Gifford Woods
Park Updates and Alerts
- Black bears are active in Gifford Woods State Park. To help keep bears and people safe, please store all food and coolers in a locked vehicle or in one of the park’s food storage lockers. Throw away trash, recycling, and food scraps in the bear-proof bins provided at central disposal areas.
- Do not bring firewood into Vermont state parks from outside the state, unless it is packaged, labeled, and heat-treated. The label must show it is certified by the USDA or another state’s agriculture department. To learn more, view our Camping Policies and Rules.
Park Information
34 Gifford Woods Rd.
Killington, VT 05751
Friday of Memorial Day Weekend through the third Weekend in October.
10am - official sunset
22 tent/RV sites, 19 lean-to sites
4 cabins available to rent
Pets are permitted throughout the park and in the Moose, Coyote, and Whitetail cabins. Please clean up after your pets.
Welcome
Gifford Woods State Park sits at the base of Killington and Pico peaks. It is close to both the Appalachian Trail and the Long Trail, making it a favorite stop for hikers. Many people hiking the Appalachian Trail pass near the park. Gifford Woods is also a popular place to visit in fall because of its bright autumn foliage.
In 1931, the State of Vermont purchased 13 acres of land from Lee Pearsons and established the park. Over the next two decades, the park expanded through land purchases and a donation from Walter K. Barrows. Mr. Barrows noticed that many travelers stopped along the road to admire the large, old trees on his property. He decided the forest should be protected and donated land so it could become part of the new state park.
Park development began in 1933 with help from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was a nationwide public works program created during the Great Depression to provide jobs and training for unemployed Americans. In 1933 and 1934, CCC crews built the park office, ranger’s quarters, picnic area, stone restroom building, trails, entrance road, and parking area. In 1939, they added a campground. The campground expanded in 1959.
The park continued to grow throughout the 20th century. In 2003, Vermont acquired an additional 171 acres from the Green Mountain Club to help protect the Long Trail corridor. With this addition, the park reached its current size of 285 acres.
Today, Gifford Woods contains one of the few old-growth hardwood tree stands remaining in Vermont. The stand has many grand-sized sugar maple, beech, yellow birch, white ash and hemlock. The understory is rich with native wildflowers. In 1978, seven acres of this forest were designated as the Gifford Woods Natural Area. In 1980, the National Park Service designated an additional 13 acres a National Natural Landmark because of the high-quality old-growth forest found there. To protect this sensitive area, no trails or development are allowed within the Natural Area.
Facilities and Amenities
There are 4 cabins, 22 tent/RV sites and 19 lean-to sites situated in two camping loops. There are also 4 sites reserved for Appalachian Trail hikers and are only reservable through the park office. Each loop has a restroom with flush toilets, hot and cold running water and token-operated hot showers. There is a trailer sanitary station, but there are no hookups. Firewood and ice are available for sale. A wooded picnic area is located behind the ranger's quarters with a play area. Day hikes are available and there is an easy hook up with the Appalachian Trail.