VERMONT STATE FORESTS AND PARKS
Agency of Environmental Conservation
Dept. of Forests and Parks Recreation
Monpelier, VT 05602
802-828-3375
Nearly every Vermont State Park has camping, with Green Mountain leantos for the rugged primal camper. Other areas offer privately operated ski dorms and youth hostels. If you have questions on these areas contact the parks at the address above. The Green Mountain Leantos are roofed shelters, closed on three sides and open on the fourth, with a 10' X 13' wooden floor, sleeping five. No beds or linens, so bring your sleeping bag.
BURTON LAKE STATE PARK
P.O. Box 123
St. Albans Bay, VT 05481
802/524-6353 - Summer
802/879-5674 - Winter
Open late May – Labor Day
This 250-acre island park in Lake Champlain is only accessible by a ferry boat that charges a nomiinal fee. No vehicles allowed on the island. The ferry departs from Kill Kare State Park every two hours from 9 am – 6:30 pm. There are 26 lean-tos that rent from $13-$17 per night. There is gear delivery available or rent a garden carts from the dock at the island.You have to pay a small fee for hot showers. Ther is a nature center and ranger guided nature walks and interpretationprograms. Also trails, park store and snackbar and a 100-slip marina shore power and water hookups, dockside gas station.
ELMORE STATE PARK
Box 93
Lake Elmore, VT 05657
802/479-4280 - Summer
802/479-4280 - Winter
Open Mid –May to Columbus Day
Elmore SP is nestled near the center of rural and picturesque Elmore Lake. Take a two hour hike to the summit of Elmore Mountain. Climb one of the last fire towers in Vermont. The beachhouse at the lake is an exmaple of CCC work. There are 15 lean-tos for rent from $13-$17 a night.
GRAND ISLE STATE PARK
36 East Shore Road South
Grand Isle, VT 05458
802/879-5674 - Winter
802/372-4300 - Summer
Located on the E shore of Lake Champlain’s largest island, the park offer a cabin and 34 leantos site, many situated atop a lake side bluff with sweeping views across the Inland Sea. To the spectacular Green Mountain skyline. Ther are hot showers, RV dump stations, firewood, swimming, boat ramp, rowboat rentals, fishing, park naturalis, interprative trail, fitness trail, popular bicycle routes. Near Grand Isle Fish hatchery.
KETTLE POND STATE PARK
RD Box 600
Marshfield, VT 05658
802/584-3820 - Summer
802/479-4280 - Winter
Open Mid-May to Columbus Day
Kettle Pond State Park is a group caming area located within 25,000 acre Groton State Forest. Ther are 27 lean-tos, in 5 separate areas. Rates are from $4 per person nightly. Hike the 3-mile trail, you will see wildflowers, beaver huts, moos sightings an dpond life, nesting loons and other wildlife. MC and Vis accepted.
KNIGHT ISLAND STATE PARK
C/o Burton Island State Park
PO Box 123
St Albans Bay, VT 95481
802/879-5674 - Winter
802/524-6353 - Summer
Open Late May – Labor Day
This is a 175-acre island park in Lake Champlain with 2 lean-tos spaced along almost 3 miles of shoreline. This is a remote area, two miles E of North Hero Island, accessible only by boat. Ferry service is by advanced arrangement from Burton Island off the St. Albans shore, or bring your own boat. There is no dockspace on the island. No toilet facilities, running water or tables. Fies permitted in firepits only. There is a scenic trail system around the island. Caretaker lives on the island. Reservation through Barton Island only. Ther is a two night minimum rental for the leantos.
LAKE CARMI STATE PARK
RD 1 Box 1710 State Park Road
Enosburg Falls, VT 05450
802/933-8383 - Summer
802/933-5674 - Winter
Open Mid May – Labor Day
The park is 490 acres along the quiet SE shore of Vermont’s fourth largest natural lake. Lake Carmi is as close to Canada as you can get. There are 35 lean-tos($13-$17 night) and 2 cabin sites. Pay for the hot showers, firewood, but they are equipped with fireplaces, picnic table. Ther are nature programs and campfire talks and interpretive trails. There is a swimming area, day beach snack bar, phone, ice, boat ramp and rowboat rentals and paddleboats. Good Fishing. The are is operated in partnership with Vermont Youth Conservation Corps. Two night minimum stays. Credit cards accepted.
MOUNT MANSFIELD HOSTEL
At the Vermont State Ski Dorm
6992 Mountain Road
Stowe, VT 05672
802/253-4010
skidorm@together.net
The ski dorm and hostel is located at the Mt. Mansfield Ski Area off I-89 Exit 10 at Waterbury, 10 miles N. of VT 100 to Stowe, then 9 miles NW. on VT 108. The ski dorm and hostel is near the Smugglers Notch State Park.
The Mount Mansfield Hostelis a unique host in Stowe. It provides inexpensive accommodatoins for gorups and travelrs, through all four seasons in one of the most scenic areas of the Green mountains.
The building sits in the 33,000 acre Mt. Mansfield State Forest. It is 400 yards from the ski lifts of Stowe and the hiking trials of Vermont’s highest peak, Mount Mansfield. The Long Trail and dramatic Smuggler’s Notch are within one mile.
Activities include hiking, biking, apline and cross-country skiing, ice and rock climbing, snowshoeing, foliage viewing, educaitonal nature hikes, and even scientific studies at Mt. Mansfiel. For shopping try Stowe.
The hostel interior is a warm knotty pine alled, and maple floor structure with great views of Mount Mansfield. The wood give light and strength to the bulding, in a cozy atmosphere. There is a large common area, compelte with fireplace, couches, games and fellow guests relaxing to music and reading by the fire.
Ther is also a sunlit diing room for full meals ad dinner and brakfast only. Downstairs is a recreation room kept warm with the fire and friendly games of ping-pong and darts. Upstairs are hot showers and themen’s and women’s bunk rooms that sleep up to 48 guests.
The hostel is staffed by an eager crew. If a group is 30 or more the entire building can be rented, with meals.
The Mt. Mansfield Hostel was built in 1933 by the CCC, and originally housed a teamof 50 CCC men while they cut the first ski trails and constructed the ski facilities at Mt. Mansfield. Many of their accomplishments are still in use today. The building was renovated and renamed the Vermont State ski Dorm and turned into the natoin’s first ski dormitory, housing visitors from around the world.
Since 1994, the Hostel has been staffed and operated by the Vermont Youth Conservaiton Corp (Youth Corp) in cooperaiton with Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreaiton.
The dorm offers winter lodging and meals to students in a structured dormitory setting.. Each room has 2 double bunkbeds. Reservations are necessary.
Lodgin (per person prices)
May 24-Sept 7 $12
Sept. 6 – Dec. 15 $15
Dec. 15- March 14 (weekday) $19
Weekend $24
March 15-April 4 $15
Surcharge for lienns and towels.
Breakfast $5
Dinner $7
Day/Conference Use $50
Conference rates include three rooms and large full furnished kitchen from 9 am to 4 p.m.
Stay several nights and save. A ten perent discount on stays 3-4 nights; 20% discount on stays over 4 nights. Groupd discounts available.
NEW DISCOVERY STATE PARK
RD Box 600
Marshfield, VT 05658
802/584-3820 - Summer
802/479-4280 - Winter
Open Mid-May – Labor Day
The park is part of the 25,000 acre Groton State Forest. Ther are 14 lean-tos in the park and it is the only state park allowing horse camping. Equestrians ride on the Montpelier/Wellrs River Raoilroad trail. You get a canoe and remote lean-to site for the $11-$15 rentals. The Ormore Pond area rents for $25 up to 4 persons. Wake up with the cal of the loon. Hike to the tope of Owl’s Head.. Credi cards accepted.
NORTH HERO STATE PARK
RD Box 259
Lakeview Road
North Heor, VT 05474
802/372-8389 - Summer
802/879-5674 - Winter
Open Late May – Labor Day
The park rests on the N end of Lake Champlain’s North Hero Island. There are 18 leantos and trailer sites, with hot showers and flush toilets, firewood, fireplaces, tables boat ramp, boat rentals, swimming, fishing bicycling. Two night minimum. Reservaitons not always needed.
RICKER POND STATE PARK
RD, Groton, VT 05046
802/584-3821 - Summer
802/479-4280 - Winter
The Park offers 23 lean-tos within the 25,000 acre Lake Groton State Forest. Developed by the CCC in the 1930s, many of the original fireplaces can be found. The open roof shelter s has fireplace in historic facilities. Hike the Montpelier/Wells Rive rRailroad trail. There are also 22 miles of hiing trails.
SMUGGLERS’ NOTCH STATE PARK
7248 Mountain Road
Stowe, VT 05672
802/253-4014 - Summer
802/479-4280 - Winter
Open May – Columbus Day
Smugglers’ Notch is located at the base of Vermont’s highest peak, Mt Mansfield. This narrow pass has 1000 foot cliffs on Route 108. Artic tundra, rare and endangered plants, access to the Long Trail and interesting rock formations make up the park. While in the notch, pay attention to the sky for peregrine falcons. They nest in the notch. Take the Mt. Mansfield gondola to the top of the peak. Ther are 14 lean-tos renting for $12-$16 a night.
STILLWATER STATE PARK
RD 2, Box 332
Groton, VT 05046
802/584-3822 - Summer
802/479-4280 - Winter
Open Mid-May – Columbus Day
The park is locate don Groton Lake within the Groton State Forest. The park offers 17 leant-tos from $13-$17 a night. There is a boat launch, beach, milfoil boat washing station, naure center, and the start of 22 miles of hiking.
UNDERHILL STATE PARK
P.O. Box 249
Underhill Center, VT 05490
802/899-3022 - Summer
802/879-5674 - Winter
Open Mid-May – Columbus Day
This is a quiet mountain park nestled halfway up the western slope of Mount Mansfield. There are 4 hiking trails to the summit ridge wher you can connect with the Long Trail. Ther are 89 lean-tos renting from $12-$16 a night. No showers, but firewood, and fireplaces, picnic tables at every site.