Smuggler’s Notch State Park

Absolutely love this place!!! First time camping out there this summer and headed back next weekend for a fall trip. We stayed in a walk-​in tent site which was spacious but also secluded. Park rangers are there to help with anything you need. Reasonably priced ($ 22 a night) and the bathrooms are absolutely spotless. Showers are quarter operated and you can buy dried wood/​fire starters from the rangers. We hiked an 8 mile section of the Long Trail and the views were breathtaking! Looking forward to going back!

I recently got back from a section hike of the Long Trail and went through Mt Mansfield and down the LT through the Sterling Pond and Smuggler’s Notch State Park. This might have been the most rewarding hike of my life and I’m not even ¹⁄₇ of the way through down the whole LT. Though the trails here are going to be some of the most crowded with tourists that you’ll find while hiking in Vermont, they will leave you to yourself so you can enjoy your hike and the solitude in nature.
If you’re going to Smugg’s and want to hike, you MUST do the trail up to Sterling Pond. It is absolutely breathtaking and one of my favorite parts about the Green Mountain State. And this is coming from someone who summited Mount Mansfield the day before.

Want to see a breathtaking mountain lake located about 1,000 feet high that you reach by walking up boulders and tree roots along a 1-​mile path that takes you about an hour to ascend? The lake is actually a pond and it’s called Sterling Pond.
Psst…don’t tell too many people. It’s our little secret, okay?

Checkin was great. Liked the place a lot. First time skiers — I am a single dad with 2 small kids — they learned and loved to ski here. Two reasons they get 1 star. Biggest — last night I take my kids to a laser tag activity — all of 20 mts — I leave my bag with cameras and gloves and gators — gone ! Someone just walks off with it. This is inside the resort at 9:30 pm not when a lot of outsiders are there. Am still here till Sunday — will see if I change my mind. $ 1000’s of equipment gone — replaceable — pictures and videos of them skiing first irreplaceable ! Hold onto your belongings

Beautiful mountain views, lovely drive or hike! Picnic areas and more a great place to spend the afternoon

Fantastic camping experience here!
I spent a few days by myself here camping under a lean-​to (basically a covered platform) and it it kept me nice and dry especially given the overnight torrential rainfalls. By morning, the sun always came out and the views of the surrounding mountains and valleys were literally at my feet.
Like others have posted, even driving around here is beautiful. By all means drive along Highway 108 during the summer months if you can given that they close this road off during the winter months. It’s a twisty, bindy, road underneath trees and ferns and ancient massive boulders. Take your time, it’s totally worth it!
The hikes come in all different levels, from beginners to advanced. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, you’re bound to find something you like, whether it’s climbing over rocks, walking through peaceful meadows, or swimming in rivers of rushing gorges.
Plus, I have to say, the park rangers I met were all super helpful and very friendly.

Didn’t «hike» the Notch (ok, maybe a little!) but drove through it and truly enjoyed the majestic scenery. So many spots that are truly picture-​worthy. As several other reviewers indicate, the road through the Notch closes in early November, so if you have plans to drive, keep this in mind. While the drive is a little hairy — some serious curves, very narrow roadways, and many blindspots — it’s worth it. We actually turned around twice just to go through it a couple of times. Don’t know that I would want to navigate that road at night in the dark, but then again, why would you?

How can you give a State Park of this quality anything less than 5 stars?
*Awesome Staff (friendly, knowledgeable, very present)
*Great camping spot
*Great location
*I wish i didn’t Unilocal it because I want to keep it low key, but they really do set a nice standard.
PS I’ve been going here for several years… this time had really top notch rangers (⁰⁸⁄₂₀₁₂)

The drive through the notch alone is worth it — whether you are a Vermonter or a tourist! Bring your camera! There’s a nice little hike up to Sterling Pond across from the parking pull off. The road through the notch is closed once the snow flies so you will want to check first if the weather is iffy!
Oh, and every year, some idiot with a tractor trailer decides to take a shortcut through the Notch. Don’t be that idiot.

Sweet little park up in a high pass right past Stowe and on Mt Mansfield. Lots of rocks and crevices. Otherworldly! Don’t try to bring a truck through here!