Park events

Our seasonal “Words in the Woods” program allows Vermonters and visitors to enjoy our state’s natural beauty while listening to and reading literature in the outdoors.

This year, we look forward to joining five Vermont poets in-person at different Vermont State Parks. Join us in celebrating our 50th anniversary and the 100th anniversary of Vermont State Parks by registering for a program today!

Thank you for the support of the Vermont Humanities and the Vermont Arts Council.

Join us for a morning of poetry with Ellen "LN" Bethea. Vermont Humanities will cover the entry fee for the park, so feel free to explore the wilderness after the event.

Ellen “LN” Bethea has long been inspired by Desmond Tutu’s words- “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” For over 20 years, LN has volunteered locally. Whether reading for library Story Times or setting up tents for art events, each “little bit” is intended to actualize accessibility and build community. LN volunteers in hopes of developing nurturing spaces were creativity and connections thrive. LN has performed as a Spoken Word Poet across Vermont from Morrisville to Brattleboro. She was thrilled to have been chosen by Vermont Arts Council as an “I Am A Vermont Artist 2021.” Sharing her poetry, volunteering in her community and being a part of Vermont Humanities are all meant to celebrate creativity and connection with others through “a little bit of good.”

Registration
Entrance to the park will be covered by Vermont Humanities. Please register in advance to attend this in-person program. Families camping at or otherwise visiting the parks will be able to join the presentations without advance registration.

Register to attend this event.

Accessibility
This is an accessible event. It takes place in a pavilion located a short distance from a parking lot, along a paved road. Please contact us at info@vermonthumanities.org for information on disability services.

To request a specific accommodation for this event please contact us by Friday, June 14th.

Park Address
2714 Hathaway Point Rd
St. Albans, VT 05481

Our seasonal “Words in the Woods” program allows Vermonters and visitors to enjoy our state’s natural beauty while listening to and reading literature in the outdoors.

This year, we look forward to joining five Vermont poets in-person at different Vermont State Parks. Join us in celebrating our 50th anniversary and the 100th anniversary of Vermont State Parks by registering for a program today!

Thank you for the support of the Vermont Humanities and the Vermont Arts Council.

Join us for a morning of poetry with Elizabeth Powell. Vermont Humanities will cover the entry fee for the park, so feel free to explore the wilderness after the event.

Elizabeth A.I. Powell is the author of three books of poems, most recently “Atomizer” (LSU Press). Her second book of poems, “Willy Loman’s Reckless Daughter: Living Truthfully Under Imaginary Circumstances” was a “Books We Love 2016” by The New Yorker. Her novel, “Concerning the Holy Ghost's Interpretation of JCrew Catalogues” was published in 2019 in the U.K. Recent poems appear in The New Republic, American Poetry Review, and Women’s Review of Books, among others. She is a Professor of Creative Writing at Northern Vermont University.

Registration
Entrance to the park will be covered by Vermont Humanities. Please register in advance to attend this in-person program. Families camping at or otherwise visiting the parks will be able to join the presentations without advance registration.

Register to attend this event.

Accessibility
This is an accessible event. It takes place in a pavilion located a short distance from a parking lot, along a paved road. Please contact us at info@vermonthumanities.org for information on disability services.

To request a specific accommodation for this event please contact us by Friday, May 17th.

Park Address
44 Knights Point Road
North Hero, VT 05474

Vermont State Parks turn 100!

Skida and Zero Gravity team up with Vermont Parks Forever to celebrate Vermont Parks' continued legacy and their dedicated volunteers and staff.

Come to Zero Gravity and enjoy food and drinks on Thursday, April 4th, from 4 to 7 p.m., followed by an elite raffle of top-tier items to get you out adventuring in Vermont State Parks.

As part of an ongoing partnership, Skida commemorates this milestone by donating proceeds from their Elmore print to protect and enhance VT state parks with Vermont Parks Forever. All three brands are working together to honor outdoor recreation and preserve our state's natural resources.

Event held at Zero Gravity Brewery:

716 Pine St. 
Burlington, VT

Facebook Event Details

Come for an afternoon of original folk, roots, americana, and traditional folk songs. Meets at the pavilion.

Concert free with admission.

Did you miss our First Day Hike events on January 1st? 

Get a second chance at a First Day Hike by joining us on February 2nd for a guided hike at Lowell Lake State Park!

February 2nd is also Groundhog Day, which is the midpoint of winter and a fine time to celebrate with a hike in nature. 

Join Park Managers Ellie and Mike for this guided hike of Lowell Lake, which is a beautiful, minimally developed park in Londonderry. The trail is a loop of approximately 3.5 miles, which completely encircles Lowell Lake. Trail highlights include a Revolutionary War-era cemetery, stands of large white pine trees, and scenic views of the lake and wetlands. The trail is located on relatively flat terrain and the hike is of moderate difficulty. Traction aids or snowshoes may be required depending on conditions. 

Please register ahead of time by emailing Ellie: elliedingdong@gmail.com 

Meet at the park at 260 Ice House Road, Londonderry, VT 05148

February 2nd at 10:30am

Spruce Mountain, LR Jones State Forest

Guide Name: Dana Lawrence and Nancy Thomas, Green Mountain Club Montpelier Section Volunteers

To register or for more information: hikeski51@gmail.com  

Meeting time: 10:00am

Meeting location: Spruce Mountain Trailhead, 681 Spruce Mountain Rd, Plainfield, VT 05667

Hike description: This moderate to advanced 4.5 mile (round trip) hike summits Spruce Mountain with a 1,164 foot elevation gain. There is a fire tower located on the summit with expansive 365 degree views. Traction aids and snowshoes are required depending on conditions.

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: 1:00pm

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: ¾ mile with 350 feet elevation gain. Trail to the top of the mountain: 1,500 feet with 100 feet of elevation gain. 1 hour+

Millstone Trails, Barre Town Forest

Guide Name: Kaley Grenier, Vermont State Parks, Call Center Representative

To register or for more information: kaley.grenier@vermont.gov

Meeting location: 44 Brook Street, Websterville, VT

Meeting time: 11:00am

Hike description: This approximately 2.5 mile family friendly, easy hike follows groomed trails through Barre Town Forest. Bring the whole family to explore the winter world in this beautiful forest featuring historic granite quarries, abandoned for over 100 years. This hike is in partnership with the Millstone Trails Association, who generously maintains the over 20 miles of trails in the forest. Trails are groomed and depending on conditions, snowshoes or traction aids may be required.

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 05055

Hike description: Moderate hike. A.T.  Loop with Cossingham Road, Norwich, VT, to Happy Hill Shelter. Lovely woods, lots of short ups & downs.  ~ 4 mi., 800' elev. gain.  Moderate.  Conditions will determine what type of footgear is required (snowshoes or microspikes).  Contact leaders for meeting time and place. 

Colchester Causeway

Guide Name: Patrick Dattilio, Vermont State Parks, Parks Regional Facility & Project Manager

To register or for more information: Patrick.Dattilio@vermont.gov

Meeting location: Causeway Park, 781 Blakely Rd, Colchester, VT 05446

Meeting time: 8:00am

Hike description: Kick off the New Year with a hike across Lake Champlain on the Colchester Causeway. This easy, family friendly hike will start from Causeway Park and head out onto the causeway, all the way out to the opening and back to Causeway Park. Round trip is about two hours. There is no elevation gain, and this hike can be done with hiking boots or other water resistant/proof footwear. Traction aids will be helpful if conditions are icy.