Underhill State Park

Underhill, VT

Underhill is within Vermont’s 39,837-acre Mt. Mansfield State Forest. On the headwaters of the Brown’s River, at about 2,000 feet elevation, the park lies on the west slope of 4,300 feet Mt. Mansfield, the state’s highest peak. Just over the summit ridge is the Stowe ski area, one of North America’s original ski resorts.

The elevation and corresponding exposure to harsh climatic conditions have resulted in some relatively unusual vegetation types along the mountain’s summit ridge. The low, stunted-plants found in the alpine tundra near the summit, very rare in New England, are more typical of types found on broad expanses of Arctic tundra a thousand miles farther north. These plants are fragile (if you hike to the summit, please stay on marked trails).

The park is probably best known for its hiking. There are four trails to the summit ridge of Mt. Mansfield from Underhill State Park. Walking up the gated road from the park headquarters, the trails begin branching off shortly above the group camp area. The Sunset Ridge Trail, 3 miles to the summit, is the most popular. Vermont’s Long Trail traverses the summit ridge and, with several trails from the other side of the mountain, many loops are possible. Hiking information and trail maps are available at the park headquarters.

Facilities:

• 26 lean-to sites for group camping
• 7 remote lean-to’s
• 1 remote tent site

Activities:

Group/remote camping, hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, mountain biking, nature programs

MORE INFO ON THIS PARK HERE!

Kettle Pond

Groton, VT

The campground is located on the shores of Kettle Pond, an undeveloped pond. There are 26 lean-to’s arranged into five separate groups designed to accommodate a variety of different groups and organizations such as scouts, churches, clubs or other social institutions. There are three composting toilets and two double pit toilets. There is no potable water at this site, but you can get water at nearby New Discovery State Park. There is a campers’ beach and miles of hiking and multiple use trails in Groton State Forest. 7 remote lean-to’s and one remote campsite are also available.

Additionally, the Groton Nature Center is nearby and serves all the state parks in the Groton State Forest.

Day use parking: Day use parking for hiking and boating is separate from the campground and is located adjacent to VT Route 232. The hiking trail and boat portage trail is located in the northwest corner of the parking near the kiosk.

Facilities:

• 26 lean-to sites for group camping
• 7 remote lean-to’s
• 1 remote tent site

Activities:

Group/remote camping, hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, mountain biking, nature programs

MORE INFO ON THIS PARK HERE!

Boulder Beach

Groton, VT

The Groton Nature Center is located within the Groton State Forest. With exhibits focusing on the area’s plants, wildlife, local history and interpretive programs, there is something to interest everyone in the family. Check out the events calendar to see what is coming up soon.

The nature center is within walking distance of Big Deer, Stillwater and Boulder Beach state parks. Kettle Pond, Molly’s Falls Pond, New Discovery, Ricker Pond, and Seyon Lodge state parks are all just a short drive away.

Vermont State Parks has worked with Vermont Parks Forever and ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain to re-design and update the Groton Nature Center. Our new exhibits feature interactive learning opportunities highlighting Groton’s geology and its natural and cultural history. This was the first joint nature center project in the Vermont State Park system under the Vermont Parks Forever, Natural Connections Program. Vermont Parks Forever fundraised to support the new exhibits and learning features while Vermont State Parks renovated the building to host these newly designed interpretive features.

No camping on site.

Activities:
Hiking Nature Programs

MORE INFO ON THIS PARK HERE!

If you love hiking with Fido, you don’t want to miss out on the VT Hiking Dog Challenge. For a $10 donation, you’ll receive a list of 35 hand-picked bike paths, rail trails and summits across the state. Finish at least 10 of them and you’ll be entered to win a “pawsome” prize.

READ THE FULL STORY COURTESY OF SEVEN DAYS HERE

Brighton Park

Island Pond, VT

The outstanding attraction of this area is its remoteness: mountains with tree-covered slopes, fast running streams, and clear lakes. It is common to hear loons calling at night. The wild lands to the northeast and southeast of the town of Island Pond are suited to the angler, the hunter, or the outdoor lover who likes to roam away from developed roads or towns. Logging roads into the deeper reaches of this area offer adventurous side trips. Island Pond enjoyed a heyday from the late 1800’s until the Depression years, along with the fortunes of the Grand Trunk railroad between Montreal, Canada and Portland, Maine. Island Pond was the site of the first international railroad junction in the United States. At the height of the town’s population, its streets were lively with railroad men and loggers, most of whom rode in on one of the 13 rail tracks that passed through town. A mere two tracks remain today. The unique wooden bridge, which once held all 13 tracks, is gone, but the heritage of railroading is still evident in the well-kept train station and a few associated structures at the north end of town. Close to Silvio O Conte Wildlife Refuge and lots of moose!

Camping facilities:

• 54 tent/RV sites
• 23 lean-to sites
• 5 cabins

Activities:

• Camping
• Hiking
• Playground
• Swimming & boating
• Stand up paddleboarding
• Fishing
• Nature programs
• Horseshoes

VISIT HERE!

Boulder Beach

Groton, VT

This park is one of seven parks in the Groton State Forest. These parks are all within close proximity to one another (some within walking distance) and entry to one provides free entry to all. Combined, the parks offer a range of activities and attractions. The newly opened Groton Nature Center is nearby.

This state park gets its name for the many large rocks left by glaciers on the sandy beach of Lake Groton and throughout Groton State Forest. The park is located on the eastern shore of 423-acre Lake Groton.

The rocky, tree covered hillsides were originally made up of white pine, spruce, hemlock, beech, maple and birch and were logged in the 19th century by local farmers for lumber, fuel and potash. The logging industry was operated on a large scale for more than 100 years while the Montpelier and Wells River Railroad operated in the area.

Today, logging is still a vital industry; Groton State Forest is managed for multiple uses— including timber harvesting, wildlife habitat, and recreation. Groton State Forest, with over 26,000 acres, is the one of the largest contiguous tracts of public lands managed by the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.

Activities:

Playground, hiking, swimming, boating, standup paddle boarding, fishing, picnicking, mountain biking, nature programs

MORE INFO ON THIS PARK HERE!

Niquette Bay

Colchester, VT

Today’s 584-acre park began with an initial land purchase by the State of Vermont in 1975. It is named for Niquette Bay, the local name for an indentation along the northeastern shore of Lake Champlain’s larger Malletts Bay. 4700 feet of scenic rocky and sandy shoreline along the bay comprise the park’s southern boundary.

The property, much of it farmed and pastured through the 1800’s, is today predominately forested. Two long ridges with summits rising to over 400’ elevation run parallel along either side of a flat, sandy terrace bisecting the property. This terrace, in turn, is bisected by a brook and associated ravine. This brook, over 1000’s of years, has carried away sand and silt as the ravine was carved, depositing it into Lake Champlain and forming the sandy but shallow beach along the eastern half of the park’s shoreline.The westerly half of the park shore is of dramatically different character. Here, sheer cliffs of dolomitic limestone rise abruptly from deep water to heights exceeding 60 feet. These cliffs form the headwall of the western ridge that cuts through the park.

Niquette Bay is pet-friendly with some restrictions. Pet owners must clean up after their pets and carry out pet and other waste out of the park. Parties hiking with pets are limited to four (4) animals per group. Pets must be leashed at all times. Pets may swim at Calm Cove only; all other areas of lake access are off limits for pets.

Activities:

Hiking, swimming, fishing

No camping.

FIND MORE INFO ON THIS PARK HERE!

Mount Philo State Park

Charlotte, VT

Vermont’s First State Park. With breathtaking views of the Lake Champlain Valley and New York’s Adirondack Mountains. he summit access road allows visitors to drive to the top, or a ¾-mile hiking trail leads to the mountain’s summit for more ambitious visitors. Hikers are likely to see a variety of wildlife including white-tailed deer or moose. The park is an excellent spot to watch autumn bird migrations, and is noted for raptor watching. A small campground is located on the north side of the park. Due to the steep grade and narrow width of the roadway, recreational vehicles are not suited to this park. the park is a favorite of hikers and picnickers, and includes a small campground.

Facilities:

• 7 tent sites
• 3 lean-to sites

Activities: Camping, hiking, picnicking

MORE INFO ON THIS PARK HERE!