Little River State Park
Located in Waterbury |
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Little River State Park
3444 Little River Rd
Waterbury, Vermont 05676
Park Phone: 802-244-7103


Season: mid-May - Columbus Day
Weekend
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Directions:
From Jct. Hwy 100 and U.S. 2: Go 1-1/2 mi W on U.S.
2, then 3-1/2 mi N on Little River Rd. Located 30
miles south of Burlington just off I-89.
N44 23.336 W72 46.102 Directions/Map
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Facilities:
In the late 1700s, pioneers cleared fields and roads of rocks
and stumps from the tracts now called Ricker Basin and Cotton
Brook. At one time, a large settlement of 50 or so families lived
in this area. The hard demands of the land and weather forced
younger generations to abandon the farms. Today, old cemeteries,
a sawmill, old town roads, bridges, and many cellar holes can
still be found as evidence of a past community.
On November 3 and 4, 1927 torrential rains and Little River's
rising waters drove residents to their roofs. A second flood in
1934 spurred the construction of Waterbury Dam. Between 1935 and
1938 the Civilian Conservation Corps in cooperation with the Corps
of Engineers constructed Waterbury Reservoir. Interestingly, the
CCC camp was a fully operating, thriving community with more than
80 buildings, housing 2,000 men at its peak. Yet today, half a
century later, only a few solitary chimneys and concrete foundations
remain. In 1962, the Vermont State Parks began development of
Little River State Park.
Little River State Park, which is part of
Mt. Mansfield State Forest, primarily consists of a campground
with 81 tent/trailer sites and 20 leantos. This is central Vermont's
largest and most popular campground. Three of the four restrooms
include hot showers ($). A sanitary dump station is available,
but no hookups. Within the campground, there are swimming beaches,
play areas, a boat launch, ballfield, nature museum and programs,
and boat rentals. Adjacent to the park are miles of hiking trails
(open for day use) that take in the rich cultural and natural
history of the area.
Waterbury Reservoir 830 acres, is very popular for boating and
fishing activities as is the Little river, which flows from the
Reservoir to the Winooski River 3 miles downstream.
One can view the massive dam that was constructed in the 1930's
as a flood control dam from the park road as you travel to the
campground.
Area Attractions: Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Factory and
Cold Hollow Cider Mill, Route 100, Waterbury; Alpine Slide and
Gondolas, Stowe; Granite Quarries, Barre; State Capitol and Historical
Society, Montpelier; Camel's Hump, North Duxbury; Waterbury Flea
Market, Waterbury. 30 miles to Burlington, Vermont.
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