Guest Blog: Emerald Lake State Park by Tara Schatz

Emerald Lake State Park is nestled in a deep valley between the Taconic Mountains to the West and the Green Mountains to the east. The two mountain ranges are only a few hundred yards apart here, and they rise up steeply on either side of the lake. Covering just 20 acres, Emerald Lake isn’t big, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in beauty. It’s clear green waters and sandy bottom attract swimmers, paddlers, sunbathers, and anglers throughout the summer.

My family and I aren’t strangers to Emerald Lake’s charms. We’ve picnicked on the shores and spent countless hours exploring in and out of the water. Last week we decided to dig a little deeper and explore the trails and campground of this beloved local park. We quickly learned that there’s more to Emerald Lake than swimming. It’s also a hiker’s paradise, a haven for dog-lovers, and a perfect spot for family camping. We’d love to share some of our discoveries with you.

Camping at Emerald Lake State Park 

There are more than 100 campsites perched on a wide ledge on the west side of Emerald Lake. While I wouldn’t call any of the sites waterfront, you do catch enticing glimpses of the sparkling water far below the campground. The sites are wooded with beautiful giant

hemlock trees, interspersed with a spattering of maple, oak, beech and cherries.

We chose site 19, at the end of the A loop. There are three sprawling campground loops, each with its own trail down to the lake. Loop A is closest to the swimming area and usually a bit more popular than the other two. On our visit, loop A was home to just three other camping families. Except for the chirping birds, and the distant sound the cars on route 7, the campground was blissfully quiet.

Tips for Camping at Emerald Lake State Park:

• Beware of cheeky chipmunks and squirrels. They’re quite opportunistic and will happily eat any food you leave out.
• Bring quarters for your shower. A hot, 5-minute shower will cost you $.25, which is a pretty good deal in the world of campground showers.
• Be mindful of the steep banks. Half of all the campsites are perched on the edge of a steep, wooded embankment. If you’re camping with small kids, ask for a site without a drop-off.
• Be prepared for bugs. Like most campgrounds in the Green Mountains, mosquitoes can be a nuisance here throughout the summer. Black flies start biting in late May and are usually gone by the end of June. We also found a couple of ticks as we hiked the meadow and vista trails. 
  

Our crew of adventurers consisted of two adults, three teenagers, and a frisky German Shepherd. Aside from the excessive amount of food we had packed to keep the kids happy, our camping set-up was relatively simple. We pitched the tents, hung the hammock, and headed down to the lake. The pup and I meandered through the campgrounds, choosing to hike down to the lake from the C loop. Dogs are welcome at Emerald Lake State Park, but they’re not allowed on the beach or in the picnic areas. This suited us fine, and we set out to explore.

The Trails at Emerald Lake State Park 

The meandering trails at Emerald Lake State Park were quiet when we visited—  unless of course, you want to count toads, newts, chipmunks, and songbirds. Over the course of our two-day visit, we explored every single trail on the map. We were surprised by the diversity of the trails, but not the beauty — we explored meadows bursting with wildflower blooms, cool ancient forests, and wetlands teeming with life. Here are our favorite Emerald Lake Trails and some highlights of each:

•  Lake Trail to Campground C - The Lake Trail hugs the shore of Emerald Lake. It’s strewn with boulders and flanked by huge hemlock trees.Like a magical promenade,  there are secret swimming spots, ephermal wildflowers, and lots of photo opps. At the southern end of the lake, you can continue on the trail to the C loop in the campground. This trail meanders along a sunny wetland, where you’re likely to see song birds, turtles, frogs, and beaver. When you arrive in the campground, you can walk the campground roads back to your site.
• Vista Trail - For awesome views of the lake from high above, you can’t beat Vista Trail. It’s a moderate hike through beautiful, shady woodlands, with a good variety of ferns and spring wildflowers. The climb is steady heading up to the views, but the trail is very even and well-marked. The vista loop is .7 miles, and walking at a good clip with lots of photography breaks, it took me a half hour. Work up a sweat on the Vista Trail and then hit the lake for a swim before heading back to camp.
• Meadow Trail - To hike the Meadow Trail, you can either start past the ranger station near the park entrance or on Lower Trail, which starts in campground loop A. I started
  
  on Lower Trail and gradually ascended through a mixed hardwood forest. Little red efts were making their way across the trail in droves and we had to be very careful where we put our feet. After walking along a level, wooded ridge for a while, the trail turns sharply and begins to descend through a series of meadows flanked by tall trees on every side. In June, when we visited, the meadows were teeming with birds, butterflies, and wildflowers. The North Dorset Cemetery is located toward the end of the trail. It’s a tiny local graveyard with headstones crafted from local marble. The oldest headstone we found was dated 1811.

The best part about Emerald Lake State Park is that there’s something for everyone. The sandy beach and shallow waters are perfect for frolicking kids. Families can rent paddle boats, canoes, and kayaks for paddling around the lake. Teens and more adventurous kids can search for the island rope swing for a little adrenaline rush. For me, the quiet trails, secret coves, and abundant wildlife were enough to keep me coming back again and again. 

Tara is a writer and photographer from Bennington who has been exploring Vermont State Parks since before she could walk. She enjoys hiking, paddling, and camping, and is passionate about getting families outside as much as possible. She blogs about her family's outdoor adventures at backroadramblers.com.