The Green Mountain Club periodically updates this page with trail closures, conditions, and reports on the Long Trail, Appalachian Trail in Vermont, and Northeast Kingdom Trails. We encourage hikers to share their trail observations with the Club either by contacting our Visitor Center or filling out the form at the bottom of this page. Please be aware that all such trail updates sent to the Club may be used and publicized on this page with the source cited.
GMC also posts conditions reports frequently in our Facebook Group.
Seasonal Mud Season Trail Closures and Hike Guidance
Trail users are encouraged to avoid muddy trails, follow any seasonal trail or road closures, and help protect the treadway and vegetation during mud season, which typically lasts several weeks until Memorial Day weekend as trails thaw and dry. The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (VTFPR) has begun issuing trail closures on state land as conditions change, available on TrailFinder. Steward the trails during mud season by avoiding high-elevation muddy trails, exploring low-elevation trails with durable surfaces (gravel, pavement), and hiking through, not around, any mud you do encounter on open trails.
** As of 3/30/26: Trails on the Long Trail System are still open, but closure status is subject to change as mud season progresses. Keep checking TrailFinder, and turn around if trails are muddy.
Trail Changes & Closures
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Long Trail Relocations and Closures
Including: Long Trail at Prospect Rock (Johnson)
Parking and Trailhead Access Alerts
Including: Lincoln Gap Parking Closure (October), Parking Enforcement on Camel’s Hump Road in Huntington
General Guidelines / Seasonal Closures
Including: Mud Season Trail Closures, Fire Safety Precautions, Trail Magic Guidelines, Food Storage Regulations
Resolved Alerts
Including: Clarendon Gorge Bridge, Pico Camp
Long Trail Trail and Shelter Relocations and Closures
from south to north
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Updates for the relocated Seth Warner Shelter, Stratton Pond Area Trails, and Sunrise Shelter are reflected in the new Long Trail Map, 7th edition.
Glastenbury Fire Tower Remains Closed.
Please do not climb or otherwise use the Glastenbury fire tower. Green Mountain National Forest is in the process of securing funding to repair the tower.
Lake Mansfield Trail Bridge Closed
Due to structural concerns, the bridge on the Lake Mansfield Trail is closed as of 8/23/24. The trail remains open, and hikers will have to ford the stream until the bridge is replaced. In times of high water it may be a hazardous crossing. At this time, there is no timeline on the bridge’s replacement.
The Long Trail at Prospect Rock, Johnson, has been relocated to avoid the cliff area. The new permanent route of the LT uses the relocation that is in effect annually when the cliff is closed for nesting peregrine falcons. Prospect Rock, when open, can now be reached via a short spur trail to the north. Please follow all posted signage, including closures for nesting season. As of July 15, 2025, the nesting falcons have left the location, so the spur trail is currently open. This reroute changes the distance of the trail segment from Route 15 to Prospect Rock Road, from 1.7 miles to 1.5 miles.
Parking and Trail Access Closures
Parking Enforcement on Camel’s Hump Road in Huntington
Parking on the side of the road is not permitted on Camel’s Hump Road in Huntington. Please consider carpooling or visiting on off-peak days. If parking lots are full please turn around and find an alternative nearby hike. Beginning summer 2025, the town of Huntington plans to install new no-parking signs along Camel’s Hump Road and enforcing a parking ordinance. Vehicles that park on the side of the road may be subject to a ticket and/or towing. This ordinance is for safety, so that emergency vehicles can access the trailhead and residences on the road.
Winooski River Footbridge, Parking Closure
Parking is not allowed on the south side of the footbridge. The only current parking for the bridge is on Route 2. Map it.
Seasonal Road Closure: Lincoln Gap Road
Lincoln Gap Road leading to Lincoln Gap Long Trail trailhead access and parking is closed for winter as of October 15. Barriers are installed at the bottom of the road, where hikers may park and walk up the road to access the trailhead, adding about a mile of distance. Weather permitting, the road is expected to reopen May 15.
Seasonal Road Closure: VT-108 Through Smugglers’ Notch
Scenic VT-108 through Smugglers’ Notch between Cambridge and Stowe closed on November 3 and is expected to remain closed for the 2025-2026 winter season. Hikers looking to walk the notch road or access trailheads within the notch can park at Barnes Camp on the Stowe side, or at the parking area past Smuggler’s Notch Resort at the road closure barriers on the Cambridge side. This adds approximately a 1.5 mile walk or 0.5 mile walk to the height of the notch, respectively. Please follow all closure and parking signage.
Note that at certain points of Stowe Resort’s winter season, parking at Barnes Camp may be limited to 90 minutes. Alternatively, hikers can park in Stowe Resort’s Mansfield lots (parking fees depend on dates) or take the Mountain Road Shuttle from Stowe Village.
General Guidelines / Seasonal Closures
Seasonal Mud Season Trail Closures and Hike Guidance
Trail users are encouraged to avoid muddy trails, follow any seasonal trail or road closures, and help protect the treadway and vegetation during mud season, which typically lasts several weeks until Memorial Day weekend as trails thaw and dry. The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (VTFPR) has begun issuing trail closures on state land as conditions change, available on TrailFinder. Steward the trails during mud season by avoiding high-elevation muddy trails, exploring low-elevation trails with durable surfaces (gravel, pavement), and hiking through, not around, any mud you do encounter on open trails.
** As of 3/30/26: Trails on the Long Trail System are still open, but closure status is subject to change as mud season progresses. Keep checking TrailFinder, and turn around if trails are muddy.
Season Trail Closures to Protect Nesting Peregrine Falcons
Several trails and cliff areas are closed to protect the sites of nesting peregrine falcons. Nesting periods typically last from March/April through August, during which breeding falcons are especially sensitive to human activity. Vermont Fish and Wildlife keeps a full list of the closed sites each year, and throughout April additional sites may be added or removed as biologists confirm nesting sites.
Bolton Notch (Bolton) – UUW cliff – cliff access and climbing closed
Bone Mountain (Bolton) – portions closed to climbing
Deer Leap (Bristol) – cliff-top and climbing closed
Eagle Ledge (Vershire) – closed to hiking and climbing
Dummerston Quarry (Dummerston) – upper quarry closed
Hazen’s Notch (Lowell) – portions closed to climbing
Fairlee Palisades (Fairlee) – cliff-top closed
Marshfield Mt (Marshfield) — portions closed to climbing
Mt Horrid (Rochester) – Great Cliff overlook closed
Nichols Ledge (Woodbury) – cliff-top and climbing closed
Prospect Rock (Johnson) – cliff-top overlook and climbing closed
Red Rocks Park (S. Burlington) – southern cliff access closed
Rattlesnake Point (Salisbury) – southern overlook closed
Snake Mountain (Addison) – entire western trail closed
Notice on “Trail Magic” Activities in the Green Mountain National Forest
Hikers and “trail angels” (volunteers) please be advised that the Green Mountain National Forest has issued new guidance on “trail magic” for hikers and backpackers. This guidance comes in response to an increase in unattended food and beverages, leading to concerns around bear activity and waste disposal.
All “trail magic” — including water, cold drinks, snacks, prepared foods — may only be given out with a volunteer physically present. Any trail magic left unattended will be removed and disposed. This guidance applies to cached food and resupplies as well. Thank you for your helping us keep the Long Trail System litter free and a safe place for humans and wildlife to co-habitat.
Black Bear Activity
Forest Service officials announced July 24, 2019, that they are implementing a Forest Order for the entire Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF) geared toward minimizing black bear and human encounters and interactions. The order specifies proper food storage and prohibits leaving food, or refuse on National Forest system lands in Vermont. The Order was issued to provide for visitor safety and the conservation of bears. See more information in the press release.
The following acts are prohibited on the Green Mountain National Forest:
- Except while being consumed, all food, food containers and refuse shall be stored in a closed motor vehicle or suspended at least twelve (12) feet above the ground and not less than six (6) feet horizontally from any object. Bear boxes and bear canisters designed specifically for food and/or refuse storage are acceptable.
- All refuse containing food materials or containers shall be deposited in receptacles provided for that purpose, removed from the Green Mountain National Forest to be disposed of properly, or stored in the manner prescribed for food in #1 above (36 CFR 261.58(cc)).
We have had many questions about whether Ursacks are allowed with the GMNF order. Ursacks are currently acceptable under the Food Storage Closure Order, but as with any newer device or technology, they could be unacceptable in the future if GMNF sees issues with them. We recommend that they be used in conjunction with the odor-proof OPSaks recommended by Ursack.
Resolved Alerts
(in chronological order)
UPDATE: Temporary Shelter Closure: Beaver Meadow Lodge
Beaver Meadow Lodge, which sits about one mile off the LT east of Madonna Mountain, is reopened for use following repairs.
UPDATE: Long Trail Detour on Duxbury Road (River Rd.), Bolton
The Duxbury Road Construction Closure is complete, and the road is fully open to two-way traffic, including hikers, as of November 26.
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