Area Attractions
The importance the mountains, the valleys, and the White River Watershed play to our way of life cannot be underestimated. These elements are the canvas on which our lives are painted.
The Land
The Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF) offers diverse landscapes in its more than 12,000 acres. For information about trails, call the Green Mountain National Forest Ranger Station at 802-767-4261, Rochester office, or visit their website. Hiking access only to Mt. Cushman State Forest is located east of Rochester. Access is strictly on foot. Allis State Park (802-276-3175) in Brookfield has the Bear Hill Nature Trail, viewing tower, and picnic area, open Memorial to Labor Day. A favorite hiking system, The Long Trail, is maintained by the Green Mountain Club, information to be found on their website. Downer State Forest, 705 acres on Downer Rd in Sharon, offers hiking and hunting along with warm water catches in the CCC Pond.
Three Stallion Inn on Stock Farm Road in Randolph offers bike rentals xc-ski rentals and miles of trails also good for walking, hiking, cross country skiing or snowshoeing with miles of mapped road routes with difficulty ratings as well as some of the finest single track in the country. 802-728-5575, info@threestallioninn.com, www.threestallioninn.com.
A popular cycling route is the loop from VT Rte 12A to VT Rte 12 and back to its intersection with 12A going from Randolph through Braintree and back to the village of Randolph. A more challenging route involves a loop going from Bethel to Rochester via the Camp Brook Rd to Route 100S then through Stockbridge on Rte 107 to Bethel and return to the start on Rte 12 N. Riders can be reinforced at a number of cafés along their route. Green Mountain Bikes offers trail advice, maps, rental, sales, service, and repair. Route 100 in Rochester, VT, 105 No. Main St., 800-767-7882 or 802-767-4464, www.greenmountainbikes.com.
The Water
The White River offers miles of beautiful countryside. Traveling from No. Royalton to So. Royalton is a popular route by canoe, kayak, or tube. A long kayak whitewater run can be found from Stockbridge to Bethel. The river is quickwater for the most part from Bethel to the Connecticut River with some short drops, narrows and Class II rapids. The First Branch below Chelsea is Class II and Class III whitewater, and the Third Branch from Roxbury to Randolph provides whitewater as well. Sharon Trading Post at the jct. of Rtes. 14 and 132 in Sharon has tube rentals for a slower ride down the White River, 802-763-7404. Vermont River Adventures in Gaysville offers tube rentals and lessons, 888-803-8705, www.tubevermont.com.
Swimming holes include Big Parker Swimming Hole in Bethel, Twin Bridge Swimming Hole in Gaysville, and Little Parker in Stockbridge with others on the Third Branch in Braintree and on Locust Creek in Bethel. Public access areas are found at Hancock Overlook, Lions Club Park in Rochester, US Forest Service Peavine Park in Stockbridge, Peavine Park in Bethel, and the swimmer’s beach at Silver Lake State Park in Barnard.
Trout fishing often begins in May on the White River, usually with bait. Fly fishing starts in June when the waters quiet. This river is known for its brown, brook and rainbow trout and is friendly to wading, allowing anglers to find deep pools for great fishing. The White River National Fish Hatchery is on Rte 107 in Bethel, just past the intersection with Rte 12 and 107, 802- 234-5241.