Green Mountains

The Green Mountains are in Vermont. The Green Mountains are very popular for hiking, skiing, fishing, hunting, and other recreational activities. They are the oldest and highest mountains in the state, as well as the state's namesake.

Understand

The Green Mountains are a sub-range of the Appalachian Mountains, extending north-south from the Berkshires in Massachusetts to Canada. The highest peak in the range is Mount Mansfield, standing at 4,393 feet, located in northern Vermont. Much of the Green Mountains fall within the Green Mountain National Forest, which is divided into northern and southern regions, separated by Route 4 near Rutland.

Landscape

Although modest in elevation and heavily forested, the Green Mountains feature a diverse landscape that includes rugged terrain, open areas, wetlands, and escarpments. These environments provide habitats for a variety of wildlife. The forest is managed for multiple uses, including recreation, logging, and mining, with some areas designated for wildlife protection. Well-maintained trails and roads offer scenic routes, though some areas can be more challenging due to insects like mosquitoes.

Flora and fauna

The Green Mountains are home to a rich variety of plant and animal life. The predominant vegetation consists of northern deciduous forests, featuring species such as maple, oak, and birch, with sections of coniferous forests, wetlands, tundra, ski slopes, and powerline greenways. These habitats support diverse wildlife, including thousands of bird species, which are particularly active in clearings. Mammals such as moose, black bears, coyotes, foxes, and the endangered Indiana bat can also be found, though they tend to be more elusive.

Climate

The climate in the Green Mountains varies significantly depending on the season and elevation. Summers are generally warm, with daytime temperatures around 75°F, but nights can be much cooler. Spring and fall bring cooler, sometimes frigid temperatures. Winters are notably cold, with occasional sub-zero conditions, especially at higher elevations.

Get in

The Green Mountain National Forest is easily accessible from any of the roads that roll through or alongside it. Keep an eye out for the brown national forest road markers, as well as the many trailheads, parking areas, and lookouts that offer easy access to the interior. There are ranger stations in Middlebury, Rochester, Manchester, and Rutland

• Middlebury, 1007 Route 7 South, Middlebury, +1 802 388-4362. Ranger station for the northern section.
• Rochester, 99 Ranger Rd, Rochester, +1 802 767-4261. Ranger station for the northern section. Approx 1 mi north of Rochester on VT100.
• Manchester, 2538 Depot St, Manchester, +1 802 362-2307. Ranger station for the southern section of the forest.
• Rutland, 231 North Main St, Rutland, +1 802 747-6700. This is the main office, which also oversees the Finger Lakes National Forest.

Fees and permits

Fishing and hunting licenses are required. They can be obtained at tackle and hunting shops in the area, as well as at the ranger stations.

Get around

The Long Trail follows the spine of the Green Mountains, stretching the entire length of the state. As a peak-bagging trail, it can be challenging at times, so hikers should be prepared for some strenuous sections. Numerous trails can be explored throughout the mountains, and a good hiking guide, ranger station, or the Green Mountain Club can provide helpful information. The Appalachian Trail overlaps with the Long Trail in the southern portion of the forest and diverges in Gifford State Park, near the southern boundary of the northern half of the forest. There are also many drivable park roads, typically dirt or gravel, which are marked with small brown signs displaying the road numbers.

See

• 1 Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home, 1005 Hildene Rd, Manchester, toll-free: 8005781788, info@hildene.org. 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM. The former home of Robert Lincoln, the only child of the president and Mary Todd Lincoln to survive into adulthood. The estate features beautiful gardens, a restored 1903 wooden Pullman Palace train car, a goat farm and cheese-making facility, more than 12 miles of walking trails, an instructional greenhouse, and cross-country skiing in the winter. 23$. (updated Sep 2024)
• 2 North Meadow Farm, 726 North Rd, Manchester, toll-free: +1 802-768-8233, northmeadowfarms@gmail.com. 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM. A small dairy farm and cheese maker. Sells farmhouse cheeses and local humanely raised meats and raw milk. Takes you on a tour of the farm and progress and answers questions about farm to table. Goal/mission is to educate guests about small farm life. Age 16+ - $12 Ages 3-15 - $8 2 and under free. (updated Sep 2024)

Sleep

Lodging

There are plenty of bed & breakfasts & hotels on and off the main roads that traverse the mountains and in the surrounding towns for those who are not inclined to camp.

• Best Western, #1 Route 4 East, toll-free: +1-866-229-6188. 

Camping

The national forest operates several developed campsites in the mountains. Most campsites charge $10 per night for staying in one of these sites (no RV hookups). The majority of campgrounds are open Memorial Day through Labor Day, but some are open year-round. Many campgrounds do not have running water, trash receptacles or drive-up camping (i.e. hike-in only). To be fully prepared, please check with the Green Mountain National Forest for more details at http://www.fs.fed.us. The campsites and their locations are:

Northern half

• Chittenden Brook Campground. South side of Rt 73 about 5 miles west of Rochester. 
• Gifford Woods State Park. Near the intersection of Rt 100 and Rt 4. 
• Moosalamoo Campground. Off National Forest Road (NFR) 24 west of NFR 32 near the Sugar Hill Reservoir. 
• Silver Lake Campground. East of Rt 53 near Lake Dunmore. No fee. 

Southern half

• Greendale Campground. On NFR 18 out of Weston. 
• Hapgood Pond Campground. On NFR 21 out of North Landgrove. 
• Grout Pond Campground. On FH6 near Stratton. 
• Red Mill Brook Campground. On NFR 72 north of Rt 9. 

Backcountry

Free camping in undeveloped sites is allowed almost anywhere in the national forest. Precautions should be taken to protect yourself and your food from bears and other wild animals.

Stay safe

Food should be hoisted or put in bear boxes to protect it from Black Bears and other wild animals. Copperhead snakes and rattlers are quite uncommon but not totally unheard of in the Green Mountains. Also be careful of poison ivy and poison sumac.