State and Local Parks, Forests - Central Vermont Region

Ricker Pond State Park

18 Ricker Pond Campground Road Groton, VT Phone: 802-584-3821

This campground has 27 tent/trailer sites, 23 lean-tos, 5 cabins and a waterfront rental cottage that sleeps up to 5 and comes with a canoe. Bathrooms wit hot showers for a fee. A sanitary dump station is available, but no hookups. There is a swimming beach, boat launch, shelter, and access to miles of hiking trails. - Interactive Campground Map (PDF)

Taconic Mountains Ramble State Park

321 St. John Road Hubbardton, VT Phone: 802-786-0060

Walking, wildlife viewing

This is an undeveloped state park on land donated to the state in late 2016. It is in the shadow of Mount Zion. There are walking trails and a beautiful Japanese garden. No visitor facilities. Pets are welcome. Open: Year round, 10 a.m. to sunset. - Eastern Trail Map (PDF) - Western Trail Map (PDF)

Bomoseen State Park

22 Cedar Mountain Road Castleton, VT, 05743 Phone: 802-265-4242

Good for camping, swimming, fishing, boating w/ rentals; pets allowed in campground

Bomoseen State Park is in the Taconic Mountains. It covers 2,000 acres around Glen Lake. Forested land that includes the camping area that is Half Moon State Park. The campground contains 66 campsites, some in the woods, and some on the lake shore; flush toilets, hot showers, and a dump station. A large picnic pavilion is available for rent. Electricity, grills, picnic tables, restrooms, and wheelchair path.
There is boating and fishing in Lake Bomoseen and Glen Lake. The park has a swimming beach and a picnic area, snack bar, and rentals of canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and pedal boats. There are several hiking trails (PDF). - Interactive Campground Guide (PDF)
Open: Memorial Day thru Labor Day, 10am - Sunset.

Big Deer State Park

1467 Boulder Beach Road Groton, VT, 05046 Phone: 802-584-3822

This campground has 23 tent/trailer sites and 5 lean-tos. The bathroom has hot showers ($). A sanitary dump station is available at Stillwater, but no hookups. There's easy access to the Groton Nature Center, Boulder Beach, and miles of hiking trails. - Interactive Campground Guide (PDF)

Gifford Woods State Park

34 Gifford Woods Access Road Killington, VT, 05751 Phone: 802-775-5354

Good hiking and access to Appalachian Trail; pets permitted, but not in cabins

The Appalachian Trail and the Long Trail meet at Gifford Woods State Park. Green Mountain National Forest and Coolidge State Forest, both nearby, also offer loop hikes. Wonderful views from the Deer Leap Mountain trail and beautiful waterfalls on Thundering Brook Trail. - Summer Trail Map (PDF) - Winter Trail Map (PDF)

Button Bay State Park

118 Button Bay State Park Road Vergennes, VT, 05491 Phone: 802-475-2377

Camping on Lake Champlain; great views; guarded pool; trails; nature center

Button Bay Park is on a bluff overlooking Lake Champlain. The open meadow camping area has 73 sites and 2 cabins. Flush toilets, hot showers, and a dump station are provided. The park has a picnic area, play area, and a swimming pool with lifeguards. Canoes, kayaks, and rowboats are for rent. Button Point Natural Area is a hardwood forest with trails and a Nature Center. Visitors may rent a large pavilion for up to 300 people with electricity, grills, picnic tables, and a bathroom. - Interactive Campground Map and Guide (PDF) - Lake Champlain Byway
Open: Memorial Day thru Columbus Day, 10am - Sunset.

Allis State Park

284 Allis State Park Road Randolph, VT, 05060 Phone: 802-276-3175

Rustic camping, picnicking, hiking; free day use; pets allowed

This park is loved by people who want to get away from noise, activity, and convenience. The park, on an old farm, is on Bear Hill, where views allowed lookouts to watch for forest fires. Peaks visible from Allis State Park are Killington, Pico, Mount Ascutney, Camel’s Hump and Mount Mansfield.
There are 15 tent sites and 8 lean-to shelters; restrooms with hot showers; picnic area and shelter; firewood for sale; hiking. Drinking water is available. Limited trash service is available. The log pavilion is for rent. It seats 100 people and has electricity and a restroom. Also: grills, fire places, and picnic tables. Hiking loops are nearby too. - Interactive Campground Map (PDF)
Open: Memorial Day thru Labor Day Weekend, 10am - Sunset.

Boulder Beach State Park

2278 Boulder Beach Road Groton, VT, 05046 Phone: 802-584-3823

This park is located on the shore of Lake Groton. The day use area has 75 shaded picnic sites with tables and grills. There is 200 feet of beach and swimming area, a car top boat launch, play area, shelter with group facilities, three large parking lots, and a concession stand. All rest rooms have lavatories and flush toilets. Day use fees charged. This park is part of Groton State Forest. The Groton Nature Center is nearby and serves all the state parks in the Groton State Forest. - Interactive Map & Guide (PDF)

Branbury State Park

3570 Lake Dunmore Road (Route 53) Brandon, VT, 05733 Phone: 888-409-7579

Popular for hiking and swimming; pets allowed in day use area and campsites

Branbury State Park is on the shore of Lake Dunmore and at the base of Mount Moosalamoo. Camp sites includes 24 tent sites in a wooded area and 17 tent sites in a grassy field. Campgrounds have flush toilets, hot showers, and a dump station. Swimming and picnicking are popular from the sandy beach.
Pets are allowed only in the day use area and campsites. There are lots of hiking trails and mountain biking trails nearby. Fishing and boating is on Lake Dunmore. You can rent canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and pedal boats. - Interactive Campground Map (PDF) - Hiking Trail Map (PDF)
Open: mid-May thru Columbus Day, 10am - Sunset.

Stillwater State Park

44 Stillwater Road Groton, VT, 05046 Phone: 802-584-3822

This campground is located on Lake Groton. The park includes a campground with 60 tent/trailer sites and 19 lean-tos. All bathrooms have hot showers. There is a sanitary dump station available, but no hookups for RVs. There is a swimming beach, boat launch/dock facility, play area and miles of hiking and multiple use trails in the adjacent state forest. The Groton Nature Center is nearby. - Interactive Campground Map (PDF) - Groton State Forest Nature Trail Map (PDF)

Half Moon Pond State Park

1621 Black Pond Road Hubbardton, VT Phone: 802-273-2848

Good park for camping, hiking, boating, paddling, fishing; no day use; pets allowed

Half Moon Pond Park is on wooded land in a sheltered basin wrapped around Half Moon Pond. This is a camping-only park; no day use.
The campground offers tent and lean-to camp sites and furnished cabins. Flush toilets, hot showers for a fee, and a dump station are provided. Pets are permitted, but not in cabins or cottages.
The park has a large trail system and two swimming beaches. Rowboats, kayaks, canoes and pedal boats are for rent (no motor boats allowed). The pond has excellent fishing for bass, panfish, and perch. - Trail Map (PDF) - Campground Map (PDF)
Open: Memorial Day thru Columbus Day

D.A.R. State Park

6750 VT Route 17 West Addison, VT, 05491 Phone: 802-759-2354

On bluffs overlooking Lake Champlain; campground in meadow; water sports; bird watching

This is a quiet park on the shore of Lake Champlain. Good for both daytime and overnight visits. The park has a large, open campground, grassy picnic areas, and stone pavilion, which may be rented. Good location for bird watching. There are 70 sites including 24 lean-tos located in a meadow and under a stand of large trees. Flush toilets, hot showers, and a dump station are provided. Picnic area located on a bluff; pavilion for groups. Boating, fishing, sailing, and swimming are popular in Lake Champlain. Season & Hours: Memorial Day-Labor Day; day use hours, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Pets allowed except in picnic area. - Interactive Campground Map (PDF)

Waterbury Center State Park

177 Reservoir Road Waterbury Center, VT, 05677 Phone: 802-244-1226

One of VT’s top five parks for paddling and boating; also, swimming, fishing; no pets

Waterbury Center State Park lies on a 90-acre peninsula of Waterbury Reservoir within Mount Mansfield State Forest. It is popular for boating, fishing, swimming, and picnicking. The park has picnic sites, tables, grills, a swimming beach, a nature trail, trailer boat ramp, boat rentals, concession area and restrooms. A wheelchair-accessible trail includes two fishing platforms. The reservoir allows fishing, paddling, swimming, motor boating, jet skis, and water skiing. Open: Memorial Day-Labor Day; day hours, 10 a.m.-sunset. - Peninsula Nature Trail Map (PDF)

Wilgus State Park

3985 CT River Road (Route 5) Springfield, VT, 05156 Phone: 802-674-5422

On Connecticut River; popular for paddling, canoeing, kayaking; campsites; cabins with WiFi

Four cabins with WiFi, 17 tent sites and 6 lean-to sites on the Connecticut River. A bathroom with running water and hot showers. There is a picnic area, and three lean-tos in the group area. Canoes and kayaks are available. A trailer sanitary station is by the ranger's quarters. A small picnic shelter can be reserved for groups. Pets are allowed, except in cabins. Day use access to the Connecticut River and the Pinnacle Trail hike. - Interactive Campground Map (PDF) - Okemo State Forest Map & Guide (PDF)
Open: Late April thru Columbus Day, 10am - Sunset.

Coolidge State Park

855 Coolidge State Park Road Plymouth, VT, 05056 Phone: 802-672-3612

Beautiful views; rustic character; camping; hiking trails

Coolidge State Park is near Plymouth Notch, the birthplace of President Calvin Coolidge and loved for its magnificent views. The wooded campground has 36 lean-to sites and 26 tent or trailer sites; four bathrooms with hot showers; a large picnic shelter; a nature center, a play area, volleyball, and a horseshoe pit. There is a sanitary dump station for RVs, but no hookups. An open pavilion with electricity, grills, fireplaces, and picnic tables is available for rent. There are miles of hiking trails and opportunities to see wildlife. - Interactive Campground Map (PDF) - Coolidge Range Trail Map (PDF)

Mount Ascutney State Park

1826 Back Mountain Road Windsor, VT, 05089 Phone: 888-409-7579

Great for hiking & hang gliding; pets permitted

This park is recommended for camping, hiking, and views. It has 39 tent or trailer sites and 10 lean-to sites. Two restrooms with plumbing and hot showers. There is a sanitary dump station for RVs (no hookups) and two picnic areas.
The park summit is 2,800 high. Hang gliding takeoff spot. A stone hut has two grills that use charcoal; a picnic tables. Park is located on the Connecticut River Byway. - Campground Map (PDF) - Trail Map (PDF)
Open: mid-May thru mid-October, 10am - Sunset.

Quechee State Park

6800 Woodstock Road (U.S. Route 4) Hartford, VT, 05047 Phone: 802-295-2990

Walks along a magnificent glacial gorge; camping; pets permitted

The centerpiece of this park is the fantastic Quechee Gorge -- Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon. The Ottauquechee River flows through the gorge about 165 feet below Route 4. Next to the gorge, on Route 4, is Quechee Gorge Village, a fun place to shop for Vermont souvenirs.
The park contains 45 tent or trailer sites and 7 lean-to sites; two bathrooms with showers; and a sanitary dump station. Large enough for RVs. No hookups. Picnic area has a pit toilet and a hiking trail along the gorge. - Interactive Campground Map (PDF) - Trail Map (PDF)
Open: Memorial Day thru mid-October, 10am - Sunset.

Barre Town Forest and Millstone Hill

44 Brook Street Websterville, VT, 05678 Phone: 802-479-9331

Over 100 years ago, Millstone Hill in Websterville (adjacent to Barre) was the site of more than 75 small granite quarrying operations, producing granite for monuments throughout the nation. During the 20th century, quarries consolidated and smaller operations closed. Quarries filled with water and the woods grew back. This community forest for the Town of Barre is on 355 acres of former quarry land. The town forest is part of a 70-mile walking and mountain biking trail network. Trails take you among the quarries, with great views and lots of evidence of the region’s industrial history. A Touring Center is located in a historic general store at 34 Church Hill Road in Websterville. A fleet of Jamis bikes is available for rentals. - Trails Map

Camp Plymouth State Park

2008 Scout Camp Road Ludlow, VT, 05149 Phone: 802-228-2025

One of Vermont’s top parks for paddling; beach; boat rentals; horse camping; walking trails

Recreational gold panning is allowed in Buffalo Brook. There is a group camping area and horses are allowed in this area. The area has lean-tos, pit toilets, tie-off station, a manure bin, and a field for activities.
There is a large picnic area, play area, sandy beach, horseshoe pits, concession, and boat rentals and four furnished rental cottages. A large enclosed picnic shelter with a kitchen and two smaller pavilion-style picnic shelters are for rent. - Campground Map (PDF) - Okemo State Forest Hiking Guide (PDF)
Open: Memorial Day thru Labor Day, 10am - Sunset.

Lake St. Catherine State Park

3034 VT Route 30 South Poultney, VT, 05764 Phone: 802-287-9158

Lake side camping; beach; boating, fishing; boat rentals; pets allowed except in day use area

The park is on the shore of picturesque Lake St. Catherine. There is a 61-site campground with 50 tent and trailer sites and 11 lean-to sites, flush toilets, hot showers, and a dump station; a nature center; two sandy beaches; a large grassy field with a playground and a snack bar; rowboat, canoe, kayak and pedal boat rentals; a boat launch for fishing or water skiing on the lake. A short hiking trail goes to an overlook of Birdseye Mountain. Anglers fish for panfish, bass, rainbow and brown trout, yellow perch and northern pike. - Interactive Campground Map (PDF) - Rail Trail (PDF)

New Discovery State Park - Photo Credit VT State Parks

New Discovery State Park and Osmore Pond

4239 VT Route 232 Marshfield, VT, 05658 Phone: 802-426-3042

This campground has 46 tent/trailer sites and 15 lean-tos. Seven sites allow horse campers. Bathrooms with hot showers. A dump station is available; no hookups. There is a play area and miles of hiking trails. Swimming is at Boulder Beach State Park.
Osmore Pond is a rustic pond; motorboats are not allowed. The pond has four campsites, a picnic shelter with restrooms. All picnic sites have a picnic table and a fireplace with a grill. Drinking water is available. Flush toilets are in the picnic shelter. There is a day use fee.
Osmore Pond is stocked with brook trout. Canoes and rowboats are available for rent. Hiking trails to Big Deer and Little Deer summits and Hosmer Brook Trail are accessible from the Osmore Pond Trail. This park is part of Groton State Forest. - Interactive Campground Map (PDF)

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Central Vermont's state and local parks make room for outdoor activities