Allis State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Allis State Park |
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Picnic pavilion
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| Type | State park |
| Location | 284 Allis State Park Road Brookfield, Vermont |
| Area | 625 acres (2.53 km2) |
| Created | 1928 |
| Operated by | Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation |
| Status | Memorial Day weekend - Labor Day weekend |
| Website | https://vtstateparks.com/allis.html |
Allis State Park is a fun state park located in Brookfield, Vermont. It was one of the very first state parks created in Vermont, opening way back in 1928!
The park is named after Wallace Allis. He was a kind person who gave his land, called Bear Mountain Farm, to the State of Vermont. He wanted it to become a place where people could camp and enjoy nature.
A special group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) helped build the park starting in 1932. They created the roads, picnic areas, and campgrounds. Today, you can still see a cool fire lookout tower on Bear Hill. The park offers useful services like hot showers, running water, picnic tables, and grills for cooking.
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Exploring Allis State Park
Allis State Park covers about 625 acres of beautiful land in Vermont. It's located on a ridge in western Brookfield. You can get to the park from Bear Hill Road, which is a gravel road.
Bear Hill Summit
The main attraction at the park is the top of Bear Hill. You can drive up the park road to reach it. Once you pass the entrance gate, the road splits.
- One road leads to the campground.
- The other road goes to the day-use area. This is where you'll find picnic spots, a picnic pavilion, and the famous fire lookout tower.
Camping Adventures
If you love camping, Allis State Park has a great campground!
- There are 18 spots for tents.
- You can also find 8 lean-to sites, which are like open shelters.
- In total, there are 26 campsites.
- Water is available from faucets around the campground.
- There's a comfort station with restrooms and showers.
- A special area is set aside for group camping.
- A short trail connects the day-use area to the campground.
Fun Things to Do
There are many activities to enjoy at Allis State Park:
- Bear Hill Nature Trail: This is a 3/4 mile hiking loop. It starts and ends near the picnic area.
- Horseshoe Pit: You can play horseshoes at the picnic area.
- Fire Lookout Tower: This tower is at the center of the picnic area. Climb to the top for amazing 360-degree views of the mountains!
- Picnic Pavilion: This covered area is perfect for picnics. It also has restrooms that are easy for everyone to use.
Good news for day visitors: Allis State Park does not charge a fee if you're just visiting for the day. However, there are standard fees if you plan to camp overnight.
Park History
Allis State Park was created in 1928. Wallace Allis gave his farm to the people of Vermont. Before he gave the land, he often let local people visit the higher parts of his farm. They loved the amazing views of the countryside.
In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) helped build the park. They constructed the access roads, the camping loop, and the picnic pavilion. These park buildings were even added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. This means they are recognized as important historical sites!
