Green Mountain National Forest

Green Mountain National Forest is a temperate broadleaf and mixed forest typical of the Acadian forests ecoregion. The diverse landscapes of the Green Mountain forest range from rugged heights of the Green Mountains to the quiet and secluded hollows in the Wilderness region of the national forest.

Where is Green Mountain National Forest

Green Mountain National Forest is a national forest located in the central and southwestern part of Vermont state of New England region of the United States.

Recreation Areas

There are officially two designated recreation areas in Green Mountain national forest from north to south. The two regions are Moosalamoo National Recreation Area and White Rocks National Recreation Area. The White Rocks National Recreation Area includes Peru Peak Wilderness and Big Branch Wilderness within its boundaries.

Wilderness areas

There are officially eight designated wilderness areas in the Green Mountain National Forest from north to south. The wilderness areas are managed by the United States Forest Service as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System and are located in Vermont wholly. The areas are:

Bristol Cliffs Wilderness
Breadloaf Wilderness
Joseph Battell Wilderness
Big Branch Wilderness
Peru Peak Wilderness
Lye Brook Wilderness
Glastenbury Wilderness
George D.Aiken Wilderness

Places to Visit

Adirondack State Park
White Mountain National Forest
Taconic Mountains

Things to Do

The tourist visiting Green Mountain National Forest can indulge in various recreational activities. It is a trendy destination for outdoor recreation. Some of the popular activities are:

Auto Foliage tours
Skiing
Fishing
Hiking and mountain biking
Boating, Rafting, Canoeing and Kayaking
Camping and backpacking
Scenic Drives
Snowmobiling

Hiking

There are numerous trails available in Green Mountain National Forest Area for Hiking inside the park. Some of the famous trails in the recreation and wilderness areas are:

Breadloaf Wilderness:

This wilderness area is located in the southern section of the Green Mountain National Forest. It has ten named mountains, the most prominent and highest of which is Bread Loaf Mountain. There are various hiking trails within the Breadloaf Wilderness area, including parts of the long trail, the Clark Brook Trail, the Skylight Pond Trail, Cooley Glen Trail and the Emily Proctor Trail.
Joseph Battell Wilderness:

This Wilderness Area is located in the middle of the forest and contains nine named mountains. The most prominent and highest of which is Gillespie Peak. The most significant trail in this area is the Long Trail. The long trail traverses nearly the entire length of the Wilderness. Other must-visit trails in the region include the Sucker Brook Trail.
Big Branch Wilderness:

This wilderness area is situated in the southern part of the National Forest, north of the Peru Peak Wilderness. Four named mountains are Mount Tabor, the highest of which is Mount Tabor. The Appalachian Trail is one of the most famous hiking options in this region.
Peru Peak Wilderness:

This area has three named peaks, the most prominent and highest of which is Peru Peak. The Appalachian Trail and Long Trail coincide with each other in this region. Other trails are crossover Mad Tom Notch, styles Peak and Pete Parent Peak.
Moosalamoo National Recreation Area:

This area is a popular camping, hiking and skiing area and has three named mountains. The most prominent and highest peak is Mount Moosalamoo. There are plenty of hiking areas and two campgrounds, including Moosalamoo and Silver Lake.
White Rocks National Recreation Area:

The Area has five named mountains, the most prominent of which is Green Mountain and the highest of which is Willard Mountain. The popular hiking areas of the region are White Rocks Ice Beds Trail and White Rocks Cliff Trail.

Facts about Green Mountain National Forest

In 1932 Green Mountain National Forest was established due to uncontrolled overlogging, flooding and fire.
The Green Mountain National Forest encompasses approximately 821,000 acres, of which roughly 385,000 (62%) are federally owned and administered.
Green Mountain National Forest is one of few forests that still requires the purchase of privately-owned land.
At present, Green Mountain National Forest contains more than 2000 archaeological and historic sites spanning the history of Vermont. There are Native American sites, evidence of the technologies of the industrial period and the remains of colonial-era subsistence farmsteads.
Green Mountain National Forest supports a variety of wildlife, including moose, beaver, coyote, white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey and ruffed grouse.

Best Time to Visit

The Green Mountain national forest is a four-season recreation experience. The best time to visit Green Mountain National Forest is the autumn season, as it is the most popular season when the mountains are ablaze with colour.

Visiting Hours

The Green Mountain National Forest is open year-round, 24 hours a day except on national holidays, and one does not require a pass to enter the Green Mountain National. There are recreation fees such as Day-Use fees, Camping fees, and trail use permits in selected sites.

Tickets Prices

The day-use pass is required at the Hapgood pond recreation area. The Hapgood Season Pass is $35 per car.

Green Mountain National Forest Map