Contact Info Silver Lake State Park 214 North Road Bethel, Vermont 05032 Park Phone: 802-234-9451 Season: Memorial Day Weekend - Labor Day Weekend
Directions: From I-89 Exit 3:  Travel VT 107 West for 2.6 mi; turn left onto VT 107 West / VT 12 South and travel for .4 mi; make slight left onto North Rd. and travel for 6.7 mi; park entrance is on left.   Located in Barnard Village From the West (VT 107 West/VT 12 South split): Turn left onto VT 12 South, travel for 6 mi; turn left onto North Rd. in Barnard Village and travel for .2 mi; park entrance is on the right.   N43 43.872 W72 37.005  Directions/Map   Silver Lake State Park Interactive Campground Map & Guide Vermont Weather Forecast Facilities: Pet Friendly Day Use Area:  While pets are allowed in all Vermont State Park campgrounds, we are currently experimenting with allowing pets in the day use area of this park.  Pets are allowed in campground and day use area but are not allowed on sand beach or in swimming area.  Pets must be leashed at all times and proof of rabies vaccination is required.  Your comments on this policy are welcomed and appreciated.

Welcome to Silver Lake State Park, located the Barnard Village.  Barnard is a classic Vermont hill town surrounded by high rolling hills, dotted with farms and affording many scenic vistas.  This busy park is popular for its sandy swimming area, picnic grounds, and camping area. Its proximity to Woodstock and other central Vermont tourist destinations makes it ideal for family vacations.  The park encompasses the northern shoreline of 84-acre Silver Lake which supports excellent fishing of northern pike, perch, smallmouth bass and other warm-water species.  The lake is popular for paddling and quieter recreation, with only occasional motorboats passing by.  During the winter months, when the park is closed, the lake is a popular spot for ice skating and ice fishing.

Silver Lake State Park was established in 1955 when two pieces of land were donated to the State by Mr. and Mrs. John McDill of Woodstock, Miss Margaret Crosby of Barnard, and Mr. Richard H. field of Boston.  Development of recreational facilities began soon after. 

Silver Lake was originally called Stebblings' Pond after Benjamin Stebblings who owned land at the outlet where the Barnard General Store now stands. When Benjamin Stebblings moved out of the area, the lake became known as Barnard Pond. In 1869, Barnard Pond was renamed Silver Lake.

Barnard, chartered July 17, 1761 from the New Hampshire Grants, quickly became an agricultural town. Early homestead farms were replaced by sheep farms in the mid 19th century, and later dairy operations, a few of which remain today.   The 35 acre state park was once part of several farms; a farm homestead was located near the current park entrance; the remains of a barn foundation are still visible in the campground.   Today the town is known for the state park, the historic General Store, and picturesque New England charm of the village center.

There are 40 tent/trailer sites and 7 lean-to sites. There are two rest rooms in the camping area with running water and hot showers ($). There is a trailer sanitary station, but no hookups. The beach has a large grassy area, food concession, rest rooms, changing rooms, and boat and canoe rentals. There is a large picnic shelter for gatherings such as family reunions, company picnics, etc. as well as a play area.

Area Attractions: Hiking on the Appalachian Trail, Historical Society Museum, Historic Village Center, Barnard; Charles Fenton Art Gallery, Quechee Gorge, and Simon Pearce Glass Blowing Mill and Pottery Shop, Quechee Gorge State Park, VINS Nature Center, Quechee; Porter Music Box, Randolph; Federal Salmon Hatchery, Bethel; Sugarbush Farm Cheese & Maple Farm, Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, March Farm & Museum, Historic downtown- shopping & dinning, Farm tours, Woodstock; Justin Morrill State Historic Site, Stafford; Coolidge State Historic Site, Plymouth Notch.