7 Most Scenic Small Towns In Vermont For Nature Lovers
The beautiful yet rugged northern state of Vermont, most famous for cities like Burlington and Montpelier, contains several picturesque small towns as well. Though guests to this New England state appreciate natural city attractions like the Bike Path in Burlington or Montpelier’s 4,083-foot-high Camel’s Hump, there are also some awesome attributes that cater to the great outdoors within the small towns. From Middlebury and the Weybridge Cave State Park to Vergennes and Button Bay State Park, these towns possess a peaceful tranquility that is ideal. Uncover seven of the most scenic small towns in Vermont, all of which are perfect for the nature lover.
Middlebury
Approximately 50 miles west of Montpelier, the quaint town of Middlebury is home to Weybridge Cave State Park. This phenomenal state park is located between the towns of Middlebury and Weybridge. It has several great attributes, especially for the outdoor enthusiast, including Weybridge Cave, hiking trails like the Cave Trail and the Woodland Trail, and even picnic areas with built-in grills.
Pulp Mill Covered Bridge and Halpin Covered Bridge are two other great outdoor attractions near Middlebury. Pulp Mill, a double-lane covered bridge, was first built as a single-lane bridge in 1808. It is now one of only two double-lane covered bridges in the entire state. Halpin, a single-lane bridge first built in 1824, is one of the oldest in America.
Warren
Halfway between Middlebury and Montpelier, and quite close to Mount Ellen and Mount Abraham, the tiny town of Warren has several natural attractions, including Warren Falls and Warren Covered Bridge. Warren Falls is considered to be one of the best “swimming holes” in all of Vermont, while Warren Covered Bridge, built in 1879, spans Mad River and is almost 60 feet in length.
Sugarbush Resort is another great attraction in Warren. Located to the south of town, along the northern bank of Clay Brook, this phenomenal resort offers guests skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing during the winter season and a variety of great activities, like hiking and bird-watching, in the summertime. They even celebrate the Pig Jig BBQ & Music Festival each summer.
Burke
The town of Burke, 20 miles north of St. Johnsbury, consists of the villages of East Burke, West Burke, and Burke Hollow. Each of these villages has great natural attractions. Just above West Burke, visitors can explore Mount Pisgah and Lake Willoughby. Mount Pisgah Trail is over four miles long and is considered mainly for professionals. Lake Willoughby is Vermont’s deepest lake. It offers boating, hiking, fishing, and swimming.
Burke Mountain Resort is also a great find for those who love nature. It has several different amenities, including skiing and snowboarding in the winter and hiking and mountain-bike riding in the summer. Burke Mountain Resort also offers camping options for those who choose to brave the great outdoors rather than stay in one of their comfy rooms or suites.
Hartford
Along the banks of the White River, just outside of White River Junction, the small town of Hartford is home to Quechee Gorge and Quechee State Park. Quechee Gorge is the deepest gorge in Vermont, with a 165-foot drop to the banks of the Ottauquechee River. Quechee State Park draws in hundreds of thousands of people and offers several natural amenities, including hiking the Quechee Gorge Trail and camping overnight.
The quaint town of Hartford is also relatively close to VINS, the Vermont Institute of Natural Science. There is a forest canopy walk, which provides visitors and guests with an understanding of the environment while traveling from ground-level to high in the treetops. People can also experience the “Eagle’s Nest,” which provides views from an eagle’s perspective.
Stowe
The town of Stowe is perhaps the best small town in Vermont to experience nature at its best. Situated an hour’s drive from Mount Mansfield, though it is a circular route, the Stowe Mountain Resort offers guests the opportunity to snowboard and ski in the winter and to hike the Cliff Trail and/or the Long Trail in the summer. You can even camp at a variety of different campgrounds in the area.
Smugglers’ Notch State Park is also located in Stowe, northwest of downtown. In addition to the awesome natural amenities available at most state parks, including hiking, mountain biking, and picnicking, Smugglers’ Notch State Park has tent and lean-to campsites. It even offers rock-climbing opportunities for those who are experienced with that type of outdoor activity.
Manchester
About 20 miles north of Bennington, the town of Manchester is home to Lye Brook Falls and Prospect Rock. Lye Brook Falls Trail, just under five miles in length, is an ideal hike for any age, with a stunning 125-foot waterfall. Prospect Rock, situated along the 3.5-mile Prospect Rock Trail, has magnificent vistas of the Green Mountains for your photographic pleasure.
Manchester is also home to Equinox Preservation Trust and the Dana L. Thompson Memorial Park. The memorial park honors Dana Thompson, a police chief who was killed in the line of duty, with a place to enjoy nature with the family. The preservation trust has a plethora of great trails, including the Pond Loop Trail and Flatlander’s Trail, and works to protect Mount Equinox for future generations to enjoy.
Vergennes
Just north of Middlebury and quite close to the St. Lawrence River, which flows out of Lake Champlain, the small town of Vergennes is home to a plethora of great outdoor attractions. One of the best, Vergennes Falls Park, has a 15-mile scenic hiking and mountain-biking trail that loops around and allows guests views of New York across the river.
Another great attraction, situated north of downtown Vergennes, Button Bay State Park offers kayaking, swimming, boating, and fishing opportunities. This 250-acre park also offers a variety of awesome hiking and mountain-biking trails, including Button Point Trail and Champlain Trail. Button Point Trail provides hikers with stunning views of the Adirondack Mountain Range and Lake Champlain.
From the top of the state, up near Lake Champlain and the border of Canada, to the bottom of the state, by Pisgah State Park and the border of Massachusetts, there are numerous outdoor activities that can be enjoyed by outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. Whether you are searching for camping opportunities or just want to check out the best hiking trails in the Green Mountains, these seven scenic small towns in Vermont are ideal for those who love nature and all it holds.
