While Vermont is a popular destination for vacationers, even the natives may not know that some of these special places exist. Sure, a map of Vermont will include the trails, but not the secret turnoffs. They locate towns, but they don’t point out the charming and quintessential aspects of a place telling you why you don’t want to miss it. From scenery to history to charm, here are the 11 best hidden gems in Vermont that just may be the perfect destination for your next adventure.

1. Moosalamoo National Recreation Area, Brandon.
Flickr/Don Shall
It may sound like this is a place for moose and cows, but Moosalamoo is a magical 26,000-acre paradise. Sure there is wildlife here, but the forested hills and valleys are a hiker’s dream with their many well marked trails and wonderful overlooks of the mountains and the Champlain Valley. Make the most of your hikes and take in the ponds, lakes and waterfalls. Enjoy the solitude as the area rarely gets overcrowded. For more info about this National Recreation Area, click here to go to their official webpage.
2. Common Road in the Mad River Valley, Waitsfield.
Flickr/paul+photos=mody
This road provides quintessential views of Vermont and includes farmlands, quaint villages, barns, covered bridges, horses, cows and of course mountain views including Camel’s Hump, Sugarbush and Mad River Glen. It is so beautiful that a marathon, The Mad Marathon, was designed just to bring people here to appreciate all of Vermont’s beauty all rolled into one course. Mad River Glen – Ski it if you can? Try RUN it if you can.
3. Hogback Mountain, Goshen.
Flickr/Luke H Gordon
If you want to get high (not that kind of high!) and find lesser known places in Vermont, take the athletic way and hike up to the summit of Hogback Mountain which offers dazzling views of the Adirondacks. Pack a lunch and soak up the scenery on an old Shepard’s bench and pick some wild blueberries for dessert if the time is right. The trails here connect to the footpaths of the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area.
4. Ice Castles, Stratton.
Flickr/A.D. Wheeler
Here is a place where man meets nature to create a magical wonderland. The Ice Castles are a collision of ice caves, frozen waterfalls and glaciers, formed into towering archways, caverns and tunnels. You can explore this glacial wonderland by day or by night when lights embedded deep within the ice change to the rhythm of inspiring music. If you are looking awesome and fun things to do in Vermont, definitely check out this place. For more information about this place, take a look at this article
5. Town of Grafton.
Flickr/mksfca
Who says that hidden gems have to be exclusively nature? Not us! This charming town has a creek which meanders through the village and wonderful examples of 19th century architecture create a relaxing southeastern Vermont community. Shops and churches create a relaxing southeastern Vermont community, the perfect getaway for a nostalgic day trip. Extend your visit and stay at the Old Tavern at Grafton, a famous restored 1801 inn with quaint lodging and dining for those in search of staying in quintessential Vermont.

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6. Osmore Pond, New Discovery State Park, Peacham.
Flickr/dickmfield
This gem is far from pulling into a campground and setting up a tent next to your car and using the provided grill. No, Osmore Pond is set in the Groten State Forest and is beyond traditional camping and exploring. It’s pristine, underdeveloped and very quiet. The pond is a distance swimmers dream as there are no motor boats allowed. The park offers stone fireplaces, log lean-tos, and picnic shelters built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps out of hand hewn logs. Hidden individual picnic spots scattered along the lakeshore giving you a sense of privacy, summer wildflowers, smooth stones and shady woods make the area more of a romantic than rustic destination.
7. Harrington’s View, Bolton.
Flick/Wally the wonder swede
Sure, we’ve all seen Mount Mansfield as it’s Vermont’s most famous mountain, but not many people have seen a view of it from here. Harrington’s View is located on the Long Trail, America’s oldest long distance hiking trail, and is a little known spot, despite being relatively close to Vermont’s large population centers. This vista provides a unique view of Mount Mansfield from a different and slanted angle. It gives you a feeling of escape despite only being a few miles from the nearest road and is the perfect place for a picnic or even just a beer. A Long Trail beer, of course!
8. Mount Independence, Orwell.
Flickr/Don Shall
If you’re looking for more history and unique places in Vermont to visit, head over to Mount Independence, the site of a Revolutionary War fortress overlooking Lake Champlain and restored Fort Ticonderoga. The area is abundant with hiking trails and archeological finds and depending on what time of the year, you may find yourself surrounded by quiet and solitude, or in the middle of a war reenactment. History junkies will love the several historical reenactments that take place each summer at Mount Independence.
9. The Pond Less Traveled in Ripton
Flickr/Nancy Anne L. Merolle
Don’t count on all of Vermont’s best hidden treasures to be clearly defined on maps. A local favorite in Ripton is a beaver pond located high in the hills. To get there, you have to drive up Natural Turnpike and then walk, ski, or snowshoe up the Catamount Trail to an unmarked turnoff that leads to the pond. Not far from the Robert Frost Cabin, this spot is truly on the trail less traveled.
10. Ithilel Falls, Johnson.
Flickr/scottmccracken
Ithilel Falls in Johnson is a hidden gem for the lovers of water sports and beach goers alike. Each season brings a different personality of the river; for example, swift in spring, gentle in the summer. For added history to this lovely spot, the falls were once a Class 5 River Rapid, which caused massive flooding in the town of Johnson in 1927. The falls were later blown up by the Civilian Conservation Corps and became a Class 2 Rapid. The famous Long Trail goes over the falls by means of a suspension bridge. For the less daring, there is easy access to get here on a sandy walk with parking access via Hogback Road.
11. Town of Newfane.
Flickr/PhillipC
It has been said that Mick Jagger may or may not have vacationed here, which is a funny claim to tout. Newfane doesn’t need a celebrity draw to realize why its one of the most photographed areas of Vermont, but this town doesn't feel rushed, trendy or precocious. It is a true Vermont town, validated by being listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s perfect for strolling, biking, swimming, and shopping at the country store. It’s a lovely break if you’re nearby skiing at Haystack, Mt. Snow and Stratton Mountains, or visiting a maple sugar house in the spring.

What are the best hidden gems in Vermont that you have visited? Which ones will be added to your bucket list? Let us know and share a comment below! Looking for more hidden and unique places to visit in Vermont? Check out this article here of 17 picturesque towns in Vermont that are delightful.

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More to Explore

best hidden gems in Vermont

Luke | June 10, 2020

What are the most beautiful hikes in Vermont?

One of the most gorgeous hikes in Vermont is the summit hike up Mt. Mansfield, which provide some of the most spectacular views in our state. If you are interested in hiking Mt. Mansfield, we highly recommend taking the Sunset Ridge Trail; the trail is easily accessible from Underhill State Park and is well marked. Some other beautiful hikes in Vermont are 1. Mount Pisgah Trail, 2. Camel’s Hump Trail, 3. Lye Brook Falls Trail. Happy hiking!

Which hikes in Vermont are short and sweet?

If you are looking for some short and sweet hikes in Vermont, take a look at this article here of 9 wonderful short and sweet hikes in Vermont with a beautiful end view to top off the journey. All the hikes on this list are great for the whole family. Happy exploring!

What are the oldest attractions in Vermont?

Vermont's history is long and fascinating. With restaurants founded in the 18th century, 19th-century townhouses, general stores, covered bridges, and old towns that have stood the test of time, Vermont's oldest attractions are everywhere! For more information about specific attractions, take a look at this article of the eight oldest and most historic towns in Vermont. And if you are interested in dining at the oldest restaurant and tavern in all of Vermont, make a reservation at the Ye Olde Tavern, founded in 1790.

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Featured Addresses
Common Rd, Waitsfield, VT 05673, USA
Hogback Mountain, Goshen, VT 05748, USA
Moosalamoo National Recreation Area, Hancock, VT 05748, USA
Stratton, VT, USA
Grafton, VT, USA
Osmore Pond, Peacham, VT 05046, USA
Long Trail, Bolton, VT, USA
Mount Independence, Mt Independence, Orwell, VT 05760, USA
Robert Frost Mountain Cabins, 2430 N Branch Rd, Ripton, VT 05766, USA
Ithiel Falls, VT 05656, USA
Newfane, VT, USA