Hiking Near Lake Champagne Campground

Central Vermont puts you within reach of fire towers, waterfalls, gorges, historic carriage roads, and some of the state's highest peaks. Whether you're looking for an easy family walk with a view or an all-day climb above treeline, there's a trail for it.

All drive times measured from Lake Champagne Resort, 53 Lake Champagne Drive, Randolph, VT 05060.

Trail info verified February 2026 — always check conditions before hiking, especially during mud season (mid-March through late May) when many trails close to prevent erosion.

Right Here: Under 10 Minutes

Randolph Area Community Forest

5 minutes | Multiple access points: Prince St, Pond of Safety Rd, Jimtown Rd

Free | Year-round

Randolph's 55-acre town forest with a network of trails through mixed forest, along a stream, and past a small waterfall. A good option for a morning walk or run without driving far. Open for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

Good for: A morning walk, trail running, dog walking. No drive needed.

10–20 Minutes

Allis State Park — Bear Hill Nature Trail

19 minutes | 284 Allis State Park Rd, Roxbury

Day use: 10am–sunset, Memorial Day through Labor Day | Free day use

A 1-mile loop trail to a fire tower with 360-degree views of central Vermont — Killington, Pico, Mount Ascutney, Camel's Hump, and Mount Mansfield are all visible on a clear day. The trail is easy and the fire tower is climbable, making this the best quick hike near the campground for views relative to effort. Picnic areas and restrooms at the park. The park also has 26 campsites.

Good for: Families, quick hike with a big payoff, fire tower views. The closest great hike to the campground.

Braintree Mountain Forest

15 minutes | Trailhead parking at Riford Brook Rd and Laroque Rd, Braintree

Free | Year-round

A four-peak mountain with 360-degree views, managed by the New England Forestry Foundation and Ridgeline Outdoor Collective. The trails here double as mountain bike trails, so watch for riders. More rugged and remote-feeling than the town forest. Good for hiking and backcountry skiing in winter.

Good for: A half-day hike with views, solitude, exploring the Braintree Range.

20–30 Minutes

Kent's Ledge

23 minutes | Trailhead access from downtown South Royalton (park near the green, walk via Rainbow St to Pluck Hill Rd)

Free | Year-round

A short, scenic hike to a rocky ledge overlooking the White River Valley. The trail starts from the edge of South Royalton village — park on the street near the town green and walk to the trailhead. Combine with lunch at Worthy Burger in South Royalton.

Good for: A quick hike with valley views, combined with a South Royalton village visit.

30–45 Minutes

Rochester Mountain

32 minutes | Trailheads in Rochester

Free | Year-round

A 3.3-mile out-and-back hike with 1,213 feet of elevation gain to a 2,953-foot summit. Part of the Rochester Valley trail network maintained by Ridgeline Outdoor Collective. Views from the top and a good workout. Allow 2–2.5 hours.

Good for: Intermediate hikers looking for a summit, combining with a Rochester village visit.

Quechee Gorge

32 minutes | 764 Dewey Mills Rd, Quechee

Day use fee applies | Parking, restrooms, picnic areas

Vermont's deepest gorge — 165 feet straight down. You can view it from the Route 4 bridge above, or hike the trail down to the base along the Ottauquechee River (about a mile round trip, moderate with steep sections). The gorge trail runs about 2 miles total along the rim.

Good for: Families, a dramatic natural landmark, combining with a Woodstock or Quechee visit.

The Pogue & Mount Tom

42 minutes | Faulkner Trail parking or Billings Farm & Museum parking, Woodstock

Free | Year-round (grounds and trails)

A 4.2-mile loop through Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park that hits two highlights: The Pogue (a scenic mountain pond) and Mount Tom's south peak (1,250 ft) with panoramic views of Woodstock village and the surrounding Green Mountains. Vermont's only National Park site, with 20 miles of trails and carriage roads.

Good for: A half-day outing, combining a hike with a Woodstock village visit.

Thundering Brook Falls

43 minutes | River Road, Killington

Free | Year-round | Universally accessible

A 900-foot accessible boardwalk leads to a viewing platform at the base of a 140-foot waterfall — the 6th tallest in Vermont. Only 0.2 miles from parking to the falls.

Good for: All abilities, wheelchair users, families with strollers, a quick waterfall stop.

Texas Falls Recreation Area

44 minutes | Forest Road 39, off Route 125, Hancock

Free | Parking, picnic area, restrooms (seasonal)

A 0.9-mile loop trail through the Green Mountain National Forest to a series of cascading falls that drop through a narrow rocky gorge. The falls are only a quarter-mile walk from the parking area.

Good for: Families, waterfall lovers, an easy nature walk.

45–60 Minutes

These are longer drives but worth it for the right hiker. Plan for a half-day or full-day outing.

Coolidge State Park

~60 minutes | 855 Coolidge State Park Rd, Plymouth

Day use fee applies | 10am–sunset, seasonal

Hiking trails through the woods near the Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site in Plymouth Notch. Combine with a visit to the Coolidge historic site and the Plymouth Artisan Cheese factory.

Good for: Families, history buffs, a combined hike-and-visit day.

Groton State Forest — Owl's Head

~60 minutes | Lanesboro Road parking area, off VT-232, Groton

Free | Year-round

A stone fire tower on Owl's Head Mountain with panoramic views of Kettle Pond, Lake Groton, and the surrounding forest. The loop trail is 4.7 miles with 682 feet of elevation gain. Groton State Forest is a 26,000-acre block of forest with seven state parks.

Good for: Fire tower views, a bigger day exploring Groton State Forest.

Peacham Bog — Groton State Forest

~60 minutes | Groton State Forest, off VT-232

Free | Year-round

A 4.5-mile loop through Vermont's second-largest bog (748 acres) with boardwalk sections over sphagnum moss, pitcher plants, cotton grass, and huckleberries. Flat and easy terrain.

Good for: Nature lovers, a unique landscape, an easy walk in the woods.

Worth the Drive (Over 60 Minutes)

These destinations are a bit more of a drive, but they're some of Vermont's most iconic hikes. Plan for a full day.

Camel's Hump (Burrows Trail)

~68 minutes | Camel's Hump Road, Huntington

Free | Year-round (conditions vary)

Vermont's third-highest peak at 4,083 feet. The Burrows Trail is the most popular route — 2.1 miles to the summit with about 2,280 feet of gain. The summit is above treeline with exposed rock and alpine vegetation; stay on marked trails. Allow 4–5 hours round trip.

Good for: A full-day summit hike, experienced hikers, iconic Vermont views.

Mount Abraham via Long Trail (Lincoln Gap)

~80 minutes | Lincoln Gap Road, Lincoln

Free | Seasonal (Lincoln Gap Rd closed in winter)

One of Vermont's 4,000-footers at 4,006 feet, with an exposed alpine summit and views in every direction. About 5 miles round trip with roughly 2,000 feet of elevation gain. Parking at the gap is limited (~20 spots) and fills early.

Good for: Experienced hikers, peak-baggers, alpine views.

Sunset Rock via Long Trail (Lincoln Gap)

~80 minutes | Same trailhead as Mount Abraham

Free | Seasonal

A shorter alternative to Mount Abraham — head south on the Long Trail from Lincoln Gap for 1.5 miles to a rock outcrop with spectacular westward views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. About 2.2 miles round trip.

Good for: A shorter hike with big views, sunset timing.

Skylight Pond via Long Trail

~61 minutes | Steam Mill Road (Forest Road 59), off Route 125, Rochester area

Free | Seasonal (gravel road may be rough)

A 2.3-mile climb from Steam Mill Clearing to a pristine mountain pond at elevation. The basic out-and-back is about 4.7 miles; extending via the Long Trail pushes it to nearly 10 miles — a serious all-day hike. Skylight Lodge (a GMC shelter) sits near the pond.

Good for: Experienced hikers, a long day on the Long Trail, mountain pond scenery.

Last updated: February 2026. Trail conditions change with weather and season. Always check before heading out, especially during mud season and winter.