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A wooden railing located in a campsite at Little River State Park.
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A family of four on stand up paddle boards take a paddle at Little River State Park.
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A dirt bike resting on the leaves at Little River State Park.
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Looking out over the reservoir as the sunsets from a campsite at Little River State Park.

From the junction of VT Route 100 and US Route 2:  
West on U.S. 2, then 3-1/2 mi. north on Little River Rd. Located 30 miles south of Burlington just off I-89.

Camping: Developed campground with 81 tent-sites, 20 lean-to sites, and 5 cabins. There are also 27 remote campsites along the Waterbury Reservoir shoreline that are only accessible by boat. For remote campsites along the reservoir, visit the Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites page.

Hiking: Miles of hiking trails are available at the park.

Swimming: Multiple swimming areas for campers. Day users can swim at nearby Waterbury Center State Park.

Boating: Boats are welcome at the park and there is a motor boat launch. The park also has canoes, kayaks, and row boats for rent.

Fishing: Waterbury Reservoir has rainbow trout, brown trout, perch, small-mouth bass, bullhead and panfish.

Nature Programs: This park offers nature programs. Please call the park directly for more information.

Mountain Biking: This park has mountain biking trails.

Volleyball: There is a volleyball net in the day use field.

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Little River State Park Map and Guide
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Little River State Park Trails Guide
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Little River State Park History Hike Booklet
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Little River Nature Trail
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Waterbury Reservoir Remote Campsite Map and Guide
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Little River Mountain Bike Trails Map
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Management Plan for Waterbury Reservoir Remote Campsites

Additional Information

Mountain Bike Trail Status

 

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Little River

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Park Information

Phone

802-244-7103

Address

3444 Little River Rd.
Waterbury, Vermont 05676

Season

Third weekend in May through the Third weekend in October. As of Monday, September 7, the B-side is closed.

Fee Area

Day Use/Camping fees apply

Camping

70 tent/RV sites, 20 lean-to sites

Cabins / Cottages

5 cabins available to rent

Pets

Pets are not permitted on beaches, in designated swim areas or in most cabins. Pets are allowed elsewhere throughout the park. Pets can swim at the boat launch area in section A. Please clean up after your pets. At this time, only the Bear cabin is pet-friendly.

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Welcome

In the early 1800s, settlers cleared fields, rocks, and stumps in Ricker Basin and Cotton Brook. A settlement of about 50 families once lived in this area. Farming was difficult, and harsh weather made life challenging. Over time, younger generations left the area. Today, old cemeteries, sawmill remains, historic town roads, bridges, and many cellar holes can still be seen as evidence of a past community.

On November 3 and 4, 1927, torrential rains caused local rivers to rise and drove residents to their roofs. Between 1935 and 1938, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, constructed Waterbury Reservoir. The CCC camp here was a large and active community with more than 80 buildings, housing about 2,000 men at its peak. Today, only a few chimneys and concrete foundations remain.

Today, Little River State Park is one of the most popular parks in central Vermont. Waterbury Reservoir is particularly popular for boating, with some areas set aside for quieter recreation. Angling for bass and trout is just as popular as water-skiing.

Enjoy swimming beaches, play areas, boat rentals, a boat launch, and miles of hiking and mountain bike trails in the adjacent Mt. Mansfield State Forest. Self-guided nature and history trails begin close to the camping area.

Facilities / Amenities

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The exerior view of one of the cabins with a firepit and picnic table at Little River State Park.
The Bobcat cabin at Little River

Little River State Park, which is part of Mt. Mansfield State Forest, is home to central Vermont's largest and most popular campground. The campground has 81 tent and RV campsites, 20 lean-tos, and five cabins. Restrooms have flush toilets and hot and cold running water, and three of the four restrooms also have token-operated hot showers. A sanitary dump station is available, but there are no hookups.

Within the campground, there are swimming beaches, play areas, a boat launch, ball fields, and boat rentals for campers (for day-use boat rentals and swimming, see Waterbury Center State Park). Nearby are miles of hiking trails for campers and day-use visitors that highlight the rich cultural and natural history of the area.

Remote camping

The remote campsites can be reserved online or through the Reservation Call Center at 1-888-409-7579. Sites that are not reserved are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Information about open campsites may be found at each access area. If you find an open designated campsite, you may set up camp and a park ranger will stop by to register you.

Every remote campsite has a maximum occupancy of six people, unless otherwise posted. There are privies at these sites, but there is no drinking water available. View the remote camping page for more information.

Park Interpreter

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A group of people listening to an interpreter at Little River State Park.
Staff lead a nature hike as part of the nature programs at Little River State Park

This park has a park interpreter offering fun, hands-on activities. A park interpreter is a staff member who helps visitors learn about the park’s natural and cultural history.

Some popular activities include night hikes, nature crafts and games, campfire programs, and amphibian explorations.

Check out the events calendar to see some of the programs planned during your visit.