Vermont Wildflower Walks and Guided Hikes
April 26, 2025
Vermont wildflower walks are a chance to see columbines, bloodroot, trout lily and other spring ephemerals in forests and trails throughout the state.
Here are a sampling of trails and conserved areas, as well as upcoming events, where you can see wildflowers this spring and summer in Vermont.
Park-McCullough Historic Governor’s Mansion in North Bennington
Take a guided, one-hour Vermont wildflower walk with the Bennington Garden Club every Tuesday through May 27, 2025, at the Park-McCullough Historic Governor’s Mansion
You’ll walk around the Mile-Around Woods path, which is treelined and pastoral at the start but gradually becomes wooded, with occasional long-range mountain views along the way.
“One unique thing we do is photograph the flowers and plants as we go,” says garden club member Erin Labovitz. “Walkers bring tips and techniques for identifying and photographing the details of the plants and flowers we find.”
Participants often use portable microscopes and binoculars to explore woods even more.
Free and open to the public. Please RSVP to [email protected] (Park-McCullough Historic Governor’s Mansion, 1 Park St., North Bennington; parkmccullough.org)
-Eshqua Bog in Hartland includes labrador tea, cotton grass, pitcher plants, showy lady’s slippers, larches and buckbean. / The Nature Conservancy on Instagram
Eshqua Bog Natural Area in Hartland
Eshqua Bog is a botanical treasure, home to bog and fen plants, including labrador tea, cotton grass, pitcher plants, showy lady’s slippers, larches and buckbean.
This 40.8-acre preserve bursts in springtime with color, texture, shapes and scents.
Yellow lady’s slippers bloom during the third and fourth week of May and the first week of June. Showy lady’s slippers typically bloom around June 20 each year. Northern bog and green orchids bloom around the same time or shortly after, around the third or fourth week of June.
Eshqua Bog is co-owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy in Vermont and Native Plant Trust. Visitors can explore its natural beauty on a 460-foot accessible boardwalk, which features multiple viewing platforms and benches.
Parking is available at the Nature Conservancy parking area. (Garvin Hill Road, Hartland; nature.org)
Shelburne Farms
Shelburne Farms’ walking trails are where you can find spring ephemerals blooming along woodland trails. Find hepatica, bloodroot, trout lily and other wildflowers.
Bonus tip: As the weather warms, head to the Shelburne Farm Inn’s Flower Gardens to see beautiful tulips, bleeding hearts, lilacs, peonies and more. (1611 Harbor Road, Shelburne; shelburnefarms.org)
The West River Trail in Brattleboro
The West River Trail’s Lower Section in Brattleboro is another ideal place to see wildflowers. Columbine grows on the rocky cliffs along the east side of the trail from the Marina Trailhead in Brattleboro. You’ll find a kiosk with maps. Dogs must be leashed.
It’s worth noting that The West River Trail might be Vermont’s oldest transportation path. In 1879 the West River Railroad between Brattleboro and South Londonderry was established. Not long after the railroad opened, it became known as “36 miles of trouble” for its dangerous, narrow, and winding route. Now it’s a scenic, peaceful place.
(The Marina Trailhead is located off Spring Tree Road in Brattleboro; westrivertrail.org)
-Wildflowers can be found in all parts of Vermont. / istock photo
Kirchner Woods in Stowe
The Stowe Land Trust recommends Kirchner Woods as a place to see spring wildflowers in Stowe. Look for painted trillium, trout lily, jewelweed and more along three miles of trails winding through the property.
The land trust purchased the 79-acre Kirchner Woods in 2009 from the estate of Gerard J. Kircher, who had always kept his land open to the public. (Taber Hill Road, Stowe; stowelandtrust)
Arms Park in Burlington
Arms Park in Burlington is where you’ll see colorful wildflowers along the forest floor and rock outcroppings.
You can find Arms Forest along the Burlington Greenway, and the path starts just north of the Rock Point trailhead on your right. An entrance behind the North Avenue Alliance Church and Burlington High School is another way to access the area. (Located off North Avenue, Burlington; burlingtonwildways.org)
Butternut Hill Natural Area in North Hero
Butternut Hill Natural Area in North Hero features colorful wildflowers. A two-mile round-trip trail leads to a scenic bluff overlooking Lake Champlain. You’ll also find an impressive bloom next to the Camp Ingalls recreation area.
A collaborative effort helped conserve Butternut Hill in 2012. Two North Hero families—the Williams and the Keyes—worked with the Lake Champlain Land Trust and The Nature Conservancy of Vermont to conserve wildlife habitat and lakeshore along Lake Champlain. (South End Road, North Hero; lclt.org)
-Trillum at Rock Point in Burlington / Courtesy photo of Rock Point
Upcoming Vermont Wildflower Guided Hikes
Spring Wildflowers at Rock Point in Burlington
April 28, 2025, 6-8 p.m.
Rock Point, 5 Rock Point Rd., Burlington
Hosted by Burlington Wildways
burlingtonwildways.org
Join ecologist Leslie Spencer for a guided exploration of Rock Point’s spring wildflowers. Discover how ancient geological events have shaped the plant life seen today. Along the way, look for early-season pollinators. The hike will be easy, following Rock Point’s trails at a meandering pace, with some rocky inclines along the way. Sign up here.
Spring Wildflower Walk in Westminster West
May 3, 2025, 1-3 p.m.
Hosted by The Windmill Hill Pinnacle Association
Meet at the Congregational Church of Westminster West, 44 Church St., Westminster West
windmillhillpinnacle.org
Lisa Merton and Sarah Waldo of The Windmill Hill Pinnacle Association will lead a spring wildflower walk in Westminster West. Sign up by emailing [email protected].
Spring Wildflower Walk in Jericho
May 3, 2025, 10 a.m. to noon
Mills Riverside Park, Route 15, Jericho
Sponsored by the Jericho Underhill Land Trust
jult.org
Join Michele Tulis for her annual Wildflower Walk at Mills Riverside Park to learn about spring ephemerals, including their medicinal uses, name origins and survival strategies. The walk is between 1 and 2 miles. All ages are welcome.
Spring Bird & Wildflower Walks in Poultney
Tuesdays at 7:30 a.m. through June 3, 2025
Hosted by Slate Valley Trails and Rutland County Audubon Society
Full schedule
Join Slate Valley Trails and Rutland County Audubon Society every Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. for a series of slow-paced bird and wildflower hikes around Poultney, plus one walk in Castleton. Each outing is about 3 to 4 miles and lasts around 3 to 4 hours. All are welcome. For details, email Joel Tilley at [email protected].
Green Mountain Club Wildflower Walk in Ferrisburgh
May 3, 2025
Kingsland Bay, Ferrisburgh
gmcbreadloaf.org
Join David Andrews for a wildflower walk at Kingsland Bay. The walk will be at a leisurely pace, with stops to look and take pictures. The walk is about two miles long, and has little elevation gain. You will see trillium and other flowers. Contact David Andrew at 802-388-4894 or [email protected] for details.
Spring Ephemeral Hike in Strafford
May 10, 2025, 1 p.m.
Taylor Valley Trail
Hosted by the Strafford Conservation Commission
straffordvt.org/conservation-commission
Take a spring ephemeral hike up Taylor Valley Trail with Kate Bass in Strafford. Meet at the parking area at the base of the Taylor Valley trail (just where the town stops plowing).
Guided Wildflower Hikes at Cobb Town Forest in Strafford
May 31 and June 28, 2025 at 10 a.m.
Cobb Town Forest
Hosted by the Strafford Conservation Commission
straffordvt.org/conservation-commission
Hike in Cobb Town Forest to see the yellow lady’s slipper and other flora and fauna. Cobb Town Forest is Strafford’s largest town-owned property. It features 108 acres of contiguous forest.
Mike Hebb and Micki Colbeck lead the May 31 hike. Mike Hebb leads the June 28 event. Meet at the Cobb Forest parking area on Hemenway Road in Strafford.
Learn more about identifying Vermont wildflowers in spring at vlt.org.
-Wildflower walks at the Park-McCullough Historic Governor’s Mansion run weekly from April to late May. Courtesy photo / Bennington Garden Club.
-Main photo / Shutterstock
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