Hiking
The Winooski Valley Park District offers approximately 22 miles of hiking
trails, which includes 12 miles of shoreline along Lake Champlain, the
Winooski River, the Browns River, and Colchester Pond. WVPD trails are
open all year and they are especially good for parents and their children.
Individual hikes take 20 minutes to an hour to complete. WVPD parks
provide an excellent place to hike during hunting season.
Hiking Hints:
A pair of sturdy shoes or hiking boots are suggested.
Bug repellant and sun screen are recommended.
You may also want to bring binoculars, nature books, water, appropriate
clothing (raingear), and food.
Make sure you can identify poison ivy and avoid it.
Staying on designated trails helps to prevent unnecessary erosion, protect
sensitive vegetation, and to protect the wildlife using the park.
Picnic Areas
There are great picnicking opportunities at the following parks:
- Delta Park
- Woodside
- Ethan Allen Homestead
- Colchester Pond
- Salmon Hole
- Muddy Brook
- Essex Overlook
- Old Mill
Pets - Dogs are welcome only when
on a leash in order to protect wildlife. Owners must immediately clean
up waste in public thoroughfares.
Dogs On Leash: These days, more than ever, people and dogs should stay
on designated trails when visiting Winooski Valley Park District natural
areas. Biologists find wildlife adapt to the "predictable disturbance"
of people and dogs on trails better than off trails.
Biologists have found that wildlife are more often frightened away by dogs that wander off the trail. The clawed paws of dogs can churn up soil and can cave in small mammal holes. Dogs can also surprise reptiles, such as garter and ribbon snakes, as well as amphibians such as wood and leopard frogs.
In forested areas, low-lying vegetation such as ferns are easily damaged. Injury to the understory plants of the forest can mean less food and hiding places for animals and less material to build nests.
Rabbits, fox, otter, mink and deer may have offspring that they are feeding and caring for. By staying on designated trails these animals will not be disturbed. Visitors will be more likely to catch a of glimpse of these animals at the parks or see other signs of them along the trail.
Park users should clean up after their dogs because during times of heavy
rains and spring flooding, dog feces is washed into our waterways and
ultimately into Lake Champlain.
The Winooski River is accessible by many of our parks including Delta Park, Mayes Landing, Derway Island, Macrae Farm, Ethan Allen Homestead, Salmon Hole, Winooski Nature Trail, Woodside Park, and Muddy Brook Park. There isa diversity of fish in the river including Small and Large Mouth Bass, Northern Pike, Chain Pickerel, Walleye, Bullhead, Landlocked Salmon, and Pan Fish.
Colchester Pond is a large pond, nearly one mile long and only a 15-minute drive from Burlington. It has Small Mouth Bass, Northern Pike, Yellow perch, Rock Bass, and pumpkinseed.
The Browns River flows through Old Mill Park in Jericho. It is a small river with Rainbow and Brook Trout.
Fishing Regulations - To fish in Vermont you need a valid Vermont fishing
license which can be picked up at many sporting good stores throughout
Vermont. To find out more specific regulations about fishing seasons and
size limits you can click here.
There are three main bodies of water that can be reached at Winooski
Valley Park District lands. These are the Winooski River, Colchester Pond,
and Lake Champlain (Delta Park, Mayes)..
Click here for our canoe / kayak guide.
Umiak Outfitters
offers professionally guided and self-guided trips, as well as Kayak day
camps for kids, for the Winooski Valley Park District on the Winooski
River.
Hours and Fees - The parks are free and are open from dawn to dusk year round.
Motor Vehicles - No off road vehicles allowed. Motor vehicles are allowed only on designated roads and parking areas.
Refuse - Park visitors are responsible for carrying out their own garbage or for using the trash barrels where provided. Please leave area the same way you found it.
Conduct - Noise (music/horns) should be kept at a volume which does not disturb other park visitors or people living in the area. Please do not deface or damage any signs, tables, or plants while at the parks.
Fires - Applicable at Ethan Allen Homestead only - no open fires. Park visitors may make use of grills in designated picnic areas and must supply their own fuel. Please extinguish all fires.
Hunting - No hunting, shooting, or trapping. Do not harm wildlife.
Take only pictures. Leave only footprints. There are great photo opportunities throughout our parks.
There are great viewing opportunities at the following parks. Please see map pages for maps of individual parks.
Essex Overlook - Views of the northern Green Mountains.
Macrae - Views of Mount Mansfield and Camel's Hump..
Salmon Hole - Views of the Winooski Waterfalls, steep cliffs, and salmon spawning grounds.
Old Mill - Views of a waterfall and gorge on the Brown's River from the River Loop and Pine Trail.
Colchester Pond - Views of the pond and the surrounding countryside.
Delta Park - Views of the Adirondack Mountain's high peaks region.
All of WVPD's parks are open to snowshoeing and skiing in the winter for all levels of experience.
Bikes of all kinds are welcome on roads and parking areas. Since resource protection is our primary obligation, bikes are prohibited on trails except for designated paths at the Ethan Allen Homestead and Delta Park..