Mud season is here!Protect the trails we all love by sticking to open, dry areas. Learn more! 

Little River State Park and Cotton Brook

This trail system is currently PARTIALLY OPEN. See Trail Alerts tab for details.
This trail system is currently PARTIALLY OPEN. See Trail Alerts tab for details.
Little River State Park provides opportunities for a variety of outdoor experiences both in summer and winter
Trail Activity
Accessible Experience Hiking Mountain biking Horseback riding Ungroomed cross-country skiing Snowshoeing
Length
35.30 miles, Network
Difficulty
Easy, Moderate
Towns
Bolton (VT), Stowe (VT), Waterbury (VT)
Surface
Packed Earth/Dirt, Boardwalk/Bog Bridging, Snow, Ungroomed
Pets
Permitted on leash
Fees
Yes

Description

TRAIL CLOSURES:
The Anglers' Trail, Dalley Loop Trail, and Hedgehog Hill Trail are open; the rest of the trails are currently closed for mud season. On the open trails please hike with care and be prepared to turn around turn around if you encounter mud or ice.

 

Little River Area Trails Information

Multi Use Trails: Generally, these are gravel-surfaced roadways used for forest management. Allowed Uses: hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, mountain biking and horseback riding (only where noted). Markings: Orange triangles

Hiking Trails: These are single-track foot paths. Allowed Uses: hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing. Markings: Blue blazes

Accessible Trails: The Camp Smith trail loops have been built for universal access. To get to these trails, park in the Camp Smith trail access parking lot off of Little River Road. Update July 2022: Construction is currently occurring to extend the Camp Smith Trail by 3,000 feet. During construction sections of the existing trail will be out of universally accessible trail standard. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of August 2022.

Historical Roads: The Little River Area is crossed by many historical roads that lead to hillside settlements. Many are still in use as hiking or multi-use trails. Others were discontinued years ago and can no longer be followed on the ground.

Snowmobile Trails: Please contact the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST) for current trail information in the area, either at www.vtvast.org or (802)229-0005. Snowmobiles are limited to marked corridor routes.

ATV, motorized bike and off-road vehicle use are all prohibited.

General Information

Removal of live vegetation is prohibited on State lands. Follow the “carry-in/carryout” policy; if you bring trash in, pack it out Trails are closed in the spring “mud season” from snow melt until Memorial Day when they are highly susceptible to erosion. Please limit your group size to 20 or fewer individuals. Interpretive programs on park history may be available from Little River State Park during the operating season; please call (802)244-7103 for more information. School groups may qualify for a special educational admission rate, please call for details. For current conditions, comments, or questions, contact the FPR Barre Regional Office at (802)476-0170. The Vermont State Parks website has more information about park activities at www.vtstateparks.com

Other Information

Little River State Park
3444 Little River Rd.
Waterbury, Vermont 05676

Park Phone: 802-244-7103

Season: May 15 - Columbus Day Weekend, open for trail use year-round except during mud season

Trail Manager

Visit VT Department of Forest, Parks & Recreation online for more information or contact:

VT Dept. Forests, Parks & Recreation District 4: Barre District

VT Dept. Forests, Parks & Recreation District 4: Barre District
5 Perry Street, Suite 20
Barre, VT 05641-4265
Phone: (802) 476-0182
Walter.Opuszynski@vermont.gov
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Trailhead Information

Little River State Park is accessible from Waterbury and from Stowe.

From Waterbury, travel west on US-2 for 1.4 miles. Turn right on Little River Road. After two miles, the Camp Smith trailhead will be on the left. Continue up the road to reach trailheads for the rest of the trails. In the winter, there is a plowed parking lot just past the contact station. 

To get to the Cotton Brook Road access from Stowe, head south on VT-100 then turn right on Moscow Road. After 2 miles, turn right on Nebraska Valley Road. Winter parking will be immediately after you turn. Continue up Nebraska Valley Road to reach summer parking. 

Click on a parking icon to get custom directions
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Trail Alerts

Trails
Hiking Mud Season
March 20, 2024 – May 24, 2024

It is mud season in Vermont. Even if a trail is marked as open, pay attention to trail conditions. If you encounter mud or ice, turn around. Come back once the trail has had time to dry out.  

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.

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