Mount Ascutney State Park
Discover panoramic views from Mt. Ascutney's summit, accessible via scenic drives or well-maintained hiking trails through hardwood forests.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, pleasant hiking
Mount Ascutney State Park
Best Time
Fewer crowds, pleasant hiking
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover panoramic views from Mt. Ascutney's summit, accessible via scenic drives or well-maintained hiking trails through hardwood forests.
"Breathtaking 360-degree views with trails suitable for families and seasoned hikers alike."
🚗 Drive or Hike?
Auto road offers easy access to summit views; hiking trails provide diverse experiences.
🦟 Bug Spray is Key!
Don't forget insect repellent, especially during warmer months.
Quick Facts
Rating
4.7 · 541 reviews
Type
State Park
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Summit Views
Mount Ascutney Summit
Panoramic 360-degree views of Vermont and New Hampshire's majestic landscapes. Signs identify distant mountain ranges and cities.
Auto Road Drive
Mount Ascutney State Park Auto Road
A captivating 3.7-mile drive through forests with winding roads and beautiful foliage, leading close to the summit parking.
Bicentennial Trail
Trailhead from upper parking lot
A 4-mile diverse trail offering an interesting and varied hiking experience through the park's natural beauty.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Drive or Hike to the Summit?
Best Time for Views & Fewer Crowds
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Drive or Hike?
Auto road offers easy access to summit views; hiking trails provide diverse experiences.
🦟 Bug Spray is Key!
Don't forget insect repellent, especially during warmer months.
💰 Fee for Entry
A small per-person fee is charged for park access.
🥾 Trail Variety
Choose trails from easy summit walks to challenging multi-mile hikes.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Drive or Hike?
Auto road offers easy access to summit views; hiking trails provide diverse experiences.
🦟 Bug Spray is Key!
Don't forget insect repellent, especially during warmer months.
💰 Fee for Entry
A small per-person fee is charged for park access.
🥾 Trail Variety
Choose trails from easy summit walks to challenging multi-mile hikes.
📸 Capture the Views
Bring your camera for breathtaking panoramic vistas from the summit.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Mount Ascutney State Park for its breathtaking summit views and well-maintained trails, noting the accessibility of the summit hike for families. Some mention the park's historical significance and the enjoyable scenic drive up the auto road. A few reviewers found the entry fee structure a bit informal and noted the need for insect repellent.
"Clean, beautiful park. Tail to the summit (from the upper parking lot) is relatively easy as most places with incline have steps made out of stones or even two places where there are actual metal stairs. My 5 year old was able to hike it and my almost 3 year old did the majority of coming back down the trail by herself.
The trails are well maintained, even being built to control erosion with rainfall.
Even the outhouse at the upper parking is super clean. You can tell the park is well cared for and loved.
This mountain is near and dear to my family's hearts and my sister has come back every year to share her love for this mountain with her son. It's been a few years since I was here but so thankful to spend our father's day here this year, with our father!"
Katie Shaw-Preisendorfer
"Best mountain and hiking in mid VT. So beautiful and so many hiking trail choices. The view from the top is insanely good and you can see so far in every direction. The moss and rocks and trees are gorgeous. Trails are moderate-strenuous, some steep parts and rocky parts. The hike from the top parking lot is super easy, takes like half an hour. 1 mile. Bicentennial trail (4miles?!) takes the longest imo and is the most interesting and diverse trail wise. Brownsville trail(3.5) is challenging, easy, then challenging again and equally cool with the quarry and old equipment 1.3 miles up. Windsor trail is beautiful but hell(rock stairs for 2.5ish miles). Haven't done any others. Ascutney is beautiful, rewarding, and also an easy accomplishable day hike adventure."
Jacob Weir
"$5 per person. No receipt. Kinda sketchy. Basically experiencing a 3 mile drive through the woods. No view at the top unless a person is willing to hike up a ravine, trail? to the summit .7 mile further. Oh, bring 'Off', or equivalent."
David
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Mount Ascutney State Park is located at 1826 Back Mountain Rd, Windsor, VT. You can drive directly to the park entrance. The auto road offers a scenic drive up the mountain, leading to a parking area near the summit.
Public transportation options directly to Mount Ascutney State Park are limited. It is best accessed by private vehicle. Consider ride-sharing services if available in the Windsor area.
The auto road is approximately 3.7 miles long and winds through hardwood forests. It's a beautiful drive with captivating foliage, especially in the fall.
Yes, Mount Ascutney State Park boasts four trailheads, offering access to over 12 miles of hiking trails. The summit parking lot provides access to shorter, easier trails.
Access to Mount Ascutney State Park may be limited or restricted during winter months due to snow and ice. It's advisable to check the park's official website or contact them for current conditions and accessibility.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
There is a per-person fee for park entry. While some reviews mention a $5 fee, it's best to confirm current pricing on the official Vermont State Parks website or at the park entrance.
Park hours can vary seasonally. The auto road typically closes around sunset. It's recommended to check the official Vermont State Parks website for the most up-to-date operating hours.
Advance ticket booking is generally not required for day use at Mount Ascutney State Park. However, for camping, reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak season.
Information on discounts for park entry is not widely available. It's worth checking the Vermont State Parks website for any potential passes or discounts that might apply.
Park admission typically grants access to the park grounds, hiking trails, and the auto road. Camping facilities are usually a separate fee.
🎫 🥾 Onsite Experience
For an easier hike, the trail from the upper parking lot to the summit is about 1 mile and takes around 30 minutes. The Bicentennial Trail (4 miles) is more diverse, and the Windsor Trail is beautiful but challenging with rock stairs.
The hike from the upper parking lot to the summit is relatively easy, with stone steps and some metal stairs, making it manageable for young children.
Yes, clean outhouses are available at the upper parking lot.
Expect breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views of the surrounding Vermont and New Hampshire landscapes. Signs help identify distant landmarks.
Mount Ascutney is a popular destination for hang gliding, with designated launching areas.
📸 📸 Photography
The summit offers the most spectacular panoramic views, especially during sunrise or sunset. The auto road itself provides scenic photo opportunities with winding roads and foliage.
Golden hours, shortly after sunrise and before sunset, offer the best lighting for landscape photography. Midday can be harsh, but the expansive views are still impressive.
A wide-angle lens is ideal for capturing the panoramic vistas. A telephoto lens can be useful for isolating details in the landscape. Don't forget a sturdy tripod for low-light conditions.
Generally, personal photography is allowed. However, commercial photography or drone usage may require permits. Always check park regulations.
The Bicentennial Trail offers diverse scenery, while the shorter summit trail provides quick access to iconic views. The Brownsville Trail features an old quarry, adding unique photographic elements.
Social
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