Vermont State Parks

Either way you do it: Whether you want to work off some calories after a large and satisfying Thanksgiving Day meal, or you want to work up an appetite for the feast to come, here are some easy rambles that are great for the whole family.  Each of these hikes are loop trails that circumnavigate ponds or small lakes. With the leaves off the trees you can see farther into the woods than in the summer time, and wildlife love the edge habitat the ponds create. Combine great wildlife viewing with little or no elevation change -- you've got yourself the perfect apres-meal adventure. Osmore Pond Loop Trail Groton State Forest Peachman, Vermont 2 miles, 2 hours. Effort Rating: Easy. This scenic loop begins at the Osmore Pond picnic shelter. The trail veers south, away from the pond's edge. It passes under a power line just before the junction with the Little Deer Trail (0.6 miles). Continuing around the pond, the trail crosses Hosmer Brook and heads no...

Greetings time travelers! This Throwback Thursday, we’re taking you back. Way, way back (Ok, not THAT far). Recently, a long-time camper reached out to us with an amazing State Park related memento from her father, and correctly thought we might like to have it. This special piece of memorabilia dates from the opening night of Lake Carmi State Park , on June 29, 1963. Her father, Gordon Bown, and family, camped at the park that first year, at site #14. On opening night, he went through the campground and collected signatures from campers at the 32 original sites (and where they traveled from)- all on a piece of birch bark from the park. The heading reads  LAKE CARMI STATE PARK Opening night campers  29 June 1963 MR. CORLISS B. CENTABAR Caretaker  On the reverse side of the well-traveled frame is a hand-written note, detailing its creation and journey: Lake Carmi State Park  Campers’ Roll on birch bark made by Gordon Bown. Birch ...

News Release — Vermont Land Trust October 29, 2015 Contacts: Michael Snyder, FPR Commissioner, (802) 828-1534, Michael.Snyder@vermont.gov Elise Annes, VP for Community Relations, VLT, (802) 262-1206 or (802) 522-9855, Elise@vlt.org Deb Markowitz, ANR Secretary, (802) 828-1294, Deb.Markowitz@vermont.gov Dotty Schnure, GMP spokesperson, (802) 655-8418, Dorothy.Schnure@greenmountainpower.com CABOT and MARSHFIELD, VT – The people of Vermont will now forever have access to one of the state’s most popular and well-loved recreation areas in Central Vermont—the Molly’s Falls Pond property, known by many as the “Marshfield Reservoir”. The Vermont Land Trust today announced the sale of 1,029 acres to the Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation. Now called Molly’s Falls Pond State Park, the property boasts a 402-acre reservoir, roughly 35,000 feet of undeveloped shoreline, and over 600 acres of forestland. It is a popular spot for boaters and anglers and has a fishing access area a...

MONTPELIER - October 28, 2015 - Gov. Peter Shumlin today announced a milestone in Vermont State Park visitation. So far this year, more than 1 million people have visited state parks. That hasn’t happened in 27 years and has only occurred four other times over the 91 year history of the park system. “We are all pleased that so many Vermonters and guests are realizing the treasures we have in our wonderful park system,” Gov. Shumlin said. “Outdoor recreation is such an important part of Vermont’s culture and economy and state parks offer a way for all of us to enjoy Vermont’s best.” The state will receive an estimated $6.1 million in direct revenue from this year’s visitation. The statewide economic impact from those visits is about $88 million. State Park attendance has been growing steadily over the last several years. Commissioner Michael Snyder of the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation attributes the success to a number of factors. “Our parks program staff do an ...

It may be getting chillier outside, but Vermont State Parks  are still open during the off-season. However, before you head into the woods during this time of year, keep in mind that hunting season may be in progress. Hunting is an annual tradition for Vermonters and an important part of the state’s cultural heritage. Vermont was the first state to adopt constitutional language that protects your right to hunt, and many people view hunting as a way to source their meat locally as well as build a relationship with the land. Hunting is allowed on all state lands, including State Parks, during the off-season. Please come and visit the parks, but remember to be cautious in the woods. Dress in blaze orange (dogs, too) and make yourself heard! You may be less likely to run into hunters at parks that keep their gates closed, such as Mt. Philo State Park in Ferrisburgh, Molly Stark State Park in Wilmington, Townshend State Park in Townshend, and Thetford Hill State Park in Sprin...

It's that time of year again! Put on your brave face and try not to get scared out of your pants at the Quechee State Park Haunted Campground ...it's even bigger and better this year, and, as always, is kept going by your donations. This year, the theme for our Haunted Trail is "Twisted Wizard of Oz," which will be running from 5pm-9:30pm on Saturday, October 17th at Quechee State Park . Other activities will begin earlier though, in the Quechee Gorge Village . We take reservations for walk times, and allow groups of 6-10 - please arrive about 15 minutes prior to your walk time to get a chance to meet the Wizard himself...if you've got little ones with you, though, we recommend scheduling for the early time slots, as things naturally get a bit scarier once the sun sets. Call us to reserve: 802-295-2990. Schedule of Events: Start at the Quechee Gorge Village shops at 3 pm and ride the Haunted Train, visit the businesses to trick or treat, and listen ...

You can still get out and enjoy an inspirational program in some Vermont State Parks.  Programs are expanded into the fall this year, with three Student Conservation Association Interns offering visitor programming and school programs in parks well into November. The SCA, founded in 1957, gives young people the opportunity to make a real impact and lasting effects on our natural world and in our communities, by connecting them with meaningful internship opportunities. Vermont State Parks is lucky to have these three to further the reach of our mission in inspiring environmental stewardship and connections with the land. Want to get to know them better?  Cat Cook is working at Lake St Catherine State Park in Poultney: I go by Cat and I was born in Cleveland, Ohio. I recently graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle with a B.S. in Geology. I love to travel and be outdoors. Some of my favorite things to do are long-distance backpacking, kayaking, fishing,...