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Submission
Fort Dummer State Park, located in the Connecticut River Valley just outside of Brattleboro, has 217 acres of forest land.
The park was named after Fort Dummer, the first permanent European settlement in Vermont. Built on the frontier in 1724, it was initially the gateway to the early settlements along the banks of the Connecticut River. Forty-three English soldiers and twelve Mohawk Indians manned the fort in 1724 and 1725. Later, the fort protected what was then a Massachusetts colony from an invasion by the French and Indians. Made of sturdy white pine timber, stacked like a log cabin, Fort Dummer served its purpose well.
The park overlooks the site of Fort Dummer which was flooded when the Vernon Dam was built on the Connecticut River in 1908. This site can be seen from the northernmost scenic vista on the Sunrise Trail. It is now underwater near the lumber company located on the western bank of the river.
Located in the southern foothills of the Green Mountains, the forest is more like those of southern New England than like a typical Vermont forest. Southern tree species such as white, red, and chestnut oaks, dominate the hardwood forest, which also contains beech, maple, yellow birch, and white birch.
An abundance of oak trees provides food and shelter for gray squirrels, turkeys, and deer. Ruffed grouse also inhabit these woods, attracted by its dense woody cover and open understory.
Facilities / Amenities
The campground has 50 tent/trailer sites and 10 lean-to sites. These are located in two adjacent areas and are served by two toilet buildings, both with coin-operated hot showers. There is a sanitary dump station, but there are no hookups. Also located within the park is a small picnic area, hiking trails (one of which leads to a swimming hole) and a large open field.
From Jct. I-91 (Exit 1, Brattleboro) & U.S. 5: Go 1/10 mi N on US 5, then 1/2 mile E on Fairground Road, then 1 mile S on Main Street and Old Guilford Road.
Visiting from out of state, beautiful park and wonderful cleared trail . Gorgeous scenery
Fort Dummer State Park provided us with an enjoyable camping experience shared with friends. We particularly liked the Sunset Trail, which led us to the playground area. Although the playground lacked kids' swings and slides, we still had a great time playing games there. Cooking at the campground was a fun experience, and we later headed to the open ground to indulge in stargazing during the night.
However, we did encounter a slight issue with the volunteer staff. They seemed a bit unfriendly and frequently approached us to remind us about keeping the noise level down and maintaining campground rules. The restroom facilities were a bit far from our campground, which was a minor inconvenience. Additionally, the area had a high mosquito population, so it's crucial to remember to bring mosquito repellent spray.
Overall, despite these minor setbacks, we had a wonderful time camping at Fort Dummer State Park and created cherished memories with friends.
