Contact Info Little River State Park 3444 Little River Rd Waterbury, Vermont 05676 Park Phone: 802-244-7103 Season:   mid-May - Columbus Day Weekend
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       Little River State Park Interactive Campground Map & Guide Little River Events Little River History Hike Little River Area History Map Vermont Weather Forecast

Facilities:

Welcome to Little River State Park. In the early 1800s, pioneers cleared fields, rocks, and stumps in Ricker Basin and Cotton Brook. A settlement of 50 or so families once lived in this area. The hard demands of the land and weather forced younger generations to abandon the farms. Today, old cemeteries, sawmill remains, old town roads, bridges and many cellar holes can still be seen as evidence of a past community.

On November 3 and 4 of 1927, torrential rains caused local rivers to rise and drove residents to their roofs. A second flood in 1934 spurred the construction of Waterbury Dam. Between 1935 and 1938 the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), in cooperation with the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, constructed Waterbury Reservoir. The CCC camp here was a fully operating, thriving community with more than 80 buildings, and housing 2,000 men at its peak. Now, half a century later, only a few solitary chimneys and concrete foundations remain.

Today, Little River State Park is one of the most popular parks in central Vermont. Waterbury Reservoir is particularly favored for boating with a portion of the reservoir devoted to quieter uses. Angling for bass and trout is as popular here as water-skiing.
Enjoy swimming beaches, play areas, boat rentals and a launch, and miles of hiking and mountain bike trails in the adjacent Mt. Mansfield State Forest. Self-guided history and nature trails are located close to the camping area.

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.

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.