Smugglers Notch State Park

Smugglers Notch State Park protects the wild mountain terrain flanking the dramatic gap between Vermont’s highest peak, Mount Mansfield, and neighboring Spruce Peak in the northern Green Mountains. The park takes its name from the smuggling trade that once threaded through the narrow pass — goods and refugees moving between Vermont and Canada through Jefferson’s Embargo, the War of 1812, Prohibition and beyond.

Within the park, the notch road (Route 108) squeezes between towering cliffs hundreds of feet high and house-sized boulders that have tumbled from the walls — so narrow and steep the road closes to vehicles each winter. Trails climb to Mount Mansfield and Sterling Pond, the campground offers a base for exploration, and rock and ice climbers ascend the dramatic cliffs. A wild, scenic park in the heart of the Green Mountains, Smugglers Notch State Park is a treasured Vermont destination.

Smugglers Notch State Park offers hiking on trails through the dramatic notch and up toward Mount Mansfield and Sterling Pond, rock climbing and ice climbing on the towering notch cliffs, the spectacular (and white-knuckle) scenic drive through the notch on Route 108 in the warmer months, camping in the park’s campground, and access to the Long Trail and the Stowe and Smugglers’ Notch ski resorts on either side. Driving or walking through the dramatic notch, hiking to the high country and camping amid the Green Mountains are the signature draws of this wild park.

Late spring through fall is the main season, when the Route 108 notch road is open to vehicles (it closes in winter due to the steep, narrow, snowy conditions), with summer bringing cool relief in the notch and lush green forests, and fall bringing spectacular foliage framing the cliffs — one of Vermont’s most celebrated foliage drives. In winter, the closed road becomes a route for skiers, snowshoers and ice climbers on the cliffs. Summer and fall for the drive and hikes, and winter for climbing and the nearby ski resorts, are the highlights.

The Green Mountains are the homeland of the Abenaki people. Smugglers’ Notch earned its name as a route for illicit trade during the Embargo Act and War of 1812, for liquor during Prohibition, and as a path for those heading to Canada. Vermont established the state park to protect this dramatic and historically rich pass. The notch road and the surrounding mountain terrain have drawn visitors and adventurers for generations. The park preserves the wild cliffs, the dramatic notch, its colorful smuggling history and the rare botanical treasures of its cold cliffs.

The notch is a deep, narrow gap carved between Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak, where Ice Age glaciers and frost shattering steepened the passage and broke enormous boulders from the towering cliffs of ancient Green Mountain schist — boulders that tumbled into the notch, narrowing it further. The cold, shaded north-facing cliffs hold ice late into the year and create a unique cold-air microclimate. The ancient metamorphic rock, the glacial and frost-carving of the walls, and the fallen boulder field created this dramatic, narrow notch and its distinctive character.

The forests and cliffs of the park host black bears, moose, deer and a birdlife including peregrine falcons that nest on the cliffs (routes close seasonally to protect them), boreal birds in the high spruce-fir, and forest songbirds, while the cold, shaded cliffs shelter rare arctic-alpine plants found at unusually low elevation. The range from forest to high cliffs supports varied wildlife. The park offers wildlife watching, with cliff-nesting peregrine falcons and the rare cold-cliff flora among the natural highlights amid dramatic rock scenery.

Smugglers Notch State Park shelters a remarkable cold-cliff ecosystem where the shaded, north-facing cliffs and the cool air that pools in the notch create a microclimate supporting rare arctic and alpine plants at low elevation — a special botanical treasure — set within the spruce-fir and northern-hardwood forest of the Green Mountains. The cold-cliff plants and the notch microclimate are rare and fragile. Protecting the cliffs, the rare plants, the cliff-nesting falcons and the surrounding forest sustains both the ecology and the wild beauty of the park.

Smugglers Notch State Park holds a cherished place in Vermont’s heritage — a dramatic, narrow mountain pass between Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak, steeped in colorful smuggling lore, beloved for its scenic cliffs, hiking and camping near Stowe, and a celebrated fall foliage drive along Route 108. The park embodies the rugged beauty and storied past of the northern Green Mountains. It is a treasured natural and historical icon of Vermont.

Smugglers Notch State Park lies in the northern Green Mountains between Stowe and Jeffersonville, traversed by State Route 108. The notch road is open seasonally (closed to vehicles in winter) and is very narrow and steep — no large vehicles, trailers or buses are permitted. The park campground and trailheads are reached from the notch road. A camping fee applies at the campground; day use of the notch and trails is generally free. Check Vermont State Parks for the seasonal opening date, vehicle restrictions, camping reservations and conditions before visiting.

Vermont State Parks protects Smugglers Notch and its rare cliffs and plants. Visitors help by staying on trails, respecting climbing-route closures for nesting peregrine falcons, not disturbing the rare cold-cliff plants, parking only in designated areas (the notch is tight), packing out everything, and following all park rules. The rare alpine plants on the cold cliffs and the cliff-nesting falcons are particularly sensitive. Protecting the cliffs, the rare flora and the wildlife sustains both the ecology and the wild character of this treasured park.

The Route 108 notch road is extremely narrow, steep and winding with tight turns between cliffs and boulders — drive very slowly and carefully, and note that large vehicles, trailers and buses are prohibited and get stuck (this is strictly enforced). Watch for pedestrians, cyclists and falling rock. The cliffs are for experienced, equipped climbers only. The notch is cool; bring a layer. In winter the road is closed to vehicles. Respect the vehicle restrictions, the narrow road, the falling-rock hazard and the seasonal closure.

Route 108 through the notch is open seasonally and closed to large vehicles, trailers and buses year-round. Stay on trails; respect falcon-nesting climbing closures and do not disturb rare plants. Camping requires a reservation and fee at the state-park campground. Pets must be leashed. Drones are restricted. Pack out all trash; follow Leave No Trace. Check Vermont State Parks for seasonal opening, vehicle restrictions, camping reservations and all rules before visiting.

The resort town of Stowe and Mount Mansfield to the south, the Smugglers’ Notch Resort and the town of Jeffersonville to the north, the Green Mountains and the Long Trail, Camel’s Hump to the south, and Burlington/Lake Champlain to the west lie near the park. Smugglers Notch State Park is a dramatic mountain gateway near Stowe, a centerpiece of a northern Vermont adventure, easily combined with Stowe, Mount Mansfield, the Long Trail and the Jeffersonville area.

Drive the spectacular notch road slowly and carefully when it’s open (late spring to fall) — small vehicles only; no trailers or RVs — and stop to walk among the towering cliffs and giant boulders. Camp in the park campground as a base for hiking toward Mount Mansfield and Sterling Pond. Come in fall for foliage framing the cliffs (it’s popular; go early in the day), bring a layer (the notch is cool), and respect peregrine-falcon climbing closures. Combine your visit with Stowe and Mount Mansfield to the south.