Underhill State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Underhill State Park |
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| Type | State park |
| Location | 352 Mountain Road Underhill, Vermont |
| Area | 250 acres (100 ha) |
| Operated by | Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation |
| Open | Memorial Day Weekend - Mid-October |
| Website | https://vtstateparks.com/underhill.html |
Underhill State Park is a fun state park located in Underhill, Vermont. It sits on the western side of Mount Mansfield, which is Vermont's tallest mountain! The park is part of the huge 39,837-acre Mount Mansfield State Forest.
You can do many exciting things here, like hiking, camping, and mountain biking. You can also go fishing in the streams, watch for wildlife, and have picnics. The park has places for groups and families to camp. There's also a picnic shelter and many hiking trails to explore.
The park is officially open from Memorial Day weekend until Columbus Day weekend. However, you can still visit at other times, but there might be a fee. Many of the buildings and paths in the park were built a long time ago in the 1930s. They were made by a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). These old structures are so well-preserved that they were added to a special list called the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
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What Can You Do at Underhill State Park?
Underhill State Park is in the eastern part of Underhill, about 4 miles (6.4 km) from the town center. It covers part of the western side of Mount Mansfield. This includes a big part of the mountain's highest ridge.
The park has two main areas for visitors: a lower area and an upper area.
Lower Park Area: Your Starting Point
The lower area is where you'll find the park ranger station. It has a parking lot and a picnic area. There are also a few camping spots here. Some are for tents you walk into, and others are "leantos," which are like small shelters.
The picnic area has a special shelter and fireplaces. These were built by the CCC many years ago.
Upper Park Area: Group Camping Fun
From the lower area, a road built by the CCC winds up the hill to the upper area. This part is mainly for group camping. It has seven leantos and two tent sites.
Both the lower and upper camping areas have restrooms. These restrooms have flush toilets and cold running water.
Hiking Trails to Mount Mansfield's Peak
There are four different hiking trails that lead up to the top ridge of Mount Mansfield. The Sunset Ridge Trail is 3 miles (4.8 km) long and is the most direct way to reach the summit. The famous Long Trail also goes across the summit ridge.
When to Visit the Park
The main facilities at Underhill State Park are open between Memorial Day weekend and Columbus Day weekend. After Columbus Day, the main gate stays open until the first snow falls. It reopens later in the winter when there's enough snow for cross-country skiing.
A Look Back: History of Underhill State Park
People have been visiting the west side of Mount Mansfield for a very long time, since the mid-1800s!
The Halfway House Hotel
In 1858, a small hotel called The Halfway House was built right where the park is now. This hotel offered places for tourists to sleep and stables for their horses. People stayed there before climbing the mountain. The hotel was taken down in 1939, and today, only its foundation remains.
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Builds the Park
The state officially created Underhill State Park in 1933. Most of the park's buildings and paths were built between 1933 and 1940. This work was done by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was a group of young men who worked on conservation projects during the Great Depression.
The CCC crews did a lot for the park:
- They made the road to the park better.
- They built the road that goes to the upper camping area.
- They constructed some of the leantos in the upper campground.
- They built the picnic lodge, the restrooms, and the ranger station.
- They also planted many Norway spruce trees.
These buildings and structures are still in great condition today. Because they are so well-preserved, they were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
