Secret swimming holes, endless miles of hiking trails, and mind-boggling vistas await you in Vermont's Green Mountains, not to mention secluded campsites, streams full of trout, and fall foliage that makes all the other states jealous.
In Vermont, we take our outdoor recreation seriously, in part because we are fortunate to have nearly 400,000 acres of federally protected land in our backyard.
The Green Mountain National Forest, located in southwestern and central Vermont, is the place to go when you want to paddle a quiet lake, photograph a waterfall, hike a trail, or simply commune with nature.
We've been exploring the trails, lakes, ponds, and waterfalls in the Green Mountain National Forest for decades, and it's high time we share some of our favorite spots with you.
Land area: 400,000 acres
Activities: hiking, paddling, camping, fishing, hunting, skiing, snowshoeing
Established: 1932
Entrance fee: None
Dogs: Yes
Ranger Districts: Manchester and Middlebury/Rochester
Whether you're visiting the Green Mountain National Forest for the first time, or are looking for a few new spots to explore, you'll want to add these special places to your Vermont itinerary.
The southern section of the Green Mountain National Forest is located in Bennington, Windham, and Rutland counties. This region includes a section of the Appalachian Trail, the southernmost section of the Long Trail, two front-country campgrounds, and five designated Wilderness areas.
The Catamount Cross-Country Ski Trail passes through parts of the Green Mountain National Forest, and there are also four developed ski areas - Mount Snow, Stratton, and Bromley Mountains for alpine skiing, and Prospect Mountain for Nordic skiing.
This area is served by the Manchester Ranger District, 2538 Depot Street, Manchester Center, VT 05255, (802)-362-2307
The northern section of the Green Mountain National Forest is located in Rutland, Addison, and Washington Counties. It includes three designated Wildnerness Areas, including the Breadloaf Wilderness Area, which is the largest in the state.
A stunning section of Vermont's Long Trail travels through this section of the Green Mountain National Forest, including the incredible Monroe Skyline, which includes Mount Abraham and Mount Ellen, two of Vermont's five peaks over 4,000 feet.
Killington, Pico, and Sugarbush Ski Resorts are also located in this section of the Green Mountain Forest, as well as the continuation of the Catamount Cross-Country Ski Trail. Two national forest campgrounds are found within this section, plus a large camping cabin.
This section of the Green Mountain National Forest is served by the Middlebury/Rochester Ranger District, 99 Ranger Road, Rochester, VT 05767, (802)-767-4261
Whether you're a novice hiker looking for a beautiful woodland walk, or an expert hoping to bag your next mountain peak, the Green Mountain National Forest has a trail with your name on it.
Backpackers enjoy numerous challenging routes in the Green Mountains, including a section of the famous Appalachian Trail and Vermont's 272-mile Long Trail - the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the United States.
For the casual hiker, here's a great selection of hikes in the Green Mountain National Forest.
*All distances are round-trip
*All distances are round-trip.
While most of Vermont's most beautiful waterfalls are outside of the Green Mountain National Forest, there are a few stunners within. Here are our favorites. Most require a short hike.
In May, waterfalls in Vermont are at their best when the snow is running off the mountains. None of the falls below are great for swimming.
Dispersed camping is allowed throughout the Green Mountain National Forest, provided you pitch your tent at least 200' from trails or bodies of water, including streams, rivers, wetlands, and ponds. If possible, utilize sites that are already managed for overnight use, including designated tent platforms and established shelters.
Do not camp in sensitive alpine areas where trees are under 8 feet. These are very fragile ecosystems.
There are seven campgrounds within the Green Mountain Forest, but we can't vouch for all of them. Our favorites are located on the shores of some of our favorite ponds and lakes. Dogs are permitted but must be kept on a leash.
Here are our top three spots for Green Mountain National Forest camping:
In addition to the shelters found along the Long Trail and Appalachian Trail, campers can also reserve a stay at Chittenden Brook Hut, which is open for year-round use. This beautifully rustic cabin is located in Chittenden Brook Campground and sleeps up to 10 guests.
There is a propane stove, an enclosed outhouse, and a common room for sharing meals. Guests can drive to the hut during the summer and fall, but once the gate to the forest service road closes for the winter, you will have to ski or snowshoe in.
Dogs are not permitted in the cabin. Rates are $75 to $155 per night, depending on the season. Reserve your stay through Vermont Huts Association.
Some of the most beautiful and secluded spots in the Green Mountain National Forest can be found on the water. Here are some pristine paddling spots for your next Vermont adventure - we've included a few of these in our guide to the best lakes and ponds in Vermont.
Has the Green Mountain National Forest enticed you enough to encourage you to plan a trip? In addition to all the recreational opportunities that we've mentioned above, you'll also discover endless miles of scenic back roads, so don't forget to bring your camera!
For driving and getting around, I recommend buying a copy of the Atlas and Gazeteer for Vermont/New Hampshire. Why? Cell service may fail in the mountains, and this incredibly detailed atlas includes topographical contour lines, trails, points of interest, and every back road in Vermont. It's a great thing to have in your vehicle, especially if you enjoy looking at maps!
For exploring the trails and recreation areas in the Green Mountain National Forest, pick up a set of National Geographic maps. There are two in the set - one for each section of the national forest.
Finally, if you're planning on doing a lot of hiking, get AMC's Best Day Hikes in Vermont (I'm currently writing the third edition!).
There is nothing like the Green Mountains on a beautiful summer day in Vermont - maybe that's because summer is so dang short here! For memorable swimming and camping, visit between late May and late August. Hiking is great in the summer too!
For unbelievable fall foliage, come during the first two weeks of October. The nights will be cool for camping, but it's still fun if you're prepared. Hiking is fantastic in the fall, but shorter days mean you may want to plan shorter hikes. We've got several fall-foliage articles in our main menu under 'outdoors'.
I'm sure that there's all kinds of winter fun to be had in the Green Mountains too, but it does require next-level preparation that I won't go into here.
If you're visiting for the first time, or are a casual adventurer like we are, visit between May and October. You won't be disappointed!
You want your trip to be memorable for all the right reasons. While this isn't an exhaustive packing list, it does include a few important items that you won't want to forget.
Check out the Green Mountain National Forest web story next!
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Tara is a freelance writer and the founder and editor-in-chief of Back Road Ramblers, an American road trip blog. She is also the co-author of the 3rd edition of AMC's Best Day Hikes in Vermont (pre-order your copy for the 2023 release date in May).