townshend state park

Labor Day weekend my family and I spent 3 nights at Townshend State Park. It is a hidden gem in the Vermont Park system and has replaced my love of Gifford Woods. The park has streams and a brook running through it and if you are lucky enough you can listen to the water flowing from your camp ground. There is a large field and basket ball court where they supply wiffle ball bats, basketballs so you can play. The bathrooms are very clean and the shower had plenty of hot water (bring quarters). There is a really nice nature museum and trail to view the old foundation and chimney of lodging from long ago. There is a nice hike to the top of bold mountain from the campground, it is 1.7 one way and I'd rate moderate. The staff, Pat and Gary, are amazing. Very friendly and Gary plays a guitar on Saturday evening for all those who would like to hear some family friendly songs and possibly sing. When we were there other had brought their instruments and joined in. The dam and park is also down the street, pass the Scott Covered Bridge where there is a couple of playgrounds, a swimming hole and looks like some other nice hikes. Next year we will try the ledges hike. Since my family loves adventure parks, Bromley ski resort is about 40 minutes away and this was the reason we picked this campground, Jamaica a closer campground was full. At bromley we spent the day, going on alpine slides, zip lining, using the swing zip, among other activities. The other campers were quiet and its a nice family friendly where there are not a bunch of party people and people respect one another. I will not tell you my favorite campsites, but there are a few if you were going with another group that would be great. 18/19, 21/22, 29/30. Camp sites 6 - 10 are adjacent to the large field I mentioned - although 10 is right on the road, it isn't traveled much at night, but you can also hear Route 30 on the other side of the west river. We in fact moved my mother from 9 to another site closer to us and the brook. There are some general stores near by, we stopped at an amazing one in Jamaica on our way back from Bromley where we replenished ice. They had some yummy homemade goods, amazing cheese and just about anything else you may have forgotten.Don't forget to stop by Grafton Cheese on the way up, amazing.

This is one of the more rustic of Vermont State Parks, probably a lot closer to what the parks were back when built by the CCC. The rangers, a husband and wife team, couldn't be more hospitable. There is even music provided in the evening. This would be a great place to tent with the kids, and explore the area. Just driving in on State Forest Road, which is canopied by huge trees and is unpaved, would be an important cultural lesson for city kids. This is Vermont the way my grandparents knew it. I loved exploring the towns nearby. The round school in Brookline is a must see. Many historic covered bridges in the area, including the Scott Bridge, just outside the park, the longest covered bridge in Vermont.

A man made lake via The Townsend Dam. Great for swimming, boating and fishing located just off Vermont Route 30 between Townsend and West Townsend with several levels of picnic areas and hiking trails.

Originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. (CCC) in the 1930's the location is ideal for a hike up to the top of Bald Mountain, a swim in the West River, a stroll to the Scott Covered Bridge, one of the longest in VT or a stop at Towndshend Dam and beach. Nice campsites and even some historic stone bridges that need you to explore.

Our family of five stayed spend three nights camping here last week. This park is literally off the beaten path (2 miles down a dirt road once you turn off the main road)...but was worth the trip. The park rangers were very nice and friendly. The grounds, bathrooms and camp facilities were immaculate, though it was abut of a walk to the bathrooms. The campground was pretty empty on our visit (the forecast called for rain the whole weekend), so the campground was very quiet and quite peaceful. On our last day we climbed partly up the trail to Bald mtn, which whiffed a beautiful stream that the kids enjoyed wading through on the way up.All in all one of the nicest campgrounds we 'fe stayed at...but if you have a big Rv you're probably out of luck as the sites are geared for tents and small pop ups...

We tent camp in a different state park in Vermont every year and we were extremely impressed with Townshend. It is a beautiful little park. Extremely well kept and wonderfully managed. We loved the hiking trail to Bald Mt. The views from the top were incredible.

This is a beautiful state park with a excellent walking trail up Bald Mountain. The park and trail are currently closed from storm damage in Fall 2012. The state website does not note this.