The Green Mountain National Forest is a national treasure in Vermont, spanning more than 400,000 acres. The park is close to many Chittenden Bed and Breakfast spots. While at Green Mountain National Forest, be sure to check out the following highlighted attractions.
Green Mountain National Forest
231 North Main Street
Rutland, VT 05701
(802) 747-6700
www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/greenmountain/index.htm
The Long Trail
This trail crosses all east-to-west roads, making it convenient to park and hike, as the trail is too long to hike in just one day. This trail will take you through the Vermont wilderness, allowing you a glimpse into all the local flora and fauna including the sugar maples, white birch and conifers. On the trail you will pass remote old logging roads, beaver ponds and Vermont's famous brook system with some of the best rainbow trout, brown trout, and brook trout fishing in the country. Follow the trail that was originally explored by Native Americans and French Canadian fur hunters.
Fishing
Some of the best fishing spots for the park's famed trout include the New Haven River, Alder Brook, Beaver Meadows, Middlebury River Narrows, Silver Lake, Steam Mill Brook, Goshen Dam and Middle Branch.
Additional Hikes
Hikie the Long Trail at Glastonbury Mountain to the summit, hovering 3,340 feet above the forest canopy. The following day hike the Lye Brooke Trail; it's a 14-mile hike with waterfalls and babbling brooks.
Aerial View
For a stunning aerial view of the national forest, try one of the area's hot air balloons. With luck you may even spot yourChittenden Inn. Nearby the park is the launch site for Vermont's famed annual Hot Air Balloon Festival, which draws tens of thousands of visitors each year.
Seasonal Opportunities
Depending on the season of your visit you will have the opportunity to explore the park with one of its great seasonal activities. Throughout winter, summer, spring and fall the activities will vary, although some seasons will overlap. The many activities available are as follows:
Winter provides great activities including downhill and cross country skiing. For downhill skiing visit one of the area's many ski hills, including the popular Blueberry Hill, Mountain Meadows, Mountain Top, Bear Notch, Bretton Woods, Great Glen and Jackson in the north. In the southern end of the park try Prospect Mountain and the Wild Wings.
Spring provides not only gorgeous hiking with its spring blooms but also fantastic camping, hunting and fishing seasons.
Summer provides great opportunities to go swimming in the many lakes and rivers, go mountain biking along the hills and trails, picnics, backpacking, fishing, boating, horseback riding and canoeing.
Autumn is one of the most popular times for hiking with the changing of the leaves, painting the landscapes rich hues of red, brown, green, orange and purple.