Gifford Woods State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gifford Woods State Park |
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| Type | State park |
| Location | 34 Gifford Woods Rd. Killington, Vermont |
| Area | 40 acres (16 ha) |
| Created | 1931 |
| Operated by | Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation |
| Status | Mid May - Mid October |
| Website | https://vtstateparks.com/gifford.html |
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Gifford Woods State Park
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Park entrance
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| Location | VT 100, Killington, Vermont |
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| Built | 1931 |
| Architectural style | CCC State Park |
| MPS | Historic Park Landscapes in National and State Parks MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 02000414 |
| Added to NRHP | April 23, 2002 |
Gifford Woods State Park is a cool state park located in Killington, Vermont. It sits right at the bottom of Pico Peak, which is a big mountain! This park is a great place to visit if you love nature and outdoor activities.
You can go camping, have picnics, and even fish here. There are also awesome hiking trails, including a part of the famous Appalachian Trail. The park is special because it protects a very old forest, called an old-growth forest. This forest is so important that it's been named a National Natural Landmark. You can explore it on a special trail that teaches you about the trees.
Gifford Woods State Park first opened in 1931. Some parts of the park are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is because they were built by a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) back in the 1930s.
Contents
Where is the Park?
Gifford Woods State Park is found on the eastern side of the Green Mountains. These mountains are a big part of Vermont's natural beauty. The park is in the northern part of a town called Killington.
The park has a few main borders. To the south, you'll find U.S. Route 4, a major road. To the east, it's next to Vermont Route 100. There are also a few acres of the park that stretch between Route 100 and a pretty spot called Kent Pond. The whole park covers about 285 acres. That's like 215 football fields! It's located on the side of Pico Peak.
What Can You Do Here?
Most of Gifford Woods State Park is covered in trees. It's a very green and peaceful place.
Exploring Kent Pond
On the east side of Route 100, there's a road that leads to Kent Pond. Here, you can launch a boat or enjoy some fishing. It's a nice spot to relax by the water.
Park Facilities
The main entrance to the park is on the west side of Route 100. When you drive in, you'll first see a contact station and a ranger house. These buildings were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. There's also a parking area for people who are just visiting for the day to hike.
If you keep going past the contact station, you'll reach the picnic area and the campground. The campground has 22 campsites where you can pitch a tent. It also has 21 "lean-tos," which are like small shelters with three walls and a roof. Plus, there are 4 cabins you can rent for a comfy stay. Part of the campground, including one of the restrooms, was also built by the CCC.
Hiking Trails
North of the contact station, you'll find a special hiking trail. This trail goes through the park's amazing old-growth forest. These are trees that have been growing for a very long time! The trail helps you learn about this unique forest.
The famous Appalachian Trail also runs through the park. This long-distance hiking trail goes all the way from Georgia to Maine! A part of it goes through the campground and around Kent Pond. It connects to another trail called the Long Trail higher up on the mountain.
Park History
Gifford Woods State Park started small in 1931. The state bought 13 acres of land to create it.
The Civilian Conservation Corps
In 1933 and 1934, a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) did a lot of important work here. The CCC was a program during the Great Depression that gave young men jobs. They built many of the park's main features. This includes the main entrance road, which even has cool stone gates! They also built the contact station, the ranger house, the picnic area, and the upper part of the campground.
Growing the Park
Over the years, the park grew bigger. The state bought more land, and by 2003, it reached its current size of 285 acres. The campground was made larger in 1959 after the park bought Kent Farm. Many of the lean-tos and picnic spots you see today were added in the 1960s.
Special Designations
In 2002, a 40-acre part of the park was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This was to recognize the important work done by the CCC. Also, in 1980, 13 acres of the park's old-growth forest were named a National Natural Landmark by the United States Department of the Interior. This means it's a very special natural area. There's also a smaller 7-acre area called the Gifford Woods Natural Area that is a State Natural Area.
