Mount Ascutney State Park
Rate this placeNearby: Wilgus State Park Barker Field
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Mount Ascutney State Park is a popular recreational area located in Windsor, Vermont, close to the New Hampshire border.
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Summary
The park offers visitors breathtaking views of the surrounding area, including the Connecticut River Valley and the Green Mountains.
There are several reasons to visit Mount Ascutney State Park, including hiking, camping, and picnicking. The park has several hiking trails ranging from easy to difficult, including a 3-mile trail to the summit of Mount Ascutney. The park also offers camping facilities, including tent and RV sites, as well as picnic areas with grills and tables.
One of the most popular points of interest in the park is the fire tower at the summit of Mount Ascutney. The tower offers visitors panoramic views of the surrounding area and is a popular spot for photos. The park also has a visitor center with exhibits on the local wildlife and history of the area.
Interesting facts about the area include that Mount Ascutney was once a volcano, and the park was established in the 1930s. The park is also home to several species of wildlife, including black bears, moose, and bobcats.
The best time of year to visit Mount Ascutney State Park is during the summer and fall months, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its peak. The park is open year-round, but some facilities may be closed during the winter months.
Overall, Mount Ascutney State Park is a beautiful and unique destination for anyone looking to explore the natural beauty of the area. Whether you're an avid hiker or just looking for a scenic spot to have a picnic, this park is definitely worth a visit.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Mt. Ascutney State Park
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Ascutney Mt Stone Hut
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Tree Farm Campground
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Wilgus State Park
Barker Field
Queneau Field
Visitor Center Park
Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site