Vermont State Parks

We are coming to Crystal Lake State Park in Barton this weekend! To sh are the joy of camping with Vermonters, Vermont State Parks will be launching a new promotion designed to encourage day-users to try camping. The Random Acts of Camping program rewards lucky visitors to day-use parks with two free nights of their choice of tent, lean-to, RV, or cabin camping at any Vermont State Park campground. One winner will be chosen every weekend from June 21 – August 3, weather permitting. The program was developed as a way to increase statewide accessibility to camping and to foster a lifelong love of the outdoors. Vermont State Parks will be giving away the free park stays to day-users at Waterbury Center ,  Sand Bar ,  Lake Shaftsbury ,  Camp Plymouth ,  Mt. Philo ,  Boulder Beach ,  and Crystal Lake State Parks during busy  weekends this summer. The winners wil l be chosen at random by park staff. Winners will also receive personal trip plann...

Welcome back to Microhikes and Microbrews!  For Vermont Days this year, we decided to visit Kingsland Bay State Park in Ferrisburgh and Drop-In Brewery in Middlebury. Kingsland Bay State Park sits right on the shore of Lake Champlain and is open for day use.  There are several historic buildings on site that are available for groups to rent out. When we arrived at Kingsland Bay, preparations for a wedding were well underway. With the sun starting to peek out from behind the clouds, we could tell it was going to be a beautiful event.   The State Park also offers two different hiking trails.  We were able to sneak around the wedding preparations and take the first hike that led us from the main state park grounds and along the lake to a small vista point. We then drove out to the Ferrisburgh town beach and took the second hike out to the park's remote camping site. It is also possible to access this site by water from the main state park grounds. Because...

In recent years, letterboxing has taken off in communities around the world. Part treasure hunt and part art project, letterboxing is a fun and exciting way to interact with your community, ignite your spirit of adventure, and spend time outside discovering or rediscovering natural areas. What You Will Need: Personal Stamp (You can have one custom-made or carve one yourself!) Ink Pad Logbook Pencil Any navigational tools like a compass or a map. How to Letterbox: Letterboxing is an activity in which one person or family hides a waterproof box in a secret location of their choosing. The box contains a carved rubber stamp unique to the person or family who hid it, and a log book. After hiding the box, they post clues, directions, and maps about where to find it. Finders use the clues provided to locate the box. Once it is found, they leave a record of having been there by stamping their own logbook with the stamp in the box and stamping the box’s logbook with their un...

By Erin & Evan Meenan Welcome to Micro hikes and Microbrews where we are going to review some of Vermont’s great hikes that are 3 miles or shorter and the nearby breweries where you can quench your post-hike thirst.  For our first installment, we hiked the Dalley Loop trail in the Little River State Park in Waterbury and then visited the Trapp Lager Brewery in Stowe. The Dalley Loop is a wide gravel trail with a moderate incline for about half the hike.  This trail is great, in part, because it offers a self-guided historical tour of several farms and family logging operations dating from the late 1800s to early 1900s.  Some of the things you get to see are old logging bridges that have been converted into culverts, beautiful stone walls, family cemeteries, and the old stone foundations of some of the farm houses.  The natural vegetation growing around these historic sites is also refreshing after a long winter.   After our hike, we...

Photo by Lene Gary Vermont State Parks has partnered with Lake Champlain International (LCI) on the Paddle the Parks Auction. LCI is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the health and future of Lake Champlain and the communities that depend on it. Together, the organizations have created a paddling package to help encourage everyone to explore Vermont's lakes, rivers, and ponds. Bids are currently being accepted for the Kayak Adventure Package which includes an Old Town Dirigo XT 120 canoe, a Caviness 7.5' paddle, and a Vermont State Parks vehicle pass which provides unlimited day-use access to any state park for up to eight people in one vehicle, for the entire 2014 season. The entire package is valued at $720 but bids start at $450. Photo by Barry Solman Proceeds from the auction go to benefit LCI's education, conservation, and youth programs. The auction ends on Sunday, May 25 at 5:00pm. To learn more Lake Champlain International, click HERE ....

Located in the Champlain Islands , Grand Isle State Park has incredible views of Lake Champlain! The park has many tent and lean-to sites as well as four cabins with views of the water. Swim and kayak on the lake, stroll on the nature trail, visit the butterfly garden, play volleyball or horseshoes on the sand courts, or participate in an interpretive program at the Nature Center. Grand Isle is conveniently close to both Burlington, Vermont and Montreal, Quebec, and is one of the most visited parks in the state. Planning a weekend at Grand Isle this summer?  Take a look at the Grand Isle State Park Itinerary for some ideas on fun, family-friendly activities for your trip. Jamaica State Park , which stretches between Jamaica and Londonderry in southeastern Vermont, offers camping, hiking , swimming, and outstanding fishing on the West River. The family-friendly West River Trail, which follows the path of the old West River Railroad, is ideal for walking, hiking, jogging...

Seyon Lodge State Park in Groton, Vermont is the perfect getaway!  Located in the 27,000-acre Groton State Forest , Seyon Lodge is open year round and has something for everyone. Hike the trails that surround the lodge, experience extraordinary fly fishing on Noyes Pond, or relax by the fireplace in the common room. Seyon Lodge provides a unique culinary experience for guests . Delicious meals are prepared onsite using fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients. You can enjoy them in the lodge’s dining room or request them to go so you can explore the park. Whether you are seeking a relaxing vacation destination or organizing an event , the peaceful landscape and rustic charm make Seyon Lodge State Park a favorite spot for individual guests and larger groups alike. The lodge is often rented out for weddings , retreats, and conferences. Seyon Lodge State Park is currently offering a special spring rate. On Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between April 17...