State Parks and Hiking Trails

If it's variety of trails and terrain with breathtaking views you're interested in, then exploring Vermont's mountains are for you. Vermont has some of the best hiking in the east. Vermont offers short and simple strolls for the family to the long and challenging hiking trails deep into the mountains and forests of this sparsely populated state.

In particular, Vermont has The Long Trail that runs 270 miles from the Massachusetts border on the south and all the way to the Canadian border on the north, with 175 miles of side trails with some of the best hiking terrain in New England and New York. The trail traverses the backbone of the Green Mountains, offering spectacular views and occasional looks at small town life in Vermont's towns and villages. Along the way the trail is dotted by nearly 70 primitive shelters, lodges and tenting areas which are a welcome accommodation for all trail weary hikers. There are countless sections of the trail that offer some of the best day, and multi-day, hikes in the Northeast. The trail is owned and maintained by The Green Mountain Club .

The best source for local information about hiking can be found at the Equipe Sports Center.  They have an excellent guide called "Outdoor Map& Guide to Southern Vermont" for hiking, biking, swimming, paddling and fishing.  Best yet it is free.  Equipe Sport Center can help you with all your sporting equipment needs.  Their knowledgable staff will explain all the latest technology and suggest interesting places to visit.

Equipe Sport has put together some interesting hikes and trails with maps.

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Fort Dummer State Park
517 Old Guilford Road, Brattleboro, VT 05301

Fort Dummer State Park, located in the Connecticut River Valley, has 217 acres of forest land just outside of Brattleboro.

The park was named after Fort Dummer, the first permanent white settlement in Vermont. Built on the frontier in 1724, it was initially the gateway to the early settlements along the banks of the Connecticut River. Forty-three English soldiers and twelve Mohawk Indians manned the fort in 1724 and 1725. Later, the fort protected what was then a Massachusetts colony from an invasion by the French and Indians. Made of sturdy white pine timber, stacked like a log cabin, Fort Dummer served its purpose well.  The park overlooks the site of Fort Dummer which was flooded when the Vernon Dam was built on the Connecticut River in 1908. This site can be seen from the northernmost scenic vista on the Sunrise Trail. It is now underwater near the lumber company located on the western bank of the river.

Located in the southern foothills of the Green Mountains, the forest is more like those of southern New England than like a typical Vermont forest. Southern tree species such as white, red, and chestnut oaks, dominate the hardwood forest, which also contains beech, maple, yellow birch, and white birch.

An abundance of oak trees provides food and shelter for gray squirrels, turkeys, and deer. Ruffed grouse also inhabit these woods, attracted by its dense woody cover and open understory.

The campground has 51 tent/trailer sites and 10 lean-to sites. These are located in two adjacent areas and are served by two toilet buildings, both with hot showers ($). There is a sanitary dump station, but no hookups. Also located within the park are a small picnic area, hiking trails, a play area, and a large open field.

 

Pre-season Reservations: 800-299-3071
In Season Reservations: 802-254-2610
General Information: 800-VERMONT

Directions: From Jct. I-91 (Exit 1, Brattleboro) & U.S. 5: Go 1/10 mi N on U.S. 5, then 1/2 mi E on Fairground Rd., then 1 mi S on Main Street and Old Guilford Rd.

Season: Late May to September (Labor Day)

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Molly Stark State Park
705 Route 9 East, Wilmington, Vermont 05363

Molly Stark State Park is named after the famous wife of General John Stark of the Revolutionary War. The park is located along the "Molly Stark Trail," Route 9, which bisects southern Vermont.

Originally, the first settlers used the area for farming. During the 1930s the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built fireplaces and a toilet building, but there is no evidence that this area was used by the public for camping even though local people may have used the land for picnics.

The area was designated and opened as Molly Stark State Park on July 2, 1960. The park has open lawn areas, woods, and Mt. Olga rising to the east where there is an old fire tower with spectacular views. The area is very popular during the fall foliage season for its colors, and also because it is located on one of the more popular travel routes.

Two camping loops consist of 23 tent/trailer sites and 11 lean-to sites. One rest room with showers ($) is located in each loop. There are a play area and a picnic pavilion for large groups. A hiking trail starts from the park and goes up to the Mt. Olga fire tower.

Pre-season Reservations: 800-299-3071
In Season Reservations: 802-464-5460
General Information: 800-VERMONT
Directions: From Brattleboro: Exit #2, I-91, 15 mi W on Vt. 9.

Season: Mid-May to October 15

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Jamaica State Park
285 Salmon Hole Ln
Jamaica, Vermont 05343

Jamaica State Park, now comprising 756 acres, was completed and opened to the public in 1969.  Previously, the area had supported a few small farms and a sawmill. The Brattleboro Railroad ran through the park. The old railroad bed is now used as the trail that leads along the West River to Ball Mountain Dam. The railroad operated from about 1879 until 1927, when a flood wiped most of it out.  The area at Salmon Hole, now used as the swimming area, was the site of a famous Indian Massacre in 1748.

Jamaica State Park is located on a bend of the West River about one-half mile from the center of the town of Jamaica. Nearby to the north is Ball Mountain. Hamilton Falls is located about one mile up Cobb Brook, which enters the West River upstream from the park. The West River has a very large drainage area extending from Weston and the south side of Terrible Mountain to Windham on the east and Bromley on the west.

Every spring and fall, on one weekend in late April and late September, there is a water release on the West River from Ball Mountain Dam. This is a semiannual event for many kayakers and canoeists from all over New England.

The West River is also a favorite spot for many fishermen. The combination of deep slow running water and shallow fast ripples makes for some fine fishing.

There are 43 tent/trailer sites and 18 lean-to sites that are spread out through the campground. Two rest rooms, complete with hot showers ($), are located in the campground. A picnic shelter and nature center is located near the picnic area and swimming hole. A hiking trail follows the West River and branches off toward Hamilton Falls.

Pre-season Reservations::  800-299-3071
In Season Reservations:      802-874-4600
General Information:             800-VERMONT

Season: Last Friday in April to October 15

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Townshend State Park
2755 State Forest Rd
Townshend, Vermont 05353

Townshend State Park is located at the foot of Bald Mountain on a bend of the West River. There is a view of Rattlesnake Mountain to the north from the ranger's quarters.

A hiking trail leads to the summit of the mountain, a vertical climb of 1,100 feet from the campground. Geological features along the trail include waterfalls, chutes, and pools. From the top of the mountain, vistas provide views to the north, south, and east.

During the depression, a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp was based in the campground, which was part of a federal work program for the unemployed. The CCC laid out a large camping area and picnic area and constructed a stone house and steel fire tower. The house was built from stone quarried in the forest. Several handcrafted stone arch bridges, the work of local masons, can also be seen in the Townshend area.

The park is mainly a camp area of approximately 41 acres included in the 856-acre Townshend State Forest. To the south of the camp area is Bald Mountain which rises to an elevation of 1,680 feet. Down the state park road to the north is the Townshend Dam Recreation Area managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. This provides swimming and other day use activities for visitors in the area.

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. There is a trail to the top of Bald Mountain for day hiking.

Pre-season Reservations: 800-299-3071
In Season Reservations: 802-365-7500
General Information: 800-VERMONT
Directions: From Jct. Hwy 30 and Town Rd.: Go 3 mi N on Town Rd.

Season: Mid-May to October 15

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Woodford State Park
142 State Park Road, Bennington, Vermont 05201-9468

Woodford State Park comprises 398 acres located on a mountain plateau (2,400 feet, the highest of all Vermont's state parks) and surrounds Adams Reservoir. The high elevation spruce/fir/birch vegetation provides an ideal setting for the park. Several lakes and ponds, as well as the vast Green Mountain National Forest, surround the area.

The campground has 103 sites including 20 lean-tos. The heavily wooded area surrounds the reservoir and offers great camping opportunities. Flush toilets, hot showers ($), and a dump station are provided. There is a small beach and picnic area near the dam with pit toilet facilities. Rowboats, canoes, and paddle boats are available for rent. There are several hiking trails, including a 2.7 mile trail around the lake.

Pre-season Reservations: 800-658-1622
In Season Reservations:: 802-447-7169
General Information: 800-VERMONT
Directions:  From Bennington: Go 10 mi E on Hwy 9.

Season: Mid-May to October 15