Chittenden combines a large reservoir and extensive forest areas with trails for different seasons and local history. The Long Trail crosses Mt. Carmel State Forest from north to south; in winter, additional trails shape the view of the town. Historic sites and activities also add their own accents. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing these highlights and choosing according to what you want to define your stay.
Reservoir and Forest Landscape
Chittenden Reservoir lies in the south-central part of Chittenden and has an approximate surface area of 721 acres. Green Mountain National Forest covers 31,411 acres within the town limits. These figures describe different areas: the surface of a reservoir and the portion of a national forest within the town. A clearly located body of water and an extensive forest area thus stand side by side as two distinct natural features.
Mt. Carmel State Forest is also located in the Town of Chittenden. It can be reached via the New Boston Trail, a side trail of the Long Trail. Both a named access trail and the Long Trail’s north-to-south route through the forest are therefore relevant for orientation. The trails can be distinguished by their respective roles: the New Boston Trail is the side trail, while the Long Trail crosses the forest.
Hiking, Camping, and Fishing
The Long Trail is used for hiking and camping in Chittenden. Its north-to-south route through Mt. Carmel State Forest gives hiking a specific geographic reference. The Chittenden Brook Camping Area is also located in the northeastern part of the town and is currently used for camping, hiking, and fishing. This location distinguishes the camping area from the reservoir’s location in south-central Chittenden; the activities mentioned also show that the areas are not limited to the same uses.
If hiking is your main focus when choosing activities for your trip, the Long Trail and the New Boston Trail offer two different trail connections: the long-distance trail through the forest and the side trail that provides access to Mt. Carmel State Forest. The Chittenden Brook Camping Area adds fishing to the options alongside hiking and camping. This lets you distinguish the named places by activity and location instead of treating them as a single destination.
Winter Trails and Permitted Use
For winter activities, trails maintained by the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST) run throughout the town. They are used for snowmobiling and other recreational activities, where permitted. Trails maintained by the Catamount Cross Country Ski Association also run throughout Chittenden; cross-country skiing and other recreational activities, where permitted, are among their stated uses.
The associations therefore represent different winter activities: VAST for snowmobiling and Catamount for cross-country skiing. For both, the local-permission restriction also applies to other recreational activities. This distinction is useful for your planning if you want to compare hiking and forest-related interests with a specific winter activity without treating the two trail offerings as the same.
Local History and Historic Sites
The Dwight D. Eisenhower National Fish Hatchery lies entirely within the Town of Chittenden, in its west-central part. It is a tourist attraction. The Chittenden Historical Society organizes educational excursions and hikes that explore the town’s early history. The Holden Historic District is one of two historic districts designated by the State of Vermont in Chittenden. These three references show different aspects of local history: a named attraction, activities organized by the Historical Society, and a state-designated historic district.
The Long Trail also has historical significance: it is considered the oldest long-distance trail in the United States and crosses Mt. Carmel State Forest in Chittenden from north to south. This trail thus brings together a specific local connection and a history that extends beyond the town. If you are interested in history, you can consider the trail’s history as a distinct focus alongside the town’s early history and the Holden Historic District.
Choosing a Focus for Your Stay
If you are looking for a hotel in Chittenden, you can base your search on the interests you want to shape your stay. For hiking and forests, the Long Trail and Mt. Carmel State Forest are the specific local references; in winter, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing on different trails take center stage. The Chittenden Historical Society, the Fish Hatchery, and the Holden Historic District offer further points of interest for exploring local history. This lets you connect your accommodation search with a clear thematic focus.
Discover more destinations: Danby, Shrewsbury, Rutland, Killington, Brandon, Mendon, Castleton
Go to the higher-level travel overview: Rutland County.
