Mt. Ascutney State Park

Awesome ride up! Great views … we went during the fall so the colors made it even more amazing. Couple of scenic stops as you drive, make sure you take time to stop in and enjoy all! Ride down was a bit steep and scary but definitely fun!

Camped here a couple weeks ago for 2 nights. Well kept campground and facilities, and some great hiking almost right out of the tent. Hikes can be as long or as short as you want, depending on how far up you drive initially. Love this place!

Only had time for a relatively short hike, but this worked out quite well for that purpose. Was in the area for the weekend and was looking to get the blood pumping on an overcast day and had the heart set on a hike.
We checked in at the ranger station at the main entrance off Route 44A. The young man working at the station was able to provide some options regarding the hikes that might be suitable for the amount of time we had available. After discussing it with him, we opted to drive up to the pavilion and hike a portion of the Futures Trail. While this was considered a toll road, we did pay a few extra bucks to use the road. The road has been recently repaved and is quite smooth and twists and turns up the mountain.
Once we got on the trail, we had it to ourselves for the duration of the trip. We hiked up for about an hour, ending with a walk down a short trail radiating off the Futures Trail called Steam Donkey. Not having read the particulars on the map at that point, we were quite curious about what the Steam Donkey would be. Turns out it was a contraption used in the logging industry, though when you get there you will realize that it has not been used in a long, long time. An hour long ascent took about 45 minutes to descend. The hike was relatively steep in many parts and we left thinking that it was a worthwhile excursion. We both wished we had more time so that we could make it to the summit. Another day…
On our return to Ascutney ski area, you pass parking lots where the Windsor and Brownsville trails leave from. These lots were far more packed, as there is no entrance fee charged at those lots (that’s my guess at least). Both those trails are shorter than the Futures Trail, so could be a good option if you are looking to summit from the start of the trail.
If I return to the area, I’d like to visit again in order to explore this beautiful park even more.

Pretty decent campground. It is close to the freeway so it’s not as serene as many other VT state parks, but the convenient location makes it a good stop for I-​91 travelers. Its a heavily wooded park so there’s plenty of privacy. Some sites are a hike to the bathrooms.
If you are there during daylight the trip up to the mountain overlooks is definitely worth it.
Harpoon brewery is 8 mi away, great for tasting and a meal. Along the way you’ll go through the town of Windsor which is very cute. Also consider the charming little town of Bellows Falls nearby for exploring/​sightseeing. The fish ladder museum offers an interesting diversion (pun intended). The Miss Bellows Falls Diner offers old time dining car atmosphere and greasy spoon goodness.

I came here to hike the Weathersfield Trail. It’s a little confusing to find (you have to drive away from the main entrance to a side parking lot about 3 – 4 miles away), but the rangers at the «check in» area were very helpful.
The trail was very well maintained, well marked, and quite scenic. There is hang gliding of off the top of the mountain, and it’s a gorgeous view from the platform. The summit is a bit disappointing, it’s a cleared out area with a tower on it. The views are obstructed. If you’re hiking up, I highly recommend going to the summit just because you would hike to the summit, but having lunch/​break/​rest at West Peak, which is where the hang gliding platform is.
We really enjoyed the hike, and it’s one I would do again. You can also drive up to within .5 miles from the summit/​West Peak.

Great park. My boyfriend and I hit the top of Mt. Ascutney last Saturday morning, driving the steep 4-​mile road to the summit parking lot then hiking to the edges with gorgeous views. The trails were beautiful, and they led to different areas, including one that looks like a hang gliding jump-​off point (I have no idea who would actually jump off that edge, if that’s even what it’s for, but to each their own), and to the fire tower, where we could climb up some stairs and see vast amounts of Vermont land from the top. We went on different trails and hiked a sort of loop to get to both points, running into the crossroads between other trails at every turn. The trails were a little confusing — none of the trees were marked, but there were signs here and there, and we could have pulled up a map on my phone if we needed to. Either way, we eventually found our way back to our car, and we passed some more scenic views and walked through beautiful paths lined by rock formations and orange ferns on the way. Even if we got sidetracked, it was a lovely hike.
Note: If you do drive up to the summit, you might notice the smell of burning rubber on the way up. That’s probably the cars on the way down with their brakes. It’s a steep road, and once we got to the bottom and parked, our brakes were smoking up a storm. We jumped out of the car and freaked out, but a friendly park ranger came out and said it was just our brakes getting too hot and it happens all the time, especially to minivans, and the minivan drivers always stop and freak out. We took a little Corolla up, and despite the smoky brakes, we made it to all our Vermont destinations and back to Connecticut just fine.
Bonus: Harpoon Brewery is just 10 minutes away.

Back for a second trip at the same time of year. No bathroom issues like last year and the park ranger, Mark, was really helpful and friendly. Our two campsites for our group were perfectly clean and aside from the sounds of nearby I91, quite peaceful.
Um, how did we miss traveling to the top of Mt Ascutney to enjoy the beautiful views? We drove up the approximately 4 mile road — because let’s face it, we’re not that adventurous with 2 small kids to hike/​bike up. One word — GORGEOUS! Being a perfectly sunny and beautiful day I am sure helped. But I imagine the views are still pretty awesome no matter the weather.
We’re pretty certain we’ll be back in this part of VT at this time again next year. Same weekend as the Harpoon BBQ competition/​festival ;) We’ll definitely pick Ascutney.

Hiked the Windsor Trail, it was beautiful and challenging! Approx. 5 – 6 miles round trip, steep grade, falling water, well maintained trail with some great views from a few different spots near the top as well as a viewing tower. The summit is not as pristine as the rest of the hike due to two enormous cell phone/​tech towers but these were not noticeable at all from the trail. Best part of the hike? Hitting the Harpoon Brewery beer garden on the way home!

I’ve camped in Mt. Ascutney State Park for two years running now on Columbus Day weekend. It’s the last weekend the park is open for camping for the season and it’s the weekend the nearby Harpoon Brewery throws their annual Oktoberfest. Guess why I’m there?
Really this is a very beautiful and fairly large campground. I love the online reservation system and the prices are definitely reasonable. There are nice hiking trails a short distance from the campsites and if you like you can go straight to the mountaintop. (Don’t judge me if I’d rather drink beers around a campfire and chill with my dog.)
There are pay showers, and ice and wood for sale at the ranger station. The staff is about ⁵⁰⁄₅₀ nice to gruff ratio, but other people are friendly by and large and last year we befriended a nice Québécois couple who were there celebrating Thanksgiving (in October, oh those Canadians, so zany!).
The point is — I can’t wait to return, but it’s more about the delicious Harpoon brews I plan to drink and less about the merely passable ground I will be sleeping on.

Mt Ascutney is a lonely and majestic mountain. It stands alone tall and proud. It is not part of a mountain range like most other mountains in VT.
Ascutney State Park is a fantastic park that offers trails, and camping, and a access road that goes ¾ way to the top. Open May-​Oct. the park is a great spot to take advantage of some fantastic views on top. One the top, of the mountain is Brownsville Rock, a big open ledge which is popular with hang gliders who love to jump off here.
One a year, in June there is a Ascutney Day where everyone climbs up to the top and enjoys a free picnic lunch.
Also climbers, be aware that there is several more good trails that go up the mountain.
Brownsville Trail. Located on Rt 44 A and Rt 44 intersection.
Windsor Trail. On Rt 44 a bit South of Brownsville trail, across from the Yates Sheep Farm.
Cascade Fall Trail. Located in Weathersfield. My personal favorite.