Emerald Lake State Park facts for kids

Emerald Lake State Park is a super cool place in East Dorset, Vermont, USA. It's a big park, about 430 acres! The best part is Emerald Lake itself, which is 20 acres wide. People call it "Emerald Lake" because its water often looks like a beautiful emerald gem.

Discover Emerald Lake State Park

Emerald Lake State Park is a special area protected by the state of Vermont. It's a great spot for families and friends to enjoy nature and have fun outdoors. The park was created in 1960, which means it has been welcoming visitors for over 60 years!

Awesome Activities at the Park

You can do so many fun things here! Imagine swimming in the clear lake or taking a boat out. Only boats without motors are allowed, so it's very peaceful.

Here are some popular activities:

• Swimming in the lake
• Boating (canoes, kayaks, paddleboards)
• Camping under the stars
• Fishing for different kinds of fish
• Hiking on pretty trails
• Having a picnic with friends and family
• Bicycling around the park
• Watching for cool wildlife
• Enjoying winter sports when there's snow

What You'll Find There

The park has lots of helpful facilities to make your visit comfortable. There are 67 campsites where you can pitch a tent. If you prefer something a bit more sheltered, there are also 37 "lean-tos." These are like small, open shelters.

You'll also find:

• Clean flush toilets
• Hot showers (perfect after a day of swimming!)
• A dump station for RVs
• A small beach area
• A snack bar for treats
• Places to rent boats
• A picnic pavilion with grills for group cooking
• Lots of other picnic tables
• A horseshoe pit for games

Exploring Nature

Emerald Lake State Park has a special nature center. This is a place where you can learn all about the plants and animals that live in the park. Park rangers are like nature guides! They offer fun programs that teach you about the outdoors.

Some of these programs include:

• Night hikes to see nocturnal animals
• Campfire programs with stories and songs
• Amphibian explorations to find frogs and salamanders
• Nature crafts and games

A small part of the park, about 4 acres, is called the Emerald Lake Natural Area. This area is very special because it has an old-growth forest. This means the trees there are very old and have been growing for a long, long time without much human interference. You can see huge sugar maple trees and other hardwood trees. Some of these trees are incredibly old and big!