Parks, towns, and forests of Central Vermont welcome walkers and hikers
34 Gifford Woods Road
Killington, VT
Phone: 802-775-5354
Season: May 21 - October 19
With its location at the base of Killington and Pico peaks and close proximity to the Appalachian and Long trails, this park is a favorite of hikers. Many through-hikers pass the park on their Appalachian Trail journey from Georgia to Maine. The park is also a popular destination during the fall foliage season for its dramatic autumn colors.
There are four cabins, 22 tent/trailer sites and 20 lean-to sites situated in two camping loops. Each loop has a rest room with modern plumbing and hot showers. There is a trailer sanitary station, but no hookups. Fire and ice are available for sale. A wooded picnic area is located behind the ranger's quarters with a play area.
Green Mountain Club
4711 Waterbury-Stowe Road
Waterbury Center, VT
Phone: (802) 244-7037
Established in 1910 to build the Long Trail, the Green Mountain Club is a private, nonprofit organization with 9,000 members. The GMC is dedicated to maintaining, managing, and protecting Vermont's historic Long Trail System and advocating for hiking opportunities in Vermont. Every year more than 800 volunteers work so that future generations may enjoy the 445-mile Long Trail System.
1621 Black Pond Road
Hubbardton, VT
Phone: 802-273-2848
Season: Memorial Day-Columbus Day
This is a camping only park and there are no day-use opportunities. The campground offers camping for all tastes with its waterfront campsites and lean-tos and five furnished cabins. For those seeking more creature comforts, Tall Timbers Cottage, with its waterfront location and private boat dock, offers all the amenities of home. Hikers are likely to see a variety of wildlife. Rowboats, kayaks, canoes and pedal boats are available for rent from the park office, and two small, sandy beaches provide locations for sunbathing and swimming. The pond also has excellent fishing.
Hancock Overlook
Hancock, VT
Phone: 802-767-4261
This park features hiking and nature trails, cross-country ski trails, fishing, boating, canoeing, and picnic areas. Hunting for big game, small game and waterfowl is permitted.
Route 100
Plymouth, VT 05056
Phone: 802-672-3811
Toll-Free: 800-685-HAWK
Fax: 802-672-5585
Vermont's premier four season destination
Scenic Route 100, at the entrance of the Resort, is one of the most popular cycling routes in the country. Surrounding that and throughout Hawk property, are the quiet back roads that have made Vermont famous. These back roads are best suited for mountain biking. Then our extensive, circuitous network of 24 trails that winds throughout Hawk offers a wide variety of terrain for all abilities in hiking. The Resort's high-ground trails reach far back into the forested Green Mountains and offer wonderful views of the finger lakes, hidden streams and the surrounding Black River Valley. Whatever your pleasure—mountain bikes (suspension and non-suspension), road bikes, children's bikes, even tandem bikes, hiking trail maps—all are available at the Hawk Recreation Center.
Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial
Dairy Hill Road
Sharon, VT
Phone: 802-763-7553
At the birthplace of the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) you will find one of the world's tallest, polished, solid granite spires in the world, erected in 1905 of stone from Barre Vermont. Site includes Visitor's Center with historical art and exhibits, films in 40 seat theater, changing special exhibits, 200-year-old homes foundations, stone walls and stone bridge; hiking trails like Patriarch Hill Hike, Joseph Tree circa 1776, picnic areas, glorious gardens, ponds brooks; show shoeing and cross country skiing.
787 Kingsland Bay State Park Road
Ferrisburgh, VT
Phone: 802-877-3445
Season: Memorial Day-Columbus Day
Visitors can enjoy the picnic areas and historic buildings of the park, or rent a canoe or kayak for an easy paddle around this protected bay. Picnicking, swimming, and toilet facilities are available. There are scenic trails along the shoreline of Lake Champlain. Boating, fishing, and sailing are also popular. Day use hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Pets are not permitted
3034 VT Route 30 South
Poultney, VT
Phone: 802-287-9158
Season: Memorial Day-Labor Day
The campground contains 50 tent/trailer sites and 11 lean-to sites. Grassy open areas, wooded sites and lake access make this camping area very popular. Flush toilets, hot showers, and a dump station are provided. The park has well-developed picnic, play, and swimming areas. There is a snack bar concession with canoes, kayaks, rowboats and pedal boat rentals. Boating and fishing are popular on the lake.
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.
Montshire Museum of Science
One Montshire Road
Norwich, VT 05055
Phone: 802-649-2200
Open: Year-round, daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, and New Year’s Day
This hands-on museum offers dozens of exhibits relating to the natural and physical sciences, ecology, and technology. The building is located on a 110-acre site near the Connecticut River, and the museum’s outdoor environment is a large part of the visitor experience. Science Park is a two-acre exhibit area in a park-like setting. Also outside is a network of easy-to-moderate walking trails for visitors of all ages and fitness levels. Cost: Adults, $9; children age 3 to 17, $7.
Near Lake Dunmore Road
Salisbury, VT
Phone: 802-747-6700
1826 Back Mountain Road
Windsor, VT
Phone: 802-674-2060
Season: Mid-May-Octover 15
Excellent viewing is offered from points along the summit road and trail. The original fire tower with the cabin removed has been relocated for excellent views in all directions. The park has 39 wooded tent/trailer sites and 10 lean-to sites that are arranged within two camp loops. Each loop has a rest room providing modern plumbing and hot showers ($). There is a sanitary dump station for RV's, but no hookups. There is a small picnic area at the foot of the summit, and a picnic area and shelter part way up the summit road.
Day use hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Mount Independence Historic Site
Orwell, VT
Phone: 802-759-2412
Mount Independence was a fortified position during the Revolutionary War. Exhibits feature artifacts from the war for independence, as well as historic trails for hiking and just walking. Open May - October.
North Hartland Lake
North Hartland, VT
Phone: 802-295-2855
Visitors to this lakeside park will enjoy fishing, hiking, canoeing, boating, swimming and picnic areas.
North Springfield Lake
Springfield, VT
Phone: 802-886-2775
This federally-owned lake is open to visitors. They can enjoy fishing, canoeing, boating, swimming, as well as hiking and nature trails. Hunting is permitted here for small game, large game and waterfowl.
Peavine
Stockbridge, VT
Phone: 802-767-4261
Visitors to this park will enjoy picnic areas, hiking and nature trails, swimming, fishing, canoeing and boating. Hunting for big and small game, as well as waterfowl, is permitted.
Woodstock Road (Route 4)
White River Junction, VT
Phone: 802-295-2990
Season: Memorial Day Weekend - October 19
The focal point of the park is Vermont’s deepest gorge, formed by glacial activity approximately 13,000 years ago. Visitors can look down at the Ottauquechee River, flowing 165 feet below viewing points along Route 4.
The park contains 45 tent/trailer sites and 7 lean-to sites which are located in the camping area. Two bathrooms with showers ($) serve the campground. Most sites are large enough to accommodate large RVs. There is a sanitary dump station, but no hookups. A large field and play area are also in the campground. Located next to Quechee Gorge is a picnic area with a pit toilet and a hiking trail along the gorge.
Day use hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Riverbend
Rochester, VT
Phone: 802-767-4261
Visitors to this park will enjoy picnic areas, hiking and nature trails, swimming, fishing, canoeing and boating. Hunting for big and small game, as well as waterfowl, is permitted.
Robert Frost National Forest
Middlebury, VT
Phone: 802-388-4362
This small forest, named for Vermont's greatest poet, offers nature trails, picnic areas and a rest facility. In the winter, the trails are available for cross-country skiing.
Texas Falls National Forest
Rochester, VT
Phone: 802-767-4261
Features nature trails, fishing, picnic areas and a rest facility.
Academy Road
Thetford, VT
Phone: 802-785-2266
Union Village Dam
Union Village, VT
Phone: 802-295-2855
Visitors can enjoy hiking and nature trails, swimming, fishing, and picnic areas. Hunting for large and small game, as well as waterfowl, is permitted.
177 Reservoir Road
Waterbury Center, VT 05677
Phone: 802-244-1226
Season: Memorial Day Weekend - Labor Day Weekend
The park is located on a 90-acre peninsula with 22 picnic sites, tables, hibachis, swimming beach, nature trail, trailer boat ramp, boat rentals, concession area and restrooms. Day use hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Wilgus State Park
Ascutney, VT
Phone: 802-674-5422
Visitors can enjoy boating, canoeing, hiking and fishing. Hunting for big game and waterfowl is permitted.
Wilson Castle
West Proctor Road
Proctor, VT
Phone: 802-773-3284
This mansion, built in the mid-19th century, offers a variety of imported, elegant furniture and household items. The 115-acre estate is also home to gardens and walkways. There is an admission charge.
Wrightsville
Middlesex, VT
Visitors to this park will enjoy picnic areas, hiking and nature trails, swimming, fishing, canoeing and boating. Hunting for big game and waterfowl is permitted.
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.
22 Cedar Mountain Road
Fair Haven, VT
Phone: 802-265-4242
Season: Memorial Day-Labor Day
The campground contains 66 campsites including 10 lean-tos. The sites are both wooded and grassy open areas. Some are located along the lakeshore. Flush toilets, hot showers, and a dump station are provided. The park has a beach for swimming and a picnic area. An open pavilion-type picnic shelter can be reserved for large gatherings. A snack bar concession and boat rentals (canoe, kayak, row, and pedal) are available at the beach. Several hiking trails, including one to Half Moon State Park, provide great hiking opportunities. There is boating and fishing in Lake Bomoseen, as well as in nearby Glen Lake.
3570 Lake Dunmore Road (Route 53)
Salisbury, VT
Phone: 802-247-5925
Season: Memorial Day-Labor Day
The park is divided by Route 53. Twenty tent sites and seven lean-to sites are on one side of the highway in a heavily wooded area, and 17 tent sites are located along the perimeter of a grassy open area near the beach. Flush toilets, hot showers, and a dump station are provided. The 1,000-foot natural sandy beach, clean, clear Lake Dunmore, and the large open grassy areas make the area very popular for swimming, sunning, or picnicking. Hiking trails to scenic vistas, waterfalls, caves, mountain lakes and streams, as well as an interpretive nature trail, provide outstanding hiking opportunities. There is fishing and boating (canoe, kayak, rowboat, and pedal boat rentals are available at the park) on Lake Dunmore. Day use hours:10 a.m.-9 p.m.
5 Button Bay State Park Road
Vergennes, VT
Phone: 802-475-2377
Season: Memorial Day-Labor Day
Button Bay, a 253-acre park, is located on a bluff in Ferrisburgh along the 130-mile long Lake Champlain. The camping area is an open, grassy area with 73 sites, including 13 lean-tos. Flush toilets, hot showers, and a dump station are provided. The park has a play area and a swimming pool with lifeguards. There is a picnic area and a large open picnic shelter pavilion. Boating (canoe, kayak and rowboat rentals available), fishing, and sailing are popular on Lake Champlain. You can explore Button Point Natural Area, hike the trail, and visit the Nature Center. Day use hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
CCC's Camp
Rochester, VT
Phone: 802-767-4261
Visitors to this park will enjoy the boating, canoeing, nature and hiking trails, swimming, and fishing. Hunting for large and small game, as well as waterfowl, is permitted.
855 Coolidge State Park Road
Plymouth, VT
Phone: 802-672-3612
Season: Memorial Day-Labor Day
A trip to Coolidge State Park is a trip back in time; the park remains essentially the way it was when it was first created in the 1930s. There are 36 lean-to sites and 26 tent/trailer sites in two camping loops. Five restrooms providing modern plumbing; two have hot showers. There are two large picnic shelters, a picnic area, and a play area. There also is a sanitary dump station for RVs, but no hookups. Many day hikes are available in the park. There a several hiking trails, volleyball and a group camping area in the park.
