Field Notes

Ten old growth forests to visit in Vermont

4 min read / January 8, 2025 / By Liz Thompson

Don’t miss our upcoming webinar, “Old Growth Forest Characteristics,” taking place January 14.

Explore some of Vermont's most beloved old growth forests

After centuries of colonization and deforestation, less than one percent of Vermont’s forests are considered old growth. Fortunately, what remains is mostly protected and open to the public. Below, Vermont ecologist Liz Thompson shares ten excellent examples of old growth forests in the Green Mountain State, with a bit of guidance on how to find each destination. You can read more about what old forests look like, and learn four clues to identifying them, before striking out to explore on your own.

All photos by Liz Thompson, except where noted.

Gifford Woods, Killington

Gifford Woods is one of the iconic and most widely recognized old growth forests of Vermont, even though it has a light history of sugaring, has a state highway dissecting it, and has campsites within it. Still, it is a spectacular forest with massive trees, down and standing dead wood, and lots of great understory herbs. Just get yourself to the park entrance and from there you’ll find an interpretive trail through the old forest.

Abbey Pond Trail and Battell Research Forest, Middlebury

Find Abbey Pond Trail on Route 116 in Middlebury. Ascend from there and you will find old hemlock forest on either side of the trail. If you bushwhack off trail to the south, there’s more to be found in the research forest. But be warned: it’s steep!

Mud Pond, Greensboro

VLT’s Mud Pond property, which is part of a statewide forest management research project, is situated off of a rural road in Greensboro. Whatever trails you might find here are not maintained and there are no signs. Cell coverage and GPS will not work near the property, so print a map and plan directions before you go. Also, please note that the road there is not plowed in winter. You can use the map coordinates provided here, or look for this address: Tamarack Ranch Road, Greensboro, VT. This will be a left off of Hillcrest Road as it turns to Highlander Street in Greensboro. Turn north on this little road and keep bearing right until you come to a dead end. Here you can follow woods roads or bushwhack to the places of interest.

Photo by Kyle Gray.

Silver Lake Old Forest, Barnard

This is private property but there are public trails to and through it. From the entrance to Silver Lake State Park, walk about a third of a mile north on North Road to where a woods road leaves the paved road. This is just south of the intersection of North Road and Tower Road. Walk east along the woods road for about three quarters of a mile until you see a foot trail heading off to the right. This will lead you down into the old forest. Keep your eyes out for fungi!

Granville Gulf, Granville

Much of the Granville Gulf area may contain old forest. One area that is easily accessible is found thus: On Route 100 in Granville, find the intersection with Plunkton Road. Just south of that, on the west side of Route 100, there is a pulloff. Park there, jump out of your car, cross a small stream to the west, and before you know it you will encounter some very large trees and old forest characteristics. But hike up to the top of the ridge. Maple, ash, hemlock, spruce, and more. A spectacular site.

Wilmarth Woods, Addison

Wilmarth Woods is right along the trail up to Snake Mountain. Park at the Snake Mountain parking area, and then walk along the road to the trailhead. Follow the trail uphill. Just a short distance up, you will see the The Nature Conservancy Wilmarth Woods Natural Area sign. Anytime after that, but before the trail takes a sharp left up to the mountain, you can wander off to the right (south) into the old forest. See fabulous old sugar maple, ash, and shagbark hickory, along with down trees and snags throughout. Note deer-browsed regeneration.

Williams Woods, Charlotte

Find Williams Woods Natural Area near 5950 Greenbush Road, Charlotte. Park alongside the road and follow the trails into and through the woods. Immediately you will see signs of past blowdowns, plus large living hemlocks and white pines, and later along the trail, some very large and old (300+ years) white, bur, and swamp white oaks. The diversity of tree species here is remarkable, as is the diversity of shrubs and herbs. See how many species you can count.

Cambridge Pines Natural Area, Cambridge

Although Cambridge Natural Area can be accessed through a public cemetery, you need to pass through private land to get there — please be considerate if you attempt to venture this way. However, the area also abuts the VLT-conserved Peter A. Krusch Nature Preserve, which includes public access to the Cambridge Pines Spur Trail (and adjacent Cambridge Pines State Forest) via the Main Nature Trail.

Vernon Black Gum Swamps

The Vernon Black Gum Swamps can be found along Basin Road in Vernon. At the end of this road, you will find the trailhead at Maynard Miller Town Forest. The trails are clearly marked and will take you beside at least two of the spectacular swamps. Well worth the trip, no matter where you are coming from.

Kingsland Bay State Park, Ferrisburgh

Find your way to Kingsland Bay State Park in Ferrisburgh. Walk to Hawley House and then to the lake bluff. Find the shore trail at the end of the meadow. Explore off-trail to see the ancient gnarled cedars. Look for rough stairs that lead you down a ledge to the wildest stretch.