🌤 Weather at Molly Stark State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20–63 °F | 52–75 °F | 28–68 °F | 11–34 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Rowe 3NE, 9 mi away, elevation 1,735 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
A Fire Tower with Three-State Views — Summit Hiking, Forest Camping & the Molly Stark Trail
Molly Stark State Park lies along Route 9 (the historic Molly Stark Trail) in Wilmington, Vermont, in the heart of the southern Green Mountains. The park is named for Elizabeth “Molly” Stark, wife of Revolutionary War General John Stark — Route 9 follows the approximate path that colonial soldiers used marching through the mountains to the Battle of Bennington in 1777.
The park’s centerpiece is the Mount Olga Trail, a 1.7-mile loop that climbs to the 2,415-foot summit of Mount Olga, where a historic steel fire lookout tower — still open to the public — delivers 360-degree panoramic views of southern Vermont’s Green Mountains, the Berkshires of Massachusetts, and Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire. The campground below offers 23 tent/RV sites and 11 lean-tos in a forested mountain setting, adjacent to the Hogback Mountain Conservation Area for extended trail exploration.
Things to Do
Mount Olga Trail & Fire Tower
The park’s must-do experience:
- Distance: ~1.7 miles (loop trail)
- Difficulty: Moderate — steady ascent through mixed forest
- Summit: 2,415 feet — historic steel fire tower open for climbing
- Views from tower: 360-degree panorama of southern Vermont, Massachusetts Berkshires, and New Hampshire’s Mount Monadnock
Hogback Mountain Conservation Area
Trails from the park connect directly to the Hogback Mountain Conservation Area, extending your hiking options through the surrounding mountain terrain. The combined trail network provides several hours of hiking through diverse forest habitats.
Camping
The forested campground sits along Route 9 at mountain elevation — cooler summer temperatures and easy access from the highway.
Scenic Drives
The Molly Stark Trail (Route 9) itself is a scenic drive connecting Brattleboro in the east to Bennington in the west. The park makes an excellent base for exploring both ends of this historic corridor.
Trails
| Trail | Distance | Difficulty | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Olga Trail | ~1.7 mi loop | Moderate | Fire tower summit; 360° views; mixed forest; wildflowers |
| Hogback Mountain Trails | Varies | Easy–Moderate | Connected conservation area; extended hiking; forest diversity |
Camping
| Type | Sites | Amenities |
|---|---|---|
| Tent/RV Sites | 23 | Fire rings; picnic tables; flush toilets; token-operated hot showers |
| Lean-to Sites | 11 | Classic Vermont shelters; fire rings; restroom access |
Facilities: Flush toilets, hot showers (token-operated), drinking water, RV dump station. No hookups.
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Highlights | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | ⭐ Fire tower hike; cool mountain camping; wildflowers; Hogback trails | Popular weekends; reserve lean-tos early; afternoon thunderstorms |
| Fall (Sep–Oct) | ⭐ PEAK: Three-state foliage views from fire tower — one of Vermont’s best autumn lookouts | Campground closing mid-Oct; cold nights; layers essential |
| Spring (May–Jun) | Park opening; spring wildflowers; trillium; fewer visitors | Muddy trails; black flies; check tower access |
| Winter | Park closed for the season | Campground and facilities closed |
Visitor Tips
- Climb the tower: The Mount Olga fire tower is open to the public and safe to climb. On clear days, you can see into three states — Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Bring a camera and binoculars.
- Hogback Mountain: The adjacent Hogback Mountain Conservation Area connects to the park’s trail system. For a longer day, combine the Mount Olga loop with Hogback trails for several hours of mountain hiking.
- Molly Stark Trail: The park sits on Route 9, the historic Molly Stark Trail. It’s an excellent base for day trips to Bennington (Battle Monument, covered bridges) and Brattleboro (arts, dining, Connecticut River).
- Token showers: Hot showers are token-operated — purchase tokens at the park office during operating hours. Plan accordingly.
- Season: Open from late May through mid-October. The fall foliage season (late September–early October) fills the campground quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wildlife & Nature
Molly Stark SP — named for the wife of General Stark of Battle of Bennington fame. Black bears and moose roam the mountain forest.
Nearby Attractions
Wilmington — adjacent. Mount Snow — 10 miles north.
Can you climb the fire tower at Molly Stark State Park?
Yes — the historic steel fire lookout tower on the summit of Mount Olga (2,415 feet) is open to the public for climbing. From the top, you’ll get 360-degree panoramic views of southern Vermont’s Green Mountains, the Berkshires in Massachusetts, and Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire. The tower is reached via the 1.7-mile Mount Olga Trail loop, a moderate hike from the campground.
Who was Molly Stark?
Elizabeth “Molly” Stark was the wife of General John Stark, a hero of the American Revolutionary War. Before the Battle of Bennington in August 1777, General Stark reportedly rallied his troops with the words, “Tonight the American flag floats from yonder hill or Molly Stark sleeps a widow!” Route 9, which passes through the park, follows the approximate path of the colonial march and is named the Molly Stark Trail in her honor.
Last updated: April 2026
Nearby state parks: If you have extra time, Sweet Pond State Park is a short drive away, and Woodford State Park is a short drive away.
⛺ Camping at Molly Stark State Park: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | 35 sites — 17 tent/RV sites (20-34 ft), 6 tent-only sites, 11 lean-tos across two loops (A/B), plus 1 electric pavilion. Loop A restrooms have hot/cold water and coin-operated showers; Loop B restrooms have cold running water only, no showers. Statewide non-resident rates effective 7/1/2025: $38/night tent/RV, $49/night lean-to, +$8/night per extra person. |
|---|---|
| Pets | Pets allowed on leash throughout the park; not permitted in the day-use area. |
| Reservations | (802) 464-5460 or 1-888-409-7579; up to 11 months ahead on a rolling basis. 2-night minimum beyond 7 days out; 1-night stays within 7 days of arrival. |
| Special sites | RV dump station, no hookups; fire tower with views; accessible sites and facilities available. |
| Season notes | 2026 season: May 22 - October 11. 2027 season: May 28 - October 10. |
Camping questions about Molly Stark State Park
Can you camp at Molly Stark State Park?
Yes. Molly Stark State Park has 35 campsites. 17 tent/RV sites (20-34 ft), 6 tent-only sites, 11 lean-tos across two loops (A/B), plus 1 electric pavilion. Loop A restrooms have hot/cold water and coin-operated showers; Loop B restrooms have cold running water only, no showers. Statewide non-resident rates effective 7/1/2025: $38/night tent/RV, $49/night lean-to, +$8/night per extra person.
How do you reserve a campsite at Molly Stark State Park?
(802) 464-5460 or 1-888-409-7579; up to 11 months ahead on a rolling basis. 2-night minimum beyond 7 days out; 1-night stays within 7 days of arrival.
Are pets allowed at the Molly Stark State Park campground?
Pets allowed on leash throughout the park; not permitted in the day-use area.
Source: vtstateparks.com (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Molly Stark State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are allowed at all Vermont State Parks campgrounds and on trails unless otherwise posted, but are not permitted on beaches or in most picnic areas.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leash shorter than 10 ft required (or pet safely confined) at all times
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are not permitted on beaches; limited exceptions let pets use the far side of the beach away from swim areas at Branbury, Lake Shaftsbury and Silver Lake
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are permitted in designated pet-friendly cabins only (full list on the Vermont State Parks cabins page); cottages do not allow pets
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Pets allowed in picnic areas at Allis, Camp Plymouth, Elmore, Kill Kare, Knight Point, Lake Shaftsbury, Mt. Philo, Osmore Pond and Owl's Head; at Camp Plymouth pets may swim only at the cartop boat launch; current rabies vaccination expected
Are dogs allowed at Molly Stark State Park?
Pets are allowed at all Vermont State Parks campgrounds and on trails unless otherwise posted, but are not permitted on beaches or in most picnic areas. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via vtstateparks.com. More: Vermont state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
🐻 Wildlife at Molly Stark State Park: What to Watch For — and Watch Out For
Worth watching for: Mast trees do the work at Molly Stark: the state's Brattleboro Management Unit plan records black cherry, red oak and scattered apple trees inside the park plus an entire old apple orchard, and names wild turkeys, black bears and many songbirds as the wildlife that feed on them. Dense patches of spruce and fir regeneration within the 78-acre Lowland Spruce-Fir community - an uncommon natural community type in Vermont - are listed as good snowshoe hare habitat. The 1.7-mile loop to the Mt. Olga fire tower is the only trail that crosses this ground, so it is where you have a chance at any of it.
Watch out for: This is bear country in the documented sense: the state's management plan says much of Molly Stark State Park functions as bear production habitat, meaning resident female black bears use the park, and that the entire parcel falls within an area mapped by Vermont Fish & Wildlife as primary bear habitat. Food is the reason - wetland seeps in the park are named as a spring source of bear forage, and from late August the black cherry, red oak and apple mast growing here is exactly what bears pack on weight with before denning. In the 34-site campground, follow Vermont Fish & Wildlife's rules: never feed a bear, which is illegal, keep campsite food and food waste inaccessible, and store trash securely, since the department states that trash cans alone are not enough. Report bear incidents to the department.
Are there bears at Molly Stark State Park?
Yes — see above for where they occur in the park and how to behave. Sightings are a normal part of a healthy park; incidents are rare when visitors keep distance and store food properly.
Wildlife information verified July 2026 via fpr.vermont.gov.
Park Location
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