Vermont State Parks

Can you see the face? Many people visit the Notch to view the rock formations. Even our youngest guests have no problems discovering fantastic creatures in the towering cliffs above. The dual mile long thousand foot cliffs which line Smugglers’ Notch are richly decorated with famous formations and provide ample opportunity to find new ones on your own. An imaginative person can discover new formations in the cliffs at the Notch just as someone gazing in the sky can make out different formations with the clouds. Some of the rock formations found in the Notch take a bit more imagination to piece together, but a few well known and more obvious formations in the Notch are: Smugglers’ Face, Elephants Head, Hunter and his Dog, The Shark’s Tooth, and The Singing Bird. The beautiful scenery sweeps up those who wonder into the Notch and gives them an unforgettable adventure full of cliffs, wildlife, and the undiscovered formations of rock. If you’re willing to explore you should come visit and ...

As spring turns toward summer, Seyon Lodge has seen a variety of guests, weather, wildlife and cuisine. During the last weekend of May, deep into the green drake hatch, the weather became finicky. Sunday morning brought rain showers, and then it cleared with temperatures in the sunshine reaching over 60 degrees. Suddenly wind gusts o f 50 mpg drastically decreased the temperature The subsequent precipitation fell in the form of snow. By the end of the evening, temperatures dropped into the high twenties. During a recent civil union, a dragonfly hatch blessed the party with its amazing transformation. Dragonflies are not the least of the wildlife sightings at Seyon Lodge State Park . Square-tail brook trout, garter snakes, beaver, white-tailed deer, frogs, toads, mink, woodcock, flickers, robins, great blue heron and ruby-throated hummingbirds are among some of the animals that have been spotted in the park. The flora is also taking off as summer approaches. All the leaves on the trees ...

Rain gear. What’s right for you? Well, you’ ve finally made it. You took the week off, collected all of your camping gear, and found the perfect tent site (or maybe a lean-to if your plans include one of Vermont’s spectacular State Parks.) The fire is crackling softly and then you hear the disconcerting roll of thunder in the distance. What to do? What to wear? Rubberized rain gear has been around for a very long time. Soldiers in the American Civil War were issued rubber ponchos to wear in the inclement weather. It kept the water off of them (as it does now) but the design and construction was uncomfortable and not very functional under battle conditions. The modern camper has a large variety of rain gear to choose from in the 21st century. There are rain suits made from thin plastic, treated rubber and nylon, Gore-Tex coats and pants, and just about everything in between. Heck, I have personally used a garbage bag with hole in it once or twice in my lifetime because I forgot to pack...

Parks, libraries partner to get Vermonters outdoors this summer Under "Check Out the Parks", each public library will get a one day pass that can be checked out for free admission to a state park. The passes are good at any of the state’s day-use parks and admit up to eight people traveling together in the same vehicle. Each library will determine the how long each pass may be checked out. Some libraries are choosing to purchase additional passes. “Vermont State Parks are a perfect affordable getaway for families and friends,” the Governor said. “There’s a state park with something for everyone within a half-hour of every community. By checking out a park pass at their local library, folks can enjoy the best Vermont has to offer – our magnificent outdoors.” “Check Out the Parks” partners people with favorite places, the Governor added. “Libraries unlock the greater world through books, magazines, newspapers, audio-visual resources, the Internet and now the great outdoors and ...

Greetings from Seyon Lodge State Park ! Today the sun is shining and reflects in a beautiful way off the new green foliage on the trees and plants of the forest. Flowers in hanging baskets swing in the breeze that keep the black flies at bay, and the anglers that head out to the pond are in for some good fishing, I hear. Speaking of fishing...Leighton Wass, a frequent angler and new friend of mine, is about to visit Seyon for the 200th time to go fishing on the pond! He has been coming to Seyon since 1987 and for the last 22 years has never been "skunked" during his fishing trips here. Since I have known him, Leighton's love for this special place has been apparent; he always has a nice thing to say about the way the park looks or the good fishing on the pond...it's nice to see someone so content and appreciative of the outdoors. If you get a chance to meet Leighton, you will know what I mean. We congratulate him on his 200th fishing trip to Seyon and look forward to...

Frank Spaulding is the Projects Coordinator for Vermont State Parks . He oversees construction projects and is the go-to guy for stuff like wastewater systems, toilet building design, contract and bidding administration and ordering the parks' vehicles. He also takes the lead on hazard identification, aesthetic standards and has a lot to do with the captial budget. Perhaps not the most glamorous work, but vital to the safety and enjoyment of all state park visitors. Recently, our Commissioner, Jason Gibbs, put out a call to FPR (Forests, Parks & Recreation) staff soliciting ideas for funny radio ads for the parks. Frank is a funny guy (funny ha ha) and all three of his ideas were selected and produced into radio ads that will run this summer. Chuck Woessner is the Parks Regional Manager for the northwestern part of the state. He oversees operations for Grand Isle , Lake Carmi , Burton Island and Underhill state parks, just to name a few. Chuck's hidden talents include a s...

As the sun rises this morning I awake to the calls of Robins outside… spring is here at last. I am the park ranger/innkeeper here at beautiful Seyon Lodge State Park in Groton, Vermont and these days I’m busy opening the park and preparing for this season’s guests and visitors. Out near the big barn in the side yard is a row of rowboats all tipped up on their sides, waiting for the ice to thaw on the pond. Later today we’ll bring them down to the water one by one and launch them into the marina for this year’s anglers to enjoy. I notice that the sky is spitting snow as I zip up my parka and head out the door. Today is a quiet day, the breeze through the tall pines and the squeaking of red squirrels keep me company as I wander down to the water’s edge. Soon this place will be alive with anglers eager to cast their fly rods and Lodge guests heading out for hiking and other activities before dinnertime. Heading up toward the vegetable garden my mind switches gears. What to plant this ye...