Vacation | June 2009 | MMcKennedy
Looking for Vermont vacation ideas? Try paddling across the Green River Reservoir and it’s nineteen miles of shoreline to enjoy remote camping at one of twenty-eight tent sites along the coastline of this 653-acre reservoir and it’s 5110 acres of beautifully-wild, undeveloped land called the Green River Reservoir State Park.
Green River Reservoir State Park (click for a larger view)
Vermont is chalk-full of amazing camping opportunities! We have the oldest long distance hiking trail in America known as Vermont’s “footpath in the wilderness”. The Long Trail dotted with it’s rustic shelters offers hikers incredible scenic vistas and wildlife viewing opportunities. We have camping along the shores of Lake Champlain for swimming, boating and fishing. From State Park easy-style camping to camping near the peak of Mt. Mansfield and Camel’s Hump the Green Mountain State has much to offer, but, the Green River Reservoir State Park is unlike that of anything else I have seen in my twenty-years of Vermont camping.
Canoing (click for a larger view)
The Green River Reservoir is designated as a “quiet” lake under Vermont “Use of Public Waters Rules.” Boats powered by electric motors up to 5 mph and human-powered watercraft (canoes, kayaks, etc.) are allowed. Camping is designated to one of twenty-eight remote camping sites that can only be reached by boat, some are one to two miles from the boat launch area. Some (but not all) sites have a fire pit but using a camp stove greatly reduces the amount of impact to the land.
Finding the Green River Reservoir State Park can be a bit of a mystery if you go by GPS, or by Google Maps. My experience lead me to the west side of the reservoir where I stopped and asked some local farmers where the reservoir was, they explained that I was about a mile away and that if I wanted to continue I could borrow one of their horses because I was on the opposite side of where I should have been. Backtracking I realized that the easiest way to find the state park is to take Rt. 12 out of Morrisville, VT. Access to the park is in the southern part of the Reservoir off of Green River Dam Road.
From the junction of VT Routes 100 & 12 in Morrisville: Briefly follow Route 12 South to Route 15A. Follow Route 15A to Route 15 East; Turn right on Route 15 East. Take the first left onto Garfield Road. Follow Garfield Road for 3.1 miles to the yield sign and turn right (still Garfield Rd.). Take your next immediate left onto Green River Reservoir Dam Rd. (no sign). Follow to 1.3 miles to park entrance.
Green River Reservoir State Park (click for larger view)
There are a few different parking areas, but once these are full the park does not allow any more visitors. Each camping site (see site map) has a maxium occupancy based on the characteristics of the site. There is one designated group site that can hold up to twelve people. Stop into the park ranger’s building to have all of your questions answered by their incredibly friendly staff, then drop off your vessel (if you need to rent a canoe or kayak take a look here) and your gear (don’t forget to protect your gear from potential wetness, you will be in a boat you know), park your vehicle and prepare for the feast that your eyes are going to be a part of.
My experience is limited to site number nine which was about a twenty-five minute paddle from the boat lauch. On the trip to the site I spotted a few loons as well as a beaver. The water was calm and glass-like. I did not get phone reception (which is not necessarily a bad thing). The docking area for site number nine was a large rock which was simple to climb and had plenty of places to tie the canoe. A one minute walk up a path lead to the fire ring area where we fit five tents. The site has it’s own privy (toilet) as well but if you are looking for privacy the only thing separating you from the view of others is that fact that the next site could be a half mile away. There aren’t any doors nor walls, when you gotta go, you just go.
Peparing for remote camping should be taken seriously. A few noteworthy items to be sure to pack: tent, sleeping bag, cook stove (and fuel), food, drink, matches (sealed in something to keep them dry), a water filtration system, a few changes of clothes (can’t hurt to seal them in a trash bag or something incase the boat accientally tips), camera, headlamp (and extra batteries), sandles (Teva’s or something like that, but probably not flip-flops), sunscreen, bug spray, a tarp and some rope (incase it rains). Be prepared! You will be camping remotely! Take it seriously.
Dog Enjoys The View (click to for larger view)
Wetlands, rock outcropping, birds, beavers, fish, inlets and amazing sunsets and sunrises are just part of what the Green River Reservoir State Park has to offer on it’s thousands of explorable acrage. Paddling out onto the seriene water to drift under the summer sun is enough to recharge any nature-lovers batteries. Just remember to leave no trace, the Green River Reservoir State Park has a ‘carry in, carry out’ policy.
Enjoy your Vermont camping experience!
For more information take a look at the Friends Of The Green River Reservoir website or:
Green River Reservoir State Park
29 Sunset Drive, Suite 1
Morrisville, Vermont 05661-8331
Park Phone: (802) 888-1349 (May to Mid-Oct.)
Reservations can only be made by calling the park beginning May 4th.
| Season: |
Memorial Day Weekend – Columbus Day Weekend |
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