Mountain climbing is spectacular at many peaks in Vermont
284 Allis State Park Road
Randolph, VT
Phone: 802-276-3175
Season: Memorial Day-Labor Day
Several ponds nearby offer excellent bass fishing. A loop hiking trail within the park provides a strenuous workout. Baker Pond is nearby on Route 12, two miles west of the park; North and South ponds lie together one mile east of the park; Sunset Lake is in the village of Brookfield, two miles east of Bear Mountain. The villages of Brookfield, Northfield, Randolph and Williamstown are all within a 20-minute drive. There is a fire tower,hiking trails, a large picnic shelter and one rest room. Day use hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
3444 Little River Road
Waterbury, VT
Phone: 802-244-7103
Season: Mid-May-Columbus Day
Waterbury Reservoir is particularly favored for boating with a portion of the reservoir devoted to quieter uses. Angling for bass and trout is as popular here as water-skiing. Enjoy swimming beaches, play areas, boat rentals and a launch, and miles of hiking and mountain bike trails in the adjacent Mt. Mansfield State Forest. Self-guided history and nature trails are located close to the camping area. There is a campground with 81 tent/trailer sites, 20 lean-tos and three cabins. Adjacent to the park are miles of hiking trails (open for day use) that take in the rich cultural and natural history of the area.
Mt. Philo State Park
Off U.S. Route 7
North Ferrisburgh, VT
Phone: 802-425-2390
Visitors to this park will enjoy climbing 970 foot Mount Philo, hiking trails, and picnic areas. A public campground is available.
856 VT Route 12
Lake Elmore, VT
Phone: 802-888-2982
Season: Memorial Day-Columbus Day
The campground has 45 tent/trailer sites and 15 lean-tos. Two restrooms are available in the campground; one with hot showers ($). A sanitary dump station is available, but no hookups. There is convenient access to several hiking trails to Elmore Mountain and it's fire tower. The day use area includes a large sandy beach, historic CCC bathhouse with a concession stand, restrooms and a rental pavilion, a picnic shelter, numerous tables and grills, and row boat, canoe and kayak rentals. Day use hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
River Road and Range Road
Underhill Center, VT
Phone: 802-899-3022
Underhill is within Vermont's 34,000-acre Mount Mansfield State Forest. the park contains a small campground, picnic grounds, and a group camping area. The campground has a restroom facility with flush toilets and cold running water, but no showers. Due to the park’s hillside nature, it is not suitable for RVs or trailers. All campsites are walk-in.
The park is probably best known for its hiking. There are four trails to the summit ridge of Mount Mansfield. The Sunset Ridge Trail, three miles to the summit, is the most popular. Vermont’s Long Trail traverses the summit ridge. Hiking information and trail maps are available at the park headquarters.
231 North Main Street (offices)
Rutland, VT
Phone: 802-747-6700
The Green Mountain National Forest scenic beauty along the backbone of Vermont's Green Mountains offers a four season recreation experience. Primitive recreational opportunities exist within the eight Wilderness Areas on the Green Mountain National Forest. The Forest also hosts two National Recreation Areas. The most popular season is autumn, when the mountains are ablaze with color. In spring, the forest bursts forth from the grip of winter and blooming wildflowers that are visible along many of the Forest trails. The first fishing days are enjoyed by a lot of people. Mud season is usually short but intense. Mountain biking and hiking on wet trails is not encouraged during this time. Head nets and an effective insect repellant are suggested for black fly season. Summer is popular for picnicking, camping, hiking, backpacking, fishing, boating, and canoeing. Winter brings out skiers (both downhill and cross-country), snowboarders, snowmobilers, and snowshoe enthusiasts.
Uses: Hiking, fishing, hunting, picnicking, bird watching, bicycling, canoeing, camping, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling
2755 State Forest Road
Townshend, VT
Phone: 802-365-7500
Season: Memorial Day-Labor Day
A visit to Townshend State Park, located at the foot of Bald Mountain on a bend of the West River, feels like a step back in time. The park was constructed during the Great Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The campground is a popular destination for visitors seeking a rustic experience. Visitors can take a hike up the Bald Mountain Trail, passing various chutes, waterfalls and pools on the way to spectacular vistas.
The campground, situated in a wooded area, has 30 tent/trailer sites and 4 lean-to sites. There are two bathrooms, one of which has showers ($). A picnic shelter with a fireplace and three tables is attached to the ranger's quarters. Note: Due to the park's physical layout, there is a limit of 6 people and one vehicle per site.
