State Parks Archives - Happy Vermont

State Parks

  • Butterfly Watching in Vermont
    Butterfly Watching in Vermont

    Butterflies are a big part of Terri Armata's world. The Bennington resident, who moved to Vermont in the 1970s, has always loved exploring the outdoors. Two decades ago—somewhat on a whim—she volunteered for the Vermont Butterfly Atlas project to help document the status of butterflies in...

  • The Wonder of Old Trees at Gifford Woods State Park
    The Wonder of Old Trees at Gifford Woods State Park

    It’s hard to imagine, but most of Vermont’s forests and hillsides were clear-cut in the 19th-century. Still, while 80 percent of the state had been deforested, a handful of Vermont’s old forests miraculously survived. Some of those old trees—more than 300 years old—can be seen...

  • What Camping at Vermont State Parks Looks Like This Year
    What Camping at Vermont State Parks Looks Like This Year

    Vermont’s 55 state parks are open for the season, including 36 campgrounds ready to welcome overnight visitors. This year, Vermont State Parks are not offering boat rentals or opening its concession stands. The parks suspended rentals of cabins and cottages this year, and picnic tables have been...

  • Best Vermont Scenic Drives to Get You Outside
    Best Vermont Scenic Drives to Get You Outside

    The options are endless for Vermont scenic drives in the summer and fall foliage season. In every corner of the state, you’ll find gorgeous roads with views of tall mountains, wide open fields, general stores, and rambling old barns. But half the fun of a...

  • 6 Vermont Fire Towers to Visit While Hiking
    6 Vermont Fire Towers to Visit While Hiking

    Vermont was once home to dozens of fire towers across the state. According to the Green Mountain Club’s 360 Degrees: A Guide to Vermont’s Fire and Observation Towers, 38 fire towers once stood in Vermont. Today, there are far fewer. The History of Vermont Fire Towers Many...

  • Where to Swim in Vermont, Kayak or Fish: 9 Lakes, Ponds and Waterfalls
    Where to Swim in Vermont, Kayak or Fish: 9 Lakes, Ponds and Waterfalls

    Now that summer is in full swing, it’s a good time to map out places for where to swim in Vermont. Here are nine lakes, swimming holes, and ponds worth visiting this summer for swimming, kayaking, and more. (By no means is this a complete...

  • In Groton State Forest, Seyon Lodge Offers Comforts of Home
    In Groton State Forest, Seyon Lodge Offers Comforts of Home

    In the remote Seyon Lodge in Groton, innkeepers Chris Brader and Tiff Soukup spend their days cooking meals, taking reservations, managing yardwork, grooming trails, and keeping guests comfortable and happy. But this is no ordinary lodge. Seyon Lodge is the only state-owned lodging destination of its...

  • Family Camping at Silver Lake State Park
    Family Camping at Silver Lake State Park

    One of the most relaxing weekends we’ve experienced all summer was camping at Silver Lake State Park. The 35-acre state park is located in Barnard, about 10 miles north of Woodstock. Dave, Phoebe and I camped with our friends Gina and Andre, their two young...

  • Vermont Perfection at Lowell Lake State Park in Londonderry
    Vermont Perfection at Lowell Lake State Park in Londonderry

    In all the years I've spent in Vermont, I had never heard of Lowell Lake State Park in Londonderry. For our 11th wedding anniversary, Dave, Phoebe and I made our annual weekend trip to the Inn at Weston.  Innkeepers Bob and Linda Aldrich, a wonderful couple...

  • 8 Reasons to Love the Month of May in Vermont
    8 Reasons to Love the Month of May in Vermont

    Updated May 1, 2019 After a long, snowy winter, it feels good that's it's finally spring in Vermont. For the first time in six months, we can walk outside without a heavy jacket, stash away our wool socks, and watch the grass grow and leaves sprout. Even though spring arrived...