Park events

Hear Monica read her nature-themed poetry lakeside at beautiful Lake Shaftsbury State Park. 

Monica Ferrell is the author of a novel and two books of poetry, most recently the collection You Darling Thing, which was a finalist for the Kingsley Tufts Award and the Believer Book Award. She has taught fiction and poetry for the MFA programs at Columbia University and Bennington College, and is Professor of Creative Writing at Purchase College (SUNY).

More info: https://www.vermonthumanities.org/event/monica-ferrell-words-in-the-woods/

Enjoy some FREE time in a Vermont State Park!  Free Park Day Entry Statewide, Free Fishing, Free Events and more! Check out: Vermont Days 2022

Vermont State Parks Announces the 2025 Best In Snow Photo Contest!

We're excited to invite you to participate in the 2025 Best In Snow - Vermont State Parks Photo Contest. Did you know our parks are open all year round? Enjoy skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, sledding, fat biking, snowmobiling, and more throughout the winter. Now, we want to see your best winter shots taken in Vermont State Parks!

Contest Categories:

• Scenic Landscapes: Capture the breathtaking beauty of the parks.
• Action Shots: Showcase people enjoying winter activities in the parks.

Prizes:

• First Place: $50 Vermont State Parks gift card.
• Second Place: 10-punch pass card ($30 value)

Deadline: Submit photos by 11:45 PM on March 4, 2025.

Review Contest Rules and How to Enter Contest.

Glen Lake Trail, Bomoseen State Park

Sunday, March 30, 2025 at 8:00am

Meet at Bomoseen State Park entrance gate

Nothing showcases the unique natural beauty of this region as perfectly as the Glen Lake Trail at Bomoseen State Park. This is an all day there-and-back hike that will take us from Bomoseen State Park to Half Moon Pond State Park. We will meet at the Bomoseen entrance gate at 8:00AM and cover a wide range of terrain. We will stop for a lunch break at the Half Moon campground. Please dress in layers and plan accordingly. This hike is moderate to challenging in difficulty and is not recommended for beginners.

To register or for more information, contact hike leader Caitlin Gates: caitlin.s.gates@gmail.com

What you will need:

-Water resistant hiking boots

-snow/ hiking pants

-hiking poles (optional)

-Water

-snacks

-bag lunch

Sunday, February 23, 2025 at 2:00PM- Meet at the park gate at Taconic Mountains Ramble State Park

This park is truly a gem in any season. This guided hike will take us through the zen garden and over the hills of this scenic landscape. If the snowfall cooperates, we will have some time for sledding as well! The hike will take about an hour to complete and will cover some varied terrain, so be sure to dress accordingly. There are some steep hills, and trails can be slippery and narrow, this hike can be of moderate difficulty.

To register or for more information, contact hike leader Caitlin Gates: caitlin.s.gates@gmail.com

What you will need:

-Water resistant hiking boots

-snow/ hiking pants

-water

-snowshoes (weather dependent)

-a sled (optional)

Niquette Bay State Park

Guide Name: Tom Prendergast, Vermont State Park Manager

To register or for more information: tomprendergast23@gmail.com

Meeting time: 10:00am

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.

Woodford State Park

Guide Name: Brendan McKenna, Vermont State Park Staff

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 entrance gate located at 142 State Park Road, Bennington, VT 05201

Meeting Time: 9:00 am

Hike Description: This easy/moderate hike is 3 miles and circumnavigates beautiful Adams Reservoir in the high elevation Woodford State Park. This hike should take about two hours, depending on conditions. Snowshoes and/or traction aids will be required depending on conditions.

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 Website

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 not necessary. Similarly, if the conditions are icy, micro spikes, yaktrax or other traction devices can be helpful.

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: 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+

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 trailhead. From Worcester Village (0.0 mi). Left on Minister Brook Rd. Right at four corners on Hampshire Hill Rd.(1.5 mi.). Continue straight, bearing left on Mountain Rd.(4.0 mi.) to trail parking (4.1 mi.).

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.