Ethan Allen Park
Rate this placeNearby: Schifilliti Park Leddy Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Ethan Allen Park is a beautiful and historic park located in Burlington, Vermont.
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Summary
It is named after Ethan Allen, the American Revolutionary War hero who helped found Vermont. The park covers 134 acres and is home to a range of recreational facilities, including hiking trails, picnic areas, a playground, and a lookout tower with stunning views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains.
One of the main reasons to visit Ethan Allen Park is for its natural beauty. The park features a variety of ecosystems, including hardwood forests, wetlands, and meadows, which are home to a diverse range of plant and animal species. Visitors can explore the park on foot or by bike, enjoying the peaceful surroundings and fresh air.
There are several points of interest within the park, including the tower, which was built in 1941 and offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. There is also a large stone pavilion that was built in the 1930s as a Civilian Conservation Corps project. Visitors can enjoy a picnic here or simply take in the historic architecture.
One interesting fact about Ethan Allen Park is that it was originally owned by the Burlington Electric Department and used as a hydroelectric power station. The park was established in the early 1900s as a way to preserve the natural beauty of the area and provide recreational opportunities for residents.
The best time of year to visit Ethan Allen Park depends on what you're looking for. In the spring and summer, the park is lush and green, with wildflowers, birds, and other wildlife in abundance. Fall is a popular time to visit, as the leaves change color and the park is transformed into a riot of reds, yellows, and oranges. Winter is also a beautiful time to visit, with snowshoeing and cross-country skiing opportunities available.
Overall, Ethan Allen Park is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Vermont. With its natural beauty, historic architecture, and range of recreational opportunities, it offers something for everyone.
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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.
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