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The western United States is well known for its lofty mountains, with ranges like the Rockies, Sierra Nevadas, and Cascades drawing millions of sightseers 麻豆AVwide yearly. But if you live on the East Coast and find it tedious to travel across the country every time you want to experience some nice alpine scenery, you're in luck, as one of the country's most beautiful and underrated mountain chains is right on your doorstep.

The Green Mountains, which span Vermont from top to bottom, deserve more attention, given their pristine wildlands, abundance of attractions, and ease of access for New Englanders and residents from nearby populous states like New York. Let's examine this little-known travel destination in the Northeast and uncover why it deserves a spot among the best natural regions in the United States.

The Geography of the Green Mountains

The Green Mountains stretch across the length of Vermont, forming the central spine of the state and influencing its topography, climate, and ecosystems in a variety of ways. Part of the Appalachian Mountain system, they extend approximately 250 miles from southern Vermont near the Massachusetts border to the Canadian border.

This range is characterized by its numerous ridges and significant, notable peaks, with elevations ranging from around 2,000 feet to 4,395 feet at Mount Mansfield, Vermont's highest point.

The range is often divided into three sections: the Southern Green Mountains, the Central Green Mountains, and the Northern Green Mountains. The Southern section is lower and more rounded in appearance, while the Northern section is notably more rugged, with steep rocky cliffs and alpine landscapes. The Central part of the Green Mountains houses several of the state鈥檚 most prominent peaks, including Killington Peak and Camel鈥檚 Hump, and is a renowned New England destination for housing the kinds of difficult hikes you'd often see in the mountains out west.

The Green Mountains are the source of several important rivers and waterways, including the Winooski, Lamoille, and Otter Creek, and they help create distinct weather patterns, with the higher elevations experiencing colder temperatures and heavier snowfall.

Wildlife in the Green Mountains

The wild stretch of mountains in Vermont is home to a huge variety of plants and animals, with many portions of it being contained within publicly protected lands.

Fauna

The Green Mountains provide habitats for a diversity of animals. Mammals such as black bears, moose, white-tailed deer, and bobcats roam its forests and alpine areas, while smaller species like red foxes, porcupines, snowshoe hares, and even flying squirrels are common throughout.

Birds also thrive in the Green Mountains, with species like barred owls, woodpeckers, and eastern bluebirds populating lower elevations. At higher altitudes, you may find Bicknell鈥檚 thrush, a rare bird that nests in the boreal forests.

Amphibians like spotted salamanders and spring peepers are abundant in the region's wetlands and streams, while the area鈥檚 rivers and lakes support fish like brook trout and rainbow trout, which are vital to local ecosystems and recreational fishing.

Flora

The vegetation of the Green Mountains depends on whichever elevation and climate zones they find themselves in. Lower elevations are dominated by northern hardwood forests, which are made up of a large part of sugar maples, yellow birch, and American beech. As you ascend, these give way to boreal forests, where red spruce and balsam fir thrive in cooler conditions. Near the summits, alpine vegetation begins to emerge, a rarity on the east coast of the United States. This zone is often home to mosses, lichens, and rare plants such as Bigelow's sedge.

The mountains also support a variety of wildflowers, including trillium, lady鈥檚 slippers, and asters, which flourish in spring and summer.

Notable Parks Within the Green Mountains

As mentioned, this mountain range is quite rural, and in lieu of bustling towns and cities, its rugged lands are home to a number of notable parks that are important for both tourism and environmental protection.

Green Mountain National Forest

Green Mountain National Forest spans over 400,000 acres across southwestern and central Vermont, offering its visitors and native wildlife alike its landscapes of hardwood forests, mountain peaks, and clear rivers.

Established in early 1932, the forest is managed for both conservation and recreation, attracting millions of outdoor adventurers year-round. Popular activities within the park include hiking, camping, and fishing in summer, as well as skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling in winter.

The forest is home to a significant portion of the Long Trail, the oldest long-distance trail in the United States, stretching its length from north to south, as well as sections of the Appalachian Trail. Other notable areas within the forest include the Lye Brook Wilderness and Mount Abraham.

Its rich biodiversity supports wildlife like moose, black bears, and migratory birds, while its brilliant fall foliage draws visitors from across the country in the latter months of the year.

Smugglers鈥� Notch State Park

Smugglers鈥� Notch State Park, located near Stowe, is named for the narrow mountain pass it encompasses. This dramatic notch, originally carved by glaciers, features steep cliffs rising up to 1,000 feet and a scenic winding road closed to vehicles in winter.

Historically, it served as a route for smugglers during the early 19th century. Today, the park is a widely sought-after hub for outdoor adventure. Hiking trails in the park lead to landmarks such as Sterling Pond, Vermont鈥檚 highest-elevation pond, and Hell Brook Trail, a challenging route to Mount Mansfield.

The park offers seasonal camping facilities, including tent sites and lean-tos, making it a great place for a weekend escape into the wild.

Camel鈥檚 Hump State Park

As you may be able to guess, this park encompasses the famous Camel鈥檚 Hump, Vermont鈥檚 third-highest peak at 4,083 feet. A trip to the top of the hump will reward you with 360-degree overhead views of the surrounding forestlands. It features numerous hiking trails, with the Monroe Trail and Burrows Trail being the most frequented routes to the summit. The Long Trail traverses the Green Mountains and crosses through the area.

This state park also protects various ecosystems, including rare alpine tundra at its peak. Camel鈥檚 Hump is a haven for wildlife, too, making it a popular destination for wildlife photographers. Watch for moose, black bears, and peregrine falcons, the 麻豆AV's fastest bird!

What Else Is There to Do in the Area?

This extensive region of Vermont has many attractions to see and do throughout the year. Let's dive into some of the most popular draws in the Green Mountains you can experience for yourself.

Skiing and Snowboarding

The Green Mountains of Vermont are a premier destination for skiing and snowboarding in the Northeast, attracting winter sports enthusiasts nationwide.

The region has several renowned ski resorts, including Stowe Mountain Resort, located near Mount Mansfield, and Killington Resort. Known as 鈥淭he Beast of the East,鈥� Killington boasts the largest skiable area in the region, with over 150 trails and an extensive snowmaking system. Sugarbush Resort, nestled in the gorgeous Mad River Valley, also combines varied terrain with a charming atmosphere on the remote hill. Other popular resorts include Stratton Mountain, Smugglers鈥� Notch, and Okemo Mountain.

Whether for beginners or advanced skiers, the Green Mountains deliver 麻豆AV-class locales for downhill winter recreation that is only overshadowed by the Rocky Mountains and other massive western ranges.

Escape to a Small Town

These mountains are home to an array of charming small towns, many of which offer easy access to outdoor adventures, local culture, and historic landmarks.

Stowe, located near Mount Mansfield, combines a unique arts scene with excellent dining and is close to Stowe Mountain Resort, where skiing and hiking are available.

Manchester is known for its historic appeal. Places like the Hildene estate are open for tours, and there are several intriguing museums, like the American Museum of Fly Fishing.

Middlebury, with its stately college campus, features a picturesque downtown filled with locally owned shops and restaurants, as well as nearby trailheads in the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area.

Warren, nestled in the Mad River Valley, is near the renowned Sugarbush Resort and offers a laid-back and quaint vibe. Covered bridges and scenic farmland surround the town. Warren Falls, one of Vermont's most traveled natural landmarks, is just a short drive south of this town.

Go Leaf Peeping in the Fall Season

The forests covering the Green Mountains wonderfully transform each autumn, attracting leaf-peepers from around the 麻豆AV looking to get a snapshot of the rich reds, oranges, and yellows that blanket the area during the fall months in Vermont.

More specifically, from late September to mid-October, when the foliage colors are at their best, the region's hardwood forests are an amazing backdrop for scenic drives like the Route 100 Byway and the Smugglers鈥� Notch Road. Hiking trails, such as those on Mount Mansfield or Camel鈥檚 Hump, provide an up-close experience of these vibrant woodlands.

Idyllic small towns like Stowe and Woodstock add to the season鈥檚 charm with local fall-related festivals and farmers' markets offering harvest coming from the area's rich farmlands.

Don't Travel Far for Your Next Mountain Adventure

If you live near the Atlantic coast of the United States and love outdoor travel and adventure, you owe it to yourself to visit the Green Mountains if you haven't already. An important geological feature that greatly affects the ecosystems of New England, and an equally impressive travel destination with its jaw-dropping natural beauty around every corner, this range is perhaps one of the most underappreciated in the country.

The beauty of the northeastern corner of the country is that, although it is surprisingly easy to escape the big cities, its relatively high population still means that amenities, like small towns and modern accommodations for your trip, are not hard to find, even in and around the Green Mountains of western Vermont.