Camp Plymouth State Park Map & Guide - Vermont State Parks

Camp Plymouth State ParkPlymouth, VermontNorth2V3Echo Laketo Plymouth Union&VERMONT100northPrivatePropertyPark officeRestroomsPicnic areaWheelchairaccessParkingDrinkingwaterLEGENDGVConcessionGroup & HorseCampingLean-toPit toiletVolunteer SiteCottageFoot TrailSwimming areaPlaygroundBuffalo BrookPrivatePropertyDOGWOODPINESPRUCEASH ELM OAKGVERMONTto Tyson Village & 100 south1Scout Camp RdBIRCHTHE COTTAGESCHERRYMAPLEAPPLEVista Trail 0.5 mi0 50 100 200 300feetephelps-rev. 02/08SwingsHorseshoe pitVolleyballFishingCartop Boat LaunchPicinc shelter1: Harwood Indoor Pavilion2: Fernwood3 Wedding GroveThe Vista Trail1.0 mile from Scout Camp Rd to Vista & return40 minutes, moderate difficulty, blue blazesThe trail begins on the old logging roadnext to Birch Cottage. Follow the roadway0.1 mile; then look for blue blazes on theleft and turn. Follow this footpath until itintersects with another logging road. Bear leftand continue through the cemetery. The trailclimbs steeply to a vista of Echo Lake andCamp Plymouth State Park. Return by thesame route.Your walk will take you through awhite pine forest where goldenrod and astergrow alongside the road in summer months.You may see the shiny leaves of trailingarbutus and wintergreen closer to the ground.The trail passes through a young forest withbirch, beech and aspen trees. Further up, thedry slopes support red oaks and red spruce.Along the way, look for signs of white-taileddeer, snowshoe hare, red squirrel and fisher.Many kinds of birds inhabit this forest, such asthe ruffed grouse, barred owl, northern oriole,black and white warbler and hermit thrush.trailing arbutusSite For

Camp Plymouth State ParkWelcome to Camp Plymouth State Park, 295acres of state lands on the shores of Echo Lake inPlymouth, Vermont.Camp Plymouth is rich in history from the birthof our nation right up to present day.The Crown Point military road was authorizedfor construction in 1759 to connect strategic militaryposts at Fort # 4 in Charlestown, New Hampshire toCrown Point on Lake Champlain. The military roadwas instrumental in moving troops and supplies inboth the French and Indian War and the AmericanRevolution. Later, the road became an important routefor commercial traffic. Today, Scout Camp Road followpart of the road’s original route.A farm was established on part of the propertyin the 1840s by Amos Pollard. One day in 1850, ayoung man was fishing in Buffalo Brook and discoveredgold there. The man tried to keep his find a secret, butwithout success. By 1855, it was known as Gold Brook,and a commercial mining operation was set up. Upthe stream at the now-abandoned village of PlymouthFive Corners, a mill and crusher were established, andmany prospectors flocked to the area. One of the moresuccessful operators, Rooks Mining Company, claimedto have earned more than $13,000 in a 6-month periodin 1884. Such profits were seldom validated, and mostinvestors lost their fortunes. Mr. Pollard himself neverhad much to do with searching for gold. He died in1874 and is buried in the nearby cemetery. When theRooks Mining Company went bankrupt in 1889, HenryFox, the superintendent, bought the mine. He continuedto search for gold for thirty more years until his deathin 1919. Today, remains of the mine operations canbe seen along the brook, and although the most of themines themselves are outside of park boundary, for yoursafety stay away from all abandoned mines regardlessof location. Most of the gold is known as “placer”gold, deposited by glacial action. Recreational goldpanning for personal enjoyment is allowed in BuffaloBrook, however no other methods or commercialoperations are allowed.In 1925, a girls’ summer camp was establishedhere and operated for two years. In 1927, the propertywas purchased by the Boy Scouts of America and turnedinto Camp Plymouth, for which the park is named. Atits height, the scout camp included camping sites for10 troops, a trading post, archery range, rifle range,water front, and ceremonial camp fire area. In 1984,the property was conserved with the assistance of theOttauquechee Land Trust and conveyed to the State ofVermont. Park facilities were constructed over the nextfew years and Camp Plymouth State Park opened to thepublic in 1989.Recreating at Camp Plymouth State Park• Swimming• Picnicking & Group Events• Boat Rentals & Fishing• Cottage Rentals• Indoor Pavilion Rental for Groups• Group Camping & Horse Camping• Hiking• No Pets AllowedRecreating & Sightseeing in the Area• Hiking in Coolidge and Okemo StateForests• Hiking & Auto Parkway-Mt Ascutney StatePark• Killington Summer Adventure Center• Coolidge State Historic Site, PlymouthNotchFor more information, contact:Camp Plymouth State Park2008 Scout Camp RoadLudlow, VT 05149(802)228-2025 (operating season)ORVT State Parks Reservation Center(888) 409-7579 Mon- Fri 9 am-4 pmThis document is available upon request in large print,Braille and audiocassette.VT TDD Relay 1-800-253-0191Printed on recycled paper02/08-ERPCampPlymouthState ParkMap & GuideEcho Lake, circa 1860~Site ForMemorial Day Weekend-Labor DaySwimmingPicnic & Group EventsGroup CampingCottage Rentalswww.vtstateparks.com