Vermont State Parks

A few from the park of the surrounding mountains A new show, "Park Secrets", airing this summer on the Travel Channel brought Lusid Media including Jillian Cohen, the producer for the show, and her crew to Smugglers' Notch State Park on February 1st. The show uncovers "Park Secrets" and showcases a handful of hidden parks across the country and explores why they are so special. Regional Park Manager, Susan Bulmer, spent the morning with Jillian, discussing one of Vermont's hidden gems tucked in the green mountains near Stowe and what folks enjoy most about the park. Susan speaks to the film crew Smugglers’ Notch State Park is a little more 'hidden' in the winter months as part of the mountain road closes until the snow is gone, but that doesn't seem to stop many people from seeking it out and enjoying what the park has to offer. Ice climbing, skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing are popular sports in and around the park. In fact, two i...

Time to get outside! The days are getting longer, the snow has finally arrived, and there's a bonus of no poison ivy or mosquitoes! It's the perfect time to enjoy fun activities in your nearest Vermont State Park. Best of all - they're free! Click here for more details about off-season access to the parks. Here's advice from folks in the know: Sledding : For daring sled riders, a large treeless hill can be found by the lower parking lot in Waterbury Center State Park . Mt. Philo State Park has a long, winding road up (and down) the mountain - it's worth the hike to sled from the top. Mt. Ascutney State Park presents a big challenge with steering on it's winding road - this one is very steep! Those that fear high speeds should take heed! Elmore State Park has a variety of hills with different steepnesses and sizes. Good for all ages. Snowshoeing : Trails that are fun in the summer are magical in the winter. Click on these parks for trail maps to a winter wond...

A leisurely walk in the park is not what participants of the annual Woodford State Park Snowshoe Race anticipate. This fast-paced 3.3-mile race has drawn over seventy-five athletes in years past who compete for respect as well as good Vermont eats, such as a loaf of bread from Vermont Bread, Green Mountain Coffee, bagels from Works Cafe & Bakery, donuts from Mrs. Murphy's Donuts, and locally made bean soup, which they get to dig into after crossing the finish line. Last year, competitors ages ranged from twelve to seventy-plus and all of the athletes finished the race under an hour (the winning time was an amazing twenty-four-minutes!) Jack Quinn and John Pelton started the snowshoe race in Woodford State Park on December 30, 2001, and they have been having one there each year ever since! Jack continues to be the race director and prepares for the day's event by making sure the course is free from fallen trees or overgrown bushes. This year, Jack's job was surprisingly...