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

Grand Isle State Park

This trail system is currently CLOSED. See Trail Alerts tab for details.
This trail system is currently CLOSED. See Trail Alerts tab for details.
A short hike in Grand Isle State Park, this trail features a tower that once had a view of the lake, but is now mostly obscured by trees.
Trail Activity
Hiking Snowshoeing
Length
1.00 mile, Loop
Difficulty
Easy
Town
Grand Isle (VT)
Surface
Packed Earth/Dirt, Boardwalk/Bog Bridging
Pets
Permitted on leash
Fees
No

Description

This Iron Wood Nature Trail begins at the southwest corner of the intersection of East Shore Road South and the park access road. The trail enters the woods up a short hill.

An extension from inside the campground begins near the park office, the street from the boat launch entrance. This extension enables campground guests to access the trail.

The trail has sturdy wood footpaths over wet areas (though you may encounter some mud).

Highlights of the trail include: Numerous old iron wood trees (also called hardhack, or hop hornbeam), a 15-foot observation tower, wetland-forest plants, and an exposed bedrock dome with deep fissures which you will cross approximately 2/3 of the way around the loop. Round trip from the trailhead is approximately 1 mile.

The adjacent Grand Isle State Park is open to campers and their guests only, not open to day-use visitors (near-bye day use parks on Lake Champlain include Knight Point and Sand Bar).

Other Information

 

Trail Manager

Visit Vermont State Parks online for more information or contact:

VT Dept. Forests, Parks & Recreation Region 3: Essex Region

VT Dept. Forests, Parks & Recreation Region 3: Essex Region
111 West Street
Essex Junction, VT 05452-4695
Phone: (802) 279-8329
robert.peterson@vermont.gov
View website

Trail Tips

Plan Ahead and Prepare
Visit busy trailheads mid-week to avoid crowds.
Legend
Hide All

Trailhead Information

Park at the corner of East Shore Road South.

From the South: Take I-89 to Exit 17; Travel west on US Route 2 through the towns of South Hero and Keeler Bay. Continue straight through the flashing light at the junction of US Route 2 and VT Route 314.  The park access road is exactly 2 miles past the light on the right side of the road. Follow access road to East Shore Road South, approximately 0.75 miles.

From the North: Travel east on US Route 2 through the Champlain Islands. Drive through the towns of Alburgh, North Hero, and Grand Isle. The park entrance is approximately 2.5 miles on the left after the flashing light in Grand Isle village.

 

The park access road between US 2 and East Shore South is closed to vehicles from mid-November to mid-May, during which period off-season hikers may access the park entrance and trailhead along East Shore South via either Town Line Road to the south or Donaldson Road to the north.

Click on a parking icon to get custom directions
Please Log In or Create Account to add comments.
robynm911@yahoo.com
February 12, 2023
Hiked this trail on Feb 12, 2023. Completed the loop and looked for the tower with no luck. Perhaps it is not there anymore?
These awesome businesses support our goal of connecting people to outdoor adventures!
Hang Tight!
Nearby services are loading
No Results
No Services Found

Trail Alerts

Trails
Mud Season Trail Closure
March 20, 2024 – May 24, 2024

One or more trails in this system is currently closed due to muddy or wet conditions. Please help to protect our trails by not walking on them when they are soft and easily damaged. Learn more.

If any trails are open, they will be listed on the Details tab.

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…