Vermont State Parks

2020 Grand Prize winning image by Holly Weber.   Vermont State Parks is pleased to announce the  2021 Falling for VT State Parks Photo Contest . We are seeking your best shots of the legendary foliage in VT State Parks!

Looking for beautiful scenery, plenty of hiking, and a taste of Vermont’s history?  Coolidge State Park is the perfect spot for your next fall foliage escape. Coolidge State Park is located in Plymouth, Vermont and just a short drive away from Ludlow, Killington, Quechee, and Woodstock.

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...

Three hikers enjoy the view from Owl's Head - Bill Steele Vermont State Parks is pleased to announce the 2020 Falling for VT State Parks Photo Contest . We are seeking your best shots of the legendary foliage in VT 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 .  If you are looking for a hiking hub in Vermont with an abundance of trails, swimming, camping, waterfalls, and amazing views, you really can’t beat the Killington area in central Vermont. At 4,229 feet Killington Peak is the second-highest summit in Vermont and one of the 48 peaks above 4,000 feet in New England. If hiking to the top of Killington isn’t on your bucket list, it’s time to add it, along with the rest of these beautiful Killington hikes nearby.

Leaves of Brilliance and Pain by Eric Bouchard, Assistant Ranger at Maidstone State Park Every autumn thousands of tourists flock to Vermont to enjoy the breathtaking views Mother Nature has to offer. With the changing of the seasons come the most brilliant shades of red, orange and yellow. The awe-inspiring views are enough to attract individuals from hundreds even thousands of miles away. However, what happens to that leaf litter after peaking and falling to the ground? After a snowy Vermont winter does it all simply disappear? I know two Maidstone State Park Rangers that would say “Heck NO!” Beginning the season April 29, both Mark and Eric, strapped with 2 high powered leaf blowers, have spent nearly 80 hrs a piece clearing leaves from campsites, beaches, roadsides, culverts and all other park facilities, getting it ready for the Memorial Day weekend opening. Let’s just say that after a long days work leaf blowing and fighting off swarms of black-flies, a good meal, a few po...

A fall view from Big Deer State Park of Peacham Pond Off-season camping and day use is a magical experience. The parks have a stillness that you can't get in the summer. Many animals are hibernating, there is little rustling of the trees, the bugs are gone, and you can sometimes go a whole day without bumping into another visitor. The best part is that it is FREE! Both day use and camping in Vermont State Parks in the off season are free to all visitors. The only thing visitors need to do is park outside the gate, and for camping, make sure you fill out a request form in advance of your stay. During this time of year, the views are wonderful (since many trees are leafless), winter sports like snowshoeing and cross-country season begin, and at night, the campfire never felt so good. A bohemian waxwing Some fun activities to do in the parks this time of year include: birding, tracking, finding bird nests, and hiking! Keep an eye out for grouse, tu...

As the landscape of Vermont is exploding with fall colors, five Vermont State Parks are also gearing up to go out with a bang. Most of the parks close after Columbus Day weekend, but these parks stay open a little longer. See why they are great parks to visit this time of year. Looking out over Lake Champlain Gifford Woods : Set in the southern Green Mountains, this park is the perfect base camp for some great hikes . Easily connect to the famous Appalachian Trail, the Long Trail, or take a trail to Deer Leap Overlook (a popular favorite). The foliage here is peaking, so make sure to bring your camera when exploring. You won't want to miss these photo opportunities. Also, for those wanting to camp, you can reserve a lean-to site or cabin in addition to regular tent/RV sites. Call the park to reserve your spot, 802-775-5354. Smugglers' Notch : This park is another perfect base camp for hiking. Take some challenging trails to the summit of Mt. Mansfield, the highe...

Attention people who like apples! There is an event at Seyon Lodge State Park that you should attend - a Cider Pressing Festival! From 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM, join in celebrating autumn’s bounty. In addition to cider pressing, the park will host live folk music by Wall Stiles, and have lots of good food for purchase (including apple desserts and fresh pizza.) Seyon Lodge State Park provides rustic and welcoming facilities in the midst of the 27,000-acre Groton State Forest. Situated on the pristine shores of Noyes Pond, the Lodge provides year-round lodging and meeting facilities for individual guests and groups, including small conferences, retreats,and weddings. Private rooms with shared bath accommodate 16 overnight guests, while a fully equipped commercial kitchen prepares meals, and caters to dietary requests. While you're there, take advantage of the great hiking, fly fishing, paddling, or just relax and breathe in the fresh air. A note on the fishing: fly fishing for bro...

Southern Vermont and the Lake Champlain area are peaking with prime foliage. Check out the five best parks for leaf peeping this week and see what events and attractions are going on in and around each one. Woodford State Park , Woodford, VT: Marvel at the iconic works of art at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Rutland; Take part in one of the many programs offered at the Bennington Museum , such as Punch Needle Rug Hooking, Bennington; Pick up some hand-crafted souvenirs or gifts at the Bennington Potters , Bennington; Relax with a glass of local beer from the Northshire Brewery , Bennington; Pick your own apples and enjoy lots of apple treats at the Apple Barn and Country Bakeshop , Bennington; History buffs won't want to miss visiting the Historic Park-McCullough where one can spend hours wandering the estate, North Bennington Quechee State Park , White River Jct., VT: Learn fascinating facts at the Montshire Museum of Science , Norwich; Savor tasty warm breads and other treats a...

As the cooler weather stretches into the valleys and further south in Vermont, the beautiful fall foliage spreads with it. Below are six state parks where the foliage and things to do are in full swing. Underhill State Park , Underhill Center, VT: Pick up great locally grown food at the Old Fashioned Harvest Market ; Do a wine tasting at Boyden Valley Winery ; Listen to a lecture by artists Chris Brown or Pablo Helquera at the Vermont Studio Center in Johnson, VT; Hike Mt. Mansfield , VT's highest peak: take a gondola ride up the mountain or drive up Mt. Mansfield's Auto Road; Stroll through the Grist Mill Covered Bridge in Jeffersonville, VT; Celebrate Shelburne's 32nd annual Harvest Festival ; Pick up some historic facts from the Jericho's Snowflake Bentley Museum ("Snowflake" Bentley was the first person to photograph a single snow crystal!). Kettle Pond State Park , Marshfield, VT: Go hungry and leave full after doing a Cabot Creamery tour (free samples...

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...

Haven't had your fill of swimming and picnicking yet for this year? Well, Camp Plymouth State Park will be open on weekends throughout the month of September. A popular place for day use and weddings, the park will open at noon on Fridays and at 10:00 AM on Saturdays and Sundays. The concession stand will be open from noon - 5:00 PM for ice cream, refreshments and boat rental. Pavilion rentals will also be available on weekends. Sorry, but pets are not permitted at this park. Camp Plymouth is also known for its housekeeping cottages, group and horse camping areas, popular playground, wide expanses of well-manicured lawns and its proximity to Coolidge State Park, with its spectacular fall hiking, the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Historic Site, Okemo, Killington and Pico resorts.