THE BEAUTY SPOT OF VERMONT - ELMORE STATE PARK

On most weekends we’d rather be hiking, and there is one hike in particular that we keep coming back to - Elmore State Park. This place has it all, the lake, the mountain, the fire tower and a cool general store to grab ice cream afterwards. 

Elmore State Park is about 35 mins from Montpelier, and the drive in itself is quite enjoyable as well. There is a fee to enter the park, you may want to check for current charge. This hike has two trails to get to the top of the mountain, one is Ridge Trail about 2.3 mile hike and the other is Fire Tower Trail 1.74 mile. We like to take the Fire Tower Trail (1.7 mile hike) up the mountain, since it is fairly steep with few very rocky sections, and it is much easier to go up then down. My kids are 7 and 8 and they love the challenge of climbing up the rocks and ladders.

This park is the site of one of Vermont’s few remaining fire towers. At the top you get spectacular 360 degree view which includes the Presidentials in New Hampshire to Jay Peak and Mt Mansfield. On the way down we always take the Ridge Trail (2.3 miles,) it’s less steep and you get different views. This trail goes by the Balancing Rock and has few nice spots to sit and enjoy lunch.

This hike is our kids favorite hike, there are educational information along the way, lots of climbing challenges like built in stairs, big rocks, small bridges. We have seen snakes, salamanders and owls in Elmore Park.

After hiking, you can spend some time by the lake, rent a paddleboard or go to the Elmore General Store for a pizza or ice cream, they have a nice patio to enjoy the view of the lake.