Vermont State Parks

Green Up Day on the trail. We're meeting Saturday May 4, 9 AM, at Kettle Pond parking lot (off of Rte 232, in Groton State Forest.) We'll head up the rail-trail towards Marshfield from there, doing some spring clean up. Local folks have reported cleaning out old tires and other trash along the trail earlier this spring already, and say that there is more to be gotten. Green Up Vermont's mission is to promote the stewardship of our state's natural landscape and waterways and the livability of our communities. The goal is to raise public awareness about the benefits of a litter free environment.

Join Vermont State Parks on  Sunday April 28th and May 4th for a hike in  Niquette Bay State Park while looking at spring wildflowers. Niquette Bay State Park is home to many wildflower colonies that put on a beautiful show for just a few weeks this time of year. Let’s hunt for wildflowers in the Park from 10am – 12pm on Sunday, April 28 and Saturday, May 4.  Bring your camera and any wildflower guide books along for an informative hike through the park with Park Ranger Lisa Liotta.  Space is limited, please phone the park at 802.893.5210 to RSVP.  *Please keep doggies at home or in the car for these hikes in order to protect these fragile species. From Niquette Bay Ranger Lisa Liotta: Today, I found the first spring ephemerals of 2013 in the Park.  Spring ephemerals are perennial wildflowers that are the first of the season to appear.  The word “ephemeral” means short lived, fleeting, transitory;  and it is a very apt adjective for these delicate and interesting flow

When the snow starts melting and the temperatures get warmer, most of us want to get outside and hike! But, mud season is not a good time for hiking in certain areas. Rain and melting snow at higher elevations are keeping many of Vermont's hiking trails wet and muddy. When hikers tramp on saturated soils, they cause soil compaction and erosion as well as damage to the trail and surrounding vegetation. Please help protect the fragile trails this time of year by staying off muddy trails. Higher elevation soils take longer to dry out. And after an epic snowfall this winter, and heavy spring rains the trails will take longer than normal to dry out.  A trail may be dry at the trailhead, but is muddy at a higher elevation this time of year. If you notice this happening, please turn around! Trails at lower elevations, dirt roads, and recreation paths provide excellent places for early spring walking. Below is a list of great places to hike during mud season - enjoy! Southeast