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Nature|Forests

The Green Mountain National Forest In Vermont Is A Big Secluded Treasure

The Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont offers diverse terrain, trails, and wildlife, making it a haven for nature lovers.

Published Apr 14, 2020

Written by 

Luke

The Green Mountain National Forest, while itself isn't secluded, has many nooks and crannies that are secluded treasures in their own right. The 400,000-acre forest is located in southwestern and central Vermont and has an exceptional variety of terrain, trails, wildlife, and wooded areas. From epic waterfalls to crazy panoramic lookouts, and hiking to rock climbing, the Green Mountain National Forest has so much to offer every visitor. Both the Long Trail and the Appalachian Trail run through this grand and impressive forest, while wildlife abounds in the woodlands and hikers wander through this vast, secluded forest.

With over 2000 archaeological and historic sites, thousands of hiking trails, waterfalls, cliffs, lakes, mountains, three ski resorts, and several wilderness areas, the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont has so much to offer nature lovers.

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Kareem Sioufi/alltrails

The forest is surrounded by the counties of Bennington, Rutland, Windsor, Addison, and Windham. The 400,000-acre forest offers a plethora of options for hiking, camping, day-trip visiting, cycling, fishing, and much more.

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There are more than 900 miles of trail hiking in this national forest. One favorite hike is the Lye Brook Falls trail pictured here.

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Ian Richardson/alltrails

The eight officially designated wilderness areas in the Green Mountain National Forest all offer great hiking, scenic landscapes, and interesting terrain.

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Michael Kulpcavage/googlemaps

Killington peak and Equinox mountain provide breathtaking views of the Green Mountain National Forest. Other great hikes in the Green Mountain National Forest include Little Rock Pond via the Long Trail and the Long Trail to Stratton Mountain.

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Willy Kane/alltrails

The secluded and vast wilderness offers hikers, mountain bikers, and campers plenty of variety and fascinating landscapes and terrain.

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Brandon Klein/alltrails

The Green Mountain National Forest is impossible to adequately write about in just one post. If you are interested in going but don't know where to start, try the Lye Brook Falls trail or the Killington peak trail, or you can do your own research and explore more secluded areas of the forest.

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Erik Fraser/alltrails

Share your stories and adventures about the Green Mountain National Forest by leaving a comment below.

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Nature|Forests

Here Are The Best Times And Places To View Vermont’s Fall Foliage In 2024

Vermont offers stunning fall foliage with prime leaf-peeping season starting in early October.

Updated Sep 4, 2024

Written by 

Marla S.

As I'm sure you know, fall in Vermont is one of the most stunning times of the year to visit the Green Mountain State. Aside from enjoying a delicious cider, going apple picking, taking a hike, and enjoying Halloween, Vermont is the place to be if you're like me and love admiring the fall foliage.

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In this 2024 fall foliage map from the Smoky Mountains, you'll discover the anticipated prime times for leaf-peeping season in Vermont this year. So, before setting off to the Green Mountain State, read on to learn more about the predicted dates to experience the leaves changing their colors in Vermont this fall.

Per the scale of this interactive Smoky Mountain Fall Foliage Prediction Map, the leaves in Vermont will begin to show shades of red, orange, and yellow early, around mid-September.

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Flickr/Josh Krancer

According to the prediction map, the leaf-peeping season in Vermont is expected to be in its prime starting the beginning of October. At the height of the season, expect to see the leaves at their peak with vibrant colors such as those in this photo taken in Marlboro, Vermont.

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Flickr/Josh Krancer

This stunning shot of Eden, Vermont is an example of what to expect this year too.

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Flickr/Richard Ricciardi

In addition to taking a road trip, we recommend getting up close and personal by taking a hike or camping when the leaves in Vermont change their colors.

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Flickr/Kimberly Vardeman

We also recommend having a camera on hand that can capture these breathtaking views in their truest form.

One of the best ways to see epic views when the leaves change colors in Vermont is by taking a hike. Feel free to reference our ultimate hiking packing guide for useful tips that'll help you have a memorable adventure in nature. And, if you need suggestions of which trails to hit, check out these fall hiking trails in Vermont.

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Nature|Forests

The Best Times And Places To View Fall Foliage In Vermont

Vermont offers stunning fall foliage with peak colors expected in early October, making it an ideal destination for hiking and leaf-peeping.

Updated Sep 15, 2022

Written by 

Kristin Grimes

When it comes to fall foliage in Vermont, two things are certain. First, we have the best foliage in the whole world. And second, it's next to impossible to figure out when the peak will be too far in advance. To help you with your planning, the folks at Smokymountains.com have put together an interactive map where you scroll through the weeks and see how the foliage changes. Without further ado, let's check out the Vermont fall colors map!

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The experts at The Smoky Mountains have predicted when the U.S. will see those stunning reds, oranges, and greens. And according to the map, the end of September is when our great state will start to see some change.

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Kimberly Vardeman/Flickr

For a great foliage drive when the colors start to change, check out the beautiful Route 100 Byway.

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Flickr/Ken Traub

This stretch is considered the best place to see fall colors in Vermont -- and for good reason. It's absolutely stunning!

Read more about Route 100 in Vermont in this feature article.

Another option is to take this gorgeous road trip to see foliage like never before.

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Flickr/mgstanton

If you're wanting to take a road less traveled to see the leaves this season, check out this route through some charming areas of Vermont.

For more information check out this Vermont fall foliage road trip we put together.

Enjoy a drive through the tree tunnel in Smugglers Notch.

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Flickr/Bre LaRow

This tree tunnel was ranked one of the 15 best in the world! The twists and turns through the mountains are absolutely incredible. When we reach peak foliage in Vermont, this is the place to turn to.

Soak it all in from the mountain top.

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Flickr/Ryan Taylor

Take a gondola ride, toll road, or hike to the top to take in the panoramic views below. There's nothing quite like it!

Spend the day in a charming Vermont town.

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Flickr/Howard Ignatious

Towns such as Woodstock (pictured at sunrise) are full of quintessential sights and spots, not to mention gorgeous scenery.

Take a hike!

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Flickr/Scott McCracken

There are many hikes to appreciate the views in Vermont, but Owl's Head Lookout in the Groton State Forest is one of our favorites!

Where is your favorite place to see Vermont fall foliage? Let us know! Now that you know when to see fall foliage in Vermont thanks to the handy-dandy map, it's time to start leaf-peeping! We hope you'll love it as much as we do.

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