Vermont National Parks
Vermont's natural beauty coupled with the rich history of the Champlain Basin make it a great state to explore. Come #FindYourPark in Vermont.
Vermont National Parks
Vermont
Table of Contents
2 National Parks in Vermont
Other NPS-Affiliated Sites in Vermont
Appalachian National Scenic Trail - Maine to Georgia - CT, GA, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV
One of America's most famous trails, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail stretches an incredible 2,180 miles and runs nearly the entire length of the eastern United States from Maine to Georgia. The trail was constructed by private citizens and completed in 1937. Today, it is maintained by several federal and state agencies, as well as volunteer groups.
Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership
The Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership is one of 55 National Heritage Areas that is partly managed by the National Park Service. It sits between Vermont's Green Mountains and New York's Adirondacks, and encompasses parts of Lake Champlain, along with the waterways connecting Lake George, the Champlain Canal, and portions of the Upper Hudson River in Vermont and New York. Prominent sites include Fort Ticonderoga, The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Saratoga National Historical Park, and the Champlain-Adirondack Biosphere Reserve. The area also has a rich and interesting history of women's suffrage, alcohol smuggling during prohibition, and many other unique stories. Click here to read more about the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership.
Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park
Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park was created by Congress and signed into law by President George Bush in 1992 and is unique in that it is the only National Park dedicated to "the story of conservation history and the evolving nature of land stewardship in America." Ownership of the land has been passed down through generations of conservationists and environmentalists, beginning with George Perkins Marsh, Frederick Billings, and finally Mary French and Laurance Rockefeller, who ultimately donated the land and mansion to make the park what it is today.
Visitors can hike among the hemlock forest and sugar maple trees, tour the mansion and carriage barn, and participate in various programming and special events at the park throughout the year. Birding is also popular here, and Junior Ranger Programs are available as well.
Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park is about an hour's drive south of Montpelier.
Missisquoi and Trout National Wild and Scenic River
The Missisquoi and Trout rivers flow from the mountains of northern Vermont into Canada for about 46 miles and are known for their unique geology, waterfalls, and swimming holes. Visitors like to enjoy Big Falls State Park where they will find the largest natural, undammed falls in Vermont by the same name. The rivers also have a historical connection - they have the greatest concentration of covered bridges in North America. They were built by the Jewett brothers during the 1800's, and six of the bridges are still in use today and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Missisquoi and Trout National Wild and Scenic River was designated in 2014.
North Country National Scenic Trail
The North Country National Scenic Trail spans eight states and is part of the National Trails System Act signed into law by President Johnson in 1968. The North Country National Scenic Trail was added to the system in 1980 with seven states. Today, New York, Vermont, North Dakota, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin host parts of the trail.
There are currently over 1,775 miles of NPS-certified trail, with another 500-700 miles yet to be certified. It connects various landscapes, urban districts, historic sites, forests, lakes, canals, towns, and large cities.