The solar eclipse is coming on April 8th! Learn more about where you can go to view the eclipse and other useful tips.

Ethan Allen Park

A large forested park with paved and dirt trails leading to an observation tower with views spanning from Lake Champlain to Mt. Mansfield.
Trail Activity
Walking Hiking Bicycling Mountain biking Snowshoeing
Length
4.20 miles, Network
Difficulty
Easy, Moderate
Town
Burlington (VT)
Surface
Paved/Cement, Packed Earth/Dirt, Gravel/Crushed Stone/Cinder, Boardwalk/Bog Bridging
Pets
Permitted on leash
Fees
No

Description

This lovely wooded park provides refuge from the urban landscape. One of the first urban forest parks in the United States, this park has a long history which includes ownership by Ethan Allen and the erection of an observation tower in 1905 thanks to Mayor William Van Patten who eventually donated the land to the city. The tower is open to the public Mother's Day to Indigenous People's Day on weekends and weekdays Memorial Day to Labor Day. Two paved paths connect the parking lot and Ethan Allen Parkway to the 127 Bike Path across Route 127 at the north end of the park. By following the blazes, hikers can take the Burlington Wildway Trail through the park all the way to the Intervale and Salmon Hole Park over five miles away. The Cycle the City Loop also goes through the park. Other dirt trails form loops around the thrust fault cliffs that run down the spine of the park. In the northern part of the park is Ethan Allen Pinnacle, flatter and grassier than it sounds, which boasts a gazebo, garden, picnic table, and view of Lake Champlain and Grand Isle. A playground is found by the parking lot.

Other Information

  • Please keep pets on a leash to protect wildlife and fragile vegetation off the trail while respecting the safety of other park users and their pets
  • Please stay on established trails
  • This park has no restrooms
  • No motorized vehicles
  • No camping
  • No fires

Trail Manager

Visit Burlington Department of Parks & Recreation online for more information or contact:

Burlington Department of Parks & Recreation

Burlington Department of Parks & Recreation
311 North Avenue
Burlington, VT 05401
Phone: (802) 310-4675
owolf@burlingtonvt.gov
View website

Trail Tips

Plan Ahead and Prepare
Be prepared to find your way home. Familiarize yourself with the area before you set out and bring your map and compass along.
Legend
Hide All

Trailhead Information

From downtown Burlington, take North Avenue north and turn right into the park entrance at the traffic light at the Ethan Allen Parkway intersection. The lot can accommodate about 20 vehicles.

Click on a parking icon to get custom directions
Please Log In or Create Account to add comments.
These awesome businesses support our goal of connecting people to outdoor adventures!
Hang Tight!
Nearby services are loading
No Results
No Services Found
SHARE THIS TRAIL

Add Trail Log

Please wait…
Join In on the Fun!
Log in or create an account below to unlock all the great features of Trail Finder: keep track of trails you want to do, preserve memories of trails you’ve done, earn badges, and more!
Your log in attempt was not successful. Please try again.
    Lost your password? Reset your password
    Don't yet have an account?
    There was an issue with your submission. Please try again.
      * Indicates required field
      Already have an account? Login here
      Enter your username, and we will send you a new, randomly generated password to your email account.
      There was an issue with your submission. Please try again.

        Success! A new password has been emailed to you.

        Log in now

        Please wait…