Vermont State Parks

1. Branbury State Park

Branbury State Park covers 69 acres in the towns of Salisbury and Leicester, Vermont. The state park sits beside the eastern shore of Lake Dunmore beside Mount Moosalamoo. Families and friends can gather at Branbury for a day in the great outdoors. From boating, fishing, and swimming at the lake to hiking, camping, and bird watching, the park has something for all nature lovers. Visitors can spot wildlife like white-tailed deer, fox, moose, porcupines, coyote, beaver, and black bear. During the winter months, guests can come to enjoy the crisp, cold air while snowshoeing and cross country skiing.

Branbury State Park, 3570 Lake Dunmore Road, Salisbury, VT, Phone: 802-247-5925

2. Brighton State Park

With a spectacular location right along the banks of Island Pond, Brighton State Park includes a campground, beaches, and bathhouses. Red pines provide natural shading for park visitors. The facilities on-site allow for camping in comfort, and guests can use the bathhouse, rent cabins, pitch tents, take a hot shower, stay in a lean-to, or park their RVs at Brighton State Park. The 600-acre Island Pond invites visitors to participate in watersports on a warm day. Guests can rent kayaks, go for a swim, and spend the day fishing. Families can pack a lunch to enjoy some picnicking while taking in the beautiful scenic views.

Brighton State Park, 102 State Park Road, Island Pond, VT, Phone: 802-723-4360

3. Burton Island State Park

Burton Island sits just off of St. Albans Point in Lake Champlain in northwest Vermont. The 253-acre island invites guests to escape from city life to spend time enjoying the great outdoors. The full-service camping site accommodates 17 tents and 26 lean-tos in addition to 15 boat moorings and a 100-slip marina.

Campers can rely on amenities like wi-fi, electricity, and a marine holding-tank pump out facility. In addition, the island has running water and hot showers. Nature lovers can spend the day out on the hiking trails, out for a swim, or enjoying an afternoon picnic. Visitors can only access the island by boat or ferry.

Burton Island State Park, 2714 Hathaway Point Road, St Albans Bay, VT, Phone: 802-524-6353, Map

4. Camp Plymouth State Park

Camp Plymouth State Park provides a peaceful escape just one mile from route 100 in Ludlow, Vermont. Between 1920 up until the 1980s, the Boy Scouts of America operated the park, and today the state of Vermont continues to maintain the grounds. Guests can come for a day of hiking, fishing, boating, swimming, and horseback riding. The park also has three pavilions available for rent. The Vista Trail extends 1 mile from Scout Camp Road beginning at the old logging road beside Birch Cottage. Along the way, hikers can admire the local woods, views of Echo Lake, and browse the tombstones at the cemetery.

Camp Plymouth State Park, 2008 Scout Camp Road, Ludlow, VT, Phone: 802-228-2025

5. Coolidge State Park, Vermont

Plymouth, Vermont’s Coolidge State Park takes its name in honor of the country’s 30th president, Calvin Coolidge. President Coolidge originates from Plymouth and is now buried in the park. The park serves as the recreational center for the Calvin Coolidge State Forest, Vermont’s largest forest reserve. The grounds welcome campers looking to pitch a tent or park their RV. Other activities include hiking and picnicking. Two hiking trails wind through the park. The CCC Trail stretches 1.5 miles one way. Meanwhile, the Slack Hill Trail takes hikers 2.5 miles and provides views of Mount Ascutney in the distance on a clear day.

Coolidge State Park, 855 Coolidge State Park Road, Plymouth, VT, Phone: 802-672-3612

6. D.A.R. State Park

D.A.R. State Park offers a 50-site campground with picturesque views of the Upper Highland Lake and surrounding wetlands. The park provides the perfect place for nature lovers to enjoy the mountain air and spot wildlife. During a visit to D.A.R State Park, guests might spot a black bear or two wandering the campgrounds. Visitors should make sure to properly store and dispose of food to avoid bears from approaching their tent or camper. Moose and beaver also call D.A.R. their home. The park has no shortage of outdoor fun with activities like hiking, swimming, nature trails, canoeing, fishing, and kayaking.

D.A.R. State Park, 6750 VT-17, Addison, VT, Phone: 802-759-2354

7. Elmore State Park

The nearby community of Elmore gifted the park to local citizens during the Great Depression. The Civilian Conservation Corps developed facilities at Elmore State Park back in the 1930s. In 2002, the park became listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, Elmore State Park welcomes day-trippers and campers to its grounds seasonally between Memorial Day and Columbus Day. Guests must pay a fee for day visits and camping. The park’s Lake Elmore and Elmore Mountain offer a mix of outdoor activities, from hiking and picnicking to fishing and swimming. Today, Elmore accommodates 45 tent/trailer sites and 15 lean-tos.

Elmore State Park, 856 VT-12, Elmore, VT, Phone: 802-888-2982

8. Emerald Lake State Park

In East Dorset, Vermont sits the glistening Emerald Lake, which takes its name from its deep green hues. Hemlock, sugar maples, and other hardwood species flourish in the surrounding woodlands. At the park’s nature center, rangers lead night hikes, campfires, amphibian explorations, and nature programs.

Emerald Lake State Park covers 430 acres and includes 67 campsites and 37 lean-tos. Guests enjoy amenities like flushing toilets and hot showers. Activities include swimming, camping, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing during the warmer months. Visitors can rent boats, enjoy a bite to eat at the snack bar, or fire up a barbeque at one of the grills.

Emerald Lake State Park , 65 Emerald Lake Lane, East Dorset, VT, Phone: 802-362-1655

9. Gifford Woods State Park

Gifford Woods State Park gives hikers gorgeous mountain views of the Appalachians. The park sits at the base of Killington and Pico peaks. Altogether, Gifford Woods contains 7 trails for hiking, biking, and running. A journey through the Deer Leap side trail displays glimpses of Kent Pond and Thundering Falls. The old-growth forest has become listed as a National Natural Landmark. The 285-acre park blossoms with greens in the spring and summer before turning autumnal reds, yellows, and oranges in the fall. Giffords Woods accommodates campers and has 22 campsites, 21 lean-tos, and 4 cabins for rent. In addition, the park has picnic and fishing facilities.

Gifford Woods State Park, 34 Gifford Woods Acc, Killington, VT, Phone: 802-775-5354

10. Grand Isle State Park

Grand Isle State Park offers a quiet respite in Grand Isle, Vermont along the shores of Lake Champlain. The 226-acre park has no shortage of outdoor things to do, from water sports to winter activities.

The lake invites guests to spend the day fishing, go for a swim, or head out on the water on canoes and kayaks. Families and friends can also pass the time tossing horseshoes or toss the ball around on the volleyball courts. Park rangers also run activities like campfires, amphibian explorations, hikes, and outdoor games. Campers enjoy facilities like hot showers and running toilets during their stay.

Grand Isle State Park, 36 East Shore South, Grand Isle, VT, Phone: 802-372-4300