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Fort Dummer State Park

Guilford & Vernon; Windham County 260 Acres

Fort Dummer State Park Sunrise Trailhead

For more information about this unit please visit the web page:

General Description:

Fort Dummer was initially acquired by the State of Vermont during construction of Interstate 91. Interstate 91 created a 156-acre portion of Guilford land with no access from Guilford roads for maintenance or school busing and conversion to a campground was a means to ensuring Guilford didn’t someday have roads, homes, and school children isolated from the rest of the town. The campground was constructed in two stages in the 1960s and 1970s to provide overnight camping and day use. Since then, its primary purpose has been overnight camping.

Unique Features:

While there are not many visible historic resources at Fort Dummer State Park, the parcel has a deep historical context which includes:

  • Several potential sawmill sites on Broad Brook.
  • A slate quarry that was open from 1810 to 1875. The abandoned quarry, water filled, is in the middle of the park.
  • A historic military route known as the “Scout Path” passed near and through park lands. Undisturbed portions may exist.
  • The park overlooks the site of Fort Dummer, and historians speculate that military lookouts might have been constructed on the hilltop above the Fort.
  • Fort Dummer State Park stands out as a parcel with exceptional ecological features and wildlife habitat. The parcel is host to a rare natural community (Dry Oak Forest) and an uncommon type (Sugar Maple-Ostrich Fern Riverine Flood Plain Forest) and 12 plant species in the very rare, rare, or uncommon state rank with one threatened species (Flowering Dogwood).

Recreation Overview:

Developed recreational amenities include 61 campsites, a picnic area and hiking trails.   Efforts to boost attendance include lengthening the operating season to Indigenous Peoples Day, researching the installation of utility hookups for RV’s and increased trail water feature access.  Primary recreational activity during the off-season are hiking and dog walking.

Planning Overview:

The Long Range Management Plan (LRMP) for the Brattleboro Management Unit was developed in 2012.