Vermont 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.

Participant at first Earth Day in 1970 I work for Vermont State Parks and just as you probably imagine, I feel very lucky and I love my job. I owe Earth Day gratitude for my ability to transform my love of camping into a career. An Earth Day celebration when I was five started me on this path. It was 1981, and my dad brought my older sister, Rachel, and I to an Earth Day celebration at Unity College in Maine. Unity is a small environmental college in Central Maine. We were there for a 5K race, and Rachel brought me into the student center to use the restroom. I was blown away by the beautiful students adorned in bell bottoms, long hair, drapey dresses, and sandals. I knew at that moment Unity College was the place for me. Many years later I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in environmental education and interpretation, and after a Master of Science degree and fifteen years working seasonally in the interpretation field, I grew into the fantastic job I love today. What has...

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 former Will Monroe house On a recent blog post, "A Question Asked and Answered: Some Really Interesting Camel's Hump History", we shared a question asked by a park visitor about the history of Camel's Hump , and a really interesting answer from Stewardship Forester, Gary Sawyer. Well, Doug, our park visitor, came back with a few more questions for Gary, and here's how it went: Doug: My sister recently found a hand-written journal kept by our father when he and two other lads from Montpelier hiked the Long Trail from Duxbury to Rutland in August of 1921. Here is an excerpt of his first day account: "Brock, Lindsay and Jones left Montpelier at 3:00 P.M. Sunday with every expectation of rain. Arrived the Callahans 4:00 P.M. Packs weighed about 35 lbs. each. The first half mile was somewhat of a torture to our untrained muscles. Stopped about 6:30 at the Boy Scout camp for supper. The rest of the way to the top was so steep that our noses ...

Tin huts on Camel's Hump clearing We get questions of all kinds in our reservation call center, many relating to the history of certain land parcels. We're always amazed by what we learn, and thought you might be interested in this one: A person wrote to us about the restoration of Camel's Hump as follows: "I came across some old photos of tin huts on the upper portion of the mountain that were used by hikers and, I guess, maintained by the GMC back in the 1920's and 1930's. I understand that those intrusions have since been removed and wonder if you can tell me when this laudable action took place?" Gary Sawyer, Stewardship Forester for the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation is my go-to guy for all things Camel's Hump. He knows everything about 'The Hump'. He sent some photos and this reply: Camel's Hump hotel  During the mid to late 1800’s, into the early 1900’s, it was quite popular for folks from ‘down-...

Come join us for a special event! Saturday, October 2, at 10:00 AM in Little River State Park , Waterbury, VT, author Tim Simard and Little River State Park Interpreter, Brian Aust, will host a spooky presentation and hike. Participants will trek through the autumn woods to discover remnants of the old Goodell Farmhouse on the Dalley Loop Trail and hear about the spooky mysteries of locals’ past. Attendees should park at the History Hike Parking Lot (Dalley Loop/Hedgehog Hill Loop Trails). Children of all ages and well-behaved and leashed pets are welcome. Feel free to bring snacks or lunch and water. This program will go on, rain or shine. Park entrance fee is required to attend. As a self-proclaimed skeptic, Tim Simard had always enjoyed a good campfire tale, but never believed they were true until he began research for his book, HAUNTED HIKES OF VERMONT. Simard's book provides both storied history and fanciful legend within the trails of Vermont's Green Mountains and beyond...

Take a moment and ask yourself a question, “What shall I Explore?” Whether it is a tranquil fly-fishing spot off the beaten path or some of the most breath-taking mountain top views in the world, Vermont State Parks has a new adventure waiting for you everyday. Pick your Method of Adventure… There are so many exciting opportunities in Vermont State Parks for you and your family to have a one-of-a-kind vacation or outing. Exploring and experiencing all Vermont has to offer can start with choosing activities that you can do as a family. Such activities include, canoeing, hiking, biking, fishing, motor boating, horseback riding, and exploring Vermont’s historic sites. Explore by Boat… Vermont State Parks has waterfront parks suitable for every interest. If white water kayaking tickles your fancy, give Jamaica State Park a try for their biannual white water release. Maybe calmer waters are more your style. Check out the canoe accessible campsites at Green River Reservoir . If you don’t eve...