This is the official page for the 2025 First Day Hikes in Vermont. All updates will be posted to this page.
Start the new year on the right foot with a hike in the great outdoors. On January 1, 2025, everyone is invited to join a free, guided hike taking place at many state parks, state forests, and other public lands across Vermont. Hikes are led by knowledgeable guides eager to share their knowledge and love of Vermont’s outdoors.
No matter where you live in Vermont, a state park or state forest is always close by, and you can still get outside to enjoy it. State Park entry is free on New Year’s Day — and all winter long. You’ll discover a whole new world in winter. Learn about winter day use and access in Vermont State Parks.
How can you get ready for your First Day Hike?
- Please pre-register by contacting hike leaders ahead of time.
- On hike day, dress for the weather and bring snowshoes if the snow is deep, and micro-spikes or traction aids in case of ice.
- Please also bring beverages and snacks.
- In the event of questionable weather, your hike leader will get in touch with you.
A big thank you to our event partners at the Green Mountain Club, the Otter Creek Audubon Society, and South Hero Land Trust for helping to make First-Day Hikes a success!
First Day Hike Options
All hikes are listed below with hiking descriptions, difficulty, and who to contact to register for a hike.
Allis State Park Hike
Guide Name: Rebecca Roy, Vermont State Parks Interpretive Program Manager
To register or for more information: Rebecca.roy@vermont.gov
Meeting Location: Allis State Park entrance gate: 284 Allis State Park Road, Randolph
Meeting Time: 10:00 am
Hike Description: This is an easy two-mile hike from the entrance gate of Allis State Park, up the park road to the fire tower in the day-use area, and then down through the campground. Snowshoes and/or traction aids may be required depending on conditions.
Bartlett Mountain Loop, Willoughby State Forest
Guide Names: Cathi Brooks and Sue Winsor, Green Mountain Club NEK Volunteers
To register or for more information: s.j.p.winsor@gmail.com
Meeting Location: Westmore Parking Lot, south of Lake Willoughby on Route 5A
Meeting time: 10:00 am
Hike description: This moderately challenging trail follows the CCC Road in Westmore for about 2.5 miles then we will turn onto the Bartlett Mountain Loop which is about 2 miles, returning on the CCC Road. Total miles is about 6.5. This is also a x-country ski trail and if the trail has been groomed SNOW SHOES WILL BE REQUIRED. Skiers are also welcome. If there is only a little snow and the CCC Road is packed from previous traffic, micro spikes should be carried on hand if needed.
Big Deer Mountain, Groton State Forest
Guide Name: Danielle Schneider, Vermont State Parks Regional Operations Manager
To register or for more information: danielle.schneider@vermont.gov
Meeting time: 9:30 am
Meeting Location: New Discovery State Park winter parking area, 4239 VT RT 232, Marshfield, VT 05658
Hike Description: Moderate hike up Big Deer Mountain from the New Discovery winter parking area. Two miles round trip, mostly level hike with steep ascent in final 200 yards. Depending on conditions, snow shoes and/or traction aides, and hiking poles are recommended.
Bomoseen State Park History Hike
Guide Name: Caitlin Gates, Vermont State Parks Volunteer
To register or for more information: caitlin.s.gates@gmail.com
Meeting time: 10:00 am
Meeting Location: Meet at the Bomoseen State Park Gate, 22 Cedar Mountain Rd., Castleton, VT 05743
Hike Description: Easy, one-mile, family-friendly hike that winds through some of the quarries, rubble piles, and building ruins of the West Castleton Railroad and Slate Company. Traction aides and/or snowshoes are required depending on conditions.
Brighton State Park
Guide Name: John Predom, Green Mountain Club NEK Volunteer and Vermont State Parks Staff
To register or for more information: gmcnek@gmail.com
Meeting Time: 10:00 am
Meeting Location: Meet at the entrance gate to Brighton State Park campground, 102 State Park Road, Island Pond.
Hike Description: We are hiking Shoreline Trail to Pine Point. This is considered an easy 1-mile out and back. Depending on the snow depth we will either use snowshoes or micro-spikes. If everyone is having fun, we may explore some other trails as well.
Button Bay State Park
Guide Name: Ron Payne, Otter Creek Audubon Society President
To register or for more information: rpayne72@myfairpoint.net
Meeting time: 9:00 AM
Meeting Location: 5 Button Bay State Park Rd., Ferrisburgh, VT 05491
Hike Description: An easy 2-mile walk on flat terrain in search of overwintering birds.
Butler Lodge, Mount Mansfield State Forest
Guide Name: David Hathaway, Green Mountain Club Burlington Section
To register or for more information: david.hathaway.78@gmail.com
Meeting Location: Butler Lodge Trailhead, Stevensville Road, Underhill, VT 05489
Hike Description: Snowshoes required, 4.1 miles, 1600' elevation gain. Group size limit 10.
Happy Hill Shelter on the Appalachian Trail
Guide Names: Kathy Astrauckas and Bob Hagen, Upper Valley Ottauquechee Section of GMC
To register or for more information: 802-785-4311, email: kabh@myfairpoint.net
Meeting Location: Norwich, VT
Hike description: Moderate hike on an Appalachian Trail Loop with Cossingham Road, Norwich, VT, to Happy Hill Shelter. Lovely woods, lots of short ups & downs. Approximately 4 miles with 800 feet of elevation gain. Conditions will determine what type of footgear is required (snowshoes or microspikes). Contact leaders for meeting time and place.
Mount Worcester, C.C. Putnam State Forest
Guide Name: Rick Dyer, AMP Forester, VT Dept of Forests, Parks & Recreation
To register or for more information: rick.dyer@vermont.gov
Meeting Location: Meet at the trailhead. From Worcester Village (0.0 miles). Left on Minister Brook Rd. Right at four corners on Hampshire Hill Road (1.5 miles). Continue straight, bearing left on Mountain Road (4.0 mi.) to trail parking (4.1 miles).
Hike Description: This is a moderate hike. Snowshoes and traction aids are required. It is approximately 2.5 miles round trip. During the hike, we will explore and discuss the forest surrounding Hancock Brook and some of its major tributaries. Contact the hike leader for meeting time and to register. The group size is limited.
Niquette Bay State Park
Guide Name: Tom Prendergast, Vermont State Park Manager
To register or for more information: tomprendergast23@gmail.com
Meeting Location: Meet at trailhead kiosk at Niquette Bay State Park, 274 Raymond Road, Colchester, 05446
Hike Description: This is a moderate hike that takes about two hours. The loop is rolling/rocky and often icy, highest elevation gain is around 420 feet, and total elevation gain for the hike will be roughly 6-700 feet Pack microspikes and trekking poles, wet weather gear, and water/snacks.
Owl’s Head Mountain, Groton State Forest
Guide Name: Walter Opuszynski, Forest Recreation Specialist, VT Dept of Forests, Parks & Recreation
To register or for more information: walter.opuszynski@vermont.gov
Meeting time: 1:00 pm
Meeting Location: Route 232, gated area near Lanesboro Rd. Groton, VT 05046
Hike Description: Moderate, up-and-down hike geared towards families with young children. Road to the shelter: three-quarters of a mile with 350 feet elevation gain. Trail to the top of the mountain: 1,500 feet with 100 feet of elevation gain. Duration is 1 hour+
Round Pond State Park
Guide Names: Guy Maguire, Programs Director, South Hero Land Trust
To register or for more information: Visit the South Hero Land Trust First Day Hike page.
Meeting Location: 27 East Shore Road, South Hero, Vermont
Meeting time: 9:30 am
Hike description: Join South Hero Land Trust staff and volunteers at Round Pond State Park for a casual walk through the meadows and woods as we make our way down to celebrate the New Year on the beautiful Lake Champlain shoreline. This family-friendly hike is about 1.3 miles round trip, relatively flat, with one short steep section to get down to the beach (optional detour is available). If there is enough snow, snowshoes can be handy but are usually unnecessary. Similarly, if the conditions are icy, microspikes, yaktrax or other traction devices can be helpful.
Woodford State Park
Guide Name: Brendan McKenna, Vermont State Park Manager
To register or for more information: bmckennavt@gmail.com
Meeting Location: Park in the plowed winter parking lot across Route 9 from the Woodford State Park entrance and meet at the park gate located at 142 State Park Road, Bennington, VT 05201
Meeting time: 9:00 am
Hike description: This moderate hike is 3 miles and circumnavigates beautiful Adams Reservoir in the high elevation Woodford State Park. This hike will take about two hours, depending on conditions. Snowshoes and/or traction aids will be required depending on conditions.