Vermont State Parks

Governor Jim Douglas announced that Vermont State Parks reported the busiest operating season in 15 years. As theregular season came to a close on Columbus Day, State Park attendance was up 15 percent over 2009 as 836,984visitors enjoyed Vermont beaches, mountains, campgrounds and trails. “As Park staff are cleaning up and turning off the lights for the last time until next spring, they have much to celebrate, as do all Vermonters,” said Governor Douglas. “Vermont State Parks are a fun and affordable get-a-way that more people are now taking advantage of that thanks to foresight, innovative marketing and smart investments at the Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation. Vermont capitalized on a great season, boosting our local economies around the state at the same time.” The numbers break down to 455,319 day use visits – a 23 percent increase over last year – and 381,665 camper visits. Forty-five percent of campers were Vermonters, while 55 percent were from out-of-state. Craig Whip...

Rain Droplet By Eric Bouchard, Assistant Ranger Smugglers’ Notch State Park In the purview, the clouds form round the mountain, This my home, the Earth’s life fountain, Just an insignificant being am I, A droplet formed and released from the sky, Free falling, where will I end? So many places I could descend, Will it be land? Will it be sea? Will it be roots at the base of a tree? Closer and closer, ready to go, It’s now time to begin the show, Bounce, pop from stone to stone, Into the stream is where I’m thrown, Thrash, swirl, side to side, What could I do, but enjoy the ride, With one fell swoop, the ride would stop, Onto a tongue and out of the drop, What happened then I cannot say, For the darkness set in and I was led astray, Up, down, round and round, Through the dark tunnels I travelled, will I ever be found? Lost no more, I was able to see, Released once again by the side of a tree, Into the dirt I went, through humus and silt, To that mysterious place an ecosystem’s built, Fil...

A winner has been chosen in the contest to design a 21st century version of the old Vermont outhouse. The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation, in conjunction with the Vermont Wood Manufacturers Association, announced the winner of the “Going Green” trailside outhouse design competition at the annual meeting of the Vermont Wood Manufacturers in Woodstock, Vermont. The contest inspired several architects and design firms to submit outhouse designs compatible with CLIVUS composting toilets for use at remote trailheads and recreation areas, and state park and forest lands throughout the state. Participants were asked to create a simple, affordable wood design that could be built using native materials. The design had to be universally accessible, easy to assemble and maintain, use natural lighting and an eco-friendly finish. It also had to fit in with the aesthetics of state parks. “The winning design, by Cushman Design Group, of Stowe, VT, met all the goals of the design...

Moosalamoo Cottage at Branbury State Park has had a makeover! The improved cottage feels quieter and cozier with the addition of paintings, carvings, antiques, and other unique decor. The added charm of these furnishings are provided by the Barn Antiques out of Middlebury, Vermont (available for purchase too!). Think of the cottage as a rotating art gallery - it could have different artwork every time you visit! All cottages in Vermont State Parks have multiple rooms which sleep four to six comfortably. Electricity, heat, indoor kitchen with refrigerator, stove, freezer, toaster oven, microwave, coffee maker, cookware, and sink, and an indoor bathroom with shower and toilet are all amenities in each cottage. Other cottages are located in Camp Plymouth , Crystal Lake , Half Moon , Ricker Pond , Shaftsbury State Parks . To ensure your week long vacation is secured, it is recommended that you book early! Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance through our reservation center a...

Each year four parks, representing each geographical region in Vermont, are presented with the Park of the Year Award. The purpose of the program is to acknowledge exemplary accomplishments of the parks field staff, as well as for the enhancement of public service – to make the parks a better, more enjoyable place to recreate. Competition is fierce and award recipients receive the right to display the coveted "Park of the Year" banner the following season. This year's winners are Molly Stark , Lake Shaftsbury , Grand Isle , and Seyon Lodge (staff for each park shown below in order listed from left to right). Congrats to all for your fantastic work! (Click on pic to enlarge).

Southern Vermont and the Lake Champlain area are peaking with prime foliage. Check out the five best parks for leaf peeping this week and see what events and attractions are going on in and around each one. Woodford State Park , Woodford, VT: Marvel at the iconic works of art at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Rutland; Take part in one of the many programs offered at the Bennington Museum , such as Punch Needle Rug Hooking, Bennington; Pick up some hand-crafted souvenirs or gifts at the Bennington Potters , Bennington; Relax with a glass of local beer from the Northshire Brewery , Bennington; Pick your own apples and enjoy lots of apple treats at the Apple Barn and Country Bakeshop , Bennington; History buffs won't want to miss visiting the Historic Park-McCullough where one can spend hours wandering the estate, North Bennington Quechee State Park , White River Jct., VT: Learn fascinating facts at the Montshire Museum of Science , Norwich; Savor tasty warm breads and other treats a...

The cooler weather is moving Vermont's incredible fall foliage a little farther south. Below are parks where foliage is at its prime. Also check out the activities in and around the State Parks too. No one is hibernating yet! Half Moon State Park , Hubbardton, VT: Load up your bags or basket with delicious locally grown food at the Rutland Farmer's Market , Rutland; Wet your whistle at the 15th Annual Killington Brewfest , Killington; Have a hayride, listen to great music, and more at the Brandon HarvestFest , Brandon; Satisfy your need for speed at the Devil's Bowl Speedway , West Haven; History buffs will enjoy a visit to Hubbardton Battlefield , Hubbarton; Visit the world's largest marble exhibit at The Vermont Marble Museum , Proctor Molly Stark State Park , Wilmington, VT: Have a look around the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum , Marlboro; Play a round of golf on a four-star golf course at Hay Stack Golf Club , Wilmington; See where your food really comes fr...