Park events

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.

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.

Button Bay State Park

Guide Name: Ron Payne, Otter Creek Audubon Society President

To register or for more information: rpayne72@myfairpoint.net

Meeting time: 9:00AM

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.

Bomoseen State Park

Guide Name: Caitlin Gates, Vermont State Parks Volunteer

To register or for more information: caitlin.s.gates@gmail.com

Meeting time: 10:00am

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 required depending on conditions.

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: 9:30am

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 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 recommended.

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: 10:00am

Hike description: This moderately challenging trail follows the CCC Road in Westmore for about 2.5 miles then we will turn on to 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 welcomed. If there is only a little snow and the CCC Road is packed from previous traffic, micro spikes should be carried to be on hand if needed.

Join us on a short night hike as we look for mushrooms! 

Program is included with Camping registration or $5 state park entry fee.

All ages welcome, wheelchair accessible. A rain or shine event.

Dress tick-safe.

Come celebrate the end of the camping season with us at Jamaica State Park!

Pumpkin Painting, S'mores, Hiking, and Games!

Program is included with Camping registration or $5 state park entry fee.

All ages welcome, wheelchair accessible. A rain or shine event.

Discover and identify the fungi species at Jamaica State Park!

4:00 pm iNaturalist, Fungi, & Bioblitz Intro

4:30 pm to 5:45 pm Bioblitzing

6:00 pm Food and Fun at the Nature Center

Program is included with Camping registration or $5 state park entry fee.

All ages welcome, wheelchair accessible. A rain or shine event.

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department helps conserve our local fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the people of Vermont. Join us at the summit trailhead to learn about the conservation and management of furbearers and how to prevent and resolve human/bear conflicts. This will be a table style event, so you can stop by at any time between 10am and 3pm on your way to check out the scenic overlook or hike the summit trails.

(Based on forecast, this event was rescheduled from the original target, Sep 16, to the rain date: today, Sep 17).