🌤 Weather at Mt. Mansfield State Forest by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19–65 °F | 53–77 °F | 28–68 °F | 8–31 °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 Worcester 2 W, 14 mi away, elevation 1,360 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
The park itself ranges from about 1,010 to 3,560 ft in elevation — higher ground runs cooler than the figures above.
Mt. Mansfield State Forest is a public state park in Vermont near Stowe in Lamoille County. Spanning 44,444 acres and established in 1914, this park offers a peaceful retreat into nature for visitors of all ages.
Quick Facts
| State | Vermont |
| Nearest City | Stowe |
| County | Lamoille County |
| Park Size | 44,444 acres |
| Established | 1914 |
Location & Getting There
Mt. Mansfield State Forest is located near Stowe, Vermont. The park’s coordinates are 44.4916, -72.8186.
Things to Do
First, the answer to the question most people arrive with: the state parks in this forest. Mount Mansfield State Forest — at 44,444 acres the largest contiguous holding of Vermont’s forest department — contains four of them: Underhill State Park on the mountain’s west flank, Smugglers Notch State Park in the cliff-walled pass on the east side, Little River State Park on Waterbury Reservoir, and the day-use Waterbury Center State Park. The forest is the land; the parks are where the campgrounds and facilities live.
Climbing the Highest Peak in Vermont
Mount Mansfield tops out at 4,393 feet at the Chin — the ridgeline reads as a face in profile, with Forehead, Nose, Upper and Lower Lip, Chin and Adam’s Apple all named on the official trail map. From Underhill, the classic routes are all rated difficult: Sunset Ridge (2.3 miles, 2,000 feet of gain) and Laura Cowles (1.7 miles, same gain) to the Chin, with the Long Trail running the ridge between Nose and Chin almost entirely above treeline. The summit ridge holds arctic-alpine tundra that has survived since the ice age — one of only three Vermont mountains where it persists — so stay on marked trails up top. Trails may close April 15 to late May for mud season. The Toll Road and gondola you’ll see on the Stowe side are run by Stowe Mountain Resort, a private operation on leased state land — they are not part of the state parks.
Best Time to Visit
The camping season frames everything: Underhill and Smugglers Notch run from late May to the second Monday of October, Little River to the third October weekend. Winter transforms rather than closes the forest — VT-108 through Smugglers Notch is gated shut, but more than 36 miles of VAST snowmobile trails stay active, backcountry ski lines run off Cotton Brook, and the CCC-built Stone Hut near the summit sleeps 12 by winter lottery ($309/night for the group). Foliage season on the Long Trail ridge is the obvious draw — and the mud-season trail closures in late spring are the equally obvious time to stay off the mountain.
Visitor Tips
Vermont state park fees are uniform statewide: day use $5 for adults, $2 for kids 4–13; tent sites $20/night for Vermont residents and $38 for everyone else, lean-tos $30/$49, pets $3 — as of August 2026, booked at vtstateparks.com. Underhill’s sites are walk-in only with cold water and no showers; Smugglers Notch is mostly walk-in tenting; Little River is the full-service option with 70 tent/RV sites and five cabins.
Prefer to skip the campgrounds entirely? Primitive camping is allowed in designated blocks of the forest under statewide rules: below 2,500 feet unless posted otherwise, 100 feet from water, 1,000 feet from roads, three nights per spot, dead-and-down firewood only.
Fees, seasons and trail details verified against fpr.vermont.gov and vtstateparks.com on August 29, 2026. Conditions change — confirm before you travel.
Explore More Vermont State Parks
Mt. Mansfield State Forest is one of many outstanding state parks in Vermont. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Vermont guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Wildlife & Nature
Mt. Mansfield SF — surrounds Mount Mansfield (4,393 ft) — the highest peak in Vermont. The mountain’s summit ridge resembles a face in profile (Forehead, Nose, Upper Lip, Chin). The alpine tundra on the summit — only 250 acres — is the largest expanse of alpine tundra in Vermont and one of only three in the state. Bicknell’s thrush nests here. Black bears and moose roam below treeline.
Nearby Attractions
Stowe — adjacent — the “Ski Capital of the East”. Stowe Gondola — accesses the summit ridge. Ben & Jerry’s Factory — 5 miles south. Trapp Family Lodge — 5 miles south (the von Trapp family from “The Sound of Music”).
Nearby state parks: If you have extra time, Underhill State Park is a short drive away, and Smugglers Notch State Park is a short drive away.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Mt. Mansfield State Forest
- 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 Mt. Mansfield State Forest?
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
Park Location
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