Molly Stark State Park
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
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
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