Vermont State Parks

Visitors to Vermont State Parks come to recreate in a safe and welcoming environment. During their stay they count on a clean, friendly and relaxing experience. To help guide that experience rules are established for visitor behavior and to help protect these amazing places for the long term. Even though managing Vermont State Parks and hosting well over 1 million visitors each year is a complex operation, our aim is to keep the associated rules as simple as possible and to maintain an environment where expectations are clear and opportunities are available to all. The establishment of rules and fees for Vermont State Parks is governed through legislative authority, State Statute Title Ten Section 2603c, and there is a lengthy process set in place for changing rules and setting fees. Periodically we consider changes and must follow the rule making process to do so. An important piece of this process is the opportunity for elected officials and the general public to weigh in. Proposed c...

Hepatica at Niquette Bay - Lisa Liotta Spring is full of fresh starts (including the  Parks Operating Season ). As Park Staff prepared for the park season, Niquette Bay State Park began filling with spring wildflowers. Niquette Bay State Park houses many wildflower colonies that put on a beautiful show for just a few weeks this time of year. Learn what makes these short-lived beauties so special and what types of flowers you might find! What are Spring Ephemerals? These are unique early blooming wildflowers that grow, flower, and seed all in the very short 6-8 week window before the shade from leaf trees covers the forest floor.  By the time deciduous trees have leaves, these flowers will be gone. Where do they grow? The best location to find these is in a predominately hardwood, deciduous forest with large trees and little undergrowth.  They can grow very well on rocky ledges in less-than-ideal soil conditions. These plants are usually very small and begin growing under...