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Message from Craig Whipple, Director of Vermont State Parks

Vermont is fortunate to have an outstanding state park system. The first park was created in 1924 with the donation of Mount Philo State Forest Park by Mrs. Frances Humphreys of Massachusetts, "...forever to be held, owned, and used by the State of Vermont as and for a public park or public recreation for the health, recreation, and pleasure of the public, under such reasonable plans, rules and regulations as said State of Vermont, acting through its proper governing boards and officials may from time to time make, publish and prescribe..." During the 1930-1940 period, the federal Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built a total of 22 state parks. Many of the structures built in this period are still in daily use. The second big expansion was in the 1960s, during an initiative referred to as "Vermont-The Beckoning Country." The goal at that time was to have a state park within a 30 minute drive of everyone in Vermont.

Today, we manage over 52 state parks with the same tenets as laid out in the Mount Philo deed in 1924. Thirty-nine parks offer over 2,200 camping opportunities at tent/trailer sites, lean-to sites, cabins, and housekeeping cottages. We also offer lodging at Seyon Ranch State Park in Groton for people interested in a less rustic outing, and for those interested in a winter outing the historic Stone Hut on the side of Mount Mansfield offers shelter for skiers. Burton Island State Park in St. Albans Bay offers tent and lean-to camping as well as a 100 slip marina and 10 boat moorings for our lake visitors.

Forty-one parks offer day recreation opportunities from picnicking, hiking, swimming, biking, boating and fishing to group use shelters for picnics, family reunions, weddings, etc. Many of our parks are located on navigable waters, and several are in outstanding settings provided by the state's woodlands. I encourage you to discover the details for each park at our web-site, www.vtstateparks.com.

The division is placing effort into improved environmental interpretation and nature programs. One of our key goals is to help educate the public on the wise use and protection of our natural resources.

In addition, we are placing a strong emphasis on bringing our facilities up to current day standards. In 1998, it was determined that we needed in excess of $30 million to update our facilities. Since that time, about $4 million has been appropriated to help meet this need. We are confident that with Legislative support, federal dollars from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and private donations made to the State of Vermont's Land and Facilities Trust Fund, we will be able to bring our park facilities up to date and allow us to start providing additional amenities for our visitors.

I recently met with Carol Jenson, of Concord, who has camped in every Vermont State Park campground over the past 41 years, and she shared some of her very fond memories. She is among a large number of Vermonters committed to enjoying and supporting their state park system. Please join them! We hope that you will visit and enjoy Vermont State Parks, and if you have any comments or suggestions, or experiences that you would like to share, please feel free to contact us.