Top 5 Adventures in Vermont
The Green Mountain State, as Vermont is known, is chock full of mountains to climb, streams to fish, slopes to ski, and fall foliage to gawk at.
It's rugged landscape and relaxed locals keep it firmly on the list of East Coast adventure destinations. The fact that both Ben & Jerry's and the Von Trapp family (yes, from The Sound of Music) call this place home doesn't hurt, either.
When in Vermont, do as the Vermonters do...go exploring. Here are a few of our favorite spots.
Smuggler's Notch, located just outside the ski town of Stowe, is beautiful any time of year, but it's a must-see in the fall. Hike the Sterling Pond Trail to access the Long Trail, which is the oldest long-distance hiking route in the United States. Be sure to budget yourself plenty of time, because you'll find yourself stopping every few minutes to take in the incredible foliage.
Stowe has plenty of diversions as well, including plenty of breweries, the Trapp Family Lodge, numerous cideries, and the headquarters of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream.
If you only do one hike in Vermont, make it Camel's Hump. Located between Burlington and Montpelier, Camel's Hump is the third highest peak in Vermont and has 360-degree views of the Winooski River Valley and the Green Mountains.
The Monroe Trail climbs through the forest for the majority of the hike, eventually turning into a bedrock scramble that leads to the bare summit. On a clear day, you can see peaks in three different states from the top.
Quechee State Park is home to the Quechee Gorge—the deepest canyon in Vermont and a favorite spot for sightseeing, hiking, and fishing in the Ottauquechee River. Don't worry...all the names get easier to say once you've heard them in person!
Book a campsite at Quechee State Park to spend a weekend exploring everything the area has to offer, and be sure to grab a burger at Worthy Burger, a locally-owned spot for great food and Vermont beers on tap.
Moss Glen Falls in Granville is one of the most recognizable waterfalls in Vermont and is so picturesque that it's worth the detour to find it. The falls are particularly pretty in when the foliage turns, but if you visit in the spring, you might just see Little Moss Glen Falls, which only appears during high water.
Swing through nearby Ripton to check out the Robert Frost Farm, where the poet lived and wrote during the summer months from 1939 until his death.
The Deane Nature Preserve, owned by Green Mountain College, has one of the best campsites in all of Vermont. Two trails lead to the summit (one is 1.25 miles, the other, steeper trail is 1 mile), and the sweeping vista from the top includes Lake St. Catherine and New York's Adirondack Mountains.
There is a 4-person sleeping platform at the summit, which, if vacant, you can use to spend the night. Camping is not allowed elsewhere on the preserve. Enjoy a relaxing sunset before the Milky Way rises overhead.
Cover photo by Sara Sheehy
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
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