Little pockets of rural enclaves are not hard to come by in Vermont. It’s a state with just ten cities, all with fewer than 45,000 residents and most with fewer than 20,000.
The rest of Vermont is divided into tiny villages and Census Designated Places that sprawl across the mountainous terrain and beckon to those yearning to get off the beaten path.
When October comes around, there’s nowhere I’d rather be than in rural Vermont — where the mountain views are plentiful, the people are friendly, and it’s all too easy to get lost (and found) on some obscure back road.
One of my favorite regions of Vermont is just east of Burlington, where the Green Mountains start to rise up from the Champlain Valley, and the busy roads surrounding the city give way to rural lanes and dirt roads through the mountains.
Take a long weekend in October to explore the towns of Richmond, Huntington, and Jericho, Vermont, and you’ll be treated to iconic mountain views, stunning waterfalls, and fascinating historic sites. Follow our itinerary below, or use it to inspire your own explorations.
At-A-Glance: A Fall Weekend in Richmond and Jericho Vermont
Here’s a bite-sized snapshot of everything you need to know to plan your trip weekend getaway exploring this beautiful region of Vermont.
- When to Go: For stunning fall foliage, visit during the first or second week in October.
- Where to Stay: This cute apartment on Airbnb in downtown Richmond was perfect for a solo trip but would be great for couples, too (no pets). The Tuckaway Suite is another great option for couples in nearby Jericho. I haven’t stayed there yet, but it’s on my list!
- How to Get There: The nearest airport is Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (BTV), which is about 20 minutes from Richmond.
- How to Get Around: We recommend renting a car or driving your own for this trip.
- Top 3 Highlights: Hiking Camel’s Hump, Palmer Lane Maple creemees, and the Birds of Vermont Museum.
Day 1: Explore Richmond and Hungtington
Let’s start our journey in the town of Richmond. Just 15 miles from Burlington, this lovely little town on the Winooski River makes the perfect home base for exploring the region.
Birds of Vermont Museum and Audubon Vermont
Explore five miles of woodland trails crisscrossing over 250 acres surrounding the Green Mountain Audubon Center in Huntington.
These easy trails are great for exploring the natural communities that thrive in this part of Vermont. The northern hardwood forest is rich in maple, beech, cherry, and birch trees, making this one of the best spots for fall colors. The trails are open year-round from dawn til dusk.
A few trails were damaged during the 2024 flooding, so be sure to check the website for current trail alerts before setting out.
Did you know there’s a museum in Vermont dedicated almost entirely to the art of carving Vermont birds out of wood? Based on the work of founding director Bob Spear, the Birds of Vermont Museum features hundreds of intricately carved birds by master wood carvers.
Bob carved his first bird when he was 18 years old in 1938 and continued to carve birds for the rest of his life. His vision was to carve all of Vermont’s nesting birds in their natural habitat. He carved more than 500 life-size birds in his lifetime!
Come check out these amazing birds, plus birds carved by other talented woodworkers, and learn more about their habits and habitats before meandering the trails to do some birdwatching of your own.
A visit to the Museum in Huntington makes a fantastic day trip. It’s open between May and October, Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am – 4 pm.
Check out Huntington Gorge
Huntington Gorge is a popular (and dangerous) swimming hole in the summer, but in the fall, it’s a beautiful spot to meander around with your camera.
Follow the Huntington River as it carves its way through a narrow gorge of bedrock schist, forming pools and waterfalls along the way. In some spots the rocky cliffs tower more than 80 feet above the river.
There is a small parking lot on Dugway Road with room for a few cars. Vehicles parked along the road will be towed.
Explore Honey Hollow Falls in Camel’s Hump State Park
If you have time, check out one more waterfall today — Honey Hollow Falls in Camel’s Hump State Park. This is one of my favorite waterfalls to photograph because the hollow is bordered by drippy moss and drooping ferns, and it’s just a few miles from Huntington Gorge.
The falls are part of Preston Brook in Bolton and consist of several beautiful cascades tumbling over the rocks. Honey Hollow Falls is one of the waterfalls I discovered in New England Waterfalls by Greg Parsons and Kate B. Watson, one of my favorite books for finding hidden waterfalls in Vermont.
Photograph the Round Church in Richmond
The Round Church is actually a 16-sided polygon, Constructed in 1812-13 under the direction of local craftsman William Rhodes.
It was built to be a place of worship for five Protestant denominations: Baptists, Christians, Congregationalists, Methodists, and Universalists. Members of each denomination financed the construction of the church.
Today, the Old Round Church is maintained by the Richmond Historical Society. It is open to the public during the summer and fall, from 10 am – 4 pm daily, but if you’re hoping for a pic, I prefer sunrise or sunset best.
If you are staying at the Airbnb mentioned above, the Round Church is a short walk away.
Dinner at Stone’s Throw Pizza
Located in Richmond Village, Stone’s Throw is our top choice for an easy casual dinner. On warm evenings, you can order a pizza and craft beers and enjoy them in the cozy outdoor seating area.
The gourmet pizza menu is eclectic, with so many delicious choices! We tried the Eden with white sauce, roasted apples, bacon, blue cheese, parsley, and a honey drizzle. There are vegan choices and gluten-free pizzas, too!
Day 2: Hike Camel’s Hump in Huntington
Camel’s Hump is the most iconic peak in Vermont, and it requires a bit of work to get on top of. At 4,083, Camel’s Hump is the third tallest mountain in Vermont and one of just five peaks over 4,000 feet. It’s also one of just three alpine tundra zones in Vermont (Mt. Mansfield has alpine tundra as well).
This windswept mountain summit is completely undeveloped and one of the best hikes in Vermont for peak baggers.
Our favorite way to hike Camel’s Hump is to head up Burrows Trail to the Long Trail south and then back to our car via Forest City Trail. This strenuous hike totals 5.3 miles.
Before heading to the trailhead, pop into Sweet Simone’s in Richmond for some strong coffee and delightful pastries to fuel your hike. You can also pick up lunch to go so you’ve got something to enjoy on top of the mountain!
* Hiking to the top of Camel’s Hump will take four to five hours, so we’ve dedicated a full day for the adventure. If you are not up for a serious hike, you will have time to enjoy the rest of this itinerary at a more leisurely pace.
After your hike, head to Hatchet (pub fare and dumplings) or The Big Spruce (upscale American), both in Richmond, for dinner.
Day 3: Explore Jericho and Bolton
Ready for another day of exploring Vermont’s gorgeous fall foliage? Today, we’re focusing on some easy nature walks with fantastic views, one of Vermont’s best creemee spots, and a historic mill in Jericho.
Meander Around Mills Riverside Park
The trails that meander around Mills Riverside Park in Jericho are relatively flat, crisscrossing through meadows and woods. There’s an off-leash dog area, Browns River access, and a few picnic tables, but the real draw is the expansive views of Vermont’s tallest peak.
During my visit last year, I could only squeeze in a walk here in the early afternoon, but I recommend early morning if you hope to get some good shots. Here’s a trail map to help you plan your excursion.
Check out the Old Red Mill and Snowflake Bentley Exhibit in Jericho
Once upon a time, eight mills were sited on the Brown’s River around Jericho, and they were used to power various industries throughout the 1800s and early 1900s. The Old Red Mill, once known as Chittenden Mills, was built in 1856 and is one of two remaining.
While the mill is no longer functioning, it has been beautifully restored and now houses the Jericho Historical Society and Craft Shop, as well as a wonderful Snowflake Bentley Exhibit.
William ‘Snowflake’ Bentley was born in Jericho in 1865 and became well-known across the world for his work photographing snowflakes. Over the course of his lifetime, he photographed well over 5000 snowflakes and never found two alike.
The Old Red Mill is open daily during the fall foliage season, from Monday to Saturday, from 11 am to 4 pm. The onsite craft shop is one of my favorite spots to pick up Vermont gifts for friends and family.
After exploring the exhibits, head over to the Jericho Cafe and Tavern for lunch, and be sure to save room for a maple creemee from Palmer Lane Maple. It’s not to be missed.
Libby’s Look in Bolton
Preston Pond Conservation Area in Bolton is a beautifully underappreciated trail system through a hardwood forest with two ponds, a rocky vista, and trails marked with whimsically painted wildlife portraits.
The trails are especially lovely in the fall when the trees and the ground below them are ablaze with autumn colors.
There are lots of different trails you can explore within the system, but the short and sweet Libby’s Look loop will give you an abundance of fall colors with a beautiful view of the green mountains. The loop is 2.3 miles — just long enough to work off your maple creemee!
Ready to plan your perfect fall getaway in Vermont? The towns of Richmond, Huntington, and Jericho are full of surprises and perfect for outdoor lovers!
Looking for more weekend getaways in Vermont? Here are some posts you should check out! Take a look:
- A Perfect Fall Weekend in the Lake Champlain Islands
- Plan a Fall Foliage Weekend in Bennington, Vermont
- 10 Perfect Things to Do in Woodstock, Vermont, in the Fall
- A Fall Foliage Weekend in Ludlow, Vermont
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Tara Schatz is a freelance writer and the founder and editor-in-chief of Vermont Explored and Back Road Ramblers, an American road trip blog. She is also the co-author of the 3rd edition of AMC’s Best Day Hikes in Vermont, released in May 2023, and the author of 100+ Wonderful Ways to Experience Vermont.
