Hiking and camping at Little River State Park in Vermont

There’s no better way to end a week of camping and hiking in Vermont than to spend some time in another state park there! We chose to stop at Little River State Park to spend a few nights and explore its many trails.

Located near Waterbury, in the center of the state, Little River State Park is known as one of the most popular state parks in Vermont. Its proximity to the resort town of Stowe, and to some of the high peaks of the Green Mountains (like Camel’s Hump and Mount Mansfield), makes it the perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts.

I had originally planned to hike to the top of Camel’s Hump, but torrential rains a week earlier had made it difficult to access the trailhead. My partner and I decided to focus on exploring the state park’s trails instead, and we were not disappointed!

Here’s a recap of our stay.

A bit of history

Little River State Park is located in Mount Mansfield State Forest, at the end of a gravel road near the Waterbury Reservoir. Going so deep into the forest, it’s hard to believe that this area was once a thriving farming community!

European pioneers began to settle in the area in the late 18th century. Several farms were established, about 50 families lived there, and there were mills, churches, schools, and even a tavern.

In the 1920s, Green Mountain Power began buying up property with the intention of building a hydroelectric dam on the Little River. Then, major flooding occurred in 1927, forcing many residents to take shelter on their roofs. Construction of a dam to control the water level became a necessity.

Construction of the dam began in the 1930s, forcing the flooding of much of the area near the dam. With the creation of Waterbury Reservoir, access to the area became difficult and the farms were eventually abandoned.

The community no longer exists today and the area has been converted into a state park. But many signs of the past are still visible in the forest, including old roads that have since been converted into hiking trails. There are about ten trails in the state park, but we decided to focus on the Dalley Loop and the Nature Trail.

Dalley Loop

Following the Dalley Loop is probably the best way to learn a little more about the history of the community that once existed on this land. Also called the “History Hike,” this approximately 6-kilometre trail takes you on a long loop through the forest, along which you will find many signs of the past: old stone walls, concrete foundations, culverts and even an old farmhouse (the only building that still exists today).

We started with a slight climb through the forest, along an old town road that once connected the different properties. Under the tall trees of the forest, it is hard to believe that this place once had many farms. Interpretive signs along the trail provide details on the many ruins and signs of the past that you come across.

One thing that surprised me was the fact that there are a few old cemeteries in the forest. These were often family cemeteries, which were located on the properties of yesteryear. In the forest, these tombstones lost in the middle of nowhere gave the area a rather peculiar atmosphere. It reminded me a little of the Grant cemetery, near my home in Ontario.

After a long climb, the trail levels out for a few metres, before starting the descent towards the start of the trail. Since the trail is wide, I did not find the hike too difficult. The Dalley Loop trail intersects with many other trails in the state park, so it is possible to extend your hike by combining this trail with others.

Nature Trail

After following a trail to learn more about the history of the state park, we decided to follow another trail that would allow us to learn more about its nature! The Nature Trail is very short (less than a kilometre / half a mile), but it also has interpretive signs giving more details on the fauna, flora and geology of the area.

The trail goes down along the three terraces of Stevenson Brook, then follows it for a few metres, before going back up to the parking lot. This hike was not very difficult either, but it offered us a good easy hike option to do in the intense heat of the afternoon.

Camping

We spent two nights at Little River State Park. The state park campground has over 80 sites, making it one of the largest in central Vermont. I was afraid that it would make it a little less peaceful, but in the end, our site was perfect! From the top of the terrace where we were, we could even glimpse the Waterbury Reservoir between the trees.

In addition to hiking, we also enjoyed the beach and swam in the reservoir. It is also possible to rent kayaks and canoes.

In short, after Mount Ascutney State Park, this was another great camping experience in Vermont! I can’t wait to come back to explore other state parks!