Want to winter camp in a parks lean-to or tent site?  Want to be the first to break trail or track a deer?  Winter camping in the parks has many rewards, but there are some challenges, too.  Here’s what you need to know:

Off season camping is generally available from two weeks past park closing through two weeks before park opening.  See list of operating season dates.  Generally, the off-season runs from November 1 – May 1.

For your safety and protection of the parks, you must submit a request for off-season camping from the parks regional office for the park you intend to visit. 

Use the form below and email to the appropriate address.  A Parks manager will contact you to confirm your request.

• Most campground access roads are either gated or not plowed, so you will likely have to walk to your site.
• Please park only in a manner that allows access by others and please drive only on established roadways or parking areas.
• There are no water supply, restroom or refuse removal services or facilities.  Please carry in and carry out your own supplies, including all trash, garbage and human waste. Do your best to leave the area in as good or better condition than you found it .
• Snowplowing arrangements vary by location.  Be prepared to dig yourselves out in the event of inclement weather.
• Have a plan.  Public phones in parks are few and often out of service during the off season.  Cell phone coverage is sporadic at best and absent entirely in some locations.
• Campsite selection is on a first come-first served basis.  You may have to select an alternate campsite if you find the one you’d hoped for already occupied.
• Groups may need to obtain a special use permit from the state park regional office, and fees may be charged. Please allow 2-4 weeks for groups requests to be processed.
• Park staff are only present sporadically during the off season.  We invite you to be our “eyes and ears” by please reporting to us (parks@state.vt.us) after your visit if you notice or discover anything amiss or out of the ordinary (examples:  vandalism, break-ins, inappropriate facility use, etc.)

Parks that permit off season camping:

Allis, Ascutney, Big Deer, Bomoseen, Branbury, Brighton, Burton Island, Button Bay, Camp Plymouth, Coolidge, DAR, Elmore, Emerald Lake, Fort Dummer, Gifford Woods, Grand Isle, Green River Reservoir, Half Moon, Jamaica, Kettle Pond, Knight Island, Lake Carmi, Lake Shaftsbury, Lake St. Catherine, Little River, Maidstone, Molly Stark, Mt. Philo, New Discovery, North Hero, Quechee, Ricker Pond, Silver Lake, Smugglers' Notch, Stillwater, Townshend, Underhill, Wilgus, Woodford, Woods Island

• Off-season Use (Main)
• Off-season Day Use
  
• Snowmobiles & ATV’s
• Off-Season Access List

Some favorite locations for winter fun:

• Snowshoeing:  Mt. Ascutney, Gifford Woods, Branbury, Mt. Philo, Niquette Bay, Underhill, Woodford
• Sledding:  Mt. Philo, Mt. Ascutney, Elmore
• Cross Country Skiing:  Smugglers' Notch, Woodford, Thetford, Jamaica
• Ice Skating:  Knight Point, Lake St. Catherine, Silver Lake
• Snowmobiling:  Stillwater, Coolidge, Little River, Woodford
• Ice Fishing:  Sand Bar, Lake Carmi, Crystal Lake, Knight Point, Bomoseen, Lake St. Catherine