Welcome to Goshen: Blueberries, Trails + Nature
January 17, 2026
Spending time in Goshen often means being in nature, driving quiet dirt roads, and finding places named after blueberries, like the Blueberry Hill Outdoor Center.
Goshen, in Addison County, has just 176 residents. But nature lovers from all over come here for cross-country skiing, hiking, and biking. And in late July and early August, Goshen lives up to its name as the “Wild Blueberry Capital of Vermont.”
The Vermont Legislature passed a resolution in 2010 to recognize Goshen and the Blueberry Management Area on Hogback Mountain as the place for blueberries.
(Interesting tidbit: the resolution came with an apology for previously naming the Deerfield Valley near Mount Snow as the blueberry capital of Vermont without first consulting with horticulture experts. Overlooking Goshen apparently upset some residents.)
Why Blueberries Thrive in Goshen
-In late July and early August, Goshen lives up to its name as the Wild Blueberry Capital of Vermont. Blueberry photo and main photo / Shutterstock
The Blueberry Management Area has sandy, well-drained soil that is ideal for growing low-bush blueberries.
“The area also faces south and west, so it gets plenty of sunlight, which helps the plants grow and produce berries,” says Ethan Ready, public affairs officer for the U.S. Forest Service’s Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests section.
Here’s something I never knew: Controlled burns help keep Goshen’s blueberry habitat healthy for wildlife. Ready explains that blueberries recover well after fire and grow back faster and stronger than other plants.
Fire also prevents other plants, such as young birch trees, from taking over. Without regular burns, blueberry plants get weaker and produce fewer berries.
Goshen’s wild blueberries are ready to pick from late July to early August. It’s probably the prettiest place to pick blueberries in Vermont.
Things to Know About Goshen
-A sign at the Blueberry Hill Outdoor Center, which offers year-round opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Population: With just 176 people, Goshen is the smallest town in Addison County.
Size of the town: 20.8 square miles
Miles of dirt roads: 13 miles, according to the state of Vermont
Places to visit: Blueberry Hill Outdoor Center, the 16,000-acre Moosalamoo National Recreation Area, Blueberry Management Area, Sugar Hill Reservoir, The Ruth Stone House, and the Blueberry Hill Inn
Fun events: The annual Goshen Gallop in July is known as the toughest 10k in New England. Or try The Pig Race Nordic ski event in March.
Interesting fact: The northern part of the lost Vermont town of Philadelphia was annexed to Goshen in 1814.
Tallest peak: Cape Lookoff Mountain, elevation 3,350 feet
Noteworthy historic building: The Goshen Town Hall was built in 1848 as a Methodist-Episcopal church.
Best mountain name: Romance Mountain
Nesting falcons: From March to August during some years, the cliffs on Mount Horrid are closed to the public to protect nesting Peregrine falcons.
Adjectives to describe Goshen: Town Clerk Martin Fjeld described Goshen to me as serene and wild with beautiful backcountry.
Nature matters here: The Moosalamoo National Recreation Area in Goshen is one of only 41 National Recreation Areas in the United States.
Play this week’s Vermont crossword puzzle
-The Moosalamoo National Recreation Area includes 16,000-acres and 70 miles of trails.
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More stories about Goshen:
The Magic of Blueberry Hill in Goshen
A Getaway to Vermont’s Moosalamoo Region
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