Waterbury Center
Park Updates and Alerts
- The Moscow Paddler’s Access, also known as Cotton Brook Boat Launch, has limited access at the confluence of Little River and the launch bay. Some paddle craft may need to be carried over a short, muddy portage of about 15 feet.
- 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.
- Know before you go. Review the recreational water status page for swim conditions, water test results, and any state park beach closures.
- There is no defined time period set for the reservoir draw down tied to the Waterbury Dam Spillway Project. Current timeline places drawdown starting no earlier than 2028, with additional timing details to be confirmed as the project progresses.
- After the park closes, Umiak Outfitters will still offer boat rentals every Saturday and Sunday through Monday, October 12, 2026. Scroll down to the Boat Rentals heading below for more access and bathroom information.
Park Information
177 Reservoir Rd.
Waterbury Center, VT 05677
Friday of Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend.
10am - official sunset
Camping is not allowed in the park. For nearby camping, visit Little River State Park or Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites.
Pets are not permitted at this park.
Welcome
Waterbury Center State Park lies on the easterly trivium of Waterbury Reservoir, a quarter mile off VT Route 100. It is an integral recreation resource in Central Vermont and one of the newer park facilities within Mount Mansfield State Forest. The Reservoir is the ninth largest body of water in the state of Vermont and was created in the 1930's by the CCC as a flood control project to protect towns and villages along the Winooski River Valley. From late spring to early fall the Reservoir is maintained to a surface area of 850 acres and has a maximum depth of 100 feet. To prepare for normal spring snow melt and runoff, the surface area is reduced to between 415 - 610 acres throughout the winter. The designed flood control capacity of Waterbury Reservoir is approximately 9,000,000,000 gallons.
Waterbury Reservoir is also a great place to fish.
Facilities/Amenities
The park is located on a 90-acre peninsula and contains:
- 17 picnic sites
- picnic tables
- charcoal grills
- a swimming beach
- a nature trail
- trailer boat ramp
- boat rentals - available until Labor Day
- restrooms
- a reservable meeting room
A universally accessible trail includes two accessible fishing platforms.
Boat Rentals
Boat rentals are provided through Umiak Outfitters. Prices may vary from state parks boat rental prices.
After the park closes, Umiak Outfitters will still offer boat rentals every Saturday and Sunday through Monday, October 12, 2026. They will also be offering rentals on Indigenous Peoples Day. The upper gate will stay open allowing parking in the upper lot, while the lower gate will stay closed. Park staff will be onsite and closing up the park until September 19. After that, there will be no staff present. Portable toilets will remain available, but the regular bathrooms will be closed.
Beach Access Wheelchair
A beach access wheelchair is provided to guests to use for free. Guests can call the park to make sure it will be available when they arrive, otherwise if no one is using it, it can be first come first served. There is a beach mat to provide easy access to the water.
Select parks have beach access wheelchairs. For more information on locations, check out our Beach Access Wheelchairs section on our Swimming page.