Hiking and Camping at Mount Ascutney State Park

Gorgeous mountain vistas, unique hiking trails, and a beautiful family-friendly campground – Mount Ascutney State Park is a playground for nature lovers, history buffs, and outdoor adventurers.

Its close proximity to Wilgus State Park on the Connecticut River means you can hike to spectacular vistas in the morning and paddle the meandering river in the afternoon.

What more could you ask for in an outdoor vacation? 

Quick Facts: Mount Ascutney State Park
Address: 1826 Back Mountain Rd
Windsor, VT 05089
Activities: hiking and camping
Open: Memorial Day weekend to 2nd weekend in October
Fees: $5 adults, $2 kids
Camping: 38 wooded tent/RV sites (no hookups) and 10 lean-tos
Dogs: Yes, on-leash
Google Maps Directions
Official Park Website

Built between 1935 and 1938, Mount Ascutney State Park was one of the very first state parks established in Vermont. The mountain’s first hiking trail was created way before that — in 1825. It was the first organized mountain hiking trail in Vermont, and some accounts suggest it was the first in the country.

Today, hikers can scale the mountain from one of four trailheads, or they can explore a series of summit trails after driving up the 3.7-mile toll road (free for campers and other park visitors who pay the daily entrance fee).

Mount Ascutney State Park is one of our favorite parks in Vermont. It’s got some incredible hiking trails and unique features that are fun to explore. Keep reading to find out about our favorite trails and activities within the park.

Mt. Ascutney is unique as far as Vermont mountains go. It’s a monadnock — an isolated mountain of erosion-resistant rock, in this case, granite. It’s a conspicuous mountain, towering 3,144 feet above the Connecticut River Valley below, but it’s not part of Vermont’s Green Mountains.

Geologically, Mount Ascutney has more in common with the Whites of New Hampshire, but geographically, it stands alone.

When it comes to mountains, I hate to pick favorites, but Mount Ascutney has totally stolen my heart, and I’m already planning my camping trip for the fall. 

Mount Ascutney Hiking Trails

There are four trails leading up to the summit of Mount Ascutney, and everyone I talked to had a different opinion as to which one is their favorite. I can’t call myself an expert, because we didn’t have time to explore them all, but here’s an overview of your choices.

To experience the Mount Ascutney trails for yourself, check out this trail map and guide from Vermont State Parks.

Futures Trail to Bare Rock Vista to the Summit of Mt Ascutney

At 4.6 miles (one-way), the Futures Trail is the most extended trek up to the summit of Mount Ascutney and the only trail that begins in the campground. This was a plus for us, so we decided to give it a go.

Like many mountain hikes, Futures Trail is characterized by moderately strenuous switchbacks through mostly hardwood forests, which transition to evergreens as you gain elevation.

If you’re looking for a shorter hike, perhaps to watch the sunrise, Futures Trail will take you to Bare Rock Vista after a mile of hiking. The views here are incredible, and there are lots of great spots for a picnic here as well.

Brownsville Trail to the Summit of Mount Ascutney

Brownsville Trail is a 3.2-mile (one-way) hike to the summit with some nice views on the way up.

Within the first mile, you will pass a cool quarry and some rusty mining equipment. The Brownsville Trail starts out steep, but levels out for a bit, so you’re not going straight up the whole way.

Brownsville Trail parking is located on Route 44, not inside Mount Ascutney State Park, which means you won’t have to pay an entrance fee to hike.

Weathersfield Trail to the Summit of Mount Ascutney

The Weathersfield Trail to the summit of Mount Ascutney seems to be the most popular of all the routes.

The Weathersfield trailhead is maintained all year and is located off of Route 131 on Cascade Falls Road in Weathersfield. The parking area can fit about 10 cars, so get there early to secure a spot. The route to the summit is 2.9 miles (one-way) and there are plenty of viewpoints on the way up, as well as small streams and waterfalls.

Windsor Trail to the Summit

Windsor Trail is 2.7 miles (one-way) to the summit of Mount Ascutney, making it the shortest of the four routes, but in my humble opinion, the best of the bunch, and one of our favorite trails in the state. The trailhead is located on Route 44A in Windsor, not far from the trailhead for the Brownsville Trail. It ascends the mountain on the northeast side, climbing steadily.

You could easily turn this hike into a loop by trekking up Windsor and down Brownsville, and then walking back to your car on Route 44. Highlights of Windsor trail include Gerry’s Falls, a small, but pretty waterfall, Castle Rock (great views), and Brownsville Rock (more great views).

Mount Ascutney Summit Trails

Don’t have the time or energy to hike to the top of Mount Ascutney? After driving up the toll road (Mount Ascutney Parkway) to the parking lot near the summit of Mount Ascutney, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the green mountains.

Take any of the boulder-encrusted trails that meander around the summit and you’ll find yourself in a dark, enchanting forest that smells like Christmas because of the abundance of spruce and fir trees.

Every short hiking trail on Mount Ascutney’s summit leads to more incredible views, and as you hike, a thousand birds will serenade you with their sweet songs.

The Mount Ascutney Observation Tower 

For a 360° view of the Green Mountains and the White Mountains of New Hampshire, climb the 24.5-foot high observation tower. Interpretive signs name the distant peaks in all directions, and it’s a pretty good spot for a selfie.

We saw Mount Mansfield to the north, and on the clearest of days, even Quebec is visible.

The Hang Gliders on Mount Ascutney

Did you know that Mount Ascutney is one of the top hang-gliding destinations in New England? And that even if you’re not a daredevil, you can watch them take off and glide through the air?

There’s a hang-glider launch on the west and south sides of the peak and you can easily access both from the summit parking lot.

I imagine it’s pretty thrilling to ride the thermals, but for me, it was enough to watch the hang gliders soaring across the clear blue sky. We didn’t get to witness a launch while we were there, but we’ve heard that it’s a pretty common occurrence on just about every nice day.

Mount Ascutney State Park Camping

Mount Ascutney State Park has 38 wooded tent/RV sites and 10 lean-to sites that are arranged within two campground loops.

Each loop has a restroom providing modern plumbing and coin-operated hot showers. There is a sanitary dump station for RVs, but there are no hookups. There are also five cabins that you can rent – each with bunks for sleeping, electricity, a table, and an outdoor fire pit. 

The campsites are fairly private, and the Futures hiking trail is easy to access from the campground. Ice and firewood are both available for sale. A two-night stay is perfect for exploring all that Mount Ascutney has to offer.

Tips for Visiting Mount Ascutney State Park and the Surrounding Area

Get your game on. There’s a lovely rec field just below White Birch, Cherry, and Cedar lean-tos. For some reason, it’s not on the map, but it’s a fantastic place for a game of Frisbee or football, and the stargazing is pretty amazing from here.

Porcupines are plentiful! We saw two porcupines on our recent visit. They’re cute, but can be a real danger to dogs who don’t know better. Dogs are permitted within the park and in the campground, but you should definitely keep them on a leash at all times.

You can paddle too! Wilgus State Park, just 4 miles from Mount Ascutney State Park, is perched on a slow-moving portion of the Connecticut River. Rent a canoe or kayak to explore the shores of Vermont and New Hampshire. Wilgus State Park was our base camp when we paddled a short section of the Connecticut River with Great River Outfitters. 

A few things you’ll need for your trip to Mount Ascutney State Park

Whether you’re heading out for a day hike or spending the weekend at Mount Ascutney State Park, here are a few items that will make your trip more enjoyable.

• Bug spray – Like everywhere else in Vermont, mosquitoes are plentiful on Mount Ascutney. I think we’ve tried every single insect repellent on the market. Our current favorite is Sawyer Picaridin repellent for a couple of reasons. It does not leave our skin feeling all greasy and yucky, it doesn’t damage synthetic fabrics like DEET products, and it seriously lasts for 12 hours. We spray it on in the morning and forget about it, and it repels mosquitoes, flies, and ticks that cause Lyme disease. Also, we’ve tried the lotion version and found that it doesn’t work as well as the spray.
  
• Your hammock – Not all Vermont State Parks are conducive to hammock camping, but Mt. Ascutney State Park is a great spot to hang around in the trees. Bring your hammock for this one, and if you don’t have one, buy one. We love our Kammok Mantis, which is an all-in-one camping setup that is rain and bugproof!
  
• A quick-dry towel – On a hot summer day, you will want to check out the local swimming hole, I promise. Pack your swimsuit and a quick-dry towel because your campsite will likely be in the shade, and those beach towels never dry. 
  
• A light-up disc – If you’re camping on Mt. Ascutney, take advantage of the playing field to either watch the stars or play a game of catch. This light-up disc from Aerobie will provide hours of fun before or after your campfire.

Hotels Near Mount Ascutney State Park

Finally, we know that not everyone loves pitching a tent, and that’s okay! If you are hoping to hike to the top of Mount Ascutney without camping, we recommend staying at Mount Ascutney Resort (a Holiday Inn property).

Located just four miles from Mount Ascutney State Park, Mount Ascutney Resort features beautifully appointed rooms, an indoor and outdoor pool, a fire pit, and a game room. It’s a spectacular destination for outdoor families.

Vermont’s only monadnock, Mt. Ascutney is a wild and enchanting mountain. Whether you visit for the day or spend the weekend with your family, you’re sure to fall in love with Mount Ascutney State Park.

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