Vermont State Parks

Please don't travel until it's safe to do so! Our travel posts are great for making future plans or dreaming about your next escape. Learn more about  Vermont State Parks and COVID-19 . For many outdoor lovers, the beginning of fall means the end of the camping season, but don’t pack away your gear just yet! Fall camping in New England is one of life’s greatest experiences! Today we’re taking a virtual journey up to the town of Island Pond in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. This little village was once a thriving railroad and logging hub. Today, Island Pond is home to vast tracts of forest, a huge moose population, and the little slice of paradise that is Brighton State Park .   Checking out the view from my campsite at Brighton State Park. While plenty of visitors flock to Brighton State Park for its quiet camping and spectacular swimming and paddling in the summer, fall is when the magic really happens at Brighton. The air becomes crisp and the smell of balsam surroun...

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 ...

A Vermont State Park cabin at night Rumors have gone round of haunted buildings in Kingsland Bay State Park . Last May, the Champlain Valley Vermont Ghost Hunters offered up their services to investigate if there actually is paranormal activity or if it's just people's imaginations running wild. The ghost hunters stayed for two nights in the park and conducted experiments in several park buildings including the main dining hall, the Hawley House and the staff quarters, and they did find some interesting evidence. Arriving in tricked out vans looking like command central, these four professionals use high tech equipment to scientifically determine if something else lurks beyond what we can see and hear. An Electrical Voice Phenomena reader (EVP), infrared cameras, motion cameras, laser devices, and other equipment help to document and measure images, noises, and the presence of 'others'. The investigators have been somewhat hush-hush about their findings pending of...

Knight Point fireworks Celebrate Independence Day in the traditional way - watching fireworks! Many of the state parks are celebrating with special programs or later operating hours. Check out when and where there are celebrations near you, below! A view from the top of Mt. Ascutney Sunday, July 3rd - Mt. Ascutney State Park : One of the few parks left with camping spaces!! Make your reservation soon (802-674-2060) to camp.  Then just drive up to mountain road to check out the fireworks! Get a great view from on top of the mountain and see multiple fireworks displays. Be sure to bring a flashlight for finding your way back to your campsite if you are hiking. For drivers, the road will close 20 minutes after the finale. Saturday, July 2nd - Boulder Beach State Park : If you are camping in the Groton State Forest, make sure to head over to Boulder Beach for this great celebration! Free entry after 7:30pm. Saturday, July 2nd - Brighton State Park : Island Pond puts on a ...

Foliage is starting to look good in Northern Vermont - here are some great parks for early fall foliage viewing and fun stuff to do in the surrounding areas: Smugglers' Notch State Park, Stowe, VT: Hike Mt. Manfield, VT's highest peak; Take a gondola ride up the mountain; Drive up Mt. Mansfield's Auto Road ; Bike Ride on the Stowe Bike Path ; Check out British Invasion Car Show Weekend; Visit the Boyden Valley Winery ; Visit Cold Hollow Cider Mill ; Take a tour of the Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory . Brighton State Park, Island Pond, VT: Try a stay in a cozy cabin ; Bring your own boat, and paddle on Island Pond , or rent one and paddle on Spectacle Pond, Check out the Northeast Kingdom's Foliage Festival ; participate in North Woods Stewardship Center's Foliage Bike Ride; Hike at Lake Willoughby ; Paddle the Clyde River ; Visit the Silvio Conte NWR . New Discovery/Osmore Pond State Park Ricker Pond State Park, Groton, VT Stay in a remote lean-to on Os...

Get ready for the park season by exploring some great state parks on Vermont Public Television's Outdoor Journal program Tuesday nights at 7:30 PM starting April 6th. The first show takes you to Alburg Dunes State Park , a little gem on Lake Champlain. Also fish for brook trout in some Northeast Kingdom Beaver Ponds and learn about Vermont's Fish & Wildlife Department's northern pike management program. On April 13th visit Emerald Lake State Park to do some bass fishing. Also explore some lesser-traveled waters by canoe and meet a couple of "trout bums" who fish for a living and live to fish. April 20th will take you to Elmore State Park . Also enjoy a trip to Camp Kehoe on Lake Bomoseen where the Conservation Leaders for Tomorrow program introduces wildlife management students to the culture and concepts of hunting. April 27th explore Brighton State Park and Northeast Kingdom lakes in search of burbot, a fresh water codfish also known as cusk. These strange l...