Vermont State Parks

Start 2022 on the right foot with a beautiful hike. On January 1, 2022, everyone is invited to join a free, guided, family-friendly hike taking place at many state parks and forests across Vermont. Hikes will be led by professional guides and outdoor educators eager to share their knowledge and love of Vermont’s outdoors.  Don’t need a guide? No matter where you live in Vermont, a state park or state forest is always close by, and you can still get outside to enjoy it. State Park entry is free on New Year’s Day (and all winter long). You’ll discover a whole new world in winter. Please dress for the weather and bring traction aids and/or snowshoes depending on conditions. Please bring beverages and snacks. Contact hike leaders to pre-register. Hike leaders will contact you with more details and information about your hike. Check out our Facebook and Twitter feeds for more information and more hikes as they are added. Guided Hikes to Join Allis State Park Hike Guide: Rebec...

Labor Day camping not in the cards this year? We’ve got plenty of reasons to head out to a Vermont State Park near you.

Last Updated 6/14/21. The State of Vermont is now fully open with no COVID-19 restrictions. We are no longer updating this page. For further COVID-19 updates, please check:   COVID-19 | Vermont Department of Health (healthvermont.gov)

Staff stand at the Crystal Lake State Park waterfront -  If you have ever been curious about what working in one of Vermont’s State Parks is like, now  you have your chance to find out, virtually. On Tuesday, April 6, from 6:00 – 7:00 PM, Vermont State Parks hiring managers will give an online presentation on job opportunities in Vermont State Parks this summer. Additionally, State Parks staff will provide insights, discuss specific job openings, and answer any questions you may have. Of course, you will also learn how to apply for positions and how the hiring process works.   “Vermont has a world class state park system and we’re searching for world class staff to facilitate meaningful and fun experiences in Vermont’s outdoors”, says Forests, Parks, and Recreation Commissioner Michael Snyder.   He adds, “Working in a Vermont state park gives staff valuable and diverse work experience and is perfect for those who love the outdoors and are interested in   pur...

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.

Sit spots are great places to journal.  Doing your best to distantly socialize, but you’re tired of the same old thing? We’ve got your back. Our carefully curated list of activities can help you connect with nature and get ready for your next big adventure. These activities can be done within the comfort of your own home or backyard (just remember to follow current advice from the Vermont Department of Health ). Find a sit spot. Sit spots can be any area in your yard or a view from a window. This is a great way to take in the world around you and build mindfulness in an easy way. Step 1 - Pick a spot you like near a tree, in a field, or at a window with a good view. Step 2 - Sit, look, listen, and observe. What do you see, hear and smell? Step 3 - Repeat as often as necessary. Try different times of day. What changes? What stays the same? Birding.   Did you see a bird fly by or heard one sing, but you’re not sure what kind? The Cornell Lab of Ornitholo...

270° views showcase mountains to the west and southwest. Sure you've heard of Camel's Hump or Smugglers' Notch, but Vermont State Parks is more than just the 55 developed, staff-operated parks. We want to shine a light on our equally beautiful, but lesser known parks. First up: Sentinel Rock State Park. Check out this spotlight from Ellen Hinman of the St. Johnsbury Office. Sentinel Rock State Park, located on Hinton Hill Road in the Town of Westmore, is one of the Department’s undeveloped state parks. The property was donated to the State in 1997 by the Wright Family. Throughout the Wright family’s half century of stewardship, two basic objectives for the property were pursued “FIRST, to maintain the property in as good a condition as we (sic Wrights) found it, and SECOND, to share the enjoyment of the natural attributes of the location with others who would appreciate them as we (sic Wrights) have.” (from the Long Range Management Plan, 2010). Sentinel Rock SP...

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...

What are snow rollers? Snow rollers are a rare phenomenon where snowball form naturally by a very strong wind blowing across a flat, snow covered field when the snow is easily compacted. It's natures way of making a snowballs. They started appearing Sunday in many fields around Vermont. The conditions were perfect mid-day. Thanks to our friends at WCAX , News Channel 3 we got to see some photos from all around the state.    Snow rollers in Plainfield. Photo by Janet Steward. This in Chelsea. Thousands in the backyard of Rebecca Mattoon. Snow Rollers from Craftsbury Common. Photo by Harry Miller.

A park visitor emailed us this question today: Hi, I was walking in the woods behind my house in Fairfield, Vermont today and I noticed white foam on a number of our trees especially most of the yellow birch and also some hemlock. On some of the trees there was quite a bit of this foam. Is this something that we should be concerned about? I don't remember ever noticing it before. Thank you for your help. Rebecca Phelps, our Conservation Coordinator, replies: You are very observant, and what you were observing was Chemistry in action! What you saw on the trunks of these trees was the formation of a crude soap. It has been really dry for awhile in Vermont, and when it is dry particles from the air deposit themselves on the surface of tree bark (like dust). This dust includes bits of salts, acids and other particles in the air. When it rains, these particles dissolve into a liquid solution. Soap is essentially a chemical mixture of salts and acids formed into a molecule, and tha...

Are you looking for outdoor adventures for your family but aren’t quite sure about taking on the adventure by yourself or would you like to add something new to your outdoor experience? Join us for the 15th annual Becoming an Outdoor Family Weekend – June 1-3, 2012! You’ll join many other families taking part in workshops presented by expert instructors providing basic hands on experience for a variety of topics including outdoor cooking, GPS skills, wildlife photography, kayaking, kite making, making jam & jellies from wild Vermont fruit, fishing,building rustic furniture, birding by ear, trail running,  mountain biking, lots of family time, and much much more. There are over 50 workshops to choose from and something for every age group is sure to be found. Some families have been joining us for over 10 years and for many this will be their first year camping with us. We’ll stay at both Stillwater and Big Deer State Parks on beautiful Lake Groton. ...

Here at Vermont State Parks , we often get requests for information about our parks. Recently Courtney from Michigan contacted us for information about our parks for a school report on Vermont. We love speaking with students about everything Vermont State Parks has to offer, and we were even more thrilled when we received a drawing and note from her this week! Thanks Courtney for the beautiful drawing and note! We like fairies too and we especially love that she is wearing Vermont State Parks colors!