a reason to avoid the site.

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## Best Time to Visit

Because it is a sundial and open-air installation:

– Daylight hours are essential if you want to see the clock functioning.
– Late afternoon toward sunset often gives the most dramatic light on the stones and over the lake. Vermont
– Solstices and equinoxes are popular times for small gatherings and ceremonies, linked to the way the stones mark the sun’s position on those days. for Peace

The Earth Clock is accessible year-round as part of the public waterfront, though snow, ice, and lake-effect wind can make a winter visit feel very different from a summer sunset stop.

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## Practical Tips for Your Visit

– Bring layers: Lake Champlain can be breezy even on warm days; temperatures and wind chill shift quickly along the open shoreline.
– Combine with a longer walk or ride: The Earth Clock works well as a stop on a longer outing along the Burlington Bike Path rather than a standalone trip.
– Read the onsite panel: The interpretive sign beside the circle explains how to stand on the date line and read the hours, and illustrates the solstice/equinox alignments. City Arts
– Photography: Wide-angle shots that include the lake, stones, and sky best capture the sense of place; the circle is relatively compact in person, so stepping back along the path helps show its full layout.

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## Suggested Pairings and Internal Link Opportunities

When you’re building out your Burlington section, the Earth Clock page naturally pairs with:

– A broader “Things to Do in Burlington, Vermont” hub that covers the lakefront path, Oakledge Park swimming areas, downtown Burlington, and seasonal events.
– A Burlington arts & culture page, where you can cross-reference installations managed or promoted by Burlington City Arts, including Burlington City Arts @ The BCA Center. City Arts

On RealJourneyTravels.com, this Earth Clock article can link contextually to:

– [/burlington-city-arts-the-bca-center/] for readers interested in Burlington’s public art and gallery scene.
– A general Burlington city guide at a path such as [/burlington-vermont/] or your existing Burlington location slug, for planning a full day in town.

(URLs here assume a standard slug-based structure; confirm your live paths before publishing.)

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## Data Freshness & What Might Change

– Parking fees and regulations at Oakledge Park and along the waterfront are subject to periodic updates by the City of Burlington; older sources referencing specific hourly rates may no longer be accurate. Obscura
– Trail conditions, accessibility details, and presence of encampments along the bike path can vary by season and year; treat current reviews or city notices as your final check before travel.

The core facts about the Earth Clock itself—its stone circle design, solar alignment, and role as a public art installation beside Lake Champlain—have remained stable since its creation in the mid-2000s and are well-documented across independent sources. City Arts

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