Winooski Valley Park District Parks
Click here for a PDF of the above map: WVPD All Parks Map
08/23/2024: It has been a challenging summer for our parks with flooding in July, continued heavy rain events, and several windstorms. WVPD crew is working hard to clear trails of down trees and repair damage from flooding and heavy rain events.
Please help us out by:
- Following Mud Season etiquette – mud season conditions can happen anytime of year! Some trails will be extra muddy or have sections of standing water after any rain event, as soils are saturated. Please remember to walk through puddles, not around, to avoid widening muddy areas and damaging surrounding vegetation. If a trail is too muddy or wet, when in doubt, turn around and find a more durable trail to enjoy.
- Use caution along river banks and streams. Please do not use any flooded trails or trails with standing water, especially along rivers or streams. Erosion and bank undercutting can still be occurring, conditions can change quickly, rivers and streams are still running high and fast, and flood water can hide hazards and debris.
- Respect all trail closure notices and signs.
Reach out to [email protected] with any questions or to report any trail issues – we will do our best to respond quickly. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@wvpdoutreach) for more up to date information and park conditions.
The Winooski Valley Park District owns and manages 18 parks and natural areas consisting of over 1,750 acres of conserved land, 25 miles of trails, and protects 13 miles of shoreline along lakes, rivers, and ponds in the Winooski River Valley. Parks are open to the public free of charge from dawn to dusk each day.
The WVPD’s parks enhance the scenic beauty of its eight member communities and offer opportunities for outdoor recreation close to where people live and work. The parks provide nature trails, scenic overlooks, picnic facilities, cross country skiing trails, canoe and kayak launches, fishing access, and public garden plots. The WVPD’s parks provide residents the opportunity to experience the natural environment with minimal human disturbance.
Please visit our Parks Rules & Regulation Page before enjoying our parks!
WVPD Parks:
For trail maps and further descriptions click on the desired park.
Colchester Pond Natural Area, Colchester
An 182-acre pond and surrounding forest situated within a large tract of contiguous forest. Colchester Pond offers a 3.5-mile walking trail through forest and fields that circles the pond, canoe and kayak access, fishing, picnic areas and wildlife viewing. A favorite spot to visit year-round!
Delta Park, Colchester
A 55-acre park at the mouth of the Winooski River encompassing several diverse ecosystems and a half mile of natural sandy beaches.
Derway Island Nature Preserve, Burlington
A 148-acre nature preserve along the Winooski River with a variety of floodplain ecosystems.
Donahue Sea Caves, Burlington
A 15-acre park covered by cattail marsh, featuring ancient limestone dolomite caves.
Essex Overlook, Essex
Seasonal picnic area off of Rt. 15 with shade trees and picnic tables.
Ethan Allen Homestead, Burlington
A 284-acre park along the Winooski River in Burlington featuring numerous wildlife species, an elevated boardwalk through a cattail marsh, and several miles of trails along the river and through floodplain forests. Visit the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum to tour Ethan and Fanny Allen’s restored 1787 farmhouse. The park is also home to various community gardens and the Winooski Valley Park District offices.
Heineburg Wetlands, Burlington
Undeveloped 12 acres of conserved wetland and floodplain forest along the Winooski River.
Macrae Farm Park, Colchester
A 288-acre park with floodplains, meadows, and upland hardwood forests offering hiking and cross country trails.
Mayes Landing, Burlington
A quiet spot near the mouth of the Winooski River, next to the Burlington Bike Path, featuring a grassy area with picnic tables surrounded by shade trees.
Muddy Brook, South Burlington
A 27.5-acre park in South Burlington featuring several diverse ecosystems, including Winooski River frontage, and a 1.75-mile loop trail.
Muddy Brook Wetland Reserve, South Burlington/Williston
A 48-acre park with constructed and natural wetlands, offering hiking and cross-country ski trails.
Old Mill Park, Jericho
Formerly a beaver pond, Old Mill Park is now an open meadow landscape in Jericho with Clay Brook running through the middle. Enjoy a hike through the white pine dominated forest with views of the Clay Brook along the way.
Salmon Hole Park & Riverwalk Trail, Burlington
Salmon Hole Park lies at the bottom of the Winooski River Falls on the Burlington-Winooski border. Riverwalk Trail follows the Winooski River for about a 1/2 mile to Riverwalk Park on Intervale Road.
Valley Ridge, South Burlington
Currently undeveloped 18-acre natural area with riparian forest along the Winooski River.
Winooski Gorge, South Burlington
Winooski Gorge is an 11-acre natural area in South Burlington featuring a deep river gorge and a Limestone Bluff Cedar-Pine Forest.
Wolcott Family Natural Area, Colchester
Generously donated by the Wolcott Family in 2012, the Wolcott Family Natural Area is a 61.7-acre park featuring a variety of habitats, including marshes and riparian areas along Pond Brook, that flows from Colchester Pond. The park is being developed to have a 1-mile loop trail and accompanying viewing areas to provide educational and passive recreational opportunities.
Woodside Natural Area, Essex
Woodside Natural Area consists of a diversity of habitats, with forest and beaver-impacted wetlands at its center. Enjoy a 1.5-mile loop trail that offers views of the Winooski River and wetlands.
