Fall parks hikes to beat the crowds

By -
View From Molly Stark 
Want to get out and enjoy the fall? Everyone loves Camel’s Hump and Mt. Mansfield this time of year, but our other parks trails need love too… and are less crowded. If you’ve experienced Vermont in the fall, you know that it’s hard to go wrong. Here are some suggestions for roads less taken. Also remember to be careful on the roads and when parking on trailheads... respect your surroundings and the folks who live there. 

If you have another fall hike to recommend, let us know!

Molly Stark State Park in Wallingford 

Bench at Woodford 
After you’ve watched the colors of northern VT fade, head south and do it all again! A 1.7 mile hike takes you up Mt. Olga and back again. As a bonus, you can climb the fire tower to get great views of the mountains in three states: Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. If you want to do more hiking, the park is also adjacent to more trails at Hogback Mountain. You can camp at Molly Stark through Columbus Day weekend.

Emerald Lake State Park in East Dorset 

This is another southern park with an underrated trails system, including an easy walk following the shore of Emerald Lake. Emerald Lake is open until Columbus Day, and close to Dorset and Manchester.

Jamaica Trail 
Gifford Woods State Park in Killington

Looking for trees? As the name suggests… this park is known for its’ woods, hiking and old- growth forest. Take a leisurely hike around Kent Pond, or a more strenuous one up nearby Dear Leap Trail.

Jamaica State Park in Jamaica

Hike the Hamilton Falls or West River Trails. The West River trail follows the river and is actually part of a 16 mile rail trail- perfect for a long day out! The campground is open through Columbus Day.


Mt. Philo State Park in Charlotte

View from Mt. Philo
Ok, this is a popular hike, but for good reason. The views from the top, especially in fall, are expansive and lovely in any season.

Woodford State Park in Woodford

Hike the 2.7 miles around the reservoir for good views of the water, marshy areas, and lots of woodland. The parks is also adjacent to hiking trails in the Green Mountain National Forest.

Bonus: Seyon Lodge in Groton
A sometimes overlooked spot in the Groton State Forest, Seyon Lodge has a network of day- use trails. You can walk around Noyes Pond, stop for a picnic, relax and enjoy great views of Spruce Mountain. 



Comments

  1. UnknownOctober 11, 2016

    Big Deer Mtn in the Groton State Forest is beautiful as well as Devil's ledge in Peacham!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Feel free to let us know what you think.

Popular posts from this blog

Vermont State Parks Total Eclipse Updates

By -
Image
Although it falls outside our regular park season, several Vermont State Parks will provide good viewing locations for solar eclipse on April 8. These parks include:   Bomoseen, Boulder Beach, Branbury, Crystal Lake, DAR, Elmore, Mt. Philo, Grand Isle, Knight Point, Lake Shaftsbury, Lake St. Catherine, Niquette Bay, Silver Lake, and Waterbury Center. Address and other general park information is available at www.vtstateparks.com .   The following previously listed state parks are no longer recommended eclipse viewing areas: Emerald Lake, Little River. Please be aware that park facilities will still be closed for this event. Portable toilets and/or pit/composting toilets will be available. Park staff may be available on a limited basis.   Parking will be available at each of these locations, but it may be limited depending on the number of visitors. When lots are full, please do not park on the grass or in other areas of the park as resource damage is likely due to soft ground condit
Read more

July Flood 2024 State Parks Status Updates

By -
Image
Post last updated at 08/26/24 at 9:00 AM The only park affected by the flashing flooding on 7/30/24 was Brighton State Park. The park is fully reopened on Wednesday, August 7th. Roads were damaged in the park, locally in the town, as well as the nearby state highway. Park staff have contacted affected reservations.  All parks affected by the July 11 flood have reopened, although 3 parks still have reduced operations. This page will be regularly updated as more information is made available and road repairs are made. Swimwater results are current . Swim areas are posted when there is an increased risk of impaired water quality. For water monitoring results outside of Vermont State Park swimming areas, check out the Vermont Department of Health Cyanobacteria Tracker Map . Parks in the NE part of Vermont bore the brunt of the storm.  Park visitors with affected reservations have been contacted by the parks.  We apologize for this inconvenience. Our priority is to protect the health and
Read more

Join Vermont State Parks for Fun, Guided First-Day Hikes

By -
Image
  First Day Hikers stand in front of Butler Lodge in 2023. Start the new year on the right foot with a hike in the great outdoors. On January 1, 2024, everyone is once again invited to join a free, guided, family-friendly hike taking place at many state parks, state forests, and other public lands across Vermont. Hikes are led by professional guides and outdoor educators eager to share their knowledge and love of Vermont’s outdoors. Don’t need a guide? No matter where you live in Vermont, a state park or state forest is always close by, and you can still get outside to enjoy it. State Park entry is free on New Year’s Day (and all winter long). You’ll discover a whole new world in winter.  First Day Hikers warm up at the CCC shelter at Owl's Head. Please pre-register by contacting hike leaders ahead of time. On hike day dress for the weather and bring snowshoes if the snow is deep, and micro-spikes or traction aids in case of ice. Please also bring beverages and snacks. In the event
Read more