Vermont State Parks

Tubing at Mt. Ascutney  Downhill winter sports get the most press this time of year, but we know there are many ways to enjoy the outdoors in winter. Because being an adult is difficult sometimes (or lot of the time!), today we focus on a pair of activities that should appeal to the young.. and the young at heart. Sledding is of course popular with kids the world over, and fat bikes, with their big bouncy tires, just look fun.  Sledding A classic favorite with a nostalgic appeal. Sledding definitely isn’t just for kids though! The beauty of sledding is its simplicity: all you need is a sled (improvised or otherwise) and an incline. Snow is strongly recommended. Sleds have evolved over the years, from the classic wooden body with runners design, to sleek modern models. Here are some suggestions for sledding in the parks: Mt. Philo, Charlotte VT:  This long, windy park road from the summit is a dream come true for those who want to live on the edg...

Burton Island is one of Vermont’s most popular state parks, and now there is even more to love about this island in Lake Champlain. Three new cabins finished last summer will be open for the 2017 season and reservations can be made beginning Tuesday, January 17 at 9:00 am. Reservations can only be made through the reservation call center at 1-888-409-7579 Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. The new, universally accessible cabins are located on the secluded east side of the island, away from the main campground. Each cabin has one futon and a set of bunk beds, a table with four chairs and an electric outlet. Cabins sleep up to four people. Restrooms with hot water and showers are located a short distance away adjacent to the marina. A picnic table and campfire ring with grill are provided for each cabin. The cabins are named for nearby islands in Lake Champlain: Sunset, Savage and Popasquash. Off the tip of St. Albans Point on Lake Champlain, Burton Island State Park h...

White, green and (sometimes) blue: The colors of woods winter On a vacation day in late December, I happened to be driving past Allis State Park and decided to stop for a walk. It was a lovely day: sunny, not too cold and a fresh covering of snow. On the day I visited, the gate was open and the road to the contact station plowed. This was lucky for me since I had left my snowshoes at home.  The park was not busy, but certainly not deserted either. As I was leaving, another car pulled in- these people well equipped with winter gear and snowshoes. Allis is also a good place to go sledding. The park road is perfect for a long ride, and there are more gentle hills in the day use area. One caveat: make sure the gate is closed before going on a joy ride!  Since I was so close, I also stopped at Baker Pond and the Floating Bridge, which both have a very different feel in the wintertime. Fresh snow and sun ...

Jump-start your new year with a free family hike... now with extra added snow! Local experts all around Vermont will be offering guided hikes on January 1st, and we welcome everyone to participate. Start your new year by getting outside and enjoying the new snowfall.  Dogs are welcome on a leash. Hikes vary in length and difficulty, so there is something for everyone. All hikes are listed as easy to moderate, with the exception of Hunger Mountain, which is difficult.  (Detailed description of Hunger Mountain hike is at the bottom.) How Should I Prepare For a Winter Hike?  Jessica Savage, Recreation Program Manager, and Niquette Bay State Park hike leader gives us a rundown: "Bring a backpack with water and snacks. Make sure to have an extra hat and gloves, as well as an extra pair of wool hiking socks. Dress in layers, synthetic or wool. A good long underwear base layer under lined snow/ waterproof pants, with several warm layers on top, under a winter jacket...

Burton Island is a 253-acre park off the southwestern tip of Hathaway Point in St. Albans Vermont, in Lake Champlain’s ‘Inland  Sea’. The park is accessible only by boat in the summer time. The state’s passenger ferry makes the 10-minute trip from Kamp Kill Kare State Park.  All Vermont State Parks are open from November 1st to April 15th. People wanting to camp in the off-season need to submit a request at least three days in advance and wait for approval. The reason for this is that there might be construction, logging or some other project going on that they wouldn’t want campers in the middle of. You can submit a request at this link: This adventure took place in February so I would be crossing the ice. I was layed off from the concrete construction business during the winter and was single at the time and the winter doldrums were setting in. A sure fire way for me to kick the mid winter blues is to get out and explore. In Vermont we are privileged to explore the p...

If you live in Vermont, chances are good that you have an appreciation for all four seasons. This includes snow (it’s a seasonal variation on Stockholm Syndrome.) In honor of winter, we present an ongoing series highlighting the many ways to get out & active on state parks and lands.  First up: Cross-Country Skiing. Love to ski? Not a fan of lift tickets every weekend? Funnily enough, we feel the same way. Lucky for us, we live in a state with many accessible (and free!) options for cross country skiing, and suitable for all abilities. Beginners can practice on park roads and trails, while experts can tackle the Catamount Trail - a backcountry cross- country ski trail that runs the length of Vermont. Woodford State Park, Woodford VT Close to Bennington, Vermont, Woodford  is a popular spot for winter recreation. A 2.7-mile loop circumnavigates the Adams Reservoir and treats you to some nice views. For practice, ski around the paved park roads. The more adventuro...

In the past few years, you may have noticed the growing movement around the country focused on getting folks outside and active on Black Friday as an alternative to shopping. Outdoor retailer REI has been a leader in promoting this message- closing its stores on Black Friday and promoting it online using the hashtag #OptOutside. That's a message that we can get behind. In that spirit, Vermont State Parks is joining in, and want to remind everyone once again that all of our parks will offer FREE admission on Black Friday. (In fact, for the rest of the off-season too!) We encourage everyone to spend that extra time outside with friends and family enjoying our beautiful state. Our parks have many great spots to walk, bike, hike, run, or just sit and digest the 3 pieces of pie you just ate. Learn more about off-season park use here. We're also inviting people to take pictures of themselves, friends and family as they #OptOutside, and share them with us on social m...