No matter the time of year, exploring the great outdoors is always a good idea. That’s especially true in a state like Vermont, which is brimming with beautiful outdoor spaces. One of the best ways to embrace all that Mother Nature has to offer is by planning a trip to a local state park. Complete with hiking trails, recreational opportunities, and endless scenery, Vermont’s state parks are nothing short of awe-inspiring. Without further ado, here’s a list of some of our favorite state parks to visit in Vermont.
- Allis State Park, Randolph
Flikr/Rain0975 Allis State Park Road, Allis State Park Rd, Brookfield, VT 05060, USA
Flikr/Rain0975 Our list of some of the most amazing state parks to visit in Vermont begins with Allis State Park. Allis was Vermont’s second state park, established in 1928. The park is named for Wallace Allis, who willed his Bear Mountain Farm to the state to be developed as a recreational area. You’ll love exploring this beautiful place to go hiking in Vermont.
- Okemo State Forest, Ludlow
Flikr/Eric Heupel Okemo is one of southeast Vermont’s largest state forests. It is home to the Okemo Mountain Resort, one of Vermont’s major ski areas. While you’re there, be sure to check out this trail that offers one of the most picturesque views in Vermont. Okemo State Forest, Ludlow, VT 05149, USA
- North Hero State Park, North Hero
Flikr/Jay Parker North Hero is a stop on the Lake Champlain Paddlers’ Trail. It is not staffed by rangers. One trip to this gorgeous destination and you’ll quickly discover why it’s among the most underrated state parks to visit in Vermont. State Park Road, State Park Rd, North Hero, VT 05474, USA
- Green River Reservoir State Park, Hyde Park
Flikr/Paul Moody Green River Reservoir State Park, 1394 Green River Dam Rd, Hyde Park, VT 05655, USA
Flikr/Paul Moody Green River Reservoir became a state park in 1999 when 5,110 acres were purchased from the Morrisville Water and Light Department. Campsites can only be reached by boat. Learn more about why visiting Grand River Reservoir State Park in Vermont is like experiencing a dream.
- Smuggler’s Notch State Park, Stowe
Flikr/Jim Liestman Smugglers’ Notch State Park Campground, 6443 Mountain Rd, Stowe, VT 05672, USA
Flikr/Rain0975 Smuggler’s Notch is a narrow pass through the Green Mountains. It was, not surprisingly, a popular trail for smuggling goods between the US and Canada during Prohibition. Today, it’s considered one of the most beautiful places to visit in Vermont.
- Half Moon Pond State Park, Fair Haven
Flikr/tschi The park offers a variety of camping options including waterfront campsites, lean-tos and five furnished cabins. Tall Timbers Cottage, with its waterfront location and private boat dock, offers all the comforts of home. Learn more about why Half Moon Pond State Park is such an incredible place to go camping in Vermont. Half Moon Pond State Park, 1621 Black Pond Rd, Hubbardton, VT 05743, USA
- Quechee Gorge State Park, Quechee
Flikr/The Parasite Did you know that Vermont has its own Grand Canyon? This pet-friendly park offers free wi-fi and Vermont’s deepest gorge. A trip to Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon is one that belongs at the very top of your bucket list. Quechee Gorge, Hartford, VT, White River Junction, VT 05001, USA
- Woodford State Park, Woodford
Flikr/Mararie This 398-acre park has the highest elevation campground of any park in Vermont, at 2400 feet. This lesser-known state park in Vermont is one you’ll quickly fall in love with. Woodford State Park Road, Woodford State Park Rd, Woodford, VT 05201, USA
- Molly Stark State Park, Wilmington
Flikr/Billandkent Molly Stark State Park was named for the famous wife of General John Stark of the Revolutionary War. She was essential to the US victory at the Battle of Bennington. While you’re there, be sure to check out this short and sweet trail. Molly Stark State Park, 705 VT-9 East, Wilmington, VT 05363, USA
- Burton Island State Park, St. Albans
Flikr/BostonTx Burton Island State Park, 2714 Hathaway Point Rd, St Albans City, VT 05478, USA
Flikr/BostonTx The park is accessible only by boat, with the state’s passenger ferry making the 10-minute trip from Kamp Kill Kare State Park. Learn more about this dreamy island campground in Vermont.
- Mt. Ascutney State Park, Windsor
Flikr/Doug Kerr Mt Ascutney State Park, 1826 Back Mountain Rd, Windsor, VT 05089, USA
Flikr/Miguel Vieira Mt. Ascutney State Park is one of the most fascinating natural spaces in Vermont. In fact, it’s home to a non-active volcano! There is an open stone pavilion here, free to the public. It seats 30 and offers a grilling area.
- Jamaica State Park, Jamaica
Flikr/jar [away] Jamaica State Park, Jamaica, VT 05343, USA
Flikr/jar [away] No matter the time of year, Jamaica State Park makes for an excellent day trip destination. However, summer is the ideal time to visit, as the camping opportunities are incredible. Learn more about why you’ll love this little-known state park in Vermont.
- Brighton State Park, Island Park
Flikr/megoc42 Brighton State Park, 102 State Park Rd, Island Pond, VT 05846, USA
Flikr/megoc42 There’s so much to love about Brighton State Park, especially if you’re an avid camper. There are hiking trails, a camper’s beach with boat rentals, nature museum, an amphitheater, a garage theater, and a play area.
- Elmore State Park, Morrisville
Flikr/Maurice Huang Elmore State Park, 856 VT-12, Elmore, VT 05661, USA
Flikr/Maurice Huang The day use area includes a large sandy beach, an historic CCC-built beach house with a community room that can be rented for group functions, a concession stand and cafe area, restrooms, and boat rentals. While you’re in the area, be sure to check out this restaurant that serves delicious Nepali food in Vermont.
- Emerald Lake State Park, East Dorset
Flikr/Jenica Emerald Lake State Park, 65 Emerald Lake Ln, East Dorset, VT 05253, USA
Flikr/seanaes Last but certainly not least on our list of the best state parks to visit in Vermont is Emerald Lake State Park. The park surrounds 20-acre Emerald Lake, named for the emerald green color of its waters when viewed from above.
What are your favorite state parks to visit in Vermont? Did any of them miss the list? If so, be sure to share them with us in the comments below — we’d love to hear from you!
Flikr/Rain0975
Allis State Park Road, Allis State Park Rd, Brookfield, VT 05060, USA
Our list of some of the most amazing state parks to visit in Vermont begins with Allis State Park. Allis was Vermont’s second state park, established in 1928. The park is named for Wallace Allis, who willed his Bear Mountain Farm to the state to be developed as a recreational area. You’ll love exploring this beautiful place to go hiking in Vermont.
Flikr/Eric Heupel
Okemo is one of southeast Vermont’s largest state forests. It is home to the Okemo Mountain Resort, one of Vermont’s major ski areas. While you’re there, be sure to check out this trail that offers one of the most picturesque views in Vermont.
Okemo State Forest, Ludlow, VT 05149, USA
Flikr/Jay Parker
North Hero is a stop on the Lake Champlain Paddlers’ Trail. It is not staffed by rangers. One trip to this gorgeous destination and you’ll quickly discover why it’s among the most underrated state parks to visit in Vermont.
State Park Road, State Park Rd, North Hero, VT 05474, USA
Flikr/Paul Moody
Green River Reservoir State Park, 1394 Green River Dam Rd, Hyde Park, VT 05655, USA
Green River Reservoir became a state park in 1999 when 5,110 acres were purchased from the Morrisville Water and Light Department. Campsites can only be reached by boat. Learn more about why visiting Grand River Reservoir State Park in Vermont is like experiencing a dream.
Flikr/Jim Liestman
Smugglers’ Notch State Park Campground, 6443 Mountain Rd, Stowe, VT 05672, USA
Smuggler’s Notch is a narrow pass through the Green Mountains. It was, not surprisingly, a popular trail for smuggling goods between the US and Canada during Prohibition. Today, it’s considered one of the most beautiful places to visit in Vermont.
Flikr/tschi
The park offers a variety of camping options including waterfront campsites, lean-tos and five furnished cabins. Tall Timbers Cottage, with its waterfront location and private boat dock, offers all the comforts of home. Learn more about why Half Moon Pond State Park is such an incredible place to go camping in Vermont.
Half Moon Pond State Park, 1621 Black Pond Rd, Hubbardton, VT 05743, USA
Flikr/The Parasite
Did you know that Vermont has its own Grand Canyon? This pet-friendly park offers free wi-fi and Vermont’s deepest gorge. A trip to Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon is one that belongs at the very top of your bucket list.
Quechee Gorge, Hartford, VT, White River Junction, VT 05001, USA
Flikr/Mararie
This 398-acre park has the highest elevation campground of any park in Vermont, at 2400 feet. This lesser-known state park in Vermont is one you’ll quickly fall in love with.
Woodford State Park Road, Woodford State Park Rd, Woodford, VT 05201, USA
Flikr/Billandkent
Molly Stark State Park was named for the famous wife of General John Stark of the Revolutionary War. She was essential to the US victory at the Battle of Bennington. While you’re there, be sure to check out this short and sweet trail.
Molly Stark State Park, 705 VT-9 East, Wilmington, VT 05363, USA
Flikr/BostonTx
Burton Island State Park, 2714 Hathaway Point Rd, St Albans City, VT 05478, USA
The park is accessible only by boat, with the state’s passenger ferry making the 10-minute trip from Kamp Kill Kare State Park. Learn more about this dreamy island campground in Vermont.
Flikr/Doug Kerr
Mt Ascutney State Park, 1826 Back Mountain Rd, Windsor, VT 05089, USA
Flikr/Miguel Vieira
Mt. Ascutney State Park is one of the most fascinating natural spaces in Vermont. In fact, it’s home to a non-active volcano! There is an open stone pavilion here, free to the public. It seats 30 and offers a grilling area.
Flikr/jar [away]
Jamaica State Park, Jamaica, VT 05343, USA
No matter the time of year, Jamaica State Park makes for an excellent day trip destination. However, summer is the ideal time to visit, as the camping opportunities are incredible. Learn more about why you’ll love this little-known state park in Vermont.
Flikr/megoc42
Brighton State Park, 102 State Park Rd, Island Pond, VT 05846, USA
There’s so much to love about Brighton State Park, especially if you’re an avid camper. There are hiking trails, a camper’s beach with boat rentals, nature museum, an amphitheater, a garage theater, and a play area.
Flikr/Maurice Huang
Elmore State Park, 856 VT-12, Elmore, VT 05661, USA
The day use area includes a large sandy beach, an historic CCC-built beach house with a community room that can be rented for group functions, a concession stand and cafe area, restrooms, and boat rentals. While you’re in the area, be sure to check out this restaurant that serves delicious Nepali food in Vermont.
Flikr/Jenica
Emerald Lake State Park, 65 Emerald Lake Ln, East Dorset, VT 05253, USA
Flikr/seanaes
Last but certainly not least on our list of the best state parks to visit in Vermont is Emerald Lake State Park. The park surrounds 20-acre Emerald Lake, named for the emerald green color of its waters when viewed from above.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
state parks to visit in Vermont February 18, 2022 Beth C. What are the top natural wonders in Vermont? When it comes to natural wonders, Vermont has no shortage. Despite being rather small, the Green Mountain State is filled with impressive scenery. Some of the top natural wonders in Vermont include Lake Willoughby, Quechee Gorge, Dorset, Warren Falls, Camel’s Hump, Smuggler’s Notch State Park, Mt. Ascutney, Half Moon State Park, Barre’s Rock of Ages Quarry, Glastenbury Mountain. How many of these beautiful natural wonders in Vermont have you experienced?
The OIYS Visitor Center
state parks to visit in Vermont
February 18, 2022
Beth C.
What are the top natural wonders in Vermont? When it comes to natural wonders, Vermont has no shortage. Despite being rather small, the Green Mountain State is filled with impressive scenery. Some of the top natural wonders in Vermont include Lake Willoughby, Quechee Gorge, Dorset, Warren Falls, Camel’s Hump, Smuggler’s Notch State Park, Mt. Ascutney, Half Moon State Park, Barre’s Rock of Ages Quarry, Glastenbury Mountain. How many of these beautiful natural wonders in Vermont have you experienced?
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
When it comes to natural wonders, Vermont has no shortage. Despite being rather small, the Green Mountain State is filled with impressive scenery. Some of the top natural wonders in Vermont include Lake Willoughby, Quechee Gorge, Dorset, Warren Falls, Camel’s Hump, Smuggler’s Notch State Park, Mt. Ascutney, Half Moon State Park, Barre’s Rock of Ages Quarry, Glastenbury Mountain. How many of these beautiful natural wonders in Vermont have you experienced?
