Smuggler’s Notch State Park, Vermont
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
As you drive through northern Vermont in your rental RV, you’ll encounter an incredible state park with a fairly odd name. Smuggler’s Notch State Park in the Stowe area did indeed get its name from some of its nefarious history. The notch is a uniquely narrow pass that cuts through the Green Mountains which made it a naturally concealed path for smuggling efforts from illegal cattle trade with Canada in the 1800s, to transportation of alcohol during prohibition in the 1920s.
Today, the area is a fantastic state park that attracts visitors from all over to take in its rugged beauty. The notch is towered over by 1,000+ foot-tall cliffs and the steep forested mountains in the surrounding area make it a hiker’s and skier’s paradise. Smuggler’s Notch State Park is still fairly unrecognized to this day, arguably making it one of the most underrated parks in the northeastern United States.
Hiking at Smuggler’s Notch State Park is not for the faint of heart. The intense mountain terrain was one of the reasons it was used as a smuggling route, making it difficult to track and navigate. What this means for hikers is some serious elevation gain and tricky footwork. With all of this work, however, you will be rewarded with some stellar mountain views.
There are seven official hiking trails within the park, ranging from moderate to difficult. Lengths vary from about one-to-three miles and elevation gains from 700-2,700 feet! As you can see, these routes are no joke. If you want to get to the highest peak in all of Vermont (Mount Mansfield), take the Long Trail South to Chin, the most difficult route available.
Another primary reason that this little mountain pass became a favorite of smugglers was the number of caves along the route. These caves allowed smugglers to store and hide illegal items as they coordinated how to best move their product. In addition, these caves were used during the Underground Railroad times and were a great help to former slaves making an escape to the Canadian border.
The main cave, Smuggler’s Cave, is just a short walk from a designated pull-off area along the notch near Mount Mansfield and has informative placards. Visitors are allowed to enter and explore at their own risk. Once you get down into the cave, note all of the nooks and crannies created by the unique geology. This made it a perfect setting to store all of the illegal goodies that smugglers were moving.
You may be visiting the park for its history, but lucky for you, you’ll also find yourself right next to the pinnacle of the state of Vermont. Mount Mansfield is the highest point in the state at an elevation of nearly 4,400 feet. One of the mountain’s quirks is that it is said to look like an elongated profile of a human face.
You have a couple of options to get to the top. As mentioned above, you can hike the steep and difficult Long Trail to get to the mountain’s ‘chin.’ Alternatively, there is a toll road that can get you up on the ridge if you’re not necessarily looking for a serious workout.
Probably the largest attraction in the area is the Stowe Mountain Resort. During the winter months, the resort and its slopes are packed with skiers and snowboarders looking for some steep, snowy thrills. During the summer, ride the gondola up to the top of the mountain for an incredible experience with unique views.
If you want a little more thrill to accompany your mountain views, try ziplining at the resort. The course is a large one and begins at the very top of the gondola station. The experience allows guests to control their own pace, reaching speed of up to 60 miles an hour.
After all that hiking and exploring, you’ve earned a treat, right? Well, when you visit Smuggler’s Notch State Park you find yourself just 18 miles from the Ben and Jerry’s Factory. More than likely, you’ve indulged in some of the creamy goodness that this very factory churns out. Take a factory tour and learn what it takes to make some of the world’s best ice cream.
Along your tour, you will be able to look inside the magical world of flavor development and production. Of course, you’ll be able to do some tasting too. If you are a true die-hard Ben and Jerry's fan, you can even opt for the Flavor Fanatic Experience. In addition to a private tour, you’ll get to work one-on-one with a flavor guru and do some guided flavor creation of your own.
The park has its own small campground, but most of these sites are for tent-only camping. There are, however, a handful of sites that can accommodate RVs, but it’s best to have a backup plan in case they are taken. There are no hookups available, however you will have access to potable water, flush toilets, and a shower facility.
Your closest RV camping option outside the park is the Brewster River Campground (five miles). This small 20-site campground is best for smaller tow-behinds or small rigs under 20 feet. RV sites are outfitted with water/electric hookups and are nestled into deeply wooded enclaves, giving your experience a proper camping feel. The grounds are also seated on the crystal-clear Brewster River which offers fantastic fishing and hiking opportunities. Shower and restroom facilities are also available for your comfort.
The Maplewoods Campground (21 miles to the northeast) has a few more modern amenities available to campers. There are 47 dedicated RV sites with full hookup capability as well as Wi-Fi access. Bathhouses, restrooms, and a well-stocked camp store are also provided by the campground. For fun, campers can enjoy the playgrounds with the kids or take a relaxing dip in the pool. There are also many planned social events throughout the summer months including outdoor movies and BBQ cookouts.
More riverside camping can be found out east at the Mountain View Campground (21 miles). The Lamoille River is easily accessed from the campground and offers great fishing, kayaking, tubing, and scenic hiking. In addition, this campground is your best option for kids with plenty of entertainment options. Campers will have access to mini golf, two swimming pools, lawn games, a playground, a rec center, and more. In addition, there are plenty of full hookup RV campsites with newly upgraded electric service up to 50 amps.
If you want to make home base a little closer to I-89 out west, consider spending the night at the Maple Grove Campground. The main goal of this campground is a peaceful experience for its campers. Campsites are full hookup capable and nicely wooded. There are a number of activities available for entertainment, like basketball, horseshoes, and badminton, however these are positioned away from campsites to reduce noise. There is also a maple syrup producer nearby if you’d like to take a tour.
There is also a fair amount of influence from the Canadian neighbors to the north in Quebec. You’ll find plenty of poutine, maple syrup, and a unique spiced meat pie called tourtiere which can make for a hearty lunch in the wintertime.
Within the park, there are a number of dining establishments. You’ll find everything from a snack at The Waffle Cabin to full dining service at the Morse Mountain Grille which serves up a variety of tasty sandwiches for lunch and an American steakhouse-like menu (steaks, chops, chicken, salmon, etc.) for dinner. The Black Bear Tavern is also a great option for casual American dining and a fantastic assortment of craft beers.
The closest concentration of restaurants is just south of the park at the Stowe Mountain Resort. Throughout the little ski village and the nearby town, you’ll find about 40 different options with everything from coffee houses, to Japanese, to Mexican, to fondue, to upscale fine dining. Whatever you’re in the mood for, you can find it down at Stowe.
No matter where you stay, the fascinating history and dramatic landscape at Smuggler’s Notch State Park are surely worth a stop along your RV road trip through the great state of Vermont.