Vermont State Parks

The stars above Ricker Pond State Park. Photo credit: Brian Drourr “Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.” – Theodore Roosevelt Did you know that experiencing awe can make you happier, healthier, humbler and more connected to others around you ? A simple way to inspire awe? Lay back and take in the vast beauty of the night sky. Are you not quite sure where to start? Here’s some tips to make sure your night sky experience is stellar: Time it right! Cloudless, moonless nights are the best for a clear view of other celestial objects. When the moon is full, the light will prevent viewing of fainter stars or the Milky Way. Thanks to the darkness of the New Moon on July 31st, this is the perfect time to grab a blanket and check out the stars.  Start stargazing two hours after sunset or before dawn. This ensures the light of the sun won’t interfere with your ability to view the fainter light of stars and planets. Here are some dates of interest when pla...

Hikers resting on the Peacham Bog Trail. This weekend (June 8 th & 9 th ) is Vermont Days , a celebration of summer. To help get you in the sunny summer mindset, day entry to any Vermont State Park is free! Whether you’re a local or just visiting for the weekend, we invite you to get outside and explore. No matter your ability, taking to the trails is a great way to enjoy the outdoors. To highlight trails in state parks and state lands, we've compiled a list of trail adventures you might like to try this summer. This list only scratched the surface, and we've decided to leave out Camel's Hump and Mt. Mansfield in favor of lesser-known options.  Find a trail that suits your mood! A man walks on the trail bridge at Lake Shaftsbury.  I want...   An easy trail with good views The trail to Button Point at  Button Bay State Park  is flat and leads to lovely views of Lake Champlain. Or walk the shoreline ...

Spring is here which means warmer weather and bright sunshine! This is the perfect time to get outside and explore Vermont State Parks! You may be familiar with some of our popular and busier parks, but do you know about the quieter spots off the beaten path? When you need a quiet afternoon away from it all, Vermont State Parks has hidden spots away from crowds. Whether you want to sit back with a book along a stream, take a stroll on a grassy trail, or have a quiet picnic we have parks that provide a relaxing setting for those who want to take it easy for the day. Once such spot is Allis State Park located in Brookfield Vermont. With the Bear Mountain trail taking you into the woods where there are several places to sit and relax, the fire tower offering wonderful views, a restored log picnic shelter built by the CCC (with grills and a stone fireplace that can be rented for weddings or group gatherings), and individual picnic spots scattered throughout the park,...

At Allis State Park I met an employee Frank, who restores structures at the state parks by replacing damaged places, such as rotting wood, while keeping the original structure as authentic as possible, resembling how it would have looked up to 80 years ago! Many structures in the state parks were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the late 1930s. Allis State Park has a large historic pavilion with a magnificent fireplace Frank was working to restore. He explained various techniques and styles of the CCC construction. I’m not using the right vocabulary, but some are notched together by the logs themselves while others are pushed together to make it look like the logs were notched together when in fact they are actually stabilized using large nails. You can see these different styles in the historic lean-tos and shelters that are in state parks like Gifford Woods and Coolidge . A cool CCC structure can be found on the top of Owl’s Head Mountain near Stillwater and B...

Vermont State Parks is pleased to announce several operational changes at  Allis State Park  in Brookfield. This park is a favorite for those seeking a quiet experience, great hiking and views, or the perfect spot to share a picnic with loved ones. Two of the biggest changes are that camping is back and day use of the park is now FREE! Camping will return at the park for 2011 after a two-year hiatus. Sixteen tent/trailer or lean-to sites will be available by advance reservation or on a space-available basis. Some campsites have been removed to provide better spacing between sites allowing for more privacy. Other changes: The campground's restroom has running water; however, showers are not available. A sanitary pump-out station for travel trailers and RVs is available. Allis has a beautiful log picnic shelter with a capacity of 100 people - perfect for hosting events or get-togethers. The shelter may be reserved free of charge Monday - Thursday and for $100 Friday - Sun...

This month: Camping Back at Allis State Park, Mud Season Secrets, New Trail at Waterbury Center, Maple Sugaring in the parks and more! Read more here: http://conta.cc/he6NuA