Vermont State Parks

The Japanese Garden at Taconic Mountains  Ramble State Park in Winter - Rebecca Roy When the weather isn’t sunny and 75, it’s easy to hunker down indoors. For those who brave the chill, bundling up and getting outdoors can benefit body, mind, and spirit! The Vermont State Parks are a great place to find some much-needed natural beauty and solitude during these darker months. Need some recommendations on where to start? Check out selected favorite hikes from parks staff, foresters, and recreation specialists around the state with varying levels of difficulty and length. 

  First Day Hikers stand in front of Butler Lodge in 2023. Start the new year on the right foot with a hike in the great outdoors. On January 1, 2024, everyone is once again invited to join a free, guided, family-friendly hike taking place at many state parks, state forests, and other public lands across Vermont. Hikes are 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.  First Day Hikers warm up at the CCC shelter at Owl's Head. Please pre-register by contacting hike leaders ahead of time. On hike day dress for the weather and bring snowshoes if the snow is deep, and micro-spikes or traction aids in case of ice. Please also bring beverages and snacks. In the ...

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...

A snowmobiler grooms the trail at Seyon Lodge State Park - Tiffany Soukup Vermont State Parks is pleased to announce the 2021 Best In Snow - Vermont State Parks Photo Contest . Contrary to what you might think, Vermont State Parks stay open for use all year long. Parks are great places to go for skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, sledding, fat biking, snowmobiling and more. We are seeking your best winter shots in VT State Parks! We are looking for high quality images in Vermont State Parks during the winter season from any year. There are two categories for the contest: scenic landscapes and action shots. Photos should feature portraits of people recreating in parks or scenic views from within the parks.  Prizes issued in each category:  1  –  $50 Vermont State Parks gift card 2 – 10-punch pass card   Please read the guidelines below before entering. All photographs must adhere to these standards. Eligibility The contest is open to the general publi...

Learn to make bark ornaments, pine cone elves, and twig snowflakes.  Want to enjoy the magic of the winter wonderland and the warmth of a wood stove? Bring the magic of the outdoors into your cozy winter abode! Stoke the fire, grab a cup of cocoa, and check out our round-up of nature-inspired crafts to celebrate the season. Remember: For crafts involving natural materials, only use materials that are no longer living. Bark Ornaments Supplies: bark, glue, sugar sprinkles or other natural materials to glue down, twine, scissors, power drill 1. Collect bark from a woodpile or the forest floor and dry it first. Break it up into smaller pieces. The flatter the pieces of bark are, the easier they will be to work with.  2. Create a shape in glue (like a circle to make a wreath or a triangle for a Christmas tree). Make sure not to go too heavy on the glue as it runs. 3. Add your sprinkles or other natural materials to the glue. Set aside to dry. For younger crafters, lar...

The bike on ice race begins! (Frozen Regatta scheduled for Feb. 18) The only time of year when skiing, walking, skating, and sledding can be done on Lake Champlain is now! As part of the Great Ice in Grand Isle celebration, Vermont State Parks is encouraging folks to get out on the ice by hosting a 'Trek to Knight Island' on Sunday, Feb. 19th from 11:00AM - 4:00PM. Grab your skates, skis, snowshoes or sleds and make the trek to Knight Island State Park – which is only accessible by boat during the summer. The hike to Knight Island is about 4 miles round trip leaving from North Hero’s welcome dock. Once there, you can also explore the island's trails before warming up at the rustic ranger station where you can enjoy hot beverages and island lore, compliments of Park Ranger Jim Putnam. A family trekking across the ice to Knight Island State Park (scheduled for Feb. 19) Knight Island, acquired by the state in 1990, is one of three neighboring island parks in...

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...

If you’re looking for a few more amenities while you enjoy the season, Seyon Lodge offers a retreat Teddy Roosevelt would have been sure to enjoy. The recreational opportunities in Groton State Forest are unparalleled winter or summer. There are 4.9 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails for your family’s use. Additionally, thousands of acres beckon to be discovered on snowshoes right outside the front door of the lodge. Then, when you’re done with your adventure, completely relax next to the fire and then retreat to the dining room for a wonderful evening meal. The meals have even been known to draw the locals out from their warm homes and down the snowy roads! After you awake to your breakfast, the friendly Innkeepers will be happy to direct you to all the exciting opportunities the area has to offer. Seyon Lodge, without a doubt, offers a winter get-away you will never forget. A whole new world of recreational opportunities presents itself when th e snow falls in Vermont. Even in...