Vermont State Parks

Whether you have a boat for boating and fishing in any of the many Vermont State Parks, or are looking for a relaxing get-away, you'll discover our Vermont State Park listings as the place to find just the right park for you and your family.  We have compiled all the state parks into one place for your convenience.

Vermont State Parks has something for everyone: Boating, Fishing, Bicycling, Camping, Canoeing, Kayaking, Hiking, Swimming or just good relaxation.  Click on any of the links below to find the specific information on boat launching fees, camp reservations and information about the park.

All state parks are controlled and maintained by the State of Vermont. They are clean, safe and well maintained by the state.


Listings

  • Alburg Dunes

    Welcome to alburg dunes. this 625-acre property became a state park in 1996. it is named for the sand dunes near the center and western end of the south-facing natural sand beach. this beach is amongst the longest beaches on lake champlain.

  • Allis

    Allis state park was established in 1928 as vermont’s second developed state park. the park is named for wallace allis, who willed his bear mountain farm to the state of vermont to be developed as a campground and recreational area. it is located on the summit of bear hill which provides sweeping views of central vermont from a lookout tower once used to spot forest fires. on a clear day, killington, pico, and mt ascutney peaks are visible to the south; camel's hump and mt. mansfield to the north; abraham, lincoln, and ellen to the west; the white mountains of new hampshire to the east.

  • Big Deer

    The campground has 23 tent/trailer sites and 5 lean-tos. the rest room includes hot showers ($). a sanitary dump station is available at stillwater, but no hookups. there's easy access to the nature center and miles of hiking trails.

  • Bomoseen

    Welcome to bomoseen state park. the 3,576-acre park is located in the taconic mountains on the shores of lake bomoseen, the largest lake entirely within vermont’s borders. the taconics are the slate-producing region of vermont, and the area's history parallels the rise and fall of vermont's slate industry. the park contains several quarry holes and their adjacent colorful slate rubble piles as reminders of this period. these quarries provided slate for the west castleton railroad and slate company, a complex of 60 to 70 buildings that stood between glen lake and lake bomoseen. several slate buildings and foundations remain in the park. a self-guided slate history trail leads hikers through remnants of this bygone era.

  • Boulder Beach

    The day use area has 75 shaded picnic sites with tables and hibachis. all rest rooms have lavatories and flush toilets. there is 200 feet of beach and swimming area, cartop boat launch, play area, shelter with group facilities, three large parking lots, and a concession stand. canoes, kayaks and pedal boats are available to rent.

  • Branbury

    Branbury is located on the eastern shore of lake dunmore at the base of mt. moosalamoo. the green mountain national forest is its neighbor to the east. historically, the 69-acre park operated as a farm at the turn of the century, then a guest house, summer boy's camp and private beach and picnic area. in 1945, it became branbury (brandon-salisbury) state park.

  • Brighton

    Welcome to brighton state park. the outstanding attraction of this area is its remoteness: mountains with tree-covered slopes, fast running streams, and clear lakes. 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.

  • Burton Island

    Burton island is a 253-acre park off the southwestern tip of st. albans point in lake champlain’s 'inland sea'. the park is accessible only by boat, with the state’s passenger ferry making the 10-minute trip from kill kare state park.

  • Button Bay

    Button bay, a 253-acre park, is located on a bluff in ferrisburgh along the 130-mile long lake champlain. historically, the area has been visited by such notables as samuel de champlain (1609), ethan allen (1776), ben franklin (1776), and benedict arnold (1777). what once operated as a farm, opened as a state park in 1964. the park is so named for the button-like concretions formed by clay deposits found along the shoreline.

  • Camel's Hump

    Waubanaukee indians first named it "tah-wak-be-dee-ee-wadso" or saddle mountain. samuel de champlain's explorers in the 1600's called it "lion couchant" or resting lion. the name "camel's rump" was used on a historical map by ira allen in 1798, and this became "camel's hump" in 1830.

  • Camp Plymouth

    The crown point military road was authorized for construction in 1759 to connect strategic military posts at fort # 4 in charlestown, new hampshire to crown point on lake champlain. the military road was instrumental in moving troops and supplies in both the french and indian war and the american revolution. later, the road became an important route for commercial traffic. today, scout camp road follows part of the road’s original route.

  • Coolidge

    A trip to coolidge state park is a trip back in time; the park remains essentially the way it was when it was first created in the 1930s. known for its rustic feel, hillside campsites that give way to dramatic mountain views, and authentic character, coolidge state park is the developed recreation centerpiece of the 21,500 acre calvin coolidge state forest, the largest state-owned land holding in central vermont. coolidge state park is the only vermont park with an entire loop of lean-to campsites, some of which have sweeping views of the black river valley and the green mountains. many campers feel that sites at coolidge have the best views in all of vermont. the park also has a loop of forested campsites, restroom facilities with showers, a hilltop picnic area with a log picnic shelter, a group camping area, and several remote lean-to campsites for those wishing to really escape it all.

  • Crystal Lake

    In 1759, during the french and indian war, roger's rangers were chased into the crystal lake - barton area, according to the history books. it is believed that robert roger was familiar with this area at the age of fifteen, and that he participated in and helped lead the raid on st. francis in canada.

  • DAR

    With its picturesque setting on the shores of lake champlain, the park provides an ideal setting for anyone seeking a relaxing day visit or an overnight respite. a quiet park, it is popular for its large, open campground, grassy picnic areas and stone pavilion. it is a favorite spot for birdwatchers. dar is conveniently located near boat access to lake champlain.

  • Elmore

    Welcome to elmore state park. the town of lake elmore calls itself “the beauty spot of vermont.” located in the southeastern part of lamoille county, elmore is mostly forested and agricultural land. lake elmore and elmore mountain, which rises almost from the lake’s shore, are prominent features of the town.

  • Emerald Lake

    Located conveniently between manchester and rutland, the park is popular for its wooded hillside campground, beach and swimming area, and nearby attractions and tourist destinations. the park surrounds 20-acre emerald lake, named for the emerald green color of its waters when viewed from above. restricted to non-motorized watercraft, the lake is ideal for swimming and paddling. the lake also offers anglers an opportunity to catch yellow perch, small mouth bass, northern pike and other warm-water species. the park is a favorite destination of hikers, with the long trail and appalachian trail nearby, and trails on dorset mountain.

  • Fort Dummer

    The park was named after fort dummer, the first permanent white settlement in vermont. built on the frontier in 1724, it was initially the gateway to the early settlements along the banks of the connecticut river. forty-three english soldiers and twelve mohawk indians manned the fort in 1724 and 1725. later, the fort protected what was then a massachusetts colony from an invasion by the french and indians. made of sturdy white pine timber, stacked like a log cabin, fort dummer served its purpose well.

  • Gifford Woods

    With its location at the base of killington and pico peaks and close proximity to the appalachian and long trails, this park is a favorite of hikers. many through-hikers pass the park on their appalachian trail journey from georgia to maine. the park is also a popular destination during the fall foliage season for its dramatic autumn colors.

  • Grand Isle

    Welcome to grand isle state park, located on south hero island in lake champlain. the island, also known as grand isle, is 14 miles long and over 3 miles wide, making it the largest in lake champlain. it contains the towns grand isle (on the northern half) and south hero (on the southern half). the north and south hero islands are named in honor of early pioneering vermonters who served in the american revolution.

  • Green River Reservoir

    Welcome to green river reservoir state park. green river reservoir became a state park in march 1999 when 5110 acres were purchased from the morrisville water and light department. this is not your typical vermont state park – green river reservoir provides camping and paddling experiences in a remote setting.. all campsites can only be reached by paddling to them - some a 1 to 2-mile paddle from the launch site.

  • Half Moon

    Nestled away in the forests of 3,500-acre bomoseen state park sits the quiet camping area comprising half moon pond state park. set in the dense woods of a small, sheltered basin, the park surrounds half moon pond. the campground offers camping for all tastes with its waterfront campsites and lean-tos and five furnished cabins. for those seeking more creature comforts, tall timbers cottage, with its waterfront location and private boat dock, offers all the amenities of home.

  • Jamaica

    Jamaica state park, now comprising 772 acres, was completed and opened to the public in 1969. previously, the area had supported a few small farms and a sawmill. the west river railroad ran through the park. the old railroad bed is now used as the trail that leads along the west river to ball mountain dam. the railroad operated from about 1879 until 1927, when a flood wiped most of it out.

  • Kettle Pond

    As early as 1704 native americans and the french were using routes through groton to reach canada and massachusetts. colonists settled this area of vermont slightly earlier than the rest of the state due to the accessibility the network of waterways provided.

  • Kill Kare

    Kill kare state park is named for kill kare, a summer camp for boys, which operated on this site for some fifty years through the mid-1900s. located on the southwestern tip of st. albans point, a three-mile peninsula which defines st. albans bay, kill kare is surrounded on three sides by the sparkling water of lake champlain. in the 1840s, the property was part of a farm owned by c.c. burton. the three-story building in the center of the park was built in the 1870s and operated as a summer resort hotel until about 1900, when the boys' camp was founded.

  • Kingsland Bay

    Kingsland bay state park sits on the picturesque shores of lake champlain. visitors can enjoy the picnic areas and historic buildings of the park, or rent a canoe/kayak for an easy paddle around this protected bay. facilities to rent include an historic banquet hall that is perfect for large groups. kingsland bay state park has become a favorite spot for local events and weddings, due in large part to the stunning backdrop of lake champlain.

  • Knight Island

    Knight island, acquired by the state in 1990, is one of three neighboring island parks in lake champlain's "inland sea”. the others are burton and woods island state parks. this 185-acre island is a mile long and nearly a half mile wide. the park includes all but 10+ acres of private land on the island's southern tip. when on knight island, please respect the rights of the park neighbor and keep off the southern end.

  • Knight Point

    Knight point on north hero island opened as a state park in 1978, but its history goes back much further. john knight, the point's first resident, began ferry service between the islands in 1785. his family operated a ferry until the first bridge opened in 1892. the historic knight point house is a parks staff residence. the wooden frame wing is a reconstruction of the knight tavern, an inn built in 1790 for travelers crossing between the islands. the brick section of the building, added to the tavern in 1845, has an unusual two-story porch.

  • Lake Carmi

    With a 1375-acre surface area, carmi is the fourth largest natural lake entirely within vermont. it is 7.5 miles around, averaging about 20 feet in depth, and is 33 feet at its deepest point. the lake supports northern pike, walleyes, and other warm water species. the lake drains north into quebec’s pike river, then into lake champlain. lake carmi was once much larger. in the thousands of years since the last ice age, the southern end of the original lake has silted in, creating wetland forests and the third largest peat bog in vermont.

  • Lake Shaftsbury

    Lake shaftsbury state park is on an 84-acre parcel surrounding the small but picturesque lake shaftsbury. the area operated as a private campground/cabin resort before it became a state park in 1974. it has become a popular park facility in southwestern vermont.

  • Lake St. Catherine

    Lake st. catherine state park, which consists of 117 acres, first opened as a small picnic and swimming area in 1953. the area is known for its past slate quarrying operations, with remains of slate mills, quarries, and rubble piles still visible. the park itself was once a children's summer camp and farmland.

  • Little River

    In the early 1800s, pioneers cleared fields, rocks, and stumps in ricker basin and cotton brook. a settlement of 50 or so families once lived in this area. the hard demands of the land and weather forced younger generations to abandon the farms. today, old cemeteries, sawmill remains, old town roads, bridges and many cellar holes can still be seen as evidence of a past community.

  • Lowell Lake

    Open year round for day use (winter road conditions permitting). park is undeveloped with no camping or restroom facilities. free entry. Lowell lake state park was established in 1981 when the state of vermont purchased 207 acres from the estate of arline weiss gardner on the southern end of lowell lake. this area included the dam, cemetery and an informal car top boat launch.

  • Maidstone

    Maidstone is the most remote of vermont's state parks and still retains much of the wilderness character associated with the northeast kingdom. maidstone lake was created when glacial ice carved out a deep basin in a preexisting valley. when the last glaciers melted 12,000 years ago, a deep, clear, cold lake was formed.

  • Molly Stark

    Welcome to molly stark state park, named for the famous wife of general john stark of the revolutionary war. the park is located along the molly stark trail scenic byway (state route 9), the main east-west route in southern vermont that connects brattleboro, wilmington and bennington.

  • Mt. Ascutney

    In 1935, the state of vermont, with federal public works funds, purchased a 560-acre parcel from weston heights, inc., and a 640-acre parcel from e.j. york. in 1938, an additional 300 acres were purchased from the bicknell estate. this 1500-acre tract was the original area in which civilian conservation corps (ccc), work group spi began the development of ascutney state park in 1935. subsequent land acquisitions have brought the total to about 2000 acres.

  • Mt. Philo

    The 168-acre park is located atop mt. philo (968' elevation) and overlooks the lake champlain valley and the adirondack mountains of new york. a narrow, steep road (not recommended for trailers) provides visitors access to the top of the mountain. this is vermont's oldest state park, created in 1924.

  • New Discovery

    Welcome to new discovery state park. as early as 1704, native americans and the french were using routes through groton to reach canada and massachusetts. colonists settled this area of vermont slightly earlier than the rest of the state through the accessible network of waterways.

  • Niquette Bay

    Today’s 553-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.

  • North Hero

    Welcome to north hero state park. if you have camped at north hero in previous years, you will find a very different camping experience today. two sections of the former campground remain closed, and the number of campsites in the open section has been reduced to 20. there are 9 lean-tos in this section. the restroom and shower facilities are not available, although there are chemical toilets in the campground and there is potable water.

  • Quechee

    Welcome to quechee state park. its location along us route 4, and its proximity to many upper-valley attractions make the park a popular tourist destination. hundreds of thousands of visitors stop each year to take in the breathtaking views of the quechee gorge. other visitors seeking an overnight stay enjoy the easy access to the park’s spacious campsites.

  • Ricker Pond

    Ricker pond state park, established in the 1930’s, is located on the western shores of ricker pond and adjacent to the montpelier-wells rail trail (cross vermont trail).

  • Sand Bar

    Sand bar state park takes its name from a natural sandbar between south hero island in grand isle county and the town of milton on the vermont mainland. the park is on the mainland, or eastern end, of that sandbar. the sandbar itself is the result of the lamoille river, over tens of thousands of years, washing sediment downstream from the present lamoille valley. the river borne material sank to the bottom as the river emptied into the lake, eventually filling the lake to create the marshland south and east of the park, and the sandbar to the west. natural lake depths here, without the sandbar, would be over 150 feet. as it is, water depth now along the top of the sandbar to south hero is only a couple of feet. because of the shallow water, the route along the sandbar served as a ford from the mainland to the islands well before construction of the first bridge in 1850. crossing that first toll bridge, built of rock, gravel, and logs laid corduroy-fashion through the marsh and along the bar, must have been an adventure. narrow and much lower than the present causeway, it was often flooded and always needed major repairs after damage caused by shifting ice each spring. even crossing today's wider, higher causeway, completed in 1959, can be an adventure when snow blowing across the frozen lake blocks visibility, or spray and water from crashing waves washes across the highway during storms when the lake is high.

  • Seyon Lodge

    One of vermont’s best kept secrets, seyon lodge state park provides rustic and welcoming facilities in the midst of the inspiring beauty of groton state forest. situated on the pristine shores of noyes pond, the lodge provides year-round lodging and meeting facilities for individual guests and groups, including small conferences, retreats,and weddings.

  • Silver Lake

    Pet friendly day use area: while pets are allowed in all vermont state park campgrounds, we are currently experimenting with allowing pets in the day use area of this park. pets are allowed in campground and day use area but are not allowed on the sand beach or in the swimming area. pets must be leashed at all times and proof of rabies vaccination is required. your comments on this policy are welcomed and appreciated.

  • Smugglers Notch

    Welcome to smugglers’ notch state park. the famous smugglers’ notch is a narrow pass through the green mountains. lined with 1,000-foot cliffs, the winding road is closed in winter. in the earlier days, only a footpath and trail for horses existed here.

  • Stillwater

    As early as 1704, native americans and the french were using routes through groton to reach canada and massachusetts. colonists settled this area of vermont slightly earlier than the rest of the state as a result of the accessible network of waterways.

  • Stone Hut

    The historic stone hut was originally built as a warming hut in 1936 by the civilian conservation corps (ccc). these same crews cut some of the original ski trails on mt. mansfield. once a home away from home for the ski pioneers of vermont, it is now operated as a public lodging facility with a unique partnership between the vermont department of forests, parks, and recreation and the stowe mountain resort (mt. mansfield company) between mid-november and mid-april.

  • Thetford Hill

    Thetford hill state park is located within the southern tract of a state forest. the park includes a private summer camp (run under long-term license agreement) in a former campground, a day use area and a world-class cross-country running trail. there is no camping at the park.

  • Townshend

    A visit to townshend hill state park, located at the foot of bald mountain on a bend of the west river, feels like a step back in time. the park was constructed during the great depression by the civilian conservation corps (ccc), a public works program aimed at putting young men to work.

  • Underhill

    Underhill is within vermont's 34,000-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.

  • Waterbury Center

    Waterbury center state park lies on the easterly trivium of waterbury reservoir, a quarter mile off vt route 100. it is an integral recreation resource in central vermont and one of the newer park facilities within mount mansfield state forest. the reservoir is the ninth largest body of water in the state of vermont and was created in the 1930's by the ccc as a flood control project to protect towns and villages along the winooski river valley. from late spring to early fall the reservoir is maintained to a surface area of 850 acres and has a maximum depth of 100 feet. to prepare for normal spring snow melt and runoff, the surface area is reduced to between 415 - 610 acres throughout the winter. the designed flood control capacity of waterbury reservoir is approximately 9,000,000,000 gallons.

  • Wilgus

    The land of wilgus state park was given to the state of vermont in 1933 by colonel and mrs. william wilgus for the creation of wilgus state park.

  • Woodford

    This 398-acre park has the highest elevation campground of any park in vermont, at 2400 feet. woodford is located on a mountain plateau and surrounds adams reservoir. the high elevation spruce/fir/birch forest provides an ideal setting for the park. woodford borders the george aiken wilderness area, which is in the green mountain national forest. there are several lakes and ponds in the surrounding area.

  • Woods Island

    One of three neighboring island parks in lake champlain’s “inland sea”, woods island became vermont's forty-fifth state park in 1985. (burton and knight islands are the other two) a mile long by a quarter-mile wide, 125-acre woods island is unique as habitat for a rich variety of plant life including many species rare or threatened in vermont. a portion of the island was once farmed; traces of drainage ditches remain today. still visible also is the farm house foundation and weathered remains of old farm machinery. a later attempt by a private developer saw the beginnings of an airstrip constructed down the center of the island; the earth berms you climb over on the cross-island trail are the runway edges.