State Parks and Forests
Camels Hump |
C.C. Putnam |
Coolidge |
Groton
Lake Carmi |
Mount Mansfield |
Victory |
Willoughby
Generally, the Vermont public lands that are suitable for outdoor recreation fall into the categories of either state forest or state park. State forests tend to be larger, undeveloped parcels of land that are managed for multiple use, much like a National Forest. State parks tend to be smaller, with more developed facilities, which may include campgrounds, lavoratories, boat launches and swimming areas. You will frequently find state parks attached to state forests, with the parks serving as a home base for exploration into the relative wilds of the state forest.
Camels Hump State Park
20,848 acres
This is Vermont's largest state park, and is attached to a 2,375 acre forest reserve. The park includes three use districts: a preserved ecological area from the summit down to about 2,500 feet, a timber and wildlife area that is managed for timber production, wildlife and outdoor recreation, and a multiple use area that includes some farming and residences.
Camping is only allowed in Green Mountain Club shelters along the Long Trail and two tent camping facilities.
The star attraction of this park is the summit, one of Vermont's most famous hikes. The summit of Camel's Hump supports one of the Green Mountains' two significant communities of Arctic-alpine vegetation. The other community is found on the Mount Mansfield. GORP has a detailed description of this strenuous but intensely satisfying, 7.4 mile loop hike.
C.C. Putnam State Forest
13,355 acres
Home of Worcester Range, which offers some of the best off-the-beaten track hiking in Vermont. You can hike the Green Mountains, and not see the peaks for the range, or you can hike the Worcester Range, and get a full panoramic view of them.
GORP offers detailed descriptions of three hikes in this forest, including the Mount Hunger Trail, which leads to what is by all accounts the premier summit in the range.
Coolidge State Forest
18,623 acres
A sizeable, centrally located state forest that's off the beaten path. The recreational center of the forest is Coolidge State Park, which consists of about 500 acres in the eastern district. This is a good park to seek out for solitary day hikes through pleasant, second-growth forest.
The town of Plymouth, which was President Calvin Coolidge's birthplace and summer White House, is very nearby. One enjoyable bike tour starts at this park, winds through Plymouth, then explores the surrounding countryside, including the new Marsh-Billings National Historic Park.
Facilities include lean-tos and camp sites.
Groton State Forest
26,368 acres
Groton State Forest is the second largest contiguous landholding by the State of Vermont. A year round trail system connects most major ponts of interest. All of the trails are in the day hike range, with the longest being a mere 3 miles. Search out the Peacham Bog Natural Area, which is one of the largest bogs in Vermont and has many usual plants, animals and insects.
Groton State Forest has seven state parks attached to it, offering a full range of outdoor recreation facilities, including campgrounds, boat launches, swimming spots, even a lodge (Seyon Ranch State Park) and a concession stand.
Lake Carmi State Park
588 acres
Located on a 1,375-acre lake with 2 miles of shoreline, this park includes a cattail marsh, stream, meadow, northern hardwood/coniferous forest, and Black Spruce Bog, the third-largest (140 acre) peat bog in the state. The wildlife watching along Lake Carmi's shores and in its forests and fields ranks among Vermont's best.
Facilities include campgrounds and a swimming beach.
Mount Mansfield State Forest
38,612 acres
Home to Vermont's tallest mountain (4,393 feet) and an internationally famous skiing and hiking destination. This popular area of the state has four state parks attached to the forest: Little River, Smugglers Notch, Underhill and Waterbury Center.
GORP has detailed description of an overnighter that scales the summit of Mount Manchester, then spends the night near the top before coming back down the next day.
The trail through Smugglers Notch makes for another exhilarating adventure, following the route that fugitive slaves and bootleggers used to find harbor in Canada.
Facilities range from the primitive to the luxurious. You'll find camping, lodging, and restaurants, boat launches and ski areas.
Victory State Forest
15,857 acres
One of the wild ones in the Northeast Kingdom, this state park wraps around the Victory Basin Wildlife Management Area, which has the Moose River Flowing through it and an open bog. The real gem, though, is 2,000 acre Darling State Park, home of 3,267 foot Burke Mountain. The hike to the top on the West Peak Trail has been a well-kept secret.
Facilities include lean-tos and two ski lodges.
Willoughby State Forest
7,300 acres
A stunning expanse: the peaks of Mount Pisgah and Mount Hor rise vertically out of Lake Willoughby, which is known as "Vermont's Lake Lucerne." Besides the lake, Willoughby has several crystalline ponds that are superior trout waters.
Hiking in Willoughy is great. There are over 12 miles of hiking trails, mostly in the easy to moderate range. Many of these trails connect to trails that cross private land on Wheeler, Bald, Haystack and McSherry mountains. We recommend the Mt. Pisgah South Trail, which reaches two overlooks with views out to the White Mountains and points in between. But perhaps the real drama of this trail is found along the cliff tops above the lake—not for acrophobics.
This state forest has no developed facilities.
Other Internet Resources
Vermont State Lands - Every state should have such a good web site devoted to their public lands. This site covers the gamut of state land issues, from acquisition and management policy to outdoor recreation.
Outdoors Vermont - A round-up of places to go and things to do in the land of maple syrup.
Green Mountain National Forest - A large hunk of public land, with limitless hiking, biking, fishing and other outdoor recreation opportunities.
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