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Located in the state of Vermont is the Green Mountain National Forest Destination. The majority of the region is comprised of the destination’s namesake, the Green Mountain National Forest. In total, the forest covers 821,040 acres of land, with only about 399,000 of those acres being federally owned and protected.[1] Hiking is a reportedly popular activity in the forest; various trails are available such as Haystack Mountain, Little Rock Pond, Harmon Hill, and Bald Mountain, all varying in length.[2] Other activities available in the forest include cross-country skiing, bicycling, snowmobiling, and horseback riding.[1] Dover, a city in the region located near the forest, also offers various activities for those in the area. Winter sports are relatively popular in the town, which has led to the area becoming known as a ski destination.[3] Dover’s temperatures range from 10 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the time of year. Late June to the end of August is reportedly the “best time of year to visit Dover for warm-weather activities.”[10]
Green Mountain National Forest Destination is located primarily in the state of Vermont. It is most notable for the national forest it is named after due to a fairly large portion of the region being comprised of the forest. Specifically, Green Mountain National Forest encompasses 821,040 acres of land, although only approximately 399,000 acres are federally owned. This national forest is one of the only two located in the New England area, the other being the White Mountain National Forest. The forest offers a variety of activities, namely hiking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, bicycling, and horseback riding.[1] Popular hiking trails within the forest include Haystack Mountain (4.2 miles), Harmon Hill (3.6), Bald Mountain (3.8 miles), and Little Rock Pond (34.8 miles). Waterfalls can be found in the area, specifically the Lye Brook Falls, Thundering Falls, Texas Falls, and Falls of Lana, among others. Camping is common within Green Mountain National Forest. Places visitors can camp at are Grout Pond, Silver Lake, and Hapgood Pond.[2]
Other notable locations in the destination include Dover, Brattleboro, Dummerston, Bennington, and Wilmingham, among others. Brattleboro is located 10 miles away from Vermont’s state border with Massachusetts. The town has two colleges: Community College of Vermont and Vermont Techincal College. Vermont Jazz Center, New England Center for Circus Arts, and Brattleboro Retreat are also situated within the town.[6] As of the 2020 census, Brattleboro was reported to have a population of 6,429 people.[5]
Dover, Vermont, is located relatively close to the Green Mountain National Forest and has been developed as a ski destination, previously being recognized as a summer destination. The area is known as the Mount Snow Ski Area, which rests on Mount Pisgah, also known as Mount Snow. Attractions in Dover include the aforementioned Mount Snow Resort; Southern Vermont Natural History Museum, which is surrounded by a conservation area; and Snowmobile Vermont, which has become recognized as “the most experienced, largest, and oldest snowmobile tour operators in New England.”[3]
The Green Mountain National Forest Destination is mainly undeveloped due to a large portion of the region being comprised of the Green Mountain National Forest, the namesake of the destination. Approximately 821,000 acres of land make up the forest, which is home to a variety of wildlife. Species of fauna found in the park include beavers, moose, black bears, coyotes, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and ruffed grouse.[1] Flora found in the forest include yellow birch, green ash, beech, black ash, red maple, white ash, hemlock, and paper birch.[7] The forest also offers a variety of activities for visitors, such as hiking, camping, swimming, fishing, and various views of the surrounding area, with fall being a popular time to come due to the fall foliage.[2]
Green Mountain National Forest is specifically located in the western corner of Vermont, near the state’s borders with Massachusetts and New York. Notably, the forest is “split up into two non-contiguous sections within Vermont,” but altogether, it offers a total of eight recreation areas. The mountains within the forest are a subrange from the Appalachian Mountains. The forest also covers a total of six counties, namely Bennington, Rutland, Windsor, Washington, Addison, and Windham.[7] Green Moutain National Forest is also one of only two national forests in the Northeastern part of the United States.[8]
Situated next to the Green Mountain National Forest is the city of Dover. In total, the town is 35.3 square miles and is known for the Mount Snow ski area.[9] Temperatures in Dover range from 10 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit on average, depending on the season. December to March is classified as the cold season, with the average daily high temperature being 36 degrees. During the hot season, between May to September, the average high temperature is 75 degrees.[10]
Before the official establishment of the Green Mountain National Forest, the area was inhabited by various groups of people for thousands of years. Some of these groups include the Wabanaki Confederacy and the Mohicans. Eventually, the first European settlers came to the region in the 1500s; it’s speculated that “the French sailor Cartier was perhaps the first to see the Green Mountains.”[7]
The development of the Green Mountain National Forest was a result of “uncontrolled overlogging, fire, and flooding.” Acreage for the national forest has fluctuated throughout the years; originally, it was 102,100 acres, with only 1,842 of those acres being federally owned. By 2011, the government acquired more land, owning 399,151 acres of the 821,040-acre forest.[1]
Brattleboro, another city in the destination, was first inhabited by the Abenaki people, who originally called the area “Wantastiquet,” which can be interpreted as “lost river,” “river of the lonely way,” or “river that leads west.” Eventually, the area was settled as a result of the Massachusetts Bay Colony defending itself against Chief Gray Lock during what is known as Dummer’s War. Since then, the town has grown and has become known as “both a commercial and touristic getaway for the state of Vermont” and is also recognized for the art community present within the city.[6] Currently, the town has a population of 7,346 people, which is a 14.26% increase since the 2020 census, which reported 6,429 residents. Currently, the primary demographic of those living in Battleboro is white, making up 94.79% of the population.[5]
Another city in the destination is Dover, which is located relatively close to Green Mountain National Forest. The town of Dover was initially settled in 1779 by Captain Abner Perry. In the 1900s, the area started to grow from tourism. Dover was first recognized as a summer destination, commonly visited by those looking to explore and stay at farms located in the town. Walter Schoenknecht aided in the development of winter activities after purchasing the Ruben Snow farm and converting it into the Mount Snow Ski Area, which supposedly “marked the beginning of the Dover we see today.”[11]
Camping on The Battenkill
Camping on the Battenkill is a campground in Arlington, Vermont, named after the Batten Kill River which borders the property on two sides. Home to 111 RV sites or camping spots, the establishment has options that vary in their respective locations on the property and the amenities they offer. The campground is owned by Shelley-Ann Hincks and her husband Alan, who took over in 2019. Activities on the premises include a playground, a natural swimming area on the Batten Kill River, and a "dog run" where visitors can bring their pets. Shelley-Ann explains that one principal goal for the business—emphasized through its motto—is to let people get "back to nature."
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