Peak Adventure

The Green Mountain Club’s Visitor Centers and rustic rental cabins serve as ideal gateways to Vermont hiking and outdoor exploration 

STORY BY BENJAMIN LERNER PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY GREEN MOUNTAIN CLUB 

Throughout the Green Mountain State, extensive networks of picturesque trails snake through forests, valleys, and majestic mountains, offering unparalleled access to Vermont’s gorgeous wilderness. Since its founding in 1910, the Green Mountain Club (GMC) has proudly served as the dedicated guardian of Vermont’s hiking trails and backcountry paths. Through its meticulous stewardship of the Long Trail—the nation’s oldest long-distance hiking path—and extensive network of associated trails, GMC connects novice and seasoned hikers alike to Vermont’s natural resources. GMC’s welcoming visitor centers and rustic rental cabins serve as consummate gateways to the most wild and beautiful places in Vermont, inviting explorers of all skill and experience levels to immerse themselves deeply in the natural beauty of the Green Mountain State. In the weeks leading up to the peak summer hiking season, we at VERMONT Magazine partnered with the staff of the GMC to offer a closer look at their visitor centers, rustic rental cabins, and programmatic offerings, providing a curated overview of the myriad ways that GMC brings both visitors and lifelong Vermonters closer to nature.

View from Bromley Mountain Observation Tower 

VISITOR CENTERS AND CABINS 

Main Visitor Center 

Waterbury Center 

Nestled between Waterbury and Stowe on scenic Route 100, the GMC Visitor Center is more than just a place to gather maps and information—it’s a comprehensive outdoor recreation hub dedicated to enhancing every Vermont visitor’s hiking experience. The center itself is housed in a beautifully designed timber-frame building, which is constructed from sustainably-harvested local wood. Its architecture exemplifies GMC’s commitment to environmental stewardship, featuring solar photovoltaic panels, biomass heating, composting toilets, and energy-efficient lighting, proudly generating 100% of its energy onsite. 

Emily Mosher, GMC Visitor Services Manager, emphasizes the personalized nature of their services: “Our staff at the Visitor Center in Waterbury are experienced hikers who specialize in offering customized hiking recommendations tailored to each visitor’s interests and skill levels.” To that end, the Waterbury Visitor Center also stocks detailed hiking guides, maps, and GMC-branded outdoor gear. It also provides essential gear, such as bear canisters, which are available for lending to hikers venturing into the backcountry. Furthermore, it serves as a vibrant educational haven, regularly hosting workshops and classes that range from Backpacking 101 to Wilderness First Aid and Mushroom Foraging. Beyond resources and classes, the Visitor Center is an inviting place to rest and reflect. Visitors can enjoy a scenic picnic overlooking the Green Mountains or stroll along the gentle Short Trail, a perfect introduction to Vermont’s tranquil wilderness. 

Barnes Camp 

Visitor Center 

Smugglers’ Notch 

Situated at the historic entrance of Smugglers’ Notch State Park, Barnes Camp Visitor Center is the ideal starting point for exploring Mount Mansfield’s iconic trails. Originally built in 1927, this charming and historic structure has served as a hiker lodge and dormitory in the past. It now functions as a lively and informative visitor center. According to Mosher, Barnes Camp acts as an invaluable resource for hikers and tourists alike. Staffed by knowledgeable GMC volunteers and Smugglers’ Notch State Park personnel, Barnes Camp is uniquely positioned to provide visitors with expert trail recommendations and local insights. She adds: “We not only guide hikers on Mansfield’s trails but also help visitors connect to the wider recreational and cultural opportunities around Stowe and Smugglers’ Notch.” 

Barnes Camp features engaging exhibits about the region’s unique ecology, flora, and fauna, enhancing visitors’ understanding and appreciation of Vermont’s natural beauty. The center also serves as a launching point for accessible yet rewarding hikes, such as the Barnes Camp Loop—a gentle trail featuring a scenic boardwalk leading to stunning views of Smugglers’ Notch. As visitor numbers continue to grow, Barnes Camp maintains a warm, community-oriented atmosphere, thanks largely to the dedicated efforts of local volunteers. “Our volunteers are crucial,” Mosher notes. “Their passion and dedication allow us to keep this historic site thriving.” Together, the Green Mountain Club’s Visitor Centers in Waterbury and Smugglers’ Notch offer vital support, enriching experiences, and welcoming entry points into Vermont’s remarkable wilderness.

GMC’S RENTAL CABINS: RUSTIC COMFORT 

Scattered throughout Northern Vermont, GMC’s four charming, rustic, rental cabins provide hikers, families, and small groups unique accommodations immersed in nature. Each cabin offers a genuinely unplugged experience. With no running water or electricity, they rely instead on wood stoves, outhouses, and basic amenities, fostering memorable adventures and deeper connections with surrounding environments. 

Bolton Lodge 

Bolton Valley 

Nestled within Bolton Valley’s extensive ski and hiking trail network, Bolton Lodge offers guests rustic charm and immediate access to adventure. Built in 1928 and lovingly restored in 2017, Bolton Lodge provides accommodations for up to eight guests in an unfurnished, bunk-style arrangement. The cabin’s location makes it ideal for exploration, whether hiking to panoramic viewpoints, enjoying vibrant mountain biking trails, or skiing through Bolton’s groomed and backcountry trails during winter months. Stunning vistas of the Green Mountains, Lake Champlain, and even distant Adirondack peaks further enhance the cabin’s allure. 

Bryant Camp 

Bolton Valley 

A mile from Bolton’s Nordic and Sports Center via the scenic Bryant Trail, Bryant Camp presents another wonderful retreat. Constructed around 1930 and fully restored in 2016, this cabin offers an unfurnished sleeping loft accommodating up to eight visitors, making it perfect for families or groups of friends. In winter, the cabin’s position within Bolton Valley’s trail network provides outstanding cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities. Summer and fall bring lush greenery and trails ripe for hiking and mountain biking, making Bryant Camp a year-round hub for outdoor adventurers. 

Wheeler Pond Camp Cabins 

Northeast Kingdom 

Set amidst the picturesque landscapes of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom near Lake Willoughby, these cabins combine accessible convenience with remote wilderness charm. The Wheeler Pond cabins offer both easy access and a profound sense of seclusion—perfect for beginners, families, or anyone seeking a gentle wilderness experience. The Hadsel-Mares Cabin, dating from the 1970s and donated to GMC in 2004, sleeps up to eight guests in a spacious and charmingly rustic setting. Visitors enjoy a wood stove, a cozy main living area, and a screened porch offering serene views of Wheeler Pond. The newly built Jean Haigh Cabin, opened in Fall 2023, is thoughtfully designed to be more accessible, ensuring visitors of various abilities can comfortably enjoy Vermont’s great outdoors. Featuring a welcoming screened porch with stunning pond views, the cabin also offers a modernized yet rustic atmosphere. Nearby trails lead guests directly from the cabin doorstep into some of the Northeast Kingdom’s most breathtaking hikes, including trails around Mount Pisgah and Lake Willoughby, famous for its dramatic cliffs and pristine waters. 

Historic Taft Lodge 

Preserving Vermont’s 

Hiking Heritage 

Currently undergoing a significant and meticulous restoration process, Taft Lodge stands as a beloved icon of Vermont’s hiking heritage. Originally constructed in 1920, Taft Lodge is Vermont’s oldest and largest shelter along the Long Trail, perched dramatically at 3,650 feet, just below Mount Mansfield’s 4,395-foot summit—the highest peak in the state. For over a century, the lodge has offered refuge to countless hikers braving Vermont’s notoriously challenging weather and rugged terrain. 

The current restoration project is addressing structural damage caused by years of severe winter conditions. The restoration involves sourcing and transporting replacement logs by helicopter from sustainably harvested trees within Mount Mansfield State Forest. Each log is meticulously debarked, seasoned, and precisely fitted using traditional joinery methods such as saddle notches and scarf joints. This restoration ensures Taft Lodge will continue serving as both a practical shelter and a cherished historic landmark. As the building process continues to unfold, the build combines modern conservation practices with traditional craftsmanship, embodying GMC’s commitment to preserving both Vermont’s trails and Vermont’s historic legacy. 

Green Mountain Club 

Blazing A Bold Trail 

Chloe Miller, GMC’s Communications Manager, clearly summarizes GMC’s dual-focused mission: “To protect and maintain the trail system and foster education, building responsibly-minded hiking communities.” The realization of this vision is evident in GMC’s robust team of seasonal trail crews, committed volunteers, and on-site caretakers, who together manage over 500 miles of trails, including the sections where the Long Trail intersects with the Appalachian Trail. 

Miller explains that the Long Trail (LT), pioneered by GMC, holds the distinct honor of being America’s oldest long-distance hiking trail. Spanning 272 miles exclusively through Vermont from the Massachusetts border to Canada, the LT overlaps in Southern Vermont with the Appalachian Trail (AT), a legendary 2,190-mile route stretching from Georgia to Maine. This overlap creates approximately 100 miles of combined trail from the Massachusetts-Vermont state line near Williamstown to “Maine Junction” north of Killington, offering a uniquely treasured hiking experience recognized worldwide for its diverse landscapes, historic significance, and natural beauty. 

To maintain such an expansive trail network, GMC conducts meticulous, seasonally coordinated efforts. “Our trail crews tackle significant challenges unique to Vermont, especially muddy sections and flooding-damaged trails,” Miller explains. “You’ll often see our crews installing large stepping stones, reconstructing washed-out trails, and implementing modern drainage systems to manage erosion and increased foot traffic effectively.” These ongoing improvements help ensure trail longevity and safety, supporting the sustainability of Vermont’s natural environment. 

An essential component of GMC’s mission is education, primarily delivered through caretakers stationed at heavily frequented backcountry sites. Miller describes their crucial role: “They’re really ambassadors for sustainable hiking. Caretakers educate visitors about ‘Leave No Trace’ principles, camping etiquette, and responsible wilderness practices.” Such direct engagement promotes environmental stewardship among hikers, aligning perfectly with GMC’s broader conservation goals. 

Innovative and sustainable practices are woven into GMC’s trail management strategies, notably through advanced composting techniques used for backcountry waste disposal. “Each of our 70 outhouses are meticulously maintained, and use scientific composting methods to ensure waste breaks down safely into non-pathogenic soil,” Miller emphasizes. These environmentally sound practices illustrate GMC’s deep commitment to reducing human impacts on vulnerable ecosystems.

GMC’s stewardship efforts are bolstered through close collaboration with federal and state forestry agencies, exemplified by their cooperative partnership with Green Mountain National Forest in Southern Vermont. Miller details this cooperative model: “These agencies own the lands and contract GMC to maintain and manage trail corridors. We collaborate closely to identify and prioritize projects, ensuring the trails remain safe and sustainable amid growing visitor numbers and climate change impacts.” This effective public-private partnership plays a crucial role in preserving Vermont’s outdoor spaces.

Community engagement forms another cornerstone of GMC’s approach. Miller highlights the importance of local participation, stating, “Our local chapters conduct routine trail maintenance and regularly host public hikes, which are excellent opportunities to meet fellow hikers and give back.” Miller strongly encourages newcomers or interested visitors to reach out directly to these local chapters. She adds: “They’re the perfect starting point.”

Additionally, GMC’s Service Learning Program engages educational institutions and community organizations in volunteer projects. Miller cites Williams College’s participation in maintenance projects at Stratton Pond as an example, noting, “We work with many schools and groups, tailoring volunteer experiences that benefit both the trail system and the participants. We welcome future volunteer participation from local organizations, businesses, high schools, and colleges in Vermont.” 

Miller offers essential practical advice for hikers new to Vermont’s trails: “Don’t underestimate the backcountry—even moderate trails in Vermont require thorough preparation. Weather conditions change swiftly, so always pack adequate clothing layers and essential safety gear. And remember, Vermont trails mean mud—embrace it and always pack extra socks.” Ultimately, GMC’s vibrant hiking communities thrive through collective stewardship and thoughtful advocacy. Miller concludes passionately, “Hiking trails are free to enjoy but certainly not free to maintain. Local businesses, trail angels providing rides, and informed hikers all contribute meaningfully. Supporting GMC and patronizing businesses that give back ensures these trails remain accessible for generations to come.”