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State park in Washington County, Vermont

Little River State Park

Reservoir camping in the Green Mountains with abandoned settlement ruins to explore.

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Where on earth

Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Little River State Park, Worldwide. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.

Region
Vermont, USA
Country
Worldwide
Biome
Northern hardwood (300 m)
Best season
May – October
Difficulty
moderate
Known for
  • Backpacking
  • Hiking

Key takeaways

  • Biome: Northern hardwood (300 m)
  • Best season: May – October
  • Difficulty: moderate
  • Top activity: backpacking
Loading live weather & climate for Little River State Park…

Photos of Little River State Park

Little River State Park is a campground state park on the 850-acre Waterbury Reservoir in Waterbury, Vermont. It is located in Mount Mansfield State Forest.
Photo: Wikipedia contributors · See Wikimedia Commons

Topic summary

Reservoir camping in the Green Mountains with abandoned settlement ruins to explore.

Key takeaways

  • Difficulty: moderate
  • Best season: May – October

Intended uses

backpacking

Climate suitability

Northern hardwood (300 m)

Region
Worldwide
Biome
Northern hardwood (300 m)
Difficulty
moderate

Tools for a trip here

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backpacking

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Little River State Park trip tools

How to get there

Little River State Park is in Vermont, USA, Worldwide. Its center point is 44.3900, -72.7700. Use these links for live turn-by-turn directions from where you are, then confirm road, trailhead and access conditions with the managing agency before you leave.

Popular pursuits at Little River State Park

  • Backpacking

    Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.

  • Hiking

    Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.

Animals around Little River State Park

Browse all wildlife guides →

Maps, GPS & compass for this trip

Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.

Fishing at Little River State Park

Planning to fish Little River State Park, Vermont? Fishing licenses, open seasons and catch limits in Vermont are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.

Do I need a fishing license at Little River State Park?

  • A Vermont fishing license is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
  • Read the current Vermont fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
  • Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.

Hunting near Little River State Park

Thinking about hunting Little River State Park, Vermont? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Vermont are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.

Is hunting allowed at Little River State Park?

  • Confirm the land around Little River State Park is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.

What do I need to hunt in Vermont?

  • A Vermont hunting license — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
  • Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
  • Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.

Little River State Park: Vermont context

Little River State Park is the destination for this Vermont trip, but its precise location, landscape, facilities, and recreation options are not established here. Vermont lies in New England, bordered by Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Quebec. The Green Mountains run north–south through the middle of the state, with Lake Champlain and other valley terrain to the west and the Connecticut River Valley along the eastern border. That statewide geography provides orientation, not a description of the park itself. Before building an itinerary, confirm the park’s location and visitor information with its managing agency. Do not assume that a nearby mountain, lake, or regional attraction is accessible from within the park.

Seasonal preparation

Vermont has warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Those broad seasonal patterns are useful for initial packing decisions, but they do not establish when Little River State Park is open or which activities are available. For a summer visit, prepare for heat and humidity with drinking water and clothing suited to changing temperatures. For winter travel, plan for cold and snow, while confirming that the intended entrance and activity are available before departure. Much of Vermont is forested with hardwoods and conifers; that regional setting does not establish shade or shelter along any particular park route. Match clothing and equipment to the local forecast and confirmed outing rather than relying on statewide conditions alone.

Build the itinerary around confirmed access

A practical visit requires park-specific information before departure: the correct entrance, available parking, an accurate visitor map, and confirmation of the activities the park supports. Named trailheads, routes, route lengths, and difficulty ratings are not established here, so no particular hike or access point can be recommended responsibly. The same caution applies to camping, water access, and other facilities: confirm availability rather than treating the state park designation as a guarantee. Ask the managing agency about current access requirements and conditions, then choose an outing that matches the group’s experience and equipment. Keep travel arrangements flexible until those basics are settled. Regional information about Vermont is useful background, but it cannot replace local directions or an up-to-date park map.

Sample itineraries

  • One-day visit planning · 1 day

    Before setting out for Little River State Park, confirm current access, available activities and conditions with the managing agency. Choose the day's route only after checking park-specific information; no trail or access-point details are established here.

  • Two-day visit planning · 2 days

    Allow two days for a flexible visit, but confirm park access and overnight options before booking. Do not assume camping is available. Plan each day's activities around verified park information and the weather forecast.

Seasonal conditions

Spring

Confirm seasonal access before travel

Park-specific spring conditions are not established. Check local weather and current ground conditions before choosing activities.

Summer

Warm-weather season; park operating dates unconfirmed

Vermont summers are warm and humid. Carry water, wear breathable clothing and adjust exertion to the heat. These are statewide conditions, not a park-specific forecast.

Fall

Confirm seasonal access before travel

Park-specific fall conditions are not established. Use a current local forecast to choose layers and confirm which facilities and activities are available.

Winter

Cold-weather season; park access unconfirmed

Vermont winters are cold and snowy. Prepare for cold exposure and snow if access is confirmed; do not assume park roads, trails or facilities are maintained for winter use.

Permits, fees & closures

Confirm current permit, entry and reservation requirements with the park's managing agency.

Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.

Hazards & regulations

  • Vermont's warm, humid summers warrant precautions against overheating during exertion; carry water and take breaks.
  • Vermont's cold winters require insulating layers and protection from cold exposure.
  • Snowy winter conditions can complicate footing and navigation. Confirm local conditions and access before setting out.

What to pack for Little River State Park

Warm-weather essentials
  • Drinking water
  • Breathable clothing
  • Sun protection
Cold-weather essentials
  • Insulating layers
  • Warm hat and gloves
  • Weather-protective outer layer
Trip planning
  • Current park map obtained from the managing agency
  • Local weather forecast
  • Verified access and facility information

Build this list in the gear builder →

Little River State Park FAQ

Which trails should a first-time visitor choose?
No park-specific trails, distances or difficulty ratings are established here. Obtain a current park map and ask the managing agency which routes suit the group's abilities and current conditions.
Can visitors camp overnight?
Overnight facilities and camping availability are not established here. Confirm accommodation options and any booking requirements before planning an overnight stay.
What weather should visitors prepare for?
Vermont has warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Check a local forecast before departure; statewide climate does not establish conditions at the park on a particular day.
Is winter access available?
Winter access and maintenance are not established here. Confirm access directly with the managing agency before traveling.
Which wildlife might visitors encounter?
No park-specific wildlife species are established here. Ask park staff for current wildlife guidance rather than relying on an assumed species list.