Smugglers' Notch State Park

Smugglers’ Notch State Park occupies one of the most geologically dramatic passes in the northeastern United States. The notch itself is a narrow mountain gap carved through the Green Mountains between Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak and the Sterling Range, with sheer cliff walls rising hundreds of feet on both sides of Route 108. The park draws visitors seeking serious hiking, quiet forest camping, and a landscape that feels genuinely wild for a roadside destination in Vermont. The name traces to smuggling after the 1807 Embargo Act, when local people used the pass to herd cattle and carry goods in illegal trade with Canada; the pass was also used later during Prohibition.

The Notch Cliffs and Boulder Fields

The defining feature of the park is the notch corridor itself, where glacially sculpted cliffs and massive talus boulders crowd the roadside and create an environment unlike anywhere else in Vermont. Some boulders in the field are the size of houses, and the cliff faces above reach heights that draw technical climbers from across the region. The exposed rock is primarily mica-albite-quartz schist, locally containing garnet, offering varied crack and face routes on the walls above the valley floor. Climbers should note that some walls have seasonal raptor nesting closures in spring, so checking current access information before a trip is worthwhile. Even visitors with no interest in climbing find the boulder fields worth exploring on foot, though the terrain is uneven and requires careful footing.

Hiking and the Long Trail

The Long Trail runs directly through the notch, and the park provides some of the most accessible entry points to this continuous footpath that stretches the full length of Vermont. Day hikers can pick up the trail at marked trailheads along Route 108 and head north toward Sterling Pond, a high-elevation mountain pond below treeline that rewards the moderate climb with open views. The route to the summit of Mount Mansfield is accessible from the notch as well, though the full ascent is a strenuous undertaking that requires appropriate footwear and weather awareness. Shorter trails in the lower notch provide access to cliff bases and overlooks without requiring full summit efforts, making the park functional for hikers across a range of fitness levels.

Forest Camping

The campground at Smugglers’ Notch offers lean-to and tent sites set in a dense northern hardwood and boreal forest. Sites here tend to be more secluded than at many Vermont state park campgrounds, with good tree cover and spacing. The setting suits people who want a base for multi-day hiking rather than a social camping atmosphere. Facilities include flush toilets, hot and cold running water, and coin/token-operated hot showers. Because black bears are genuinely active in this area, proper food storage is not optional, and the park enforces bear-safe practices. Campers should also expect cool nights even in July and August at this elevation, and early-season camping in May and June can bring near-freezing overnight temperatures.

Pet Policy

Pets are permitted at Smugglers’ Notch, including in campgrounds and on trails unless otherwise designated; they must be kept out of restricted areas such as picnic areas. Pets must be safely confined or on a leash no longer than 10 feet. Pets are not permitted inside park buildings. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their animals. Given active wildlife in the area, keeping pets close and under control is genuinely important rather than just a formality.

Wildlife to Be Aware Of

Black bears are regularly seen throughout the park, particularly near campsites and trailheads. They are not a reason to avoid the park, but they require consistent attention to food storage. Store food and scented items in a hard-sided vehicle or an approved bear-resistant container if one is available, and do so at all times, including during the day. Never leave food unattended at a campsite.

Moose may occur in the broader northern Vermont forests surrounding the park and along regional trail corridors. They are large enough to be genuinely dangerous, particularly cows traveling with calves in late spring and early summer. Give any moose a wide berth and do not approach for photographs. If a moose lowers its head, pins its ears, or begins to walk toward you, move away quickly and put a solid object between yourself and the animal.

Coyotes are occasionally seen near campsites around dawn and dusk. They pose little threat to adults but may approach areas where food scraps or garbage are improperly stored. Keep a clean camp and do not leave small pets unattended outside at night.

Practical Information

Smugglers’ Notch State Park is located on Route 108 north of Stowe, Vermont, approximately 6.5 miles northwest of Stowe village on Route 108, for the state park and campground. The coordinates are 44.5642, -72.7979. The access road through the notch is narrow, steep, and winding, with sections that are impassable for larger RVs and trailers. Drivers with large vehicles should check Vermont Agency of Transportation guidance before attempting the route. The road through the notch is closed in winter and typically reopens in May depending on conditions; for 2026, it reopened on May 4.

A day use fee applies to all visitors. Standard Vermont State Parks day-use admission is per person, and a season vehicle pass is also available for those planning multiple visits across the state park system. Current pricing is listed at vtstateparks.com/fees. Camping reservations can be made through the Vermont State Parks reservation system and are strongly recommended for summer weekends.