 Gifford Woods
State Park
34 Gifford Woods
Killington, Vermont 05751Park Phone: 802-775-5354
Gifford Woods State Park was established in 1931. In 1933 and 1934, the
Civilian Conservation
Corps (CCC) built the picnic area and ranger's quarters. In 1939, the CCC
constructed a camping area. During 1959-60, a new camping area was built by the
Forests and Parks Department.
The Appalachian Trail runs through the park, and joins the Long Trail about
1-1/2 miles from the camping area. Many "through hikers" pass through the park
on their journey from Georgia to Maine or vice versa. The park is a very popular
spot during the fall foliage season for its northern hardwood fall colors. There
are spectacular views from Deer Leap Mountain and lovely waterfalls where Kent
Brook enters Kent Pond and along Thundering Brook Trail.
Across Route 100 from the developed campground lies Gifford Woods Natural
Area, a 7-acre stand of virgin hardwoods. It is perhaps Vermont's best known
old-growth northern hardwood stand, with many grand individual trees of sugar
maple, beech, yellow birch, basswood, white ash, and hemlock. The understory is
rich with native wildflowers. It was designated a National Natural Landmark in
1980 and a State Fragile Area in 1982. No trails or development of any kind has
been done in the stand in order to preserve its natural state.
There are 4 cabins, 27 tent/trailer sites and 21 lean-to sites situated in
two camping loops. Each loop has a rest room with modern plumbing and hot
showers ($). There is a trailer sanitary station, but no hookups. A wooded
picnic area is located behind the ranger's quarters with a play area. Day hikes
are available and there is an easy hook up with the Appalachian Trail.
Area Attractions: Killington Gondola, and Pico Alpine Slide,
Sherburne; Vermont Marble Exhibit and Wilson's Castle, Proctor; Maple Museum,
Pittsford.
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