Gifford Woods State Park Interactive Campground Map & Guide (pdf)

Gifford Woods State Park00Park officePrime campsiteCampsitePrime lean-toLean-toCabinRestroomsShowers ($)WheelchairaccessibleDrinking waterRV Sanitary StationVTrash/Recycling centerParkingPublic phonePicnic areaHorseshoe pitVolleyballTrailheadSelf-guiding trailVolunteer SiteTraffic directionBoat launchFishingClick On A Site For Photo And Additional Information101289117136ASH5HEMLOCK43North21to Pittsfield: 5 mi.Kent Brook Trail-1.1 Mile LoopELMSPRUCEBIRCHBEARV171514AppalachianTrailKent Brook TrailKent BrookVERMONT100APPLEthis map is intended forinformational purposes onlyephelps-rev.11/09LARCHMAPLE2221CEDAR23COYOTELOCUST WHITETAILCHERRYMOOSE16PINEHICKORY 26ALDERWILLOWASPENOAKFIRPOPLAR27WALNUT0 100 200 400feetto Killington &0.5 miVERMONT1004

Gifford Woods State ParkWelcome to Gifford Woods State Park.This park is a favorite of hikers with many localtrails and peaks to traverse. Many through-hikerspass the park on their Appalachian Trail journeyfrom Georgia to Maine. The park is also a populardestination during the fall foliage season for itsdramatic autumn colors.Established in 1931 when the statepurchased 13 acres of land from Lee Pearsons,the park grew over the next two decades with aland donation from Walter K. Barrows and variousland purchases. Mr. Barrows noticed that manypassing motorists stopped at the spot to admire thelarge old trees growing on his property and decidedthat it should be protected by adding it to the newlyestablished state park.Today, Gifford Woods contains one of thefew old-growth hardwood tree stands remainingin Vermont. The stand has many grand-sized sugarmaple, beech, yellow birch, white ash and hemlock.The understory is rich with native wildflowers.Portions of the old-growth stand are both a StateNatural Area and a National Natrual Landmark.Development began in 1933 by the CivilianConservation Corps, a federal public worksprogram created during the Great Depressionto provide jobs and training for thousands ofunemployed Americans. In 1933 and 1934, CCCcrews constructed the park office and ranger’squarters, picnic area, stone restroom building,trails, the park entrance and parking area. In 1939the CCC constructed a camping area. A new sectionwas added to the campground in 1959. The parkcontinued to grow throughout the 20 th Century, andreached its current size of 285 acres in 2003, when171 non-contiguous acres were acquired from theGreen Mountain Club to protect the Long Trailcorridor.Gifford Woods State Park amenities:• 22 tent/trailer sites• 21 lean-to shelters• 4 rental cabins• Picnicking• Hiking trails• Firewood and ice for saleRecreating and sightseeing in the area:Killington• Killlington Adventure Center• Pico Alpine Slide• Fishing on Kent PondRutland• Historic downtown, shopping and dining• Hiking on the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail• Recreating in the Green Mountain NationalForestWoodstock• Marsh-Billings-Rockerfeller National HistoricalPark• Billings Farm & Museum• Historic downtown, shopping & diningPlymouth• Coolidge State Historic Site• Camp Plymouth State Park• Coolidge State ParkFor more information, contact:Gifford Woods State Park34 Gifford WoodsKillington, VT 05751(802) 775-5354 (during operating season)ORVT State Parks Reservation Center(888) 409-7579Monday - Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.www.vtstateparks.comThis document is available upon request in largeprint, Braille and audiocassette.VT TDD Relay 1-800-253-0191Printed on recycled paper02/08-RRA-2500Gifford WoodsState ParkMap & GuideMemorial Day Weekend - Late Octobercampinghikingpicnickingnature interpretation