Our Location: Just a short drive from Okemo & Bromley Mountains
Southern Vermont, and our area in particular, is notable for the variety of outdoor activities to enjoy in any and every season. We are proud to recommend an afternoon of relaxing or a vigorous work-out in any of our local parks; superb skiing, hiking, biking, fishing and boating offer some of the best ways to enjoy the serene surroundings and natural beauty of Southern Vermont.
Some of our favorite local outdoor spots, activities, and pastimes:
Hoyt's Landing - Springfield, VT
Hoyt's Landing, at the junction of the Connecticut and Black Rivers is popular for boating, fishing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and water skiing and is also the destination point of the Toonerville Trail, a bicycle/pedestrian path that runs nearly four miles along the Black River.
Location: At the junction of VT Route 11 and US Route 5, near the Cheshire Bridge
http://www.uppervalleylife.com/pdf/keep_cool.pdf
http://www.springfieldvt.com/toonerville.pdf
North Springfield Lake and Stoughton Pond - North Springfield, VT
With 1,361 acres of land ranging from forests and fields to wetlands and two lakes, North Springfield Lake has recreational opportunities for everyone! In summer months, visitors can swim, sunbathe, and picnic. Anglers can try their luck in our lake, pond, or rivers. Winter sports such as snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing are also popular activities. And, don't miss the North Springfield dam, one of a series of flood control dams on tributaries of the Connecticut River.
http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/recreati/nsl/nslhome.htm
WILGUS STATE PARK - WEATHERSFIELD, VT
This local park was originally constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and expanded in the 1960s. The park provides easy access to the Connecticut River for canoeing and kayaking (available onsite). Visitors can hike the Pinnacle Trail for a scenic vista of the Connecticut River Valley and enjoy a picnic along the river.
http://www.vtstateparks.com/htm/wilgus.cfm
NORTH SPRINGFIELD BOG - NORTH SPRINGFIELD, VT
This boreal kettle bog is an artifact of the last glacial age 10,000 years ago. Visitors can walk through the bog on a boardwalk to learn about the diverse plant life that exists in this extraordinary environment, as well as on many walking paths around the bog and in neighboring spruce and pine groves.
http://www.sover.net/~mwalsh/bog/
Morningside Flight park - Charlestown, NH
Located just across the Connecticut River in Charlestown, NH, Morningside offers scenic safe flying for all skill levels, certified instructors and expert service and sales (34 years of experience), gliders, accessories and demonstator models, as well as camping, swimming, hiking and biking.
http://www.flymorningside.com/
Green Mountain Marina - Rockingham, VT
Just down the road from our property is the Green Mountain Marina, a fine option if you'd prefer to power your way down the river. View their website under "Boat/Dock Rentals" for more information, and note that Vermont Hunting and Fishing licenses are sold here as well.
http://greenmtnmarina.com/main.htm
North Star Canoe Rentals – Cornish, NH
Based up the river in Cornish, NH, this family-run business provides self-guided canoe, kayak and raft trips (both full and half day). All trips pass underneath the famed Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge (see Attractions section for history and facts). http://www.kayak-canoe.com/
Ascutney State Park – Ascutney, VT
For an enjoyable hike, take the summit road up to an elevation of 2,800 feet. Excellent viewing is offered from many points along the road, and you can choose to add on the last .8 mile to reach the summit by trail, as well take the Brownsville Rock extension to a stunning view from a hang gliding launch site. http://www.vtstateparks.com/htm/ascutney.cfm
Grafton Ponds – Grafton, VT
This Nordic ski and mountain bike center offers 2,000+ trails of mountain biking and hiking for all abilities. In the winter months, Grafton Ponds provides cross-country ski and snowshoe trails, as well as snow tubing. http://www.graftonponds.com/
Springweather Nature Area – Springfield, VT
With over 70 acres of fields, forests and brooks, and an extensive network of trails (some with view of Mt. Ascutney), Springweather Nature Area is a relaxing option for an afternoon spent in nature. http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/recreati/nsl/nslspring.html
Toonerville Trail – Springfield, VT
Take Springfield's own walking trail along the Black River and past several historic sites: the Eureka Schoolhouse, one of the few surviving 18th century public buildings in Vermont, and the Baltimore Covered Bridge, built in 1870. http://www.springfieldvt.com/toonerville.pdf
Crown Point Country Club – Springfield, VT
Play 18 holes at this hidden gem of a golf course, with its breathtaking views of the mountains and surroundings. http://www.crownpointcc.com/index.php
Bellows Falls Country Club – Rockingham, VT
A nine-hole course with a hilly terrain, this course is a great choice for a relaxing afternoon. http://www.bellowsfallscountryclub.com/ |
